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Steel–Timber Hybrid Buildings: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Study of Global Warning Potential Impacts

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  • Dario Trabucco

    (Department of Architecture and Arts, Iuav University of Venice, 30135 Venice, Italy)

  • Giovanni Perrucci

    (Department of Architecture and Arts, Iuav University of Venice, 30135 Venice, Italy)

Abstract

Mass timber buildings are gaining momentum, as they are seen as an environmental alternative to conventional concrete and steel structures, and they are also being used for mid- and high-rise buildings. This study conducted a comparative LCA analysis of 20- and 40-story building structures made with different combinations of steel and mass timber. The results show that, even disregarding the environmental benefits of the sequestered biogenic carbon by using a 0/0 approach, timber-based structures result in a roughly 25% lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) impact than steel- or hybrid-based equivalent solutions. The results show that the contribution of steel does not bring any GWP advantage (an average increase of 20% is reported); however, steel–timber hybrid structures may still be the only viable solution to attain greater heights. This study also evidences that materials with lower GWP in their production phase can present a viable solution even when long transportation is required, highlighting the importance of the production phase to reach environmental targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Dario Trabucco & Giovanni Perrucci, 2025. "Steel–Timber Hybrid Buildings: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Study of Global Warning Potential Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:718-:d:1569602
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roni Rinne & Hüseyin Emre Ilgın & Markku Karjalainen, 2022. "Comparative Study on Life-Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint of Hybrid, Concrete and Timber Apartment Buildings in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-24, January.
    2. Yahong Dong & Md. Uzzal Hossain & Hongyang Li & Peng Liu, 2021. "Developing Conversion Factors of LCIA Methods for Comparison of LCA Results in the Construction Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Pilar Mercader-Moyano & Jesús Roldán-Porras, 2020. "Evaluating Environmental Impact in Foundations and Structures through Disaggregated Models: Towards the Decarbonisation of the Construction Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-30, June.
    4. Joseph Abed & Scott Rayburg & John Rodwell & Melissa Neave, 2022. "A Review of the Performance and Benefits of Mass Timber as an Alternative to Concrete and Steel for Improving the Sustainability of Structures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, May.
    5. L. Gustavsson & R. Madlener & H.-F. Hoen & G. Jungmeier & T. Karjalainen & S. KlÖhn & K. Mahapatra & J. Pohjola & B. Solberg & H. Spelter, 2006. "The Role of Wood Material for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 11(5), pages 1097-1127, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuechen Wu & Chaofeng Zhang & Yanzhao Liu & Wenxuan Deng & Sanpo Jike & Fushen Liu, 2025. "Carbon Accounting in Construction Engineering: Methodology and Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-38, June.

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