Energy and Carbon Assessment of Ground Improvement Works. I: Definitions and Background
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 3
Abstract
Geotechnical engineers can and should take a leading role in incorporating sustainable development goals into the selection of ground improvement design alternatives and construction methods through quantitative assessment of environmental impacts. Since all valid design alternatives must meet project performance requirements, overall cost and environmental impact become two key factors in the decision process. Although methods of cost estimation are well established within geotechnical engineering, simplified methods for assessing impacts to the environment have remained a largely unfulfilled need. In this paper, life cycle analysis, embodied energy, and carbon footprinting are reviewed in the context of geotechnical ground improvement. It is proposed that estimates of life cycle embodied energy and carbon dioxide emissions may be used during the design process by geotechnical engineers to quantify some of the effects of ground improvement on the environment. The life cycle is considered to extend from raw material extraction to the completion of construction. The background presented herein forms the basis for a streamlined energy and emissions assessment model (SEEAM), described in a companion paper.
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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 the reviewers for their thoughtful and insightful constructive comments.
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Information & Authors
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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