Evaluating the importance of the embodied impacts of wall assemblies in the context of a low environmental impact energy mix

In the context of a low environmental impact energy mix, embodied building materials can account for up to 46% building's life cycle over 50-year service life. Fifty percent this corresponds combination structure and envelope. While most studies have compared different residential systems or wall assemblies, study aims quantify contribution initial impacts assemblies' exterior walls an office in Quebec City (Canada). Cradle-to-grave assessments were conducted on eight three which use light-frame construction, one lightweight steel framing, two cross-laminated timber glued-laminated post beam approach. The evaluated using openLCA, ecoinvent database TRACI method. Energy consumption during stage was simulated EnergyPlus. results indicate that 40% 66% all throughout cycle. These suggest that, specific context, become dominant source Many factors been identified as affecting such choice, quantity nature materials. will help decision makers identify where efforts should be made reduce similar context.