applying lca in building design is easier than you think – part ii

Applying LCA in Building Design – Easier Than You

Think! – Part II

How LCA can be used in building design.

LCA calculators and how they work.

Summary

Applying LCA in Building Design – Easier Than You Think! – Part II

How LCA Can Be Used in Building Design

Using LCA in Building Design

Inform decisions based on LCA.

Pre-rate building assemblies based on LCA.

Perform a whole building LCA.

There are today a number of user-friendly tools, available free or at low cost, that facilitate use of LCA in building design and materials selection. These tools can be used to:

LCA Calculators and How They Work


Inform decisions based on LCA


Perform whole building LCA

http://www.nist.gov/el/economics/BEESSoftware.cfm

BEES Online

Building for Environmental and Economic Stability

The BEES Model An LCA-based level 1 product comparison tool for

use at the specification/procurement stage.

Provides detailed results for a wide range of impact

indicators.

Uses weighting factors to generate environmental and

economic scores.

Based on consensus standards.

Life cycle costing (ASTM E917)

Building element classification (ASTM E1557)

Environmental life cycle assessment (ISO 4040)

Multiattribute Decision Analysis (ASTM E1765)

Available on-line free of charge.

Product Scoring Under the BEES System

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is an agency of the U.S.

Commerce Department.


BEES contains information about a large number of building products, ranging from framing and sheathing to floor coverings, quantifying environmental impacts for a wide range of impact measures.

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BEES Description/Summary:

The BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability) software brings to your

fingertips a powerful technique for selecting cost-effective, environmentally-preferable building

products. Developed by the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Engineering

Laboratory the tool is based on consensus standards and designed to be practical, flexible, and

transparent. BEES Online, aimed at designers, builders, and product manufacturers, includes actual

environmental and economic performance data for 230 building products. BEES measures the

environmental performance of building products by using the life-cycle assessment approach

specified in the ISO 14040 series of standards. All stages in the life of a product are analyzed: raw

material acquisition, manufacture, transportation, installation, use, and recycling and waste

management. Economic performance is measured using the ASTM standard life-cycle cost method,

which covers the costs of initial investment, replacement, operation, maintenance and repair, and

disposal. Environmental and economic performance are combined into an overall performance

measure using the ASTM standard for Multi-Attribute Decision Analysis. For the entire BEES

analysis, building products are defined and classified according to the ASTM standard classification

for building elements known as UNIFORMAT II.BEES has been supported in part by the U.S. EPA

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program. The EPP program is charged with carrying

out Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation

Management," which encourages Executive agencies to reduce the environmental burdens

associated with the more than $230 billion in products and services they buy each year, including

building products.

Details

Version: BEES Online

Last Updated: 2010

Type of software: Web

application

Authors:

Barbara Lippiatt

Anne Landfield Greig

Priya Lavappa

System/Platform:

Firefox or Internet Explorer 7.0

are recommended browsers.

Download information:

Click to visit BEES Online

http://www.nist.gov/el

http://www.nist.gov/

http://www.nist.gov/

http://www.nist.gov/el/

http://www.nist.gov/el/economics/

BEES Online implements a powerful technique for selecting cost-effective, environmentally-preferable building

products. Developed by the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Engineering Laboratory's Office of

Applied Economics, the tool is based on consensus standards and designed to be practical, flexible, and transparent.

The BEES Online web application, aimed at designers, builders, and product manufacturers, includes actual

environmental and economic performance data for 230 building products.

BEES Online measures the environmental performance of building products by using the life-cycle assessment

approach specified in the ISO 14040 series of standards. All stages in the life of a product are analyzed: raw material

acquisition, manufacture, transportation, installation, use, and recycling and waste management. Economic

performance is measured using the ASTM standard life-cycle cost method, which covers the costs of initial

investment, replacement, operation, maintenance and repair, and disposal. Environmental and economic performance

are combined into an overall performance measure using the ASTM standard for Multi-Attribute Decision Analysis. For

the entire BEES Online analysis, building products are defined and classified according to the ASTM standard

classification for building elements known as UNIFORMAT II.

