The Existing Problems of LCA in Construction Engineering: An Overview

Abstract:

Environmental impact is more and more being paid attention to in construction engineering. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an effective assessment tool; however, the application of LCA in construction engineering is still in its infancy, a series of issues on theoretical approaches and practical applications still exist. In this paper, the existing work of the application of LCA in construction engineering has been reviewed from two aspects of theoretical framework and application method, and then the existing problems were analyzed and some perspectives were put forward.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 409-410)
• Pages: 164-167
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.409-410.164
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Wen Jie Wu, Long Long Wang
• Keywords: Construction Engineering, Life Cycle Assessment, Practical Applications, Theoretical Framework

References

[1] It has a long service life, generally for 50 years.

[2] Compared with common products, construction engineering has a special life phase of construction.

[3] It is difficult to define the functional unit of construction engineering.

[4] There are many types of materials in construction engineering, resulting in a complicated assessment process. In consideration of these above particularities, when assessing the environmental impact of different levels, such as materials, construction members and the total buildings, it is necessary to make a distinction among the levels to achieve an effective and convictive assessment result. [] Ortiz O, Castells F, Sonnemann G. Sustainability in the construction industry: A review of recent developments based on LCA[J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2009, 23(1): 28-39. ] LCA instruments and databases in construction engineering Nowadays, many LCA instruments suitable for different types of buildings have been developed. Due to the different types of buildings, these are differences on emphasis among LCA instruments, depending on the databases, standards and questionnaire results[] Forsberg A, Von Malmborg F. Tools for environmental assessment of the built environment[J]. Building and environment, 2004, 39(2): 223-228. -[] Haapio A, Viitaniemi P. A critical review of building environmental assessment tools[J]. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2008, 28(7): 469-482. ]. In addition, with the concept of sustainable development gradually deepening, a higher demand to sustainable construction is raised. Therefore, when determining which LCA instrument should be used, it is of first importance to understand if it can help to make decision, and then combining the LCA with sustainability. Conclusion After analysis of the existing problems with the application of LCA in construction engineering, some conclusions can be drawn up.

[1] In the step of goal and scope definition, it is necessary to determine the functional unit and the assessment goal is attributional LCA or consequential LCA.

[2] Currently, among the widely used three methods of life cycle impact assessment, the integrated hybrid analysis is the most advanced; however, according to the requirements of construction engineering, the tiered hybrid analysis and IO-based hybrid analysis are relatively applicable.

[3] Currently there are many methods to conduct LCIA, but due to the different requirements in depth and width of different LCIA methods, resulting in a very different LCA results.

[4] When assessing the environmental impact of construction engineering, it is necessary to consider its particularity.

[5] With the concept of sustainable development gradually deepening, it is advisable to combine the LCA with sustainability in assessing the environmental impact of construction engineering. Reference.