Analyzing the Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability of Prefabricated Components: Modeling and Case Study

Xu’anzhi Chen, Shu Su (), Jingfeng Yuan, Jiaming Li, Feng Lou and Qinfang Wang
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Xu’anzhi Chen: Department of Construction and Real Estate, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Shu Su: Department of Construction and Real Estate, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Jingfeng Yuan: Department of Construction and Real Estate, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Jiaming Li: Department of Construction and Real Estate, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Feng Lou: Zhejiang Dadongwu Construction Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Huzhou 313000, China
Qinfang Wang: Changzhou Architectural Research Institute Group Co., Ltd., Changzhou 213015, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: The building industry has significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. The trend of construction industrialization to promote sustainable development is becoming increasingly evident. As an essential component of this process, prefabricated components provide a foundation for studying the sustainability of prefabricated buildings. This study proposes a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) model involving environmental, economic, and social aspects to assess the sustainability of prefabricated components. The sustainability impacts on the raw material extraction and production, off-plant transport, material processing and component manufacturing, on-plant transport, and component storage stages are comprehensively assessed. The LCSA model is applied to four types of prefabricated components: interior wallboards, precast stairs, composite beams, and composite floor slabs. The results show that the precast stairs exhibit the highest sustainability score and that the performances of environmental, economic, and social pillars of four components are slightly different. These findings enhance our understanding of the sustainability of prefabricated components and broaden the scope of LCSA applications. The established sustainability assessment model is expected to help guide prefabrication scheme designs and production plan optimization, further encouraging the wider adoption of sustainable practices in construction.

Keywords: life cycle sustainability assessment; prefabricated component; prefabricated building; life cycle assessment; life cycle cost; social life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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