Manuscript Title:

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH

Author:

SOUVIK MONDAL, SAURAV KAR, ANUP KUMAR MONDAL

DOI Number:

DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/EAWS8

Published : 2022-02-23

About the author(s)

1. SOUVIK MONDAL -
2. SAURAV KAR -
3. ANUP KUMAR MONDAL -

Full Text : PDF

Abstract

The progress of this study is presented on the design and implementation of technology for sustainable development of buildings using life cycle assessment (LCA). The paper summarizes the significance of life cycle assessment (LCA) for sustainable construction of new and existing buildings. The work is conducted in various parts, the first part being the theory and methodology of sustainable development using LCA. A flexible design and framework were developed to measure the quantity of energy used in different stages of building construction. The second path includes the study on embodied energy. Out of the three major stages of LCA Study, the embodied energy of building materials is the most important part to be focused because it contains around 30% – 35% of total building energy and not visible. The other stages include the operational and end of life energy of building. The study explains the theory including its importance and its impact on buildings life cycle. The methodology was developed through two case studies on “Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Building” & “Richmond Olympic Oval Building” in Canada, which was done to measure the embodied energy used during the construction of these two buildings with proper impact assessments. Another part of the study discusses about the construction material causing the most impact in the environment and finding alternative use to reduce its effect. Low energy cement: Alkali-Activated Cement (AAC) comprises of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), soda ash and limestone, are used in some parts of the world. This might lead our modern construction industry to different direction. Like AACs, different kind of low carbon cement is practice widely in some parts of the world. The current study shows that there is an increase of public awareness of environmental problems due to building construction. Therefore, LCA and embodied energy study is becoming very common, helping future building constructions for sustainable development.


Keywords

embodied energy, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, high performance building, life cycle assessment, Sustainable development, recycled materials.