Environmental Performance Assessment of Glued Laminated Timber.

• Grant number: 25/21011-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Akemi Ino
• Grantee: Ana Kellem Dias de Medeiros
• Host Institution: Instituto de Arquitetura e Urbanismo de São Carlos (IAU). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/01115-0 - CCD - Carbon Neutral Cities, AP.CCD

Abstract

This project aims to conduct an environmental performance assessment of Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) applied in residential building systems, focusing on quantifying its life cycle carbon emissions and energy consumption. The research seeks to contribute primary data to Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) databases, addressing the lack of national information on the material, while also supporting the digital modeling of social housing in BIM using Glulam as a building material. The methodology combines a literature review, documentary research, and field research. The first stage involves a survey of scientific and technical literature on the evolution, use, and characteristics of domestically produced Glulam. Subsequently, normative documents, such as the SIDAC manual, NBR 7190, NBR 15575, and other relevant standards, will be analyzed to support the application of the Construction Environmental Performance Assessment (ADAC) and provide a basis for the creation of a digital housing model in BIM. In the empirical phase, primary data will be collected from partner Glulam-producing companies. The analysis will follow a "gate-to-gate" boundary, measuring input and output flows and converting them into prioritized environmental indicators of primary energy demand and CO2 emissions. The results will be organized and subsequently submitted to the databases through a formal insertion request. This procedure will allow the data to become part of the national database, enabling comparative analyses between Glulam and established structural materials, such as concrete and steel. Furthermore, the collected data will serve as a basis for simulations in a digital model of social housing, making it possible to assess not only the environmental performance of the production process but also its impact on buildings. Thus, the research seeks to highlight Glulam's potential as a low-carbon solution and to expand its application in the Brazilian market.