Abstract
The construction industry is one of the main contributors to the production of large volumes of greenhouse gases, since it consumes a large quantity of energy and construction materials. The purpose of this research is to assess the environmental impacts and economic efficiency of the voided slab system compared to the ordinary reinforced concrete slab. A life cycle assessment (LCA) and the total cost of construction were calculated to evaluate the performance of both slab systems. Additionally, the total costs of construction for both cases were determined based on the unit price of the building materials. The results of this study indicate that manufacturing building materials contributes most to the total GHG emissions where concrete is responsible for nearly 1/2 of all emissions. Additionally, forms are the second largest contributor of the total GHG emissions and account for nearly 40% and 15% of emissions for the ordinary reinforced concrete slab and the voided slab system, respectively. This study verified that the voided slab system indicated better environmental performance than the ordinary reinforced concrete slab. The total GHG emissions of the ordinary reinforced concrete slab were 256,599 and 13,989 kg·CO2·eq, for concrete and forms, respectively. Additionally, the total GHG emissions of the voided slab system were 224,945 and 12,211 kg·CO2·eq. The reduction of GHG emissions from Case 1 for aboveground floors and Case 2 for underground parking was 12.3% and 12.7% over the ordinary reinforced concrete slab, respectively. The economic efficiency of the ordinary reinforced concrete slab and the voided slab system were assessed by comparison of the total costs of construction. This showed a total cost reduction of 12.3% and 11.2% for the case of applying the voided slab system to the aboveground floors and underground parking, respectively. Thus, replacing the ordinary reinforced concrete slab by the voided slab system in the aboveground floors and the underground would make it possible to decrease not only the emissions of GHG, but also the cost of construction.
Highlights
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, human factors have been one of the crucial contributors to global warming since the mid-20th century when it was first observed [1]
The goal of the present study is to evaluate the emissions of GGHHGG ((iinn kkgg··CCOO22··eq/m22)) and the total construction cost ($/m22)) oofftthheeoorrddininaaryryrereininfoforcrecdedcocnocnrcerteeteslsalbabanadndthtehveovidoeiddesdlasblasbysstyesmte. mO.ncOenthceistihnifsoirnmfoartimonathioans bheaesnbedeentedremteinrmedin, ethde, tGheHGGHs Gems eismsiiosnsisonasndantdhethteotaoltaclocnosntrsutrcutciotinoncocsotsstsoof fththeeoorrddiinnaarryy rreinforced concrete slab and the voided slab system were compareedd
The total greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and the total cost of the ordinary reinforced concrete slab and the voided slab system were limited to the major building materials
Summary
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report, human factors have been one of the crucial contributors to global warming since the mid-20th century when it was first observed [1]. The operation and maintenance of the products of the construction industry are quite a lot longer than those of other products or services, because the life span of buildings or structures is more than 40 years [13,14] Due to this reason, studies regarding energy consumption and the reduction of GHG emissions in this stage have been dominant for many years, compared to other phases of the life cycle of buildings [13,14,15]. Since reinforced concrete structures and buildings are the most popular materials adopted in the construction industry, numerous studies have concentrated on mitigating the emissions of GHG through the adoption of high-strength materials.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
