Life cycle assessment of integrated energy and seismic retrofits for existing buildings
Journal
Journal of Building Engineering
Journal Volume
108
Start Page
112967
ISSN
2352-7102
Date Issued
2025-08-15
Author(s)
Abstract
The construction industry significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable retrofitting strategies for existing buildings. This research addresses the critical gap in integrating energy and seismic retrofitting assessments within a unified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework. The proposed methodology aims to evaluate the environmental, economic, and temporal impacts of integrated retrofitting strategies, particularly for buildings in seismically active regions. Utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM), the study introduces a seven-module framework encompassing retrofitting option selection, quantification analysis, energy consumption analysis, seismic performance assessment, life cycle analysis for carbon emissions and costs, schedule planning, and report visualization. A case study involving a reinforced concrete school building in Taiwan demonstrates the framework's application. Five retrofitting scenarios, combining seismic upgrades (jacketing or composite columns) and energy improvements (foam concrete roofs or low-e windows), were compared. Results show that the combination of jacketing columns and foam concrete roofs achieved the lowest life cycle cost, shortest payback period, and substantial carbon emission reductions. In contrast, the composite column and low-e window scenario incurred the highest costs and emissions. The findings highlight the benefits of an integrated approach and the utility of BIM in streamlining data and decision-making. This study contributes a novel, practical methodology that holistically evaluates retrofitting strategies across environmental, structural, and financial dimensions. By integrating seismic loss estimation with energy modeling in a life cycle context, this research provides a valuable tool for stakeholders aiming to enhance building sustainability and resilience.
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article