Building Life Cycle Cost Research Articles

Economic analysis on the application of solar panels on an aquaculture

An initial economic feasibility study of solar panels application for electricity energy source of an aquaculture in Jakarta was conducted to investigate the potential solar panel as the energy alternative for the electricity source. Currently, the source of electricity is mainly from gasoline. Therefore, the aims of this study include the investigation of the improvement of the life cycle cost (LCC), the net present value (NPV) and The Saving Investment Rate (SIR), as well as the payback period. In order to fulfill these objectives, software namely “Building Life Cycle Cost” or BLCC is applied. The results show that the SIR is more than 1, which means the use of solar panels is considerably beneficial for the aquaculture. The type of solar panels used in this study is a transparent panels made of amorphous solar cell with the efficiency of 0.079.

Optimal sizing design and operation of electrical and thermal energy storage systems in smart buildings

Photovoltaic (PV) systems in residential buildings require energy storage to enhance their productivity; however, in present technology, battery storage systems (BSSs) are not the most cost-effective solutions. Comparatively, thermal storage systems (TSSs) can provide opportunities to enhance PV self-consumption while reducing life cycle costs. This paper proposes a new framework for optimal sizing design and real-time operation of energy storage systems in a residential building equipped with a PV system, heat pump (HP), thermal and electrical energy storage systems. For simultaneous optimal sizing of BSS and TSS, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is applied to minimize daily electricity and life cycle costs of the smart building. A model predictive controller is then developed to manage energy flow of storage systems to minimize electricity costs for end-users. The main objective of the controller is to optimally control HP operation and battery charge/discharge actions based on a demand response program. The controller regulates the flow of water in the storage tank to meet designated thermal energy requirements by controlling HP operation. Furthermore, the power flow of battery is controlled to supply all loads during peak-load hours to minimize electricity costs. The results of this paper demonstrate to rooftop PV system owners that investment in combined TSS and BSS can be more profitable as this system can minimize life cycle costs. The proposed methods for optimal sizing and operation of electrical and thermal storage system can reduce the annual electricity cost by more than 80% with over 42% reduction in the life cycle cost. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework and controller.

Probabilistic and Fuzzy Approaches for Estimating the Life Cycle Costs of Buildings under Conditions of Exposure to Risk

The paper discusses issues related to life cycle costs in construction. Life cycle cost is a key element in the assessment of environmental sustainability in construction and it provides a tool for the economic evaluation of alternative sustainability options exhibiting different capital, operating costs or resource usage. The authors reviewed selected models of estimating life cycle costs in construction, drew attention to the complex mathematical models developed so far, namely those which take into account only financial risks and those which involve the possibility of the influence of other risk factors and described the main assumptions accompanying the original model for estimating the whole life costs of buildings, including: reasons for choosing theory of possibility, division and parametrization of input data. The aim of this paper is to confirm the validity of the model structure assumptions adopted by the authors by comparing the originally selected fuzzy approach to calculating life cycle costs taking into account the risk with the probabilistic approach, as well as indicating the domain in which the probabilistic approach will complement the fuzzy approach chosen by the authors. The paper presents a comparison analysis of two approaches used in the authors’ model, a fuzzy and a probabilistic approach, recommended by the ISO standard 15686-5:2008. The authors used the Oracle Crystall Ball software in their simulations.

An efficient approach for LCC-based optimum design of lead-rubber base isolation system via FFD and analysis of variance (ANOVA)

A framework for optimal design of lead rubber bearing (LRB) system is introduced based on the initial and life cycle cost of structures. The purpose of this framework is to minimize the initial and life cycle cost of building and simultaneously improve the seismic performance of the base isolated structure. Endurance time (ET) method is used to predict the seismic response of the building at continuous levels of hazard intensity. Before implementing the optimization process, a full factorial design is utilized, and the seismic performance of a total of 128 lead rubber base isolated structures with varying LRB design parameters is assessed using the ET analysis method. Accordingly, the parameters with the most significant impact on the responses are determined by the analysis of variance. These parameters are used as design variables in a multi-objective genetic algorithm to minimize the initial and life cycle cost of the building with LRB system. The cost analysis of the system requires evaluation of initial costs including the costs associated with the implementation of LRBs. To date, no appropriate cost model has been proposed for LRB systems in the literature; therefore, a simplified cost model for LRBs is developed. Also, a life cycle cost model is used to evaluate the structural performance in the form of economic measures based on the results obtained from the ET analysis. In order to illustrate the method, a prototype six-story building is studied here. According to the results, the proposed approach is found to be effective in reducing the initial and life cycle cost of the building with an acceptable amount of computational effort.

