Comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Membrane and Grid Shell Structures: A Case Study Analysis

This study conducts a comparative analysis through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of two distinct architectural structures: “M&G Research” (Case Study 1), featuring a membrane structure consisting of a steel primary framework and a PVC-coated polyester fabric skin, and “Walloon Branch of Reproduction Forestry Material” (Case Study 2), characterized by a wooden grid shell structure and glass panels for coverage. The LCA investigates the product stage (A1-A3), the ‘end-of-life’ stage (C1- C4), and the module ‘benefits and loads beyond the system boundaries’ (D), focusing on specific components such as the skin and primary structure. Multiple LCAs are conducted for each case study. In Case Study 1, the assessments evaluate two scenarios for the fabric skin: one without skin replacement and another with a single skin replacement over a 50-year service life. Meanwhile, in Case Study 2, the LCAs assess the environmental impact of two different cover materials: glass versus polyester-PVC fabric.
The findings reveal interesting insights into environmental impacts with a focus on Global Warming Potential (GWP) per covered area. In both case studies, the skin significantly contributes to the overall GWP per covered area (GWP/m2), surpassing the impact of the primary structure. Due to higher quantity of wood material, the GWP/m2 of the primary structure in Case Study 2 exceeds that of the steel structure of Case Study 1. The findings underline the complex relation between material selection, structural components and service life duration, providing insights for sustainable architectural design and decision-making processes.