University of Twente Student Theses
Comparative life cycle assessment of a sustainable modular tiny-house
Gorbunov, I.A. (2022) Comparative life cycle assessment of a sustainable modular tiny-house.
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| Abstract: | Climate change presents a big challenge to the construction industry, which is responsible for a big fraction of total emissions. Conducting a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) for a building in the design phase provides useful findings which can be used to change the design to reduce emissions. In this thesis, a comparative LCA for a modular tiny house is done. Twelve alternative designs are created, where in each alternative design one material is changed. The alternatives are compared through seven environmental indicators: global warming potential, ozone depletion potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, abiotic depletion potential of non-fossil fuel resources, and abiotic depletion potential for fossil fuel resources. Combining the original and alternative designs, there are four materials for the sheathing: laminated veneer lumber (LVL), oriented strand board (OSB), magnesium board (MgO), and fibre cement, three for the insulation: EPS, XPS, and PU, three for the roof membrane: PVB, PVC, and bitumen, and six for the façade cladding: wood, basalt, composite stone, slate, aluminium, and fibre cement. The results from the LCA have shown that for the sheathing material, OSB and LVL scored the best for all indicators, while fibre cement scored the worst. For the insulation EPS scored the best in all indicators but photochemical ozone creation potential. For the roof membrane, all three solutions had similar indicator scores, apart from the increased ozone depletion potential for PVC. For the façade, the wood, slate, and fibre cement scored similarly for all indicators, while composite stone scored the worst. It can be seen from the LCA analysis that there is no simple solution for the best design alternative, and therefore the developed LCA model in this research can be used as a support in decision making during the design stage. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Programme: | Civil Engineering BSc (56952) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/93535 |
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