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A Conceptual Framework for Estimating Building Embodied Carbon Based on Digital Twin Technology and Life Cycle Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Chen Chen

    (Department of Structural Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Zengfeng Zhao

    (Department of Structural Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Jianzhuang Xiao

    (Department of Structural Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Robert Tiong

    (School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore)

Abstract

Low-carbon building design requests an estimation of total embodied carbon as the environmental performance metric for comparison of different design options in early design stages. Due to a lack of consensus on the system boundaries in building life cycle assessment (LCA), the carbon estimation results obtained by the current methods are often disputable. In this regard, this paper proposes a method for estimating building embodied carbon based on digital twin technology and LCA. The proposed method is advantageous over others by providing (1) a cradle-to-cradle LCA and (2) an automated data communication between LCA and building information modelling (BIM) databases. Because data for the processes in the life cycle are collected via digital twin technology in a standard and consistent way, the obtained results will be considered credible. So far, a conceptual framework is developed based on a comprehensive literature review, which consists of three parts. In the first part, formulas for LCA are given. In the second part, a hybrid approach combining semantic web with a relational database for BIM and radio-frequency identification (RFID) integration is described. In the third part, how to design the LCA database and how to link LCA with BIM are described. The conceptual framework proposed is tested for its reasonableness by a small hypothetical case study.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen Chen & Zengfeng Zhao & Jianzhuang Xiao & Robert Tiong, 2021. "A Conceptual Framework for Estimating Building Embodied Carbon Based on Digital Twin Technology and Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13875-:d:703244
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goune Kang & Hunhee Cho & Dongyoun Lee, 2019. "Dynamic Lifecycle Assessment in Building Construction Projects: Focusing on Embodied Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Arghavan Akbarieh & Laddu Bhagya Jayasinghe & Danièle Waldmann & Felix Norman Teferle, 2020. "BIM-Based End-of-Lifecycle Decision Making and Digital Deconstruction: Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-29, March.
    3. Dixit, Manish K., 2017. "Life cycle embodied energy analysis of residential buildings: A review of literature to investigate embodied energy parameters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 390-413.
    4. Pomponi, Francesco & Moncaster, Alice, 2018. "Scrutinising embodied carbon in buildings: The next performance gap made manifest," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2431-2442.
    5. Dixit, Manish K., 2017. "Embodied energy analysis of building materials: An improved IO-based hybrid method using sectoral disaggregation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 46-58.
    6. Tajda Potrč Obrecht & Martin Röck & Endrit Hoxha & Alexander Passer, 2020. "BIM and LCA Integration: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-19, July.
    7. Dixit, Manish K. & Fernández-Solís, Jose L. & Lavy, Sarel & Culp, Charles H., 2012. "Need for an embodied energy measurement protocol for buildings: A review paper," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 3730-3743.
    8. Antonio Ángel Rodríguez Serrano & Santiago Porras Álvarez, 2016. "Life Cycle Assessment in Building: A Case Study on the Energy and Emissions Impact Related to the Choice of Housing Typologies and Construction Process in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-29, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Augustine Blay-Armah & Ali Bahadori-Jahromi & Anastasia Mylona & Mark Barthorpe & Marco Ferri, 2022. "An Evaluation of the Impact of Databases on End-of-Life Embodied Carbon Estimation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Lv, Zhihan & Cheng, Chen & Lv, Haibin, 2023. "Digital twins for secure thermal energy storage in building," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).

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