http://ws680.nist.gov/Bees/(A(RM2-6C4YzAEkAAAANDk4MzRiNzItNzI1MS00NjM2LWIwNjgtZmNmMTgwYzQ1ODJkN25u1E3dIsF3fscU-FZaThJ6Yrs1))/AnalysisParametersBuildingProds.aspx

http://ws680.nist.gov/Bees/(A(RM2-6C4YzAEkAAAANDk4MzRiNzItNzI1MS00NjM2LWIwNjgtZmNmMTgwYzQ1ODJkN25u1E3dIsF3fscU-FZaThJ6Yrs1))/help/Bees Online Tutorial.pdf

Impact Weight

Global Warming 29

Acidification 3

Eutrophication 6

Fossil Fuel Depletion 10

Indoor Air Quality 3

Habitat Alteration 6

Water Intake 8

Criteria Air Pollutants 9

Smog 4

Ecotoxicity 7

Ozone Depletion 2

Human Health 13

Sum: 100

Environmental Impact Category Weights

BEES Stakeholder Panel

EPA Science Advisory Board Based

Equal Weights

User Defined

Performance Weights

Environmental Performance (%): 50

Economic Performance (%): 50

Discount Rate(%)(Excluding Inflation): 2.7

50

Building Element for Comparison

Major Group Element

Group Element

Individual Element

View Product List

Building shell

Exterior Enclosure

Framing

http://ws680.nist.gov/Bees/(A(RM2-6C4YzAEkAAAANDk4MzRiNzItNzI1MS00NjM2LWIwNjgtZmNmMTgwYzQ1ODJkN25u1E3dIsF3fscU-FZaThJ6Yrs1))/ViewProductList.aspx

Impact Weight

Global Warming 29

Acidification 3

Eutrophication 6




Water Intake 8


Smog 4

Ecotoxicity 7

Ozone Depletion 2

Human Health 13

Sum: 100




Equal Weights

User Defined

Performance Weights

Environmental Performance (%): 50




Major Group Element

Group Element

Individual Element

View Product List

Building shell

Exterior Enclosure

Framing

Bldg maintenance

Bldg repair & remodeling

Bldg sitework

Equip. & Furnishings

Interiors

Services

Shell

Substructure


Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), BEES (2010).

Products Included Within the BEES System


The next few slides (slides 20-28) show how BEES works, using as an example an LCA-based comparison of wood and steel framing. You will see, step-by-step, how to proceed through the BEES site, selecting what you wish to compare. Subsequent slides illustrate output from the model.

Impact Weight

Global Warming 29

Acidification 3

Eutrophication 6




Water Intake 8


Smog 4

Ecotoxicity 7

Ozone Depletion 2

Human Health 13

Sum: 100




Equal Weights

User Defined

Performance Weights

Environmental Performance (%):



50


Major Group Element

Group Element

Individual Element

View Product List

Building shell

Exterior Enclosure

Framing


Select Product Alternatives

Update Product Details

View Product Data

Generic Wood Framing – Untreated

Transportation distance from manufacturer to use:

miles kilometers 500 804

Update

Generic Steel Framing

Generic Wood Framing – Treated

Generic Wood Framing –

Untreated

Select Alternative

Product Distance (miles)

Generic Steel Framing 500

Select Product Alternatives

Update Product Details

View Product Data

Generic Wood Framing – Untreated

Transportation distance from manufacturer to use:

miles kilometers 500 804

Update

Generic Steel Framing

Generic Wood Framing – Treated

Generic Wood Framing –

Untreated

Select Alternative

Product Distance (miles)

Generic Steel Framing 500

Generic Wood Framing - Untreated 500

Compute

The Athena EcoCalculator for Assemblies

This LCA tool, designed for use in the U.S. and Canada, is also user-friendly and available free of charge. The user can “build” a structure, choosing from among hundreds of generic building assemblies, and obtain a full life cycle assessment of the completed building.

Athena EcoCalculator for Assemblies

http://www.athenasmi.org/tools/ecoCalculator/downloadEcoCalculator.php

Commercial Residential

Geographic Zones Covered by the Athena EcoCalculator, v 3.6

Canada

Calgary

Halifax

Montreal

Ottawa

Quebec City

Toronto

Vancouver

Winnipeg

US

Atlanta

Los Angeles

Minneapolis

New York City

Orlando

Pittsburgh

Seattle

ASHRAE Regions 3 & 6


The next four slides illustrate the data input screen for the Athena EcoCalculator. Users enter information only in the yellow-shaded column.

TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumption

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

COLUMNS &

BEAMS

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL

B. COLUMNS & BEAMS (Other assembly tabs at bottom of spreadsheet)

IN THE YELLOW CELLS BELOW, ENTER THE AMOUNT OF SQUARE FOOTAGE THAT EACH ASSEMBLY IS USED IN YOUR BUILDING

ASSEMBLY TYPE

(Column/Beam)

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt. per

ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)

Avg. across all column and beam systems: 24.68 7.06 1.28 0.52 2.67 1404 0.00 3.72

METHOD 2 (Assumes LOAD-BEARING exterior wall)

25 Glulam column/

LVL beam 0 13.95 6.13 0.69 0.26 1.35 286 0.00 1.25

26 Glulam column/

WF beam 0 32.93 2.80 1.31 0.57 2.62 2433 0.00 3.43

27 HSS column/

Glulam beam 0 9.59 3.50 0.51 0.20 1.02 209 0.00 0.82

28 HSS column/LVL

beam 0 16.03 6.40 0.78 0.30 1.57 351 0.00 1.42

29 HSS column/WF

beam 0 35.02 3.06 1.41 0.61 2.84 2499 0.00 3.61

30 LVL column/

Glulam beam 0 7.65 3.30 0.42 0.16 0.82 146 0.00 0.67

31 LVL column/LVL

beam 0 14.09 6.20 0.69 0.26 1.36 289 0.00 1.27

Foundations and

Footings

Columns and Beams

Intermediate Floors

Exterior Walls

Windows

Interior Walls

Roof

http://www.athenasmi.org/tools/ecoCalculator/index.html


There are a great number of building assembly options in every category as illustrated in the following slides.

ATHENA ECO-CALCULATOR for assemblies – Columns and Beams

Concrete columns and beams

Hollow structural steel columns

Glulam columns and beams

LVL columns and beams

Wide-flange steel columns and beams

Softwood columns

Pre-engineered systems – short and long span

19 combinations – load bearing; 19 combinations – non-load bearing

ATHENA ECO-CALCULATOR for assemblies – Exterior Walls

8” concrete block 12 options

6” cast-in-place concrete 12 options

8” concrete tilt-up 12 options

Insulated concrete form 6 options

2x4 steel stud wall 14 options

2x4 wood stud wall 12 options

3.5” structural insulated panel (SIP) 5 options

Curtainwall 2 options

Pre-engineered systems 1 option

ATHENA ECO-CALCULATOR for Assemblies – Intermediate Floors

28 options

Aluminum Vinyl-clad wood Vinyl Wood Curtain wall, viewable glazing

ATHENA ECO-CALCULATOR for Assemblies – Windows

ATHENA ECO-CALCULATOR for assemblies – Interior Walls

2x4 wood stud 16” o.c., 5/8” gypsum, latex paint

2x4 wood stud 24” o.c., 5/8” gypsum, latex paint

2x4 wood stud 24” o.c., 2x 5/8” gypsum, latex paint

1 5/8 x 3 5/8 steel stud, 16” o.c., 5/8” gypsum, latex paint

1 5/8 x 3 5/8 steel stud, 24” o.c., 5/8” gypsum, latex paint

1 5/8 x 3 5/8 steel stud, 16” o.c., 2x 5/8” gypsum, latex paint

6” concrete block, 5/8” gypsum, latex paint

6” concrete block, latex paint

Clay brick (4’), unpainted

ATHENA ECO-CALCULATOR for assemblies – Roofs

Precast hollow-core concrete 5 options

Precast double-T concrete 5 options

Suspended concrete slab 5 options

Open web steel joist 10 options

Glulam joist with plank decking 5 options

Wood I-joist with WSP decking 5 options

Solid wood joist with WSP decking 5 options

ATHENA ECO-CALCULATOR for assemblies – Roofs (continued)

Wood chord/steel web truss with WSP

decking

5 options

Wood truss (flat) with WSP decking 5 options

Wood truss (4:12 pitch) with WSP decking 4 options

Pre-engineered building system 1 option


Output measures are highlighted in the following slides. In the green portion of the table, the lower the value, the lower the environmental impact.

TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumption

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

COLUMNS &

BEAMS

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL



ASSEMBLY TYPE

(Column/Beam)

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt. per

ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)



25 Glulam column/

LVL beam 0 13.95 6.13 0.69 0.26 1.35 286 0.00 1.25

26 Glulam column/

WF beam 0 32.93 2.80 1.31 0.57 2.62 2433 0.00 3.43

27 HSS column/

Glulam beam 0 9.59 3.50 0.51 0.20 1.02 209 0.00 0.82

28 HSS column/LVL

beam 0 16.03 6.40 0.78 0.30 1.57 351 0.00 1.42

29 HSS column/WF

beam 0 35.02 3.06 1.41 0.61 2.84 2499 0.00 3.61

30 LVL column/

Glulam beam 0 7.65 3.30 0.42 0.16 0.82 146 0.00 0.67

31 LVL column/LVL

beam 0 14.09 6.20 0.69 0.26 1.36 289 0.00 1.27

Foundations and

Footings

Coumns and Beams

Intermediate Floors

Exterior Walls

Windows

Interior Walls

Roof


TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumption

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

COLUMNS &

BEAMS

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL



ASSEMBLY TYPE

(Column/Beam)

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt. per

ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)



25 Glulam column/

LVL beam 0 13.95 6.13 0.69 0.26 1.35 286 0.00 1.25

26 Glulam column/

WF beam 0 32.93 2.80 1.31 0.57 2.62 2433 0.00 3.43

27 HSS column/

Glulam beam 0 9.59 3.50 0.51 0.20 1.02 209 0.00 0.82

28 HSS column/LVL

beam 0 16.03 6.40 0.78 0.30 1.57 351 0.00 1.42

29 HSS column/WF

beam 0 35.02 3.06 1.41 0.61 2.84 2499 0.00 3.61

30 LVL column/

Glulam beam 0 7.65 3.30 0.42 0.16 0.82 146 0.00 0.67

31 LVL column/LVL

beam 0 14.09 6.20 0.69 0.26 1.36 289 0.00 1.27

Foundations and

Footings

Columns and Beams

Intermediate Floors

Exterior Walls

Windows

Interior Walls

Roof


TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumption

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

COLUMNS &

BEAMS

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL



ASSEMBLY TYPE

(Column/Beam)

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt. per

ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)



25 Glulam column/

LVL beam 0 13.95 6.13 0.69 0.26 1.35 286 0.00 1.25

26 Glulam column/

WF beam 0 32.93 2.80 1.31 0.57 2.62 2433 0.00 3.43

27 HSS column/

Glulam beam 0 9.59 3.50 0.51 0.20 1.02 209 0.00 0.82

28 HSS column/LVL

beam 0 16.03 6.40 0.78 0.30 1.57 351 0.00 1.42

29 HSS column/WF

beam 0 35.02 3.06 1.41 0.61 2.84 2499 0.00 3.61

30 LVL column/

Glulam beam 0 7.65 3.30 0.42 0.16 0.82 146 0.00 0.67

31 LVL column/LVL

beam 0 14.09 6.20 0.69 0.26 1.36 289 0.00 1.27

Foundations and

Footings

Columns and Beams

Intermediate Floors

Exterior Walls

Windows

Interior Walls

Roof

Spreadsheet based. Users fill in values using

only yellow column.



In the slides that follow, a warehouse building will be evaluated using the EcoCalculator. First, the building will be “built” of steel construction on concrete footings.

Next, the same structure will be built of concrete and of wood, with LCA results then compared.

As you proceed through the example, note that as the user fills in the yellow column, LCA results instantly appear in the boxes at the top of the screen.

Designing a simple structure using the Athena EcoCalculator for Commercial Assemblies

Two story

200’ x 100’ x 20’ ht

20,000 ft.2 footprint

total ft.2 = 40,000

TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH Respiratory

Effects Potential

(kg PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicat

ion

Potential (g

N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-11

eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

FOUNDATIONS &

FOOTINGS

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL

A. FOUNDATIONS & FOOTINGS (Other assembly tabs at bottom of spreadsheet)


ASSEMBLY TYPE

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

per ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

GWP per

ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH Respiratory

Effects Potential

(kg PM2.5 eq)

Eutrophicat

ion

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)

