Environmental benefits of using hybrid CLT structure in midrise non-residential construction: An LCA based comparative case study in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering 2019-11, Vol.26, p.100862, Article 100862
• Main Authors: Pierobon, Francesca, Huang, Monica, Simonen, Kathrina, Ganguly, Indroneil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biogenic carbon; Carbon storage; Cross-laminated timber; Cumulative energy demand; Life cycle assessment; U.S. Pacific Northwest
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100862

In this study, the cradle-to-gate environmental impact of a hybrid, mid-rise, cross-laminated timber (CLT) commercial building is evaluated and compared to that of a reinforced concrete building with similar functional characteristics. This study evaluates the embodied emissions and energy associated with building materials, manufacturing, and construction. Two alternative designs are considered for fire protection in the hybrid CLT building: 1) a ‘fireproofing design’, where gypsum wallboard is applied to the structural wood; and 2) a ‘charring design’, where two extra layers of CLT are added to the panel. The life cycle environmental impacts are assessed using TRACI 2.1 and the total primary energy is evaluated using the Cumulative Energy Demand impact method. Results show that an average of 26.5% reduction in the global warming potential is achieved in the hybrid CLT building compared to the concrete building, excluding biogenic carbon emissions. Except ozone depletion, where the difference in impact between scenarios is