The Role of Embodied Carbon Databases in the Accuracy of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Calculations for the Embodied Carbon of Buildings

Mohebbi, Golnaz; Bahadori-Jahromi, Ali; Ferri, Marco; Mylona, Anastasia

doi:10.3390/su13147988

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In the absence of detailed databases, default ECFs values have to be used in the calculation of EC at the EoL stage. For instance, in their cradle-to-gate study to assess the impact of databases on the accuracy of embodied carbon estimation, Mohebbi et al [9] found that the choice of database for ECFs had an insignificant impact on the results for concrete material. The authors, however, attributed their findings to the availability of more detailed databases and subsequent ECFs at this phase of the building's life cycle.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the whole lifecycle of a building should be taken into account in an attempt to achieve net-zero buildings and reduce the built environment's impact on climate change. Whilst past research carried out by Mohebbi et al [9] on the role of EC coefficients databases in the estimation of EC accuracy at the cradle to gate revealed that the use of a comprehensive database compared to a generic database can lead to a 35.2% reduction of carbon emissions, very little is currently known about the impact of different databases on EoL phase EC calculation. Reliable and credible databases provide useful information for a transparent calculation of carbon emissions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Evaluation of the Impact of Databases on End-of-Life Embodied Carbon Estimation

et al. 2022

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The growing awareness of the need to minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) and mitigate climate change has resulted in a greater focus on the embodied carbon (EC) of construction material. One way to ensure the environmental impact of building activities is minimised to a reasonable level is the calculation of their EC. Whilst there are a few studies investigating the role of embodied carbon factor (ECF) databases on the accuracy of EC calculation from cradle to gate, very little is known about the impact of different databases on the end-of-life (EoL) EC calculation. Using ECFs derived from the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) default values and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) suggested percentages for different elements of a building’s lifecycle stages, this study presents the impact of different data sources on the calculation of EoL EC. The study revealed that a lack of EoL ECFs databases could result in a significant difference of about 61% and 141% in the calculation of EC.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Evaluation of the Impact of Databases on End-of-Life Embodied Carbon Estimation

et al. 2022

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“…Which ECF represents the embodied carbon factor which is the potential environmental impact of each material or process per unit weight. The best resource for ECFs in the UK has been shown to be the ICE database, 39 which has been utilized this research.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative analysis of the whole life carbon of three construction methods of a UK-based supermarket

Mohebbi

Hasan

Blay-Armah

et al. 2023

Building Services Engineering Research and Technology

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The builavt environment has been a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. It, therefore, has a vital role to play in the reduction efforts of future climate change. While the design of buildings may determine future energy use for cooling, heating, and lighting during the operational stage of the building, this study aims to observe the effect of the building design on the operational as well as the whole-life carbon emissions. Past studies have focused on either the operational carbon or the embodied carbon of a building. Using a cradle-to-grave assessment of a typical UK supermarket, this study explores the relationship between embodied carbon and operational carbon. Additionally, it examines the effects of the variables between three approved construction methods of the same design on the whole life of carbon. These methods are a steel structural frame and cladding panel external wall, steel frame and poroton walls, precast concrete and glulam frame and precast concrete walls. The findings of this research will contribute to mitigation strategies for the environmental impacts of supermarket building construction whilst providing a framework for future assessment of the whole-life carbon of supermarket buildings. Employing the life cycle assessment methodology, this paper examines the potential of minimising both embodied and operational carbon by observing the whole life carbon. Highlighting the influence of the GHG emission contributing factors in each stage on each other. Additionally, the recommended methodology for the supermarket building types of this case study, could be adapted for other types of buildings. The findings could also augment carbon emission research and guide the development of supermarket buildings to low carbon intensive. Furthermore, collaboration with the industry in carrying out this research aids in adopting the findings as practical and theoretical guides for engineers and designers in reducing the building sector’s harmful environmental impact.

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“…The data were mainly based on the statistical database of the UK's Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE) [52,53]. The ICE database provides embodied carbon and energy factors for more than 200 common building materials, such as aggregates, aluminum, cement, and glass and is widely used all over the world [54]. It can meet the needs of building life cycle assessment and carbon emission research for other materials.…”

Section: Environmental Impact Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Properties and Environmental Impact of Sound Barrier Materials Based on Fly Ash Cenosphere

et al. 2022

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Traffic noise and solid waste pollution are two major problems that restrict urban development and affect urban environments. In this study, a new kind of cement-based material for sound barriers was prepared using industrial waste fly ash cenosphere to explore the material ratio of the sound absorption, sound insulation, and composite layers and to optimize the material’s properties. The research findings showed that the compressive strength had significant effects on the material properties of the sound absorption layer, with the optimal compressive strength range being 0.2–0.4 MPa. At 0.4 MPa, the material with an aggregate-to-binder ratio of 1.0 had the best comprehensive properties. The sound insulation layer had the best compressive strength of 29.00 MPa at a 45% fiber admixture. The composite had the best sound insulation when the thickness ratio of the sound absorption and insulation layers was 60:40, and the sound transmission loss was 38 dB. The embodied carbon (EC) and embodied energy (EE) of the new fly ash cenosphere across the whole life cycle were 57.57 kgCO2e and 477.08 MJ, respectively, which were 4.8−52.9% and 53.2−82.3% lower than other traditional sound barriers, respectively. Thus, they were environmentally friendly and had satisfactory energy-saving and environmental protection values.

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The Role of Embodied Carbon Databases in the Accuracy of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Calculations for the Embodied Carbon of Buildings

Cited by 22 publications

References 7 publications

An Evaluation of the Impact of Databases on End-of-Life Embodied Carbon Estimation

An Evaluation of the Impact of Databases on End-of-Life Embodied Carbon Estimation

Comparative analysis of the whole life carbon of three construction methods of a UK-based supermarket

Physical Properties and Environmental Impact of Sound Barrier Materials Based on Fly Ash Cenosphere

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