A parametric building design tool for assessing energy savings and life cycle costs

An important part of building design and renovation is the need to select solutions using multiple criteria, including energy savings and life cycle economic impact. The difficulty lies in evaluating a large number of possible design solutions and/or their combinations, as well as having to calculate their performance and costs. The work reported in this paper proposes an assessment tool combining energy simulation software with Visual Basic Application for parametric building simulation and life cycle cost calculation. It aims to provide designers with a useful way of comparing the affordability of energy efficiency measures with low computational costs. A probabilistic approach is also suggested for global cost calculation based on Monte Carlo methods. The tool is applied to an existing building for which several alternative retrofit solutions had been designed. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the tool in providing realistic and useful results for designers and building owners.

Development of a multi criteria analysis method to optimize the sustainable architectural design of residential buildings.

This research is dedicated to the development of a multi criteria analysis method to optimize the sustainable architectural design of residential buildings. In this perspective, four axes have been chosen on the entire building life cycle: energy, ecology, health (including well-being) and economy. The building setting will be evaluated as its typology, its size, its construction method, the choice of the materials and of the systems implemented, since all these elements influence energy consumptions, environmental impacts, users’ health and financial costs. In order to be able to compare the four dimensions of this assessment, the developed methodology is based on the translation of energy consumption, environmental impacts and health impacts into energy costs, environmental costs and health costs, which makes them comparable to the building life cycle costs. According to users’ selection of the optimization axis and various optimization and design parameters, based on predefined options, this methodology will produce optimal solutions. Finally, this method will be useful for improving the sustainable performances of buildings, helping to create energy-efficient, ecological, healthy and affordable housing projects.

LCC Estimation Model: A Construction Material Perspective

The growing pressure to ensure sustainable construction is also associated with stricter demands on the cost-effectiveness of construction and operation of buildings and reduction of their environmental impact. This paper presents a methodology for building life cycle cost estimation that enables investors to identify the optimum material solution for their buildings on the level of functional parts. The functionality of a comprehensive model that takes into account investor requirements and links them to a construction cost estimation database and a facility management database is verified through a case study of a “façade composition” functional part, with sublevel “external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) with thin plaster”. The results show that there is no generally applicable optimum ETICS material solution, which is caused by differing investor requirements, as well as the unique circumstances of each building and its user. The solution presented in this paper aims to aid investor decision-making regarding the choice of the building materials while taking the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) into account.

Combined Environmental and Economic Assessment of Energy Efficiency Measures in a Multi-Dwelling Building

The aim of this study is to assess how different renovation scenarios affect the environmental and economic impacts of a multi-dwelling building in a Nordic climate, how these aspects are correlated and how different energy carriers affect different environmental impact categories. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the European Union has set an agenda in order to reduce energy use in buildings. New buildings on the European market have a low replacement rate, which makes building renovation an important factor for achieving the European Union goals. In this study, eight renovation strategies were analyzed following the European Committee for Standardization standards for life cycle assessment and life cycle costs of buildings. This study covers all life cycle steps from cradle to grave. The renovation scenarios include combinations of photovoltaics, geothermal heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation and improved building envelopes. Results show that, depending on the energy carrier, reductions in global warming potential can be achieved at the expense of an increased nuclear waste disposal. It also shows that for the investigated renovation strategies in Sweden there is no correlation between the economic and the environmental performance of the building. Changing energy carriers in Sweden in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be a good alternative, but it makes the system more dependent on nuclear power.

A BIM-Based Framework to Visually Evaluate Circularity and Life Cycle Cost of buildings.

The Circular Economy paradigm seeks to shift products and systems from linear to “closed loop” life cycles applying specific business models and strategies to their designs and lifelines. The implementation of the circular economy in buildings depends on the efforts made by all the stakeholder involved in the life cycle of a building, where it can draw most of the benefits if the application of a circular business model is planned during the design phases. Building Information Modelling is an approach that helps designers in creating and managing semantically rich 3D-models describing the status of the building over its life cycle. In this paper, a BIM-based framework for evaluating the application of circular business models of buildings from the circularity and the life cycle cost points of views is proposed.

Influence of the Brace Configurations on the Seismic Performance of Steel Concentrically Braced Frames

Concentrically braced frame is an effective and prevalent seismic force resisting system which is commonly used in low-rise buildings. This type of structural system utilizes steel braces to provide the stiffness and strength needed to dissipate earthquake energy. Several bracing configurations have been proposed in different building codes worldwide. These codes provide detailed design requirements for the structural members and connections, but no guidance is provided in selecting the best bracing configuration for the design. In this study, the impact of the bracing configuration on the seismic response of a five-story prototype office building located in Vancouver, Canada, is systematically examined. Five different bracing configurations were designed according to the National Building Code of Canada and CSA S16 standard. Detailed structural responses, initial costs, and life cycle costs of the prototype building with five different bracing configurations were systematically compared. The results show that the different bracing configurations play an important role in sizing the structural members, which impacts the initial material usage and the overall life cycle cost of the building.

