Simulation-Based Assessment of Construction Phase Environmental Impacts for Tall Buildings Structural Systems

The construction phase of tall buildings plays a significant role in environmental degradation due to the intensive use of materials, high energy consumption, and emissions from on-site activities. This study examines the environmental impacts associated with the construction process of tall office buildings by integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). A generic model representing common structural systems and material configurations was developed in Autodesk Revit. Grasshopper and Karamba 3D were utilized to optimize the structural system, enhancing its performance and efficiency. The environmental impact of the construction process, Stage A5 of the building life cycle, as defined by EN 15978 standards, was then assessed using the Tally plugin. MATLAB was used to quantify the energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of the optimized structure. Then, different construction scenarios were optimized using VSGA-III, providing a more precise evaluation of the system’s environmental performance. An LCA analysis was conducted using the Tally plugin within Revit to highlight key impact factors, including fossil fuel depletion, global warming potential, and construction waste. By combining BIM, structural optimization, and advanced analytical tools, this framework provides a reliable tool for early-stage environmental assessments of tall buildings' structural systems, helping architects and designers to make informed decisions to minimize environmental impacts during the construction phase of tall buildings. This process might lead to New or revised green building certifications, Changes in regulatory requirements, and this framework could become a new standard for designing sustainable tall buildings, influencing industry practices and promoting the adoption of sustainable design principles. This study quantified measurable outcomes, including an 18% reduction in CO₂ emissions, a 22% reduction in energy consumption, and a 17% reduction in smog formation potential, thereby demonstrating the framework’s practical effectiveness in minimizing Stage A5 environmental impacts. Future studies could expand this framework by incorporating additional life cycle stages, testing real-world construction projects, and integrating renewable energy solutions or automation strategies to further enhance sustainability outcomes.