Compared Environmental Lifecycle Performances of Earth-Based Walls to Drive Building Envelope Design

Giada Giuffrida, Letizia Dipasquale (), Riccardo Maria Pulselli () and Rosa Caponetto
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Giada Giuffrida: Center for Studies and Research in Thermal, Environment and Systems (CERTES), Université de Paris Est-Créteil, 94000 Créteil, France
Letizia Dipasquale: Department of Architecture, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
Riccardo Maria Pulselli: Heritage-Architecture-Urbanism Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Rosa Caponetto: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-22

Abstract: Raw earth has useful applications in contemporary buildings as a sustainable and circular construction material. The present study aims to assess the environmental performance of several earth-based wall systems with similar thermal performance, through a life cycle thinking approach. In particular, a life cycle assessment is developed for (a) unstabilized rammed earth (produced in situ), (b) compressed earth blocks (prefabricated in the factory), (c) stabilized rammed earth and (d) light earth, all combined with biobased (natural fibers, e.g., lime hemp, cork) and/or conventional materials for building insulation. Results show benefits in terms of avoided carbon emission, water footprint and embodied energy throughout the production chain and highlight limits and potential improvements. In addition, the CO 2 offset by crops is also estimated based on carbon embedded in natural fibers. In particular, light earth wall systems are the most suitable to minimize environmental impacts, while massive constructive technologies (as unstabilized rammed earth) show a higher dynamic thermal performance for intended use in Mediterranean climates.

Keywords: raw earth construction; life cycle assessment; carbon emissions; water footprint; embodied energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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