An Assessment of the Energy and Resource-efficient Hybrid Composite Beams for Multi-residential Apartments

Abstract

Apartments with load-bearing wall construction are used extensively in Korea, but have the disadvantage of a short life, causing serious economic losses in terms of construction waste, materials and energy consumption. This paper presents the findings on multi-residential apartments that utilise a hybrid composite frame as a viable alternative for the energy efficiency associated with construction materials. The hybrid composite frame consists of a structural tee, reinforcement steels and pre-cast concrete. The use of the hybrid composite frame reduces the overall amount of energy consumption. In addition, multi-residential apartments utilising a hybrid composite frame have advantages such as flexibility in planning and easier repair and remodelling. This study investigates tower-shape, multi-residential apartments of various heights and floor areas to compare the energy efficiency of the hybrid composite system with that of the bearing wall system. The multi-residential apartments that utilise the hybrid composite frame are analysed in terms of both reduced principal materials and reduced energy consumption compared with apartments of a load-bearing wall structure. Rapid demand for long life and multi-residential apartment construction is expected.