Research on Carbon Emission of Prefabricated Structure in China

The comparison of carbon emissions between prefabricated and traditional cast-in-place construction methods in actual example buildings has yielded inconsistent results due to the difficulty in accounting for design parameter uncertainty. Additionally, the carbon-reduction capacity of prefabricated structures remains a topic of debate. This paper investigates the carbon emission reduction capacity of prefabricated concrete frame structures compared to traditional cast-in-place structures, with a focus on addressing design parameter uncertainty. A quantitative model of carbon emissions is established using the subproject quota method and PKPM-PC software. The study evaluates the impact of design parameters, such as slab span and seismic requirements, and calculation parameters, such as carbon emission factor and transport distance, on carbon emissions. The results indicate that prefabricated structures with a higher assembly rate exhibit a stronger emission reduction capacity, mainly due to lower demands for labor and mechanical energy consumption. The study also highlights that prefabricated structures with smaller slab spans and higher seismic requirements have lower carbon emission reduction capacities and can produce greater carbon emissions than cast-in-place structures. Furthermore, the appropriate carbon emission factor for the material used in prefabricated structures is crucial for achieving reliable carbon reduction rates. Finally, the study emphasizes the importance of considering transport as a small but significant factor in structural comparison, as changes in transport distance can significantly impact results.