An analysis of comparative studies on embodied carbon and embodied energy assessment of tall building structures

High-rise building construction can lead to a “carbon spike,” which refers to excessive carbon emissions resulting from the massive use of structural materials during building production. Furthermore, the embodied carbon (EC) and embodied energy (EE) of buildings are gaining significance, considering the improvement in the operational energy performance of new buildings. Therefore, early design decisions regarding the structural system selection of tall buildings significantly affect the carbon footprint. Previous studies investigated the EC and EE of tall building structures using the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The effects of various design parameters on EC and EE are compared. Nevertheless, inconsistencies inherent to the LCA approach and variations in structural design methods used in these studies may lead to incompatibilities in the results. This study examines existing research on the EC and EE of tall building structures through a systematic literature review. The scope, materials, and methodologies employed in the literature are scrutinized to identify current gaps. Results from various scenarios are analyzed regarding specific design parameters, such as building height, structural material use, type of the structural system, and structural components, to identify patterns in reported EC and EE. To enhance the comparability of the findings, further research that adopts a consistent approach is required to explore the EC and EE of tall building structures.