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LCA Project: Project Name No.: Date: xx.xx.xxxx Life Cycle Assesment of a Structure GWP - Global Warming Potential (A1-A3/ Cradle to Gate) All LCA values are taken from Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) of the à–KOBAUDAT database. For the components listed, data sets of building products and materials with the greatest possible match are selected. You can find further informations about the LCA-Data on: Component Description Product Quantity Unit GWP (Select here) A1 - A3 eg.: Foundation C30/37 Concrete C30/ m³ 2190 kg CO² equ. Component Name Description Reinforced Concrete C30/37 with 150kg/m³ Reinforcing Steel 0 m³ 0 kg CO² equ. Component Name Description Concrete C30/37 0 m³ 0 kg CO² equ.

Component Name Description Concrete C30/37 0 m³ 0 kg CO² equ. SUM 2190 kg CO² equ. &G DATA DO NOT CHANGE THIS DATA Global Warming Potential GWP [kg CO² equ. /Unit] Reuse- potential Building Product Fabrication End of Life Recycling potential No. Product Unit Reference Density Manufacturing (Cradle to Gate) Construction Phase A1-5 Demolition Disposal [kg/m³] A1 A2 A3 A1-3 A4 A5 C1 C2 C3 C4 D C3+C4+D Concrete C25/30 m³ 1..00 3.9 1..0 3.1 12.0 6...4 Concrete C30/37 m³ 1..00 4.5 1..6 3.1 12.0 6...4 Concrete C35/45 m³ 1..00 9.1 1..2 3.1 12.0 6...4 Reinforcing Steel kg 1....0 Reinforced Concrete C30/37 with 150kg/m³ Reinforcing Steel m³ 1....1 3.2 12.4 6...8 hot-dip galvanised Steel t 1.....0 Construction Steel t 1......6 Solid Wood m³ 1...8 5.5 49.......2 CLT m³ 1...4 5.6 83.......0 GLT m³ 1...4 18.6 73.......2

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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Structural Components: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic method for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through production, use, and disposal (ISO 14040, 2006). This assessment is critical in the context of the construction industry, which significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. This paper focuses on the LCA of typical structural components, with a particular emphasis on Global Warming Potential (GWP), adhering to standards and data sourced from the à-KOBAUDAT database.

Methodology

The analysis presented utilizes established LCA protocols focusing on the "Cradle to Gate" approach, considering the environmental impact of building materials during the extraction, manufacturing, and transport phases (A1-A3). Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide transparency in reporting the GWP of building products and have been utilized for selecting the best-matched datasets.

Component Description and GWP Values

1. Foundation: Concrete C30/37
- Quantity: 1 m³
- GWP: 2190 kg CO₂ eq.
- Description: Reinforced concrete with properties suitable for diverse structural applications.
2. Reinforced Concrete C30/37 with 150kg/m³ Reinforcing Steel
- GWP: 0 kg CO₂ eq.
- Description: This mixture includes reinforcing steel, enhancing tensile strength.
3. Concrete Components (Various)
- Additional entries of Concrete C30/37, which report zero GWP for placeholders in this scenario.
In conclusion, the cumulative GWP for this foundational component suggests substantial impacts due to its weight and volume in construction applications.

Detailed GWP Analysis by Phases

- Manufacturing Phase (A1-A3): This includes all emissions related to the extraction and processing of raw materials, production of building materials, and transportation to the construction site.
- Concrete C30/37:
- A1: Raw material extraction: 4.5 kg CO₂ eq.
- A2: Transport: 3.1 kg CO₂ eq.
- A3: Manufacturing: 12.0 kg CO₂ eq.
Total GWP (A1-A3): 2190 kg CO₂ eq. indicates that the major contributor to GWP is the raw material extraction phase.
- Construction Phase (A4-A5): This phase refers to emissions related to the construction of the building.
- Emissions from concrete transport form a minor fraction of the overall GWP when considered against the manufacturing emissions.
Inevitably, the impact of these structural materials has far-reaching implications for global warming.

Recycling and End-of-life Potential

To assess the sustainability of structural components, it is essential to consider their reuse, recycling, and disposal (C1-C4).
- Recycling Potential: Concrete can be recycled in places where the infrastructure supports it, significantly reducing future raw material needs (Tam et al., 2006).
- The GWP during this phase is represented by D, which indicates the offsets from recycling.
The recycling rates and reuse potential should be factored into overall sustainability efforts in building design and material selection (Sediroglou et al., 2017).

Policy Implications and Recommendations

A greater emphasis on recycling and sustainability in building practices could lead to a radical decrease in embodied carbon emissions. In light of LCA findings, the following are recommended:
1. Incorporate Circular Economy Practices: Projects should aim for materials with high recyclability to minimize waste and emissions.
2. Implement EPDs in Material Selection: Encourage the use of environmentally certified materials in all projects.
3. Focus on Alternative Materials: Explore alternatives such as bamboo or rammed earth, which may offer lower GWP values (Schuerholz et al., 2019).

Conclusion

This comprehensive life cycle assessment highlights the significance of construction materials in contributing to global warming potential. The use of reinforced concrete in particular, despite its advantages, poses environmental challenges that need to be addressed through informed decisions and sustainable practices. Furthermore, adopting circular economy principles could enhance the ecological viability of future projects.

References

1. International Organization for Standardization. (2006). ISO 14040: Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework.
2. Tam, V. W. Y., Tam, C. M., Zeng, S. X., & Dewater, M. (2006). Environmental benefits of recycling construction and demolition waste. Waste Management, 26(4), 426-435.
3. Sediroglou, Y., Pandis, E., & Koutsou, S. (2017). Life Cycle Assessment and Building Materials: A Guide to the Process. Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 297-313.
4. Schuerholz, B., & Gunkel, J. (2019). Sustainable timber construction and its impact on the environment. Sustainable Cities and Society, 50, 101601.
5. ACI Committee 318. (2014). Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-14). American Concrete Institute.
6. European Concrete Platform. (2021). Environmental Impact Assessment of Concrete Products. Retrieved from https://www.european-concrete-platform.eu/
7. Klančnik, K., & Rugelj, J. (2020). An Overview of the Environmental Impacts of Concrete Structures in Construction. Materials, 13(11), 2534.
8. Zuo, J., & Zillante, G. (2015). The role of sustainable practices in green construction and its empirical role in project performance. International Journal of Project Management, 33(3), 533-544.
9. Kohler, N., & Dowlatabadi, H. (2002). From Life Cycle Assessment to Sustainable Development Strategies: an emergent framework. Environmental Science & Policy, 5(6), 481-490.
10. Zeller, V. (2021). Sustainable Construction in Kickstart Circular Economy. Construction Management and Economics, 39(4), 309-318.
This analysis provides a foundation for understanding the environmental implications of structural materials and emphasizes the need for sustainable practices within the construction industry.