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A Parametric Approach to Optimizing Building Construction Systems and Carbon Footprint: A Case Study Inspired by Circularity Principles

Author

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  • Muheeb Al-Obaidy

    (Sustainable Building Design Laboratory, Department Urban and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, Université de Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

  • Luc Courard

    (GeMMe Building Materials, Department Urban and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, Université de Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

  • Shady Attia

    (Sustainable Building Design Laboratory, Department Urban and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, Université de Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

Abstract

There is a global call for a paradigm shift in the construction industry towards carbon neutrality, but a scant effort has been madein practice, especially concerning circularity. This paper helps bridge the gap by introducing a parametric approach to optimize sustainable construction design. The methodology was tested on a newly constructed office building, inspired by circularity principles, in Westerlo, Belgium. The methodology consists of parametric construction-typological analysis, automated through One Click LCA software (Life Cycle Assessment) and Microsoft Excel with 21 alternate designs and 630 iterations. The parametric variations involved three key performance indicators: construction system, materials’ environmental impact, and materials; reuse of content. The environmental effects of both construction systems (i.e., structural system, foundation type, materials, and envelope details) and reused building materials content (i.e.,) were evaluated by the parametric analysis for four construction systems scenarios. Environmental impact analysis for timber, steel, concrete, and hybrid construction systems was conducted, following ISO 14040 and CEN/TC 350 standards. The focus of the whole life cycle assessment was mainly on carbon neutrality. Results indicate that using local biosourced materials, including timber, can remarkably reduce buildings’ environmental impact. The sensitivity analysis results provide hard evidence that the construction material’s weight, materials reuse potential, and construction dismantling ability are the most influential factors in carbon-neutral buildings. This paper should improve professionals’ understanding of the impact of different structural systems choices and inform building designers about the circularity potential, and carbon footprint of construction technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Muheeb Al-Obaidy & Luc Courard & Shady Attia, 2022. "A Parametric Approach to Optimizing Building Construction Systems and Carbon Footprint: A Case Study Inspired by Circularity Principles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3370-:d:770298
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marzena Smol & Joanna Duda & Agnieszka Czaplicka-Kotas & Dominika Szołdrowska, 2020. "Transformation towards Circular Economy (CE) in Municipal Waste Management System: Model Solutions for Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-25, June.
    2. Cellura, Maurizio & Longo, Sonia & Mistretta, Marina, 2011. "Sensitivity analysis to quantify uncertainty in Life Cycle Assessment: The case study of an Italian tile," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4697-4705.
    3. Pedro Nuñez-Cacho & Jaroslaw Górecki & Valentín Molina-Moreno & Francisco A. Corpas-Iglesias, 2018. "What Gets Measured, Gets Done: Development of a Circular Economy Measurement Scale for Building Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Riccardo Liberotti & Vittorio Gusella, 2023. "Parametric Modeling and Heritage: A Design Process Sustainable for Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Rui Liang & Xichuan Zheng & Po-Hsun Wang & Jia Liang & Linhui Hu, 2023. "Research Progress of Carbon-Neutral Design for Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-50, August.
    3. Han-Ming Zhang & Jing Chen & Zhuo-Qun Liu & Jian-Chun Xiao, 2023. "Optimization of Steel Consumption for Prestressed Spatial Arch-Supported Partial Single-Layer Reticulated Shells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, March.

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