FOUNDATION WALL

1 Cast-n-place concrete XPS 0 63.72 51.51 6.70 2.69 15.31 2592 0.01 46.13

2 Cast-n-place concrete EPS 0 59.98 51.43 6.50 2.60 15.05 2550 0.01 42.36

3 Concrete block R-7.5 XPS 0 291.76 46.72 21.42 5.78 31.21 10095 0.02 73.19

4 Concrete block R-7.5 EPS 0 288.02 46.64 21.22 5.69 30.96 10053 0.02 69.41

TOTAL FOUNDATION WALL

SQUARE FOOTAGE

0

FOUNDATION SLAB

4” Poured Concrete Slab 0 0 22.65 25.40 2.95 1.16 7.01 850 0.00 16.90

TOTAL FOUNDATION SLAB

SQUARE FOOTAGE

0

FOOTING

Poured Concrete Footing 0 0 2223.39 2033.39 241.60 95.10 586.81 119128 0.38 1259.83

FOOTING TOT. VOL. (CUBIC

YARDS OF CONCRETE)

0

Foundations and

Footings

Columns and Beams Intermediate Floors Exterior Walls Windows Interior Walls Roof


TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH Respiratory

Effects Potential

(kg PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicat

ion

Potential (g

N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-11

eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

FOUNDATIONS &

FOOTINGS 532,998 581 68 26,524 161 21,288 109 383

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL 532,998 581 68 26,524 161 21,288 109 383

A. FOUNDATIONS & FOOTINGS (Other assembly tabs at bottom of spreadsheet)


ASSEMBLY TYPE

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

per ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

GWP per

ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH Respiratory

Effects Potential

(kg PM2.5 eq)

Eutrophicat

ion

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)

FOUNDATION WALL

1 Cast-n-place concrete XPS 0 63.72 51.51 6.70 2.69 15.31 2592 0.01 46.13

2 Cast-n-place concrete EPS 0 59.98 51.43 6.50 2.60 15.05 2550 0.01 42.36

3 Concrete block R-7.5 XPS 0 291.76 46.72 21.42 5.78 31.21 10095 0.02 73.19

4 Concrete block R-7.5 EPS 0 288.02 46.64 21.22 5.69 30.96 10053 0.02 69.41

TOTAL FOUNDATION WALL

SQUARE FOOTAGE

0

FOUNDATION SLAB

4” Poured Concrete Slab 20000 100% 22.65 25.40 2.95 1.16 7.01 850 0.00 16.90

TOTAL FOUNDATION SLAB

SQUARE FOOTAGE

0

FOOTING

Poured Concrete Footing 36 100% 2223.39 2033.39 241.60 95.10 586.81 119128 0.38 1259.83

FOOTING TOT. VOL. (CUBIC

YARDS OF CONCRETE)

36

Foundations and

Footings



TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumption

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

COLUMNS &

BEAMS 1,400,670 123 56 24,486 114 99,964 0 144

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL 1,933,668 704 124 51,011 275 121,252 110 528



ASSEMBLY TYPE

(Column/Beam)

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt. per

ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)



25 Glulam column/

LVL beam 0 13.95 6.13 0.69 0.26 1.35 286 0.00 1.25

26 Glulam column/

WF beam 0 32.93 2.80 1.31 0.57 2.62 2433 0.00 3.43

27 HSS column/

Glulam beam 0 9.59 3.50 0.51 0.20 1.02 209 0.00 0.82

28 HSS column/LVL

beam 0 16.03 6.40 0.78 0.30 1.57 351 0.00 1.42

29 HSS column/WF

beam 40000

100% 35.02 3.06 1.41 0.61 2.84 2499 0.00 3.61

30 LVL column/

Glulam beam 0 7.65 3.30 0.42 0.16 0.82 146 0.00 0.67

31 LVL column/LVL

beam 0 14.09 6.20 0.69 0.26 1.36 289 0.00 1.27

Foundations and

Footings



nnn

TOTAL IMPACTS BY

BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWO

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophica

tion

Potential (g

N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

INTERMEDIATE

FLOORS 1,428,947 590 101 35,813 266 51,300 71 336

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL 3,362,615 1,293 225 86,824 541 173,552 180 863

C. INTERMEDIATE FLOORS (Other assembly tabs at bottom of spreadsheet)


Floor structure

/Interior ceiling finish

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

per ft2 (MJ))

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

Eutrophica

tion

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)


