Exploring BIM capabilities for life cycle assessment in structural projects: a Valencian Barraca case study for sustainable material choices

Barry McAuley; OScar Selfa i Perona; Kieran Lakhera O'Shea

Exploring BIM capabilities for life cycle assessment in structural projects: a Valencian Barraca case study for sustainable material choices

Barry McAuley, OScar Selfa i Perona, Kieran Lakhera O'Shea

Built Environment Research & Innovation Centre (BERIC)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

The construction sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation, with structural materials accounting for up to 40% of embedded carbon. This study investigates the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to promote sustainable structural design. Using a BIM model of a Valencian barraca, three scenarios were
evaluated: traditional materials (adobe and wood), concrete with steel, and concrete with Cross- Laminated Timber (CLT). Results show that natural materials generate lower impacts, while steel and concrete exhibit higher emissions. This work proposes a workflow integrating BIM, FEA, and LCA to incorporate sustainability metrics, ensure regulatory compliance, and support
informed decision-making. Key recommendations include improving Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), developing structure-specific benchmarks, and achieving real-time BIMLCA interoperability.

Original language	Undefined/Unknown
Title of host publication	EUBIM 2025 - BIM International Conference
Publication status	Published - 21 May 2025

Keywords

BIM, LCA, structural design, sustainability, sustainable materials, carbon footprint, benchmarks

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

Pages from LIBRO_ACTAS_EUBIM_2025Final published version, 549 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-SA
Pages_from_LIBRO_ACTAS_EUBIM_2025Final published version, 549 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-SA

Cite this

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title = "Exploring BIM capabilities for life cycle assessment in structural projects: a Valencian Barraca case study for sustainable material choices",

abstract = "The construction sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation, with structural materials accounting for up to 40\% of embedded carbon. This study investigates the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to promote sustainable structural design. Using a BIM model of a Valencian barraca, three scenarios were evaluated: traditional materials (adobe and wood), concrete with steel, and concrete with Cross- Laminated Timber (CLT). Results show that natural materials generate lower impacts, while steel and concrete exhibit higher emissions. This work proposes a workflow integrating BIM, FEA, and LCA to incorporate sustainability metrics, ensure regulatory compliance, and support informed decision-making. Key recommendations include improving Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), developing structure-specific benchmarks, and achieving real-time BIMLCA interoperability.",

keywords = "BIM, LCA, structural design, sustainability, sustainable materials, carbon footprint, benchmarks",

author = "Barry McAuley and Perona, \{OScar Selfa i\} and \{Kieran Lakhera O'Shea\}",

year = "2025",

month = may,

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T1 - Exploring BIM capabilities for life cycle assessment in structural projects: a Valencian Barraca case study for sustainable material choices

AU - McAuley, Barry

AU - Perona, OScar Selfa i

AU - Kieran Lakhera O'Shea,

PY - 2025/5/21

Y1 - 2025/5/21

N2 - The construction sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation, with structural materials accounting for up to 40% of embedded carbon. This study investigates the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to promote sustainable structural design. Using a BIM model of a Valencian barraca, three scenarios were evaluated: traditional materials (adobe and wood), concrete with steel, and concrete with Cross- Laminated Timber (CLT). Results show that natural materials generate lower impacts, while steel and concrete exhibit higher emissions. This work proposes a workflow integrating BIM, FEA, and LCA to incorporate sustainability metrics, ensure regulatory compliance, and support informed decision-making. Key recommendations include improving Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), developing structure-specific benchmarks, and achieving real-time BIMLCA interoperability.

AB - The construction sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation, with structural materials accounting for up to 40% of embedded carbon. This study investigates the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools to promote sustainable structural design. Using a BIM model of a Valencian barraca, three scenarios were evaluated: traditional materials (adobe and wood), concrete with steel, and concrete with Cross- Laminated Timber (CLT). Results show that natural materials generate lower impacts, while steel and concrete exhibit higher emissions. This work proposes a workflow integrating BIM, FEA, and LCA to incorporate sustainability metrics, ensure regulatory compliance, and support informed decision-making. Key recommendations include improving Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), developing structure-specific benchmarks, and achieving real-time BIMLCA interoperability.

KW - BIM, LCA, structural design, sustainability, sustainable materials, carbon footprint, benchmarks

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - EUBIM 2025 - BIM International Conference

ER -