Life cycle cost analysis comparison between structural steel and light gauge steel structures

Abstract

Life cycle cost analysis plays a vital role in evaluating both the economic viability and sustainability of building construction systems. This study compares the life cycle costs between structural steel (SS) and light gauge steel (LGS) framing systems by considering the construction costs, usage costs, and end-of-life costs for each system. Although SS has been widely used in construction, LGS has gained popularity as a lightweight and cost-effective alternative. The current literature mainly focuses on the life cycle cost analysis comparisons between traditional systems while neglecting the specific comparison between SS and LGS. Moreover, the comparisons done between the systems only consider the construction costs. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a comprehensive life cycle cost analysis comparison of two steel structural systems in Egypt, namely: SS moment-resisting frame combined with reinforced concrete slabs and brick walls, and a LGS frame supported on a SS moment-resisting frame and Ferrocement Boards were used for floors and walls. Life cycle cost (LCC) was calculated for each system, which included construction costs, usage costs, and end-of-life costs in addition to the potential for future reuse/recycling. The calculations showed that the CFS system had a lower life cycle cost than the SS system by 46.4% and as for the recycle and reuse values, the SS system was more than the LGS system by around 33.5% and 31.6% respectively as the SS system’s overall weight of steel members was higher.