Representativeness of CO2 emissions and energy consumption of steel in construction in Brazil

Author(s): B.V. da Silva, V.M. John and S.A. Pacca
Paper category: symposium
Book title: International Symposium on Life Cycle Assessment and Construction – Civil engineering and buildings
Editor(s): A. Ventura and C. de la Roche
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-127-8
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-128-5
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Pages: 240 – 247
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: Steel is a crucial input to construction, and its supply chain is responsible for considerable CO2 emissions and primary energy consumption. However, the production processes of steel mills vary, depending on the technology and the primary energy source used. Such differences affect the emission factor and the embodied energy content of steel used in construction activities. This work evaluates the effect of steel made in Brazil on CO2 and primary energy intensities. Results show that emissions and energy consumption due to steel consumption significantly contribute to the environmental burden of construction activities. Accordingly, in Brazil the use of steel production technologies that are based on electricity consumption favors the mitigation of CO2 emissions and primary energy reduction. Among the steel production technologies employed in Brazil the CO2 emission factor of a specific company is 37% lower than the Brazilian average industry. In terms of embodied energy, the specific energy values are 87% smaller than values of the Brazilian average industry. The choice of appropriate steel reinforcing bar supplier is fundamental to mitigate CO2 emissions of the Brazilian construction sector.

Online publication: 2012
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00