Comparative Environmental Impact Assessment of Construction Methods in Senegal Using Manual and SimaPro-Based Analysis

The climate change crisis is one of the biggest problems in Senegal. The increased demand for construction has multiplied this environmental issue. This study presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four construction techniques: Nubian Vault, Traditional Raw Adobe Walls with Reinforced Concrete Slab, Stabilized Compressed Earth Brick (SCEB) Walls with Reinforced Concrete Slab, and Concrete Hollow Block (CHB)Walls with Reinforced Concrete slab. The primary objective is to evaluate the Global Warming Potential (GWP) at different phases of the building lifecycle , from raw material extraction to the end-of-life stage, using both manual (Excel-based) calculations and SimaPro software to cross-validate the results. The findings highlight that earthen construction methods, particularly the Nubian Vault technique, exhibit significantly lower embodied carbon emissions in the material production (A1-A3) phase, consuming considerably less cement and rebar than hollow cement block structures. Despite cultural perceptions linking earth-based construction to poverty, the operational phase (B6) benefits from enhanced thermal performance, reducing the need for cooling systems and leading to lower energy use. However, the manual calculations and SimaPro outputs showed some discrepancies, emphasizing the need for standardized data collection and accurate input assumptions. Additionally, bioclimatic design features, such as double-ventilated walls and raised roofs, can further enhance the thermal comfort of earth-based structures.