Carbon mitigation potential of modular construction: First estimate of the environmental impacts of a modular and reinforced concrete building in Korea
Abstract
In Korea, the building sector accounts for 7% and 24% of the national direct and total carbon emissions, respectively. Korea’s current carbon mitigation plan targets to reduce 32.7% of the carbon emissions in the building sector by 2030, mainly through energy conservation and enhancing efficiency. However, considering that this plan falls short of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, circular economy strategies aiming for a resource efficiency across the life cycle of the buildings, should also be pursued in concert. These include reducing the demand, shifting to low-carbon materials, extending the lifetime, and promoting recycling. Among the circular economy strategies, this study focused on modular construction as an prefabrication method to improve productivity, reduce waste, and promote end-of-life recycling. To estimate the environmental benefits of the modular construction, we conducted life cycle assessment of two Gwangyang residential buildings, one steel-frame building designed for stacked, modular construction and the other for conventional reinforced concrete construction. Our preliminary analysis considering production in factories, transport, and construction on site, showed that a modular building would generate 17.5% less carbon emissions compared to its counterpart building. In further studies, more detailed on-site and field data will be gathered to improve the estimation of environmental impacts.
Author(s)
| Name |
Affiliation |
|
Minhee Son
|
Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore |
|
Yongchul Jang |
Korea University |
|
Jooyoung Park
|
Seoul National University |
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