LCA database of steel building technologies

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting one solution for the main constrain that is hindering the use of LCA in the building sector. The main constrain is the lack of environmental data for most building materials, products and technologies, including steel products and steelbased building systems. Based in the work of CEN TC 350 and in the work of iiSBE Portugal in the development of the Portuguese rating system SBToolPT®, this paper will present and discuss the development of a method to simplify LCA for effective use during the design phase. The presented method is based in the development of an LCA database that covers most of the building technologies used in buildings in Portugal, including steel assemblies.