ANALYSIS OF CO2 EMISSIONS BETWEEN CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS: LIGHT STEEL FRAME AND CONVENTIONAL MASONRY

Since the emission of greenhouse gases is an important environment issue, this paper presents an analysis of CO2 emissions between two different building methodologies: conventional masonry and light steel frame. To this end, a 70m(2) building project used in Social Brazilian Housing Programs (SBHP) built according to both methods was analyzed. In addition to that, the quantitative materials used were determined, according to the building services (infrastructure, superstructure, closing and cladding, roof and floor) and afterwards, were multiplied by conversion factors. These conversion factors allow estimating the CO2 emission from the manufacturing process of the material up to its application, which made it possible to determine the total CO2 emission for both building methodologies. Furthermore, a cost analysis was carried out in order to interpret economic issues in both methods. The results showed that infrastructure and superstructure are the main services responsible for CO2 emission in both constructive methodologies, due to the high consumption of concrete, steel, coarse aggregates and wood, where differences of almost 90% were identified. Moreover, although the conventional masonry method presented low global cost in comparison with light steel frame, this method emits more than 102% of CO2 in relation to the latter. Therefore, from an environmental point of view, builders should consider this issue when choosing a construction system.