An Epitome of Building Floor Systems by Means of LCA Criteria

Yovanna Elena Valencia-Barba, José Manuel Gómez-Soberón, María Consolación Gómez-Soberón and Fernando López-Gayarre
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Yovanna Elena Valencia-Barba: Barcelona School of Architecture, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, 649 Diagonal Avenue, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
José Manuel Gómez-Soberón: Barcelona School of Building Construction, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, 44-50 Doctor Marañón Avenue, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
María Consolación Gómez-Soberón: Civil Engineering School, Metropolitan Autonomous University, 180 San Pablo Avenue, México City 02200, Mexico
Fernando López-Gayarre: Department of Construction and Manufacturing Engineering, Campus de Gijón, University of Oviedo, 33203 Asturias, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 13, 1-25

Abstract: Studies of the elements that make up the structure of a building have generally focused on topics related to their physical and structural capacities. Although research has been carried out into environmental impact during the life cycle stages, the environmental profile is far from established. This research aims to reduce the gap in the knowledge of this subject, offering useful information to professionals in the construction industry, which will enable them to consider environmental aspects when choosing the best construction systems. The present study applies the methodology of the life cycle assessment (LCA), to analyze and compare four floor construction systems in two different scenarios (“A” with a functional homogeneous unit of 1 m 2 and “B” with 1 m² made up of the percentages of the floor system and the special areas of the building). The analysis is performed using the LCA Manager software, along with the Ecoinvent 3.1 database and with a cradle to handover perspective (A1–A5). Comparison was made using two environmental impact methodologies, Eco-indicator 99 and CML 2001. The results highlight the stages A1–A3 as those that generate the greatest environmental impact. Comparing the environmental profiles of the different floor systems, one-way floor systems I and II had the best environmental scores, 30% less than two-way floor system III and 50% less than slab floor system IV.

Keywords: construction materials; construction systems; cradle to handover; LCA; structural floor systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:13:p:5442-:d:380880

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