Environmental performance of miscanthus-lime lightweight concrete using life cycle assessment: Application in external wall assemblies

In the UK context, miscanthus is a potential alternative perennial crop for development of bio-based building materials. This paper presents environmental benefits using shives in lightweight blocks and their application wall assemblies. A systemic life cycle assessment (LCA) carried out miscanthus-lime blocks, effects binder type content are discussed. The performance-based analysis reveals that can capture 135 kg CO2eq/m3 an assumed 100-years period. impact University Leiden, institute science (CML) baseline (v4.4) method shows 75% greenhouse gas emissions attributable to production mineral binders. reduction aggregate ratio from 2.0 1.5 reduces by 32.9%. use 10 wt% additions potentially stabilise while having little effect on overall impacts. profiles systems incorporating have been evaluated this study. Combining with fired clay bricks enables low carbon retrofitting technique current stock residential buildings UK. Timber-framed system filled storage ~97.3 CO2eq/m2, which offsetting strategy new-build dwellings. Consideration should be given negative impacts related agricultural activities shives. largest was ozone layer depletion, where relative difference 12.8% recorded between timber-framed typical solid insulated wool. It appears composites substantially improve profile assemblies sustainability applied existing uninsulated masonry walls or incorporated timber- framed houses.