15 Glulam/* 0 27.20 13.16 1.41 0.60 6.28 480 0.00 6.25

16 Precast Hollowcore/* 0 51.10 39.79 5.18 2.65 16.61 2494 0.01 44.18

17 Wood I-Joist/* 0 26.24 9.26 1.19 0.53 6.03 520 0.00 5.23

18 Open-web Steel

Joist/* 0 56.40 7.83 3.07 1.03 8.19 1973 0.00 6.11

19 Open-web Steel Joist

w/ concrete topping/* 20000 100% 71.45 29.48 5.07 1.79 13.31 2565 0.00 16.78

20 Precast Double-T/* 0 41.39 29.29 4.21 1.72 13.33 1361 0.01 26.45

21 Precast Double-T w/

Concrete Topping/* 0 54.07 42.53 5.87 2.36 17.37 1885 0.01 35.06

22 Steel Joist/* 0 56.08 7.26 3.62 0.95 7.47 2172 0.00 5.97

23 Steel Joist w/

plywood decking/* 0 58.60 9.11 3.76 1.01 7.74 2265 0.00 6.85

* Gypsum board; latex paint

Foundations and

Footings



TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWO

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophica

tion

Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(k

g NOx eq)

TOTAL

EXTERIOR WALLS 992,333 175 63 21,015 191 22,665 25 302

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL 4,354,948 1,468 288 107,839 732 195,217 206 1,165

D. EXTERIOR WALLS (Other assembly tabs at bottom of spreadsheet)


Assembly

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

r ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

Eutrophica

tion

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)

2 x 4 STEEL STUD WALL

44 Steel cladding (26 ga.)

R-3.8 rigid insulation

sheathing

2 x 4 steel stud 16” o.c.

R-13 Batt insulatiion + PET

membrane

Gypsum board+ latex

paint

O 182.41 18.67 12.95 5.50 34.38 6602 0.07 47.41

45 Stucco cladding (26 ga.)

R-3.8 rigid insulation

sheathing

2 x 4 steel stud 16” o.c.

R-13 Batt insulatiion + PET

membrane

Gypsum board+ latex

paint

12000 100% 82.69 14.57 5.22 1.75 15.93 1889 0.00 25.15

Foundations and

Footings



TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWO

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophica

tion

Potential (g

N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

ROOFS 4,405,157 225 117 58,468 335 42,132 5 914

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL 8,760,105 1,693 405 166,307 1,067 237,349 211 2,079

G. ROOFS (Other assembly tabs at bottom of spreadsheet)


Assembly

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

r ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

Eutrophica

tion

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)

OPEN-WEB STEEL JOIST

17 PVC membrane

R-20 Rigid insulation +

PET membrane

Open-web steel joist w/

steel decking

Gypsum board+ latex

paint

0 262.03 12.74 10.69 7.12 24.63 2949 0.00 57.22

18 Modified bitumen

membrane

R-20 Rigid insulation +

PET membrane

Open-web steel joist w/

steel decking

Gypsum board+ latex

paint

20000 100% 220.26 11.23 5.84 2.92 16.74 2107 0.00 45.69

Foundations and

Footings`



Version 3.6

Location: Vancouver

ASHRAE climate zone 5

Low-rise structures (Up to 4 stories)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY – STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Assembly Total area Fossil Fuel

Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL

Foundations & Footings 20000 532,998 581 68 26,524 161 21,288 109 383

Columns and Beams 40000 1,400,670 123 56 24,486 114 99,964 0 144

Intermediate Floors 20000 1,428,947 590 101 35,813 266 51,300 71 336

Exterior Walls 12000 992,333 175 63 21,015 191 22,665 25 302

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Interior Walls 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Roof 20000 4,405,157 225 117 58,468 335 42,132 5 914

TOTALS 8,760,105 1,693 405 166,307 1,067 237,349 211 2,079

Columns high strength steel, beams wide flange steel; Intermediate floors open-web steel joists w/concrete topping;

Exterior walls 2x4 steel studs 16” o.c., R-3.8 rigid insulation sheathing, stucco cladding, R-13 Batt insulation + PET

membrane, gypsum board + latex paint; Roof open-web steel joists w/steel decking, R-20 rigid insulation + PET

membrane, modified bitumen membrane, gypsum board + latex paint.


No need to design using a single material.

