Title:
Carbon Uptake Estimation of US Building Sector: Insights from Single Building Elements to the Whole Nation Analysis
Author(s):
Manav
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S24_Manav.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
3/23/2024
Abstract:
As the extent of carbon uptake varies dramatically from one cement-based product to another, it is essential to employ an approach that captures the context in the estimation of building carbon uptake. In this study, we propose a bottom-up framework for modeling the lifetime carbon uptake of concrete and mortar applications at the building level. The framework incorporates two major steps: 1) estimation of carbon uptake for each individual element of a building and 2) creation of archetypes to represent local practices of construction. The results of this study show that the total amount of uptake can vary significantly. The building use and end-of-life uptake can neutralize 21 – 46% of the cement calcination emissions. While underground and covered elements, such as footings and foundations, possess the lowest carbon uptake quantity, mortar applications can be fully carbonated within a decade of the building’s lifetime. Therefore, in building archetypes with significant mortar use, carbon uptake per unit of cement consumption is larger compared to the uptake in typical US single-family buildings. The carbon uptake range in different building types implies the importance of considering a bottom-up approach. Also, the results of our bottom-up approach provide new insights for understanding the importance of CO2 uptake in the life cycle emissions of concrete buildings and in achieving carbon neutrality.