Life-Cycle Assessment for Construction of Sustainable Infrastructure
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 19, Issue 1
Abstract
The architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) industry faces increasing demands on its projects while budgets appear to be shrinking. Building owners and operators seem to want their buildings to do more for less cost. Although this may seem counterintuitive, it aligns nicely with a sustainable-architecture approach of less is more. Moreover, in a shift from exclusively considering first costs for a project, the AEC industry seems to be moving in the direction of life-cycle cost considerations, furthering the opportunity for a more sustainable built environment. Often sustainable is synonymous with achieving certification [e.g., Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Infrastructure Voluntary Evaluation Sustainability Tool (INVEST) certification]. Whereas the authors acknowledge that certification can improve particular aspects of sustainability, it is necessary to take a broader approach and consider economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. In this paper, the authors explore each of these dimensions and present examples of how the AEC industry can measure, balance, and monetize them.
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Acknowledgments
This work was partially supported by the Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, of the U.S. DOE under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. This work was also supported by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Building Technology, State, and Community Programs, of the U.S. DOE under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 19 • Issue 1 • February 2014
Pages: 89 - 94
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 8, 2013
Accepted: Aug 14, 2013
Published online: Aug 19, 2013
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
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