TOTAL IMPACTS

BY BUILDING

COMPONENT

Fossil Fuel

Consumption

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

Use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential (mol

es of H+ eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

Potential

(kg NOx

eq)

TOTAL

COLUMNS &

BEAMS

WHOLE BUILDING

TOTAL



ASSEMBLY TYPE

(Column/Beam)

Square

footage

% of

Total

Fossil Fuel

Consumpt. per

ft2 (MJ)

Weighted

Resource

use per ft2

(kg)

Global

Warming

Potential

per ft2 (kg

CO2 eq)

Acidification

Potential per

ft2 (moles of

H+ eq)

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophication

Potential

(mg N eq)

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

per ft2 (mg

CFC-11 eq)

Smog

potential

per ft2 (g

NOx eq)



25 Glulam column/

LVL beam 0 13.95 6.13 0.69 0.26 1.35 286 0.00 1.25

26 Glulam column/

WF beam 0 32.93 2.80 1.31 0.57 2.62 2433 0.00 3.43

27 HSS column/

Glulam beam 0 9.59 3.50 0.51 0.20 1.02 209 0.00 0.82

28 HSS column/LVL

beam 0 16.03 6.40 0.78 0.30 1.57 351 0.00 1.42

29 HSS column/WF

beam 20,000

50% 35.02 3.06 1.41 0.61 2.84 2499 0.00 3.61

30 LVL column/

Glulam beam 0 7.65 3.30 0.42 0.16 0.82 146 0.00 0.67

31 LVL column/LVL

beam 20,000

50% 14.09 6.20 0.69 0.26 1.36 289 0.00 1.27

Foundations and

Footings



Comparing EcoCalculator results.

Steel Design

Columns hollow structural section steel, beams wide flange steel; Intermediate

floors open-web steel joists w/concrete topping; Exterior walls 2x4 steel studs 16”

o.c., R-3.8 rigid insulation sheathing, stucco cladding, R-13 Batt insulation + PET

membrane, gypsum board + latex paint; Roof open-web steel joists w/steel

decking, R-20 rigid insulation + PET membrane, modified bitumen membrane,

gypsum board + latex paint.

Concrete Design

Concrete columns, concrete beams; Intermediate floors pre-cast double-T truss

with concrete topping; Exterior walls concrete block w continuous insulation and

polyethylene membrane, stucco cladding; Roof pre-cast double-T concrete, R-

20 continuous insulation + PET membrane, modified bitumen membrane, latex

paint.

Wood Design

Columns LVL, beams LVL; Intermediate floors wood I-joists with plywood

decking; Exterior walls 2x6 wood studs 16” o.c., R-19 cavity insulation + PET

membrane, wood structural panel sheathing, stucco cladding, gypsum board +

latex paint; Roof glulam joists w/ plank decking, R-20 continuous insulation +

PET membrane, modified bitumen membrane, gypsum board + latex paint.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY –WOOD CONSTRUCTION


Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL


Columns and Beams 40000 563,758 248 28 10,535 55 11,569 0 51

Intermediate Floors 20000 470,627 264 24 10,864 120 11,721 4 148

Exterior Walls 12000 718,674 225 44 17,331 198 12,630 26 193

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 3,954,455 333 89 52,331 308 20,874 5 925

TOTALS 6,240,512 1,651 251 117,585 842 78,082 144 1,701

WO

OD

VS

. C

ON

CR

ET

E

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY – CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION


Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL


Columns and Beams 40000 2,273,849 1,053 167 67,127 388 162,579 198 735


Exterior Walls 12000 3,758,182 662 280 76,860 436 113,229 223 1,051

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,099,144 599 129 66,871 404 32,761 117 1,166

TOTALS 11,745,595 3,746 761 284,604 1,737 367,551 832 4,037



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 718,674 225 44 17,331 198 12,630 26 193

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 3,954,455 333 89 52,331 308 20,874 5 925

TOTALS 6,240,512 1,651 251 117,585 842 78,082 144 1,701

1.9X

WO

OD

VS

. C

ON

CR

ET

E

2.3X 3.0X 2.4X 2.1X 4.7X 2.4X 5.8X

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY –CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION


Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 3,758,182 662 280 76,860 436 113,229 223 1,051

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,099,144 599 129 66,871 404 32,761 117 1,166

TOTALS 11,745,595 3,746 761 284,604 1,737 367,551 832 4,037

Wood vs Concrete Construction

This comparison shows the wood design to have lower impact in every category examined. The greatest differences are in ozone depletion, eutrophication, and global warming potential.



