LCA & LCC for Swiss Dwellings: A model with material service life uncertainties

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this project was to evaluate the sensitivity of the maintenance phase for LCAs and LCCs.

Method

LCAs and LCCs are performed on four newly built Swiss dwellings. In order to evaluate the sensibility of the maintenance phase, normal distributed material service lives were used in the calculation of the replacement scenarios. An uncertainty analysis based on a Monte Carlo simulation and on the replacement scenarios was run. The final outcomes were LCAs and LCCs for every four buildings with corresponding uncertainties due to the maintenance phase.

Results

Based on the comparative assessment of the four buildings outcomes, it was possible to highlight a positive correlation between the costs and the environmental impacts for the buildings and the enhancement uncertainty analysis enables on life cycle analysis of buildings. Furthermore, the impact of the maintenance phases on LCAs and LCCs was assessed to be significant and approximated to account for 25% on the overall results. Finally, we underlined the systematic lower environmental impacts when effective service lives were applied instead of theoretical values.

Conclusion

The conclusion of this report presents the relevance to integrate uncertainty analysis in the maintenance phase. The fact that uncertainties are taken into account in LCAs and LCCs enables more precise and coherent buildings evaluation, and therefore supports more accurate decisions based on LCAs and LCCs. On the other hand, this project highlights also the complexity to define an accurate material service-life database.