PROJECT. COLLABORATION. INNOVATION.
SEED FUND 2024
Reducing Embodied Carbon in the Manufacture of LGS Modular Construction
Abstract:
Light Gauge Steel (LGS) systems are increasingly used in construction for their strength, quick project delivery, and precision. The carbon intensity of the materials used pose environmental challenges. This project aims to reduce these emissions by exploring innovative materials, efficiency of module design, optimizing manufacturing and installation processes.
Problem Statement:
It is estimated that approximately 37% of our carbon emissions stem from the construction and built environment sector, 14% of which includes the emissions from producing and transporting building materials.
Objectives:
• Establish current embodied carbon for LGS modular construction and compare against other forms of construction.
• Develop recommendations to reduce the embodied carbon of modular solutions.
• Select a number of these that have the biggest impact and work these through from a regulatory and viability perspective.
Expected Outcomes:
• Establish where LGS modular construction sits in the Embodied Carbon Landscape
• Set of recommendations that could be implemented into the modular system and its processes.
• Reduction in the embodied carbon of the LGS modular system
Significance:
By reducing embodied carbon in modular construction, we can have an impact on construction in Ireland and we can encourage the wider adoption of modular and MMC solutions in the industry for future projects.
Applicant’s name and RPO member:
Prof. Jamie Goggins – University of Galway
Collaborators:
Framespace Solutions Ltd
Collaborators
Principal Investigator
Professor Jamie Goggins
Director, Construct Innovate
Prof Jamie Goggins is a Chartered Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in consultancy, construction, expert advisory work and research on many projects worldwide. He was appointed as the 7th Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Galway in 2020, a position that was first held by Prof W. Bindon Blood in 1850. Within the University of Galway, he has also served as Director of Research & Innovation in the School of Engineering and has also led the development and delivery of the first two Sustainability Strategies for the university in his role as Chair of CUSP . He has been lead principal investigator on over 80 research projects in the past fifteen years, most in collaboration with industry. Jamie’s research projects include the development of sustainable construction technologies, energy efficient buildings, life cycle analysis, ocean energy technologies (tidal, wave, offshore wind), earthquake engineering design methodologies, structural control and health monitoring, and computational mechanics. Jamie served on the Board of the Civil Engineering Research Association of Ireland (CERAI) from 2012-2022 and is former President and Chairman of the CERAI Board. He is an advocate for sustainable development. He is also actively involved in Engineers Ireland, the professional body for Engineers in Ireland, serving as elected member of Council (2016-2020), an interviewer for the Registered Professional Titles of Engineers Ireland and a term as Chairman for the West region, and continues to serve on the West Region committee for more than 10 years.
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