Life cycle costs optimization of residential buildings

This paper considers the questions of techno-economic optimization in order to determine the thermal transmittance coefficient of the external walls of an existing residential building.The optimization procedure is conducted for the climatic and economic conditions in Bulgaria and taking into account the existing legal framework. The minimum of the building life cycle costs is determined by using genetic algorithm

Life Cycle Cost Comparison Study of PV and Concrete Rooftop in Jakarta

This paper presents a comparative study of “life cycle cost” or LCC of a building school rooftop element in Jakarta. The simulation applied two different types of roof: a concrete roof and a PV rooftop. The aim of this study is to investigate the electricity production of the solar panels, the saving to investment ratio or SIR, and the total life cycle cost of each rooftop element. To accommodate those objectives, the calculation utilized a software called “Building Life Cycle Cost (BLCC) version 5” which is a product of the US Department of Energy. The simulation results showed that the LCC can be improved by 27.6%, and the “discounted payback” is reached at year 15. Indeed, this indicates that a roof made of solar panels is promising to replace the existing concrete roof.

Advanced two-step integrated optimization of actively controlled nonlinear structure under mainshock–aftershock sequences

In this paper, an attempt is made to examine a new method for designing and applying the active vibration control system to improve building performance under mainshock–aftershock sequences. In this regard, three different structures are considered; 5-, 10-, and 15-story buildings. Seven mainshock–aftershock sequences are selected from the Iranian accelerogram database for analyzing the structures. By implementing an advanced two-step optimization method, buildings equipped with the active vibration control system (linear–quadratic regulator (LQR) algorithm) are designed to withstand all events of mainshock–aftershock sequences. In the first optimization step, a multi-objective optimization with the genetic algorithm is performed and a set of optimal Pareto front results is obtained. In the next step, the life-cycle cost of each optimal design sample of the Pareto front is calculated by considering the cumulative damage and the design sample with the minimum cost is selected as a final optimal property. The results prove that the active vibration control system is capable of reducing structural responses, including acceleration, drift, and residual drift under mainshock–aftershock sequences, and consequently the life-cycle cost of buildings, especially the taller ones. In addition, obtaining the building design variables (story stiffness and yielding force) and active LQR algorithm properties simultaneously leads to a slightly softer final building model than the conventional structure designed by the common building design code. Moreover, it is revealed that, by considering the aftershocks, the building life-cycle cost increases significantly.

OPTIMIZATION OF TIME AND COST OF BUILDING COMPONENT MAINTENANCE: A CASE-STUDY IN A FIVE STAR HOTEL

Building component maintenance management is one of the most important issues in management of building lifecycle costs. Key to successful maintenance management is the ability to survey present condition and predict the future condition for each component and facilities present in a building. The paper presents a process to optimize maintenance cost and time of caste iron pipe component in wastewater plumbing system of hotel building in Iran as a case study using the condition index (CI) method. The research uses a systematic assessment field as followed by the USACERL condition index method. To achieve this objective, cast iron pipe within wastewater plumbing system is surveyed using the economical tools for implementation of optimal maintenance time and cost based on highest saving to investment ratio. The research presents a financial analysis using the existing data. The data was collected through financial and technical sheet. Data is analyzed using the economical tools and financial analysis is simulated with simulation software. The purpose of this paper is to develop a financial analysis simulation for component maintenance assessment during its service life based on highest interest rate. The analysis results in to identify optimum maintenance time basing on the limited cost. This method helps to facilities managers and engineers to make better decisions for reducing maintenance costs and increasing the component’s service life.

A framework for the integrated optimisation of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and cost of buildings

Evaluating building design options with a focus on simultaneously minimising life cycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and life cycle cost (LCC) is difficult due to a lack of comprehensive and accessible tools. An integrated approach where life cycle GHG and LCC performance can be balanced is essential in order to optimise a building's overall life cycle performance. This paper describes the development of an integrated framework designed to assist building design professionals in optimising the life cycle GHG and cost of a building. This paper demonstrates the framework's potential by applying it to glazing design options for a residential building case study. The demonstration of this framework highlights the fact that options such as triple glazing, often heralded as a solution for reducing GHG, may not lead to as great a reduction in life cycle GHG as options such as double glazing (which also comes at a lower LCC for this case study building). This paper not only highlights the need to analyse and select building design options based on both their life cycle GHG and LCC performance but also emphasises the significant amount of uncertainty attached to decision-making in these areas.