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 992,333 175 63 21,015 191 22,665 25 302

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,405,157 225 117 58,468 335 42,132 5 914

TOTALS 8,760,105 1,693 405 166,307 1,067 237,349 211 2,079



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 718,674 225 44 17,331 198 12,630 26 193

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 3,954,455 333 89 52,331 308 20,874 5 925

TOTALS 6,240,512 1,651 251 117,585 842 78,082 144 1,701

WO

OD

VS

. S

TE

EL



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 992,333 175 63 21,015 191 22,665 25 302

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,405,157 225 117 58,468 335 42,132 5 914

TOTALS 8,760,105 1,693 405 166,307 1,067 237,349 211 2,079



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 718,674 225 44 17,331 198 12,630 26 193

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 3,954,455 333 89 52,331 308 20,874 5 925

TOTALS 6,240,512 1,651 251 117,585 842 78,082 144 1,701

WO

OD

VS

. S

TE

EL

1.5X 1.4X 1.02X 1.6X 1.4X 1.27X 3.0X 1.2X

Wood vs Steel Construction

This comparison again shows the wood design to have lower impact in every category examined, although differences are generally smaller than in the comparison with the concrete design. The greatest differences are in ozone depletion potential, weighted resource use, and smog and global warming potential.



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 3,758,182 662 280 76,860 436 113,229 223 1,051

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,099,144 599 129 66,871 404 32,761 117 1,166

TOTALS 11,745,595 3,746 761 284,604 1,737 367,551 832 4,037



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 992,333 175 63 21,015 191 22,665 25 302

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,405,157 225 117 58,468 335 42,132 5 914

TOTALS 8,760,105 1,693 405 166,307 1,067 237,349 211 2,079

CO

NC

RE

TE

VS

. S

TE

EL



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 3,758,182 662 280 76,860 436 113,229 223 1,051

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,099,144 599 129 66,871 404 32,761 117 1,166

TOTALS 11,745,595 3,746 761 284,604 1,737 367,551 832 4,037



Consumpt.

(MJ)

TOTAL

Weighted

Resource

use

(tonnes)

TOTAL

GWP

(tonnes

CO2 eq)

TOTAL

Acidification

Potential

(moles of H+

eq)

TOTAL

HH

Respiratory

Effects

Potential (kg

PM2.5 eq)

TOTAL

Eutrophicati

on Potential

(g N eq)

TOTAL

Ozone

Depletion

Potential

(mg CFC-

11 eq)

TOTAL

Smog

potential

(g NOx

eq)

TOTAL




Exterior Walls 12000 992,333 175 63 21,015 191 22,665 25 302

Windows 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Roof 20000 4,405,157 225 117 58,468 335 42,132 5 914

TOTALS 8,760,105 1,693 405 166,307 1,067 237,349 211 2,079

CO

NC

RE

TE

VS

. S

TE

EL

1.3X 2.2X 1.9X 1.7X 1.5X 3.9X 1.9X% 1.6X

Wood vs Steel Construction

This comparison shows the steel design to have lower impact in every category examined. The greatest differences are in ozone depletion potential, weighted resource use, and smog and global warming potential.

Athena Impact Estimator

www.athenasmi.ca/tools/impactEstimator/ index.html

The Athena Impact Estimator

This LCA tool allows evaluation of specific structures and assemblies (i.e. the analysis is not based on generic assemblies). Effective use of this tool, which is intended for use by design teams, requires some training. There is a cost for obtaining the Impact Estimator – about $750 - $1,000.

Users can evaluate structures, determining environmental impacts of various configurations and building material choices.

Summary

Use of LCA is the only way to accurately assess

environmental attributes of materials.

User-friendly LCA tools are readily available, and low cost or free.

Informing materials selection, design choices using LCA is not difficult.

Summary

Questions?

Further information about Life Cycle Assessment and

other green building topics can be obtained from

Dovetail Partners, Inc.

www.dovetailinc.org

applying lca in building design is easier than you think – part ii

Education

building lca

bees online building

building elements

preferable building

building design easier

use of lca

lca calculators

bees system