Evaluating The Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Cement-Based Materials in Residential Construction

Abstract

The concrete manufacturing sector is challenged by endeavors to diminish the usage of raw materials and energy consumption, as well as by environmental concerns. The life-cycle energy performance of cement-based materials used in the building sector is an area of research that needs further development. Residential buildings are responsible for more than 20% of total energy consumption. Using appropriate materials throughout the life cycle of a building is crucial to improve energy efficiency and decrease CO2 emissions. The embodied energy of materials is another critical aspect of life cycle energy assessment. According to several studies, 10-20% of a building's total life cycle energy is allocated to the embodied energy of materials. It is evident that both the operational and embodied energy of buildings should be reduced to mitigate climate change. Utilizing energy-efficient architectural measures and low-emission materials during new building designs are reasonable steps to achieve overall benefits in global energy efficiency. The study aims to define the pros and cons of using cement-based materials in the building sector and their influence on life cycle energy efficiency. To achieve this, the study will assess the same residential building located in five different climatic zones of Turkey. The focus will be on the impact assessment of various cement-based materials and energy efficiency upgrading through proper insulation architectural scenarios on life cycle energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Through analysis, the total embodied and operational energy use, and CO2 emissions regarding the life cycle phase of the building will be quantitatively defined and investigated within the framework of a life cycle inventory. The primary energy consumption of the case study buildings will be calculated using a dynamic simulation tool, EnergyPlus. Subsequently, various architectural energy-efficient measures will be implemented in the building envelope to compare results and understand life cycle behavior.