Abstract
Geotechnical engineering work contributes to the total environmental impact and monetary cost occurring from the construction sector. Decisions made regarding geotechnical engineering aspects have a profound effect on the environmental impact and the monetary cost of the structure during its life cycle. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) are established methods for assessing the environmental impacts and monetary cost from construction works. This paper presents the results from a literature review of 56 published papers regarding the current situation of the use of LCA and LCCA methods in geotechnical engineering. It is found that only limited research has been published in applying LCA and LCCA to geotechnical engineering structures. Further research should focus on developing a framework using LCA and LCCA for geotechnical engineering structures and also identify and fill data gaps in computer software databases. This would help geotechnical engineers in their daily work to reduce the environmental impact and monetary costs throughout the life cycles of the designed structures.
Highlights
Decisions that are made during geotechnical design contribute to the total environmental impact from construction and infrastructure activities and to their total monetary cost
Geotechnical engineering work contributes to the total environmental impact and monetary cost occurring from the construction sector
This paper presents the results from a literature review of 56 published papers regarding the current situation of the use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) methods in geotechnical engineering
Summary
Decisions that are made during geotechnical design contribute to the total environmental impact from construction and infrastructure activities and to their total monetary cost. Geotechnical engineers have the possibility to reduce the environmental impact and monetary cost throughout the structures’ life cycles and implement sustainability as an important factor when making decisions. Other impact categories than climate can be taken under consideration depending on the type of construction work, such as land-use, water-use, eutrophication, acidification, ozone-layer depletion, etc To fight such negative environmental impact, many countries have decided on environmental goals. Decisions made in a geotechnical engineering project affect the environmental impact and monetary cost during the structure’s entire life cycle. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) are established methods for assessing such environmental impacts and monetary cost from construction works. The results can be used to make decisions to reduce the environmental impact and monetary cost in geotechnical engineering projects. End of life C1 De-construction demolition C2 Transport C3 Waste processing C4 Disposal
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