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Primary Energy and Carbon Impacts of Structural Frames with Equivalent Design Criteria: Influence of Different Materials and Levels of Prefabrication

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Piccardo

    (Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Campus Ghent, Gebroeders de Smetstraat 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Camille Steinik

    (Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Campus Ghent, Gebroeders de Smetstraat 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Simone Caffè

    (Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DICCA), University of Genoa, Via Montallegro 1, 16145 Genoa, Italy)

  • Alessio Argentoni

    (Tecnostrutture, Via Meucci, 26 I, 30020 Noventa di Piave, Italy)

  • Chiara Calderini

    (Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DICCA), University of Genoa, Via Montallegro 1, 16145 Genoa, Italy)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the life-cycle primary energy and climate impacts of structural frames, paying particular attention to the design and prefabrication of different structural materials. The study considers an existing single-story office building with a composite concrete–steel structure and compares it with two functionally equivalent structures, i.e., a conventional reinforced concrete structure and a conventional steel structure. The existing building is located in San Felice sul Panaro, Italy. This study integrates dynamic structural analysis and life-cycle assessment (LCA). The study finds that the use of different materials can reduce the life-cycle primary energy use and CO 2-eq emissions by up to 12%. Furthermore, the benefits derived from the recovery and recycling of materials can reduce the primary energy use and CO 2-eq emissions by up to 47% and 36%, respectively. The prefabrication of structural elements can also reduce the primary energy use and CO 2-eq emissions in the construction stage. A sensitivity analysis considers changes in the electricity supply system and shows that the primary energy and CO 2-eq emissions due to prefabrication decrease when assuming marginal electricity based on renewable energies. This analysis supports the development of sustainable structural design to meet the standards concerning the whole-life-cycle carbon emissions of buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Piccardo & Camille Steinik & Simone Caffè & Alessio Argentoni & Chiara Calderini, 2024. "Primary Energy and Carbon Impacts of Structural Frames with Equivalent Design Criteria: Influence of Different Materials and Levels of Prefabrication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:10:p:4209-:d:1396400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raymond Cole, 2000. "Building environmental assessment methods: assessing construction practices," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(8), pages 949-957.
    2. Röck, Martin & Saade, Marcella Ruschi Mendes & Balouktsi, Maria & Rasmussen, Freja Nygaard & Birgisdottir, Harpa & Frischknecht, Rolf & Habert, Guillaume & Lützkendorf, Thomas & Passer, Alexander, 2020. "Embodied GHG emissions of buildings – The hidden challenge for effective climate change mitigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    3. Dodoo, Ambrose & Gustavsson, Leif & Sathre, Roger, 2009. "Carbon implications of end-of-life management of building materials," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 276-286.
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