Question

please help me in calculating the embodied energy if timber was replaced by steel in the sydney opera house

Answer 1

Emodied energy calculation is generally used to check design of material and compare design options prior to construction. The results are not designed

Some basic concept should be in our mind when we are repalcing wood with other material which are given below
When we campare it with other studies due to the huge variations of calculation boundaries.
The model developed in conjunction with this paper establishes key components in
embodied energy contribution as follows:

• Cradle to gate embodied energy estimates from a range of databases
• Transport energy freighting the finished product to the construction site
• Major components of assembly energy (particularly when these differ between
construction options)
• Recurring Embodied Energy (based on a ‘churn rate’ during the buildings life
time)
This approach generally results in larger embodied energy calculations than
associated methods which do not include the following in their boundaries:
• Transport or assembly energy
• Recurring energy (and associated transport / assembly energy)
• Embodied energy of services installation
• Fittings and finishes
• Landscaping and earthworks
Comparison is difficult as most reference material fails to define boundaries clearly.