Life‐Cycle‐Assessment of purlin systems: the influence of the low carbon high strength steels in CO₂eq. emissions

Due to the decarbonization of the energy sector, embodied carbon has been recognized as the dominant climate impact driver. In response, countries are currently accelerating their efforts to comply with climate change commitments and regulations, pressure grows for the construction sector to reduce its impact rapidly.

In the present paper, the life cycle assessments (LCA) of purlin roof systems, used as secondary structural elements on single‐story industrial buildings, are compared. Three structural materials are considered: metallic‐coated structural steel, reinforced concrete, and structural timber. In addition, different steel grades are compared to highlight the environmental benefits of using high‐strength steels (HSS) allowing weight‐optimized design.

The LCA focuses on the product stage (modules A1‐A3), transport (module A4), end‐of‐life (module C), and the benefits and loads beyond the system boundary (module D). The life cycle inventory (LCI) is composed of construction environmental product declarations (EPD) published according to EN 15804. All the LCA evaluations are performed using the commercial software One Click LCA following the recommendations of EN 15978.