A comparative study on environmental life cycle impacts of curtain walls

Rahman Azari, Yong Woo Kim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Design of glass curtain wall (CW) systems has long been under the influence of structural, thermal and daylighting performance requirements as well as cost and aesthetic concerns. However, environmental life-cycle impacts of the systems are usually ignored when selecting the suitable materials for mullions and glazing units. This paper intends to examine the effect of mullion material change on the environmental impacts of a typical CW system over its life-cycle. The mullion materials studied in this paper include extruded aluminum, carbon steel and glulam timber. The environmental impact categories of interest include global warming, acidification, eutrophication and human toxicity. In addition, the paper applies a process-based Attritional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique to achieve its objectives. According to the results of this study, an extruded aluminum CW system contributes most to the environmental impact categories of interest in this research while a glulam timber CW makes the least contribution. Contribution of steel CW systems falls in-between.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConstruction Research Congress 2012
Subtitle of host publicationConstruction Challenges in a Flat World, Proceedings of the 2012 Construction Research Congress
Pages1610-1619
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventConstruction Research Congress 2012: Construction Challenges in a Flat World - West Lafayette, IN, United States
Duration: May 21 2012May 23 2012

Publication series

NameConstruction Research Congress 2012: Construction Challenges in a Flat World, Proceedings of the 2012 Construction Research Congress

Other

OtherConstruction Research Congress 2012: Construction Challenges in a Flat World
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWest Lafayette, IN
Period5/21/125/23/12

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A comparative study on environmental life cycle impacts of curtain walls'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this