Kristina Bringedal Gedde
PhD Candidate
Authors
Kristina Bringedal Gedde Georgios Triantafyllidis Alessio Miatto Lone Ross Lizhen Huang Daniel Beat MuellerAbstract
Abstract The building sector accounts for a significant share of global material stocks and embodied greenhouse gas emissions. Material intensity (MI), defined as construction materials per unit floor area, is a key metric for understanding resource use and environmental performance. Existing approaches estimate MI for specific building types and cohorts but rarely explore additional factors that influence the structural element requirements. This study refines traditional methods by incorporating building geometry, number of floors, geographical context, construction methods, and regulatory changes, using Norwegian residential buildings as a case study. We focus on stud use in exterior walls to understand how their MI (kg/m 2 ) varies across buildings. Our correlation analysis reveals that construction year (ρ = 0.69) and energy efficiency standards (ρ = 0.51) are associated with higher MI of studs while building length shows a notable negative correlation (ρ = –0.38). Timber stud MI increases with footprint complexity and number of floors but decreases as building length and floor area grow. Snow load further contributes to increased stud MI. Studs' MI also varies across periods, reflecting changes in regulations and construction practices. These findings enhance our understanding of material use drivers in timber structures and provide a foundation for developing more nuanced building stock models to improve resource efficiency assessments and support targeted climate mitigation strategies.
Abstract
Hva slags materialer finner vi på gjenvinningsstasjoner rundt om i landet og hvor mye av det kan brukes på nytt? Dette spørsmålet stilte forskerne i CircWood seg da prosjektet startet i 2022.
Abstract
Svært mye tre i Norge kan gjenbrukes, men det er viktig å forstå kvalitet og mengde. Over halvparten av treet som leveres til gjenvinningsstasjonene, er bærende og ubehandlet heltre.
