Integrated Life Cycle Design - Application to Concrete Multi-Dwelling buildings”, Licentiate Thesis

Design and procurement based on whole life appraisal may enhance functional quality and, thus, the overall quality and cost-effectiveness of buildings. Empirical studies support this claim. However, only a small proportion of building projects actually adopt life cycle design principles. With regard to this, whole life appraisal is examined by considering design procedures and the nature of the product; in this case Swedish concrete multi-dwelling buildings. The primary approach adopts life cycle costing, life cycle assessment and service life planning in the concept of integrated life cycle design. A field study of concrete multi-dwelling buildings has explored the practicability of this approach in terms of the application of life cycle thinking during design, life cycle cost estimating and accuracy in predicting energy use. Parameter studies have been conducted to assess potential consequences in the life cycle perspective. General methods for multiple criteria decision-making and their application on buildings are reviewed and furthermore, one simplified life cycle design method is outlined. The conclusions are, i: that life cycle design methods and data available are adequate enough to determine choices during the design phase, and ii: that there is a large potential with regard to improved life cycle economy and environmental performance to be exploited