Estimating Construction Project Environmental Effects Using an Input-Output-Based Hybrid Life-Cycle Assessment Model
Publication: Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 14, Issue 4
Abstract
The design and construction industries have an increasing interest in and responsibility for a building’s environmental effects over its entire life cycle. Quantification of all building phases is important in life-cycle assessments (LCAs), especially for the construction phase, which is often disregarded. This research uses an input-output-based LCA framework to create a more comprehensive estimate of the environmental effects of construction processes. The hybrid LCA model is based on Carnegie Mellon University’s Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA) tool and combines a new EIO-LCA “hybrid” interface with updated and reformulated environmental effect vectors for EIO-LCA’s 13 construction sectors. Eight construction project case studies modeled on the input-output (I-O)-based hybrid LCA framework demonstrate the model’s broad applicability; gasoline, particulate matter, and global warming potential effects generally increased across all construction sectors and case studies. The I-O-based hybrid LCA model for construction is intended to help decision makers make more informed decisions regarding the construction industry, adding environmental quality and sustainable development as project goals instead of unintentional benefits of economic decisions.
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Acknowledgments
The writers wish to thank Dr. Melissa Bilec of the University of Pittsburgh. Additional thanks are due to Dr. Chris Hendrickson of Carnegie Mellon University and Dr. Arpad Horvath at the University of California Berkeley for reviewing the doctoral research on which this paper is based. This research was funded by National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant No. NSF0328074. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and not of the NSF. The research results and opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Green Building Alliance.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 14 • Issue 4 • December 2008
Pages: 327 - 336
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: May 24, 2007
Accepted: Jul 18, 2007
Published online: Dec 1, 2008
Published in print: Dec 2008
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