Web-based automation of green building rating index and life cycle cost analysis

Sudden decline in financial markets and economic meltdown has slow down adaptation and lowered interest of investors towards green certified buildings due to their higher initial costs. Similarly, it is essential to fetch investor’s attention towards more development of green buildings through automated tools for the construction projects. Though, historical dearth is found on the automation of green building rating tools that brings up an essential gap to develop an automated analog computerized programming tool. This paper present a proposed research aim to develop an integrated web-based automated analog computerized programming that applies green building rating assessment tool, green technology and life cycle cost analysis. It also emphasizes to identify variables of MyCrest and LCC to be integrated and developed in a framework then transformed into automated analog computerized programming. A mix methodology of qualitative and quantitative survey and its development portray the planned to carry MyCrest-LCC integration to an automated level. In this study, the preliminary literature review enriches better understanding of Green Building Rating Tools (GBRT) integration to LCC. The outcome of this research is a pave way for future researchers to integrate other efficient tool and parameters that contributes towards green buildings and future agendas.

BIM-based approach for optimizing life cycle costs of sustainable buildings

Abstract This paper proposes a framework that integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Genetic Algorithm Optimization and Monte-Carlo Simulation. The developed framework helps in implementing a stochastic Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) model for building to select the optimum building materials alternatives and discover the most influential building system in each cost element starting from initial cost to end on life cost. Genetic Algorithms Optimization technique is utilized to select the optimum alternatives of building systems taking in consideration sustainability aspects. The Monte-Carlo Simulation model is used as a fitness function for the optimization model. The environmental aspect of building is achieved by considering the maximum number of points that can be awarded under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Sensitivity analysis is performed on the optimum solutions that are chosen by optimization a model to examine the effect of different building systems on LCC and its components through computing the rank order of building systems and the target output. A case study is presented to demonstrate the practical features of the proposed framework.

Integrated life cycle cost method for sustainable structural design by focusing on a benchmark office building in Australia

Cost has been traditionally known as a key factor that needs to be considered in the decision making process. Recent awareness in environmental problems has highlighted the need for considering environmental impacts into the process of making choices. However, far too little attention has been paid to reflect the environmental impact and the building cost into the decision making process. As such, this study proposed a method that integrates and considers the environmental cost and building cost in the structural design process. This method takes into account the cost associated with building materials, construction methods and amount of embodied carbon emission during the life cycle of buildings. The current study analysed the effects of two construction systems (Flat slab and waffle slab) and two structural materials (Normal concrete and Ultra-lightweight concrete) on overall costs of a typical high rise concrete structure (15-story office building) in Australia (NS11401.1 2014). The results show that the office building designed with lightweight construction method (waffle slab) and normal concrete (Normal weight) has a lower life cycle cost (50 year lifespan) in comparison with the other design alternatives. It was found that an appropriate selecting of construction forms and type of concrete can save up to 7% of the cost of material consumption, 5% of the total energy consumption expense, and 5% of the CO2-e emissions of the building across all five major cities. This study demonstrates a method to quantify the potential impact of Ultra-lightweight concrete has on the life cycle cost and carbon emissions of commercial buildings. The proposed methodology to assess life cycle cost and environmental impact can be used as a supporting tool in selection of efficient construction methods and structural materials over the lifetime of building.

Life Cycle Equivalent Annual Cost (LCEAC) as a Comparative Indicator in the Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Buildings with Different Lifetimes

The paper deals with the issue of the life cycle cost in the construction. It also focuses on the part of the model for the calculation of the life cycle cost of buildings with consideration of the risk that allows the calculation of the life cycle cost of buildings with different lifetimes. For the construction of this part of the model, the authors used the life cycle equivalent annual cost indicator (LCEAC). The operation of this part of the model was presented on the example of three scenarios of the life cycle of pneumatic sports halls for which the estimated service life of the building (ESLB) was ranged from 19 to 30 years.

On the performance of LCC optimization software OPERA-MILP by comparison with building energy simulation software IDA ICE

From an economic point of view, it is crucial to minimize the life cycle costs (LCC) of buildings undergoing energy renovations, hence an optimization approach is needed. Building energy use and power demand as well as energy efficiency measures are important issues while performing an LCC optimization. Thus it is of great importance to accurately predict the building energy use and power demand before and after energy renovation.This paper aims to address the performance of an in-house LCC optimization software, OPERA-MILP, which has a rather fast optimization procedure. The aim is fulfilled through comparison with building energy simulation software IDA ICE before and after cost-optimal energy renovation. Three historic buildings with different layout and construction properties are used as a case study.The results show good agreement in the calculations of buildings' power demand and energy use between OPERA-MILP and IDA ICE. The percentage difference in calculated annual energy use and buildings' power demand with OPERA-MILP compared to IDA ICE is shown to be maximum 11% and 8% for the studied climate zones, respectively. Total impact on LCC is estimated to be equal to or less than 8%.