Life cycle carbon emission reduction potential of a new steel-bamboo composite frame structure for residential houses

To understand the carbon emission reduction potential of residential houses, life cycle assessment needs to be considered for different building designs. In this context, this study compares the life cycle emissions of a new steel-bamboo composite frame structure with a general reinforced concrete frame structure associated with a rural detached house in East China. Based on the inventory analysis of the production, construction, operation, and end of life phases, a process-based method is adopted to assess the emissions and a Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to investigate the influences of parameter uncertainty on the comparison. The results show that life cycle emissions of the steel-bamboo and concrete frame structures are 440.6 tCO2e and 537.4 tCO2e, respectively. Although the operation phase is the largest contributor, the production phase accounts for up to 36.4% of the total emissions. The contribution coefficients of desired processes indicate that cooling, heating, and lighting are influencing factors for the emissions of both structural schemes, whereas production of galvanized steel sheet and bamboo scrimber should be underlined to reduce emissions from the steel-bamboo structure. Based on an uncertainty analysis using 10000 simulation iterations, the 95% confidence interval of emission reduction in the steel-bamboo structure is estimated as [21.0, 155.0] tCO2e. this result verifies that the steel-bamboo structure is more “carbon-friendly” than a general concrete frame structure. Moreover, this study proposed suggestions to improve the life cycle carbon reduction potential and can help to understand the influences of structural designs on the sustainable development of residential houses.