Comparative assessment of insulated concrete wall technologies and wood-frame walls in residential buildings: a multi-criteria analysis of hygrothermal performance, cost, and environmental footprints

Abstract

ABSTRACT Utilizing appropriate materials and assemblies in building envelope components could lead to energy savings, increased durability, and sustainability gains. This study aims at providing an integrated assessment framework to compare three different types of exterior wall systems: wood frame, insulated concrete forms (ICFs), and pre-cast insulated concrete panel (PICP). The focus will be on building envelope performance, cost efficiency, and environmental impacts of these technologies. Such an assessment contributes to decisions on design characteristics of exterior walls as well as the selection of required materials. First, the exterior wall technologies will be compared in terms of hygrothermal performance according to ASHREA standards and other relevant literature. Then, a whole life cost analysis is conducted in order to establish the cost profile of each technology in buildings including capital costs as well as space heating costs over their service life. Finally, we will turn to assessing the environmental footprints of each technology and its components through life cycle assessment (LCA). The proposed framework incorporates multiple performance assessment criteria including well-being aspects, hygrothermal performance, life cycle assessment (LCA), and life-cycle cost (LCC). A multiple criteria decision-making framework is proposed to rank the alternative exterior wall technologies for a case study building.