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Life Cycle Assessment of Geotechnical Works in Building Construction: A Review and Recommendations

Author

Listed:
  • Xingqiang Song

    (Swedish Geotechnical Institute, Olaus Magnus väg 35, 58193 Linköping, Sweden)

  • Christel Carlsson

    (Swedish Geotechnical Institute, Olaus Magnus väg 35, 58193 Linköping, Sweden)

  • Ramona Kiilsgaard

    (Swedish Geotechnical Institute, Olaus Magnus väg 35, 58193 Linköping, Sweden)

  • David Bendz

    (Swedish Geotechnical Institute, Olaus Magnus väg 35, 58193 Linköping, Sweden)

  • Helene Kennedy

    (Swedish Geotechnical Institute, Olaus Magnus väg 35, 58193 Linköping, Sweden)

Abstract

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is becoming an increasingly important environmental systems analysis tool in the construction sector for the identification of measures and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of buildings throughout the whole value chain. Geotechnical processes, such as earthworks, ground improvement and foundation construction, are often energy- and resource-intensive. Geotechnical works can thus play an important role in moving towards more sustainable building construction practices. This article reviews recent applications of LCA of buildings, including foundations as the focus or part of the system studied, based on the ISO 14040/44 standards. The system boundaries of geotechnical works are defined and a conceptual model for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction is proposed. The results of the literature review showed that the application of LCA to the building substructure is currently under development, but still in a fragmented state. There is a need for a unified framework for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction, especially regarding the definition of the functional unit, the choice of system boundaries, the appropriateness of inventory data, and the selection of impact categories. The conceptual model focuses on the demonstration of inventory flows and system boundaries and can serve as a basis for scope definition in future LCA studies of geotechnical works in building construction. It may also support effective communication between different actors and stakeholders regarding environmental sustainability in the construction sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingqiang Song & Christel Carlsson & Ramona Kiilsgaard & David Bendz & Helene Kennedy, 2020. "Life Cycle Assessment of Geotechnical Works in Building Construction: A Review and Recommendations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8442-:d:427514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pomponi, Francesco & Moncaster, Alice, 2018. "Scrutinising embodied carbon in buildings: The next performance gap made manifest," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2431-2442.
    2. Cabeza, Luisa F. & Rincón, Lídia & Vilariño, Virginia & Pérez, Gabriel & Castell, Albert, 2014. "Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle energy analysis (LCEA) of buildings and the building sector: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 394-416.
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    5. Antonio Ángel Rodríguez Serrano & Santiago Porras Álvarez, 2016. "Life Cycle Assessment in Building: A Case Study on the Energy and Emissions Impact Related to the Choice of Housing Typologies and Construction Process in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-29, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ester Pujadas-Gispert & Joost G. Vogtländer & S. P. G. (Faas) Moonen, 2021. "Environmental and Economic Optimization of a Conventional Concrete Building Foundation: Selecting the Best of 28 Alternatives by Applying the Pareto Front," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, February.
    2. von der Tann, Loretta & Ritter, Stefan & Hale, Sarah & Langford, Jenny & Salazar, Sean, 2021. "From urban underground space (UUS) to sustainable underground urbanism (SUU): Shifting the focus in urban underground scholarship," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    3. Daniel Wałach, 2020. "Analysis of Factors Affecting the Environmental Impact of Concrete Structures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.

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