Tool for life cycle analysis of facade-systems for industrial buildings

Abstract

Minimal investment cost, flexibility and expandability of the construction have been the highest priorities in the design of industrial facilities. With the sharpening of building codes and the upcoming polices on energy efficiency, life cycle optimisation is starting to gain importance among industrial investors. On the case study of an energy efficient industrial facility, a decision-support tool was developed for analysing life cycle economic and environmental impacts of facade-systems. The tool was tested by analysing three different facade-systems (steel liner tray, steel sandwich panels, cross laminated timber panels) of the proposed building model. The construction cost of the tested facade-systems are largely differing (up to 27%), however after a period of 35 years, the life cycle costs are diverging by only 6%. In terms of ecology (Global Warming Potential) the cross laminated timber facade, with the highest initial costs, features the best performance by 80% less emissions. The test underlines the large impact the design stage has on the life cycle performance, when determining facade elements and shading concepts. The tool has large implementation potential as a relatively easily applicable decision-support instrument for designers and investors, when studying and determining sustainable construction and facade systems; thus improving the traditional decision-making process, still based on the choice of the lowest costing construction.