Environmental and Economic Performance of Asphalt Shingle and Clay Tile Roofing Sheets Using Life Cycle Assessment Approach and TOPSIS

Abstract

The construction industry utilizes many materials that go through different manufacturing and transportation processes. Selecting and using environmentally friendly or green building materials is one way to reduce the inimical environmental effects associated with the construction industry. However, environmental preference cannot be used as the only criterion in selecting a building material. As cost is an important factor, environmental performance needs to be balanced against the economic performance. The decisions on material selection, therefore, need improvement. This study analyzed and compared the environmental and economic performance of asphalt shingle and clay tile roofing materials using the building for environmental and economic sustainability (BEES) model. The results were then used to develop a combined performance score using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to assist decisions pertaining to the selection of the best material based on the performance score. To present another decision criteria to compare and select a roof material, the study utilized the contingent valuation method (CVM) to estimate the environmental cost associated with these alternative materials. The simulation results showed that clay tile had a better environmental performance score of 0.3525 points ðptsÞ=unit compared to the score of 0.4135 pts=unit for asphalt shingles; however, asphalt shingles had a better overall performance score of 0.5985 pts against 0.4153 pts for the clay tile. Merging environmental and economic considerations to a common score as presented in this study will help improve and contribute to the quality of decision making in that it provides a substantial basis to select the most suitable, cost-effective roofing material.

Environmental and Cost Impact Assessment of Pavement Materials Using IBEES Method

“…Conversely, it confirms that the use of the TOPSIS method leads to the overestimation of the unfavorable alternatives. When the data used by Sackey and Kim [8] was input to the BEES method, the OP difference between the unfavorable and most favorable alternatives was 38.9%P. The difference decreased compared with the output obtained using the TOPSIS method.…”

“…However, the application of the FCP to eliminate uncertainty may make the evaluation algorithm somewhat complex, thus degrading its applicability. Sackey and Kim [8] modified the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method [16]. They also evaluated the OP of the roof materials of buildings, such as asphalt shingle and clay tile, using such method.…”

“…In this regard, a mere analysis of economic efficiency without consideration of the environmental impact and environmental cost is not sufficient to achieve an informed decision making. While environmental impact is prioritized by some engineers over economic impact, numerous engineers have opposing opinions [8]. Currently, platforms for the evaluation of economic and environmental impacts of various construction materials are definitely lacking.…”

Life Cycle Assessment for the Production Phase of Nano-Silica-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

“…LCA is described by Ref. [16] as a tool for systematically analyzing the environmental performance of products or processes over their entire life cycle, which includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, end-of-life disposal, and recycling. LCA is described as a 'cradle to grave' method for the evaluation of environmental impacts [17].…”

How Green Building Product Decisions from Customers Can Be Transitioned to Manufacturers: An Agent-Based Model

“…Zhang et al introduced the latest evaluation standards for green buildings in China, Great Britain, and the United States, and proposed some suggestions for improving China's evaluation standard for green buildings [35]. Sackey and Kim [36] developed a comprehensive performance score framework to make a comparative analysis of the environment and economic sustainability of two kinds of classical green building material: Asphalt shingle and clay tile roofing.…”