CEN 401 Oral Presentation

Student name: Bo Yao

Student number: 2249987

 CEN 401 Oral Presentation

• Introduction

• Explanation of functional unit

• Calculation of embodied carbon

• Data analyses

• Conclusions and discussions

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 Introduction

Aim: replace a single-storey factory building unit and

consider the implied carbon emissions over different
life cycles to arrive at an optimal replacement material.
Functional units: Roof Slab insulation

(Orr & Gibbons, 2020)

GIA (792m2)
Thickness depends on the insulation material used.
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 Explanation of functional unit

The roofing sheet’s performance is unsatisfactory in warm and

humid conditions, as thermal discomfort is felt directly beneath the
space. Insulation is considered an effective passive solution to this
problem (Nandapala, 2020).

Alternative 1: Glass wool roof slab

Declared units: 1 m² with a thermal resistance of 1.0 m² K/W with a
thickness of 37 mm
Considered Life Stages: A1-A5/B1-B7/C1-C4

Alternative 2: Polystyrene board

Declared units: 1 m3 of board
Considered Life Stages: A1-A4/C1-C4/D
In sum, define lifecycle modules: A1-A4

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 Calculation of embodied carbon

Step 1: Quantities

Glass wool: 37mm slab (according to declared units)

Across a GIA of 792m2 = 29.3m3
Density: 73kg/m3
(
https://material-properties.org/glass-wool-density-heat-capacity-ther
mal-conductivity/
) Mass = 73kg/m ×29.3=2139.19kg
3

Polystyrene board: 50mm board

Across a GIA of 792m2 = 39.6m3
Density: 15kg/m3 (BIOPORAS EPS 70)
Mass = 15kg/m3 ×39.6=594kg

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 Calculation of embodied carbon

Step 2: Carbon factors

Glass wool:
A1-A3 (production) = 2.13kgCO2e/FU
(equal to 57.57kgCO2e/m3 = 0.79kgCO2e/kg)
A4 (transport) = 0.189kgCO2e/FU
(equal to 5.11kgCO2e/m3 = 0.26kgCO2e/kg)

(NEPD-2227-1020-EN
ISOVER TECH Roof
Slab 3.0,
Environmental =rduct
Declaration (epd-norge.
no)
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 Calculation of embodied carbon

Step 2: Carbon factors

Polystyrene board :
A1-A3 (production) = 47.9kgCO2e/FU
(equal to 47.9kgCO2e/m3 = 3.19kgCO2e/kg)
A4 (transport) = 0.05kgCO2e/FU
(equal to 0.05kgCO2e/m3 = 0.0033kgCO2e/kg)

(Expanded Polystyrene boards (EPS) ENVIRONMENTAL

PRODUCT DECLARATION, rts_189_22-epd_rts_ukm_v-2.pdf)

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 Calculation of embodied carbon

Step 3: Calculations

Glass wool:
A1-A3 (production) = 586.08×2.88=1687.91kgCO2e
A4 (transport) = 586.08×0.26=152.38kgCO2e

Polystyrene board :
A1-A3 (production) = 594×3.19=1894.86kgCO2e
A4 (transport) = 594×0.0033=1.96kgCO2e

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 Data analyses

Embodied carbon calculation results

Glass wool (A1-A4) = 1840.29kgCO2e
Polystyrene board (A1-A4) = 1896.82kgCO2e
Cost
Glass wool = 586.08 ×21=12307.68yuan
Polystyrene board = 792 ×35=27720yuan
Total calculation table
Quantity (kg) ECF (kgCO2e/kg) Embodied Carbon (kgCO2e) Total EC (kgCO2e) Cost (yuan)

　 　 A1-A3 A4 A1-A3 A4 　 　
Glass Wool Slab 586.08 2.88 0.26 1687.91 152.38 1840.29 12307.68

Polystyrene board 594 3.19 0.0033 1894.86 1.96 1896.82 27720

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 Conclusions and discussions

Conclusion: The summary calculation table shows that for the

same life cycle (A1-A4), the total amount of hidden carbon from
the production phase and construction process transport of
replacement material 1 is less than that of replacement material
2. And from a cost point of view, Replacement Material 1 is more
economical. Therefore, glass wool roofing panels are more
sustainable as insulation for flat roof panels.

Discussion: Furthermore, regarding service life, the EPD for

glass wool slab shows a service life of 60 years compared to 40
years for polystyrene boards. Therefore, the glass wool slab is
also more sustainable from a durability point of view. However,
the comparison of sustainable frameworks still needs to be
improved. The environmental impact and cost of installing and
dismantling materials are not considered.

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 References

Glass Wool – Density – Heat Capacity – Thermal Conductivity. (n.d.)

Retrieved from:
https://material-properties.org/glass-wool-density-heat-capacity-thermal-
conductivity/
Nandapala, K., Chandra, M. S., & Halwatura, R. U. (2020). A study on
the feasibility of a new roof slab insulation system in tropical climatic
conditions. Energy and Buildings, 208, 109653.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109653

Orr, J., & Gibbons, O. (2020). A brief guide to calculating embodied

carbon.

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 Sustainability

30% 40% 30%

Environmental Economic Social

Climate Social
Cost
Change benefits

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