Sustainability assessment of half-sandwich panels based on alkali-activated ceramic/slag wastes cement versus conventional building solutions

This study assessed the sustainability of two partition walls and intended to contribute Circular Economy in construction sector. A life cycle approach a multi-criteria decision support method were applied know environmental, functional, economic performances production process half-sandwich panels based on alkali-activated ceramic/slag waste cement, choosing as system boundary “cradle gate”. The proposed building solutions differ from each other type insulating material used, either extruded polystyrene foam (APXPS) or expanded cork agglomerate board (APICB). Besides, comparative analysis developed versus three reference constructive solutions: i) conventional heavyweight wall, ii) lightweight gypsum wall panel, iii) conceptual sandwich membrane solution was performed. Results showed that (APXPS APICB) resulted most sustainable alternatives, which APXPS obtained best overall results since it combined behavior. environmental contribution determined greatest burden Global Warming Potential (GWP), case associated with XPS (57%), being alkali activator (23%) placed second major contributor. When ICB used insulation layer, energy (nearly 38%) sodium silicate (about 17%) larger contributors CO2 emissions. It is worth mentioning use represented negative (of about −34%) GWP category.