Optimization of RC Structures in Terms of Cost and Environmental Impact—Case Study
1
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, 166 29 Prague 6, Czech Republic
2
Department Architecture and the Environment, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings, Czech Technical University in Prague, 160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
3
Faculty of Environmental Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8532; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208532
Received: 12 September 2020 / Revised: 7 October 2020 / Accepted: 13 October 2020 / Published: 15 October 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Concrete Structures)
Reinforced concrete (RC) structures represent one of the most widespread building systems around the world. This paper deals with the optimization of load-bearing RC structures in terms of cost and environmental impact. The results of the optimization are the dimensions and reinforcement of structural elements for which the total construction costs and environmental impacts are the lowest. Six variants of RC building structures were designed and analyzed in a case study. The construction cost was evaluated on the basis of the national pricing system. The life cycle assessment (LCA) characterization model according to the ReCiPe methodology version 1.08 was used to assess environmental impacts. The main motivation of this article was to show the possibilities of the multi-criteria optimization of a load-bearing structure, not only from a structural point of view but also from economic and environmental points of view. The presented conclusions correspond to this specific construction of the RC structure used in the case study and may not be generalized. Nevertheless, they point to certain trends and patterns that can also be used in the design of other reinforced concrete structures. The method used in this case study could be applied to the analysis of other structures using specific datasets for cost and environmental impact evaluation.
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Keywords:
LCA; reinforced concrete; columns; floor slabs; multi-criteria optimization; exhaustive search
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MDPI and ACS Style
Ženíšek, M.; Pešta, J.; Tipka, M.; Kočí, V.; Hájek, P. Optimization of RC Structures in Terms of Cost and Environmental Impact—Case Study. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8532. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208532
AMA Style
Ženíšek M, Pešta J, Tipka M, Kočí V, Hájek P. Optimization of RC Structures in Terms of Cost and Environmental Impact—Case Study. Sustainability. 2020; 12(20):8532. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208532
Chicago/Turabian StyleŽeníšek, Michal, Jan Pešta, Martin Tipka, Vladimír Kočí, and Petr Hájek. 2020. "Optimization of RC Structures in Terms of Cost and Environmental Impact—Case Study" Sustainability 12, no. 20: 8532. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208532
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