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Journal of Engineering Research

Journal of Engineering Research

DOI

10.70259/engJER.2024.861844

Abstract

Recently, it is evident that the light gauge steel modular dwellings are currently considered as a solution to enable mass home creation in Ireland. However, this type of structure is not considered for its sustainability or embodied carbon (EC) qualities. Life cycle assessment of this new method versus the traditional method of construction is a must with the aim of developing the innovation in construction methods. This paper compares the EC of a light gauge steel (LGS) modular dwelling against a traditional masonry (TM) dwelling to gain insight into the sustainability quality of this new structure typology and how low EC materials can be effective to reduce its total EC. The results show that the LGS is more carbon intensive than TM by 17.8%. As part of the study, an EC optimised LGS was studied where low carbon steel substituted the original LGS and considered assemblies efficiencies such as the floor slab removal and weather defence board use reduction. When these measures were combined the optimised LGS construction achieved a 15% carbon saving against the TM. With the sharply rising need for dwellings in Ireland, the paper recommends the optimised LGS modular dwellings as a sustainable solution to this growing crisis.

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