This report describes an analytical framework developed to assess the relative advantages and disadvantages of different building materials from an environmental perspective. The ultimate objective is to develop and make available a systems model which will allow building designers to assess the environmental impacts of using different kinds of building materials in structural applications.
When completely operational the model will deal with critical impacts on the physical environment, measured in natural units (e.g. gigajoules of embodied energy or kilograms of atmospheric emissions) in a holistic, cradle-to-grave framework. The model will be applicable to light commercial/institutional structures as well as single family and low-rise residential construction.
The purpose here is to report on our work to date, with emphasis on the framework and its application, and to facilitate an exchange of information with others who are taking parallel courses and grappling with similar problems. The report also includes some interim results for wood and steel building materials which demonstrate how the model can be used.
We start with a discussion of the concept of sustainable development because that concept is central to our approach. Subsequent sections of this report then detail the analytical framework and provide examples of the results we're obtaining.