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Analysis of Environmental Impact for Concrete Using LCA by Varying the Recycling Components, the Compressive Strength and the Admixture Material Mixing

Author

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  • Taehyoung Kim

    (Building and Urban Research Institute, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Daehwa-dong 283, Goyandae-Ro, ILsanseo-Gu, Goyang-Si 10223, Korea)

  • Sungho Tae

    (School of Architecture & Architectural Engineering, Hanyang University, Sa 3-dong, Sangrok-Gu, Ansan-Si 04763, Korea)

  • Chang U Chae

    (Building and Urban Research Institute, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Daehwa-dong 283, Goyandae-Ro, ILsanseo-Gu, Goyang-Si 10223, Korea)

Abstract

Concrete is a type of construction material in which cement, aggregate, and admixture materials are mixed. When cement is produced, large amounts of substances that impact the environment are emitted during limestone extraction and clinker manufacturing. Additionally, the extraction of natural aggregate causes soil erosion and ecosystem destruction. Furthermore, in the process of transporting raw materials such as cement and aggregate to a concrete production company, and producing concrete in a batch plant, substances with an environmental impact are emitted into the air and water system due to energy use. Considering the fact that the process of producing concrete causes various environmental impacts, an assessment of various environmental impact categories is needed. This study used a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of concrete in terms of its global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, and abiotic depletion potential (GWP, AP, EP, ODP, POCP, ADP). The tendency was that the higher the strength of concrete, the higher the GWP, POCP, and ADP indices became, whereas the AP and EP indices became slightly lower. As the admixture mixing ratio of concrete increased, the GWP, AP, ODP, ADP, and POCP decreased, but EP index showed a tendency to increase slightly. Moreover, as the recycled aggregate mixing ratio of concrete increased, the AP, EP, ODP, and ADP decreased, while GWP and POCP increased. The GWP and POCP per unit compressed strength (1 MPa) of high strength concrete were found to be about 13% lower than that for its normal strength concrete counterpart. Furthermore, in the case of AP, EP, ODP, and ADP per unit compressed strength (1 MPa), high-strength concrete was found to be about 10%~25% lower than its normal strength counterpart. Among all the environmental impact categories, ordinary cement was found to have the greatest impact on GWP, POCP, and ADP, while aggregate had the most impact on AP, EP, and ODP.

Suggested Citation

  • Taehyoung Kim & Sungho Tae & Chang U Chae, 2016. "Analysis of Environmental Impact for Concrete Using LCA by Varying the Recycling Components, the Compressive Strength and the Admixture Material Mixing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:4:p:389-:d:68615
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kim, Taehyoung & Tae, Sungho & Roh, Seungjun, 2013. "Assessment of the CO2 emission and cost reduction performance of a low-carbon-emission concrete mix design using an optimal mix design system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 729-741.
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    Cited by:

    1. Žigart, Maja & Kovačič Lukman, Rebeka & Premrov, Miroslav & Žegarac Leskovar, Vesna, 2018. "Environmental impact assessment of building envelope components for low-rise buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 501-512.
    2. Jaehyun Lee & Taegyu Lee & Jaewook Jeong & Jaemin Jeong, 2020. "Engineering, Durability, and Sustainability Properties Analysis of High-Volume, PCC Ash-Based Concrete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Taehyoung Kim & Sanghyo Lee & Chang U. Chae & Hyoungjae Jang & Kanghee Lee, 2017. "Development of the CO 2 Emission Evaluation Tool for the Life Cycle Assessment of Concrete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Chiu Chuen Onn & Kim Hung Mo & Mohammed K. H. Radwan & Wen Hong Liew & Chee Guan Ng & Sumiani Yusoff, 2019. "Strength, Carbon Footprint and Cost Considerations of Mortar Blends with High Volume Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-21, December.
    5. Lahiba Imtiaz & Sardar Kashif-ur-Rehman & Wesam Salah Alaloul & Kashif Nazir & Muhammad Faisal Javed & Fahid Aslam & Muhammad Ali Musarat, 2021. "Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Geopolymer Concrete, and Recycled Aggregate-Based Geopolymer Concrete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-19, December.

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