Energy and Carbon Assessment of Ground Improvement Works. II: Working Model and Example
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 3
Abstract
A streamlined energy and emissions assessment model (SEEAM) is presented that is based on life cycle analysis (LCA) methods. The SEEAM provides geotechnical engineers with the means to quantify the embodied energy (EE) and carbon dioxide () emissions associated with ground improvement projects. A companion paper (Shillaber et al. 2015) provides detailed background for sustainable development and environmental impact assessment, which are at the foundation of the SEEAM. This paper presents the boundary conditions and methodology for this model. Construction of levee LPV 111 in New Orleans, LA is used as a case history example to illustrate the use of the model. This project involved supporting an earthen embankment by deep soil mixing (DSM) elements. Results of a SEEAM analysis of the DSM supported embankment indicate that constructing the levee involved 1,174,000 GJ of EE and 147,000 t of emissions. For comparison, the SEEAM was also used to estimate the EE and emissions associated with two other LPV 111 design alternatives; one utilizing prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) to increase the rate of primary consolidation in the foundation soils, and the other a pile-supported reinforced-concrete T-wall. The results show that the PVD design has the lowest EE and emissions at 809,000 GJ and 64,000 t, respectively. The concrete T-wall has the greatest EE and emissions, at 2,755,000 GJ and 211,000 t, respectively (for the materials alone). Despite having the lowest EE, emissions and cost, the PVD design was not a viable solution because it could not meet a 20-month time constraint placed on the construction to achieve the needed flood protection. When performance criteria are met, quantitative information about environmental impacts, such as EE and emissions, is useful for making geotechnical decisions for sustainable development.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Charles Via Foundation and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech. The authors thank Tom Cooling of URS, Wesley Schmutzler and Filippo Leoni of Treviicos, James Gardner of Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors and Thomas Leffingwell of Buzzi Unicem USA for providing the data and information needed to perform the SEEAM analysis for the LPV 111 project alternatives. The authors thank the reviewers for their thoughtful and insightful constructive comments.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 3 • March 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 23, 2014
Accepted: Jul 22, 2015
Published online: Sep 17, 2015
Discussion open until: Feb 17, 2016
Published in print: Mar 1, 2016
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