Life Cycle Cost Analysis Research Articles

Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Superhydrophobic Coatings for Anti-Icing Applications

Superhydrophobic coatings have great potential to mitigate ice accumulation and ice adhesion issues due to their outstanding water-repellent and self-cleaning characteristics. In the present study, polyurethane elastomer (PUE) is considered a superhydrophobic coating material for anti-icing applications. The life cycle assessment (LCA) of bare aluminum and PUE-coated systems is performed using the Centrum voor Milieukunde Leiden methodology. The cradle-to-gate LCA scope is implemented to evaluate and compare the total environmental impact. This study revealed that the PUE-coated system exhibited a significant reduction in total environmental impact compared to bare aluminum. The levelized cost of coating analysis demonstrates that the PUE coating system is more economical than bare aluminum surfaces. There is scope to reduce the environmental impact associated with PUE-coated systems using bio-based and less toxic chemicals/solvents.

Implementation of High-Precision Life Cycle Cost Analysis (HP-LCCA) on Indonesian Bridge Management System

Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is a method used to determine the preservation costs required for an object, in this case, a bridge, throughout its service life. This method has been implemented in several advanced countries, including Japan. The LCCA calculation concept in Japan differs from those in other countries, as it involves a detailed segmentation of structural elements of bridges, making the model unique and highly detailed. This model is known as High-Precision Life Cycle Cost Analysis (HP-LCCA) and will be tested for application in Bridge Management Systems (BMS) in Indonesia. Implementing this model requires several adjustments, including aligning perceptions of visual inspection results and adapting the assessment concepts for each element based on research interpretations. Additionally, the difference between non-physical and physical condition assessment models presents a challenge for adopting this calculation model. The research shows a similar pattern and positive correlation between non-physical and physical assessment models. Furthermore, factors influencing LCC calculations include bridge age and the number of segments in structural elements. This research aims to provide optimal LCC calculations and facilitate their application in BMS in Indonesia.

A meta-analysis of the schematic design process of deep retrofit projects

Deep retrofits of the existing building stock will be necessary to meet global emissions reductions targets. One building archetype, low-rise MURBs have been neglected in terms of research and funding for deep retrofits. A meta-analysis was conducted that compares and contrasts the schematic design approach taken for six such buildings in British Columbia which are scheduled to undergo deep retrofits with the goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80%. The analysis showed that design teams had converged toward common solutions for each building while achieving the GHG reduction target. The recommended measures include electrification of space and domestic hot water heating, adding insulation through overcladding, air sealing, ventilators for each unit, and double pane windows. A life cycle cost analysis showed that the economic viability of deep retrofits were dependent on energy price forecasts, capital cost reductions through market forces and transformation, or incentives cover the non-monetizable co-benefits of deep retrofits such as improved resiliency to climate-change or reducing overheating and air quality risks. The meta-analysis can help to streamline the early-stage and schematic design process for such buildings, which is critical to increasing the retrofit rate. This process could be replicated for other building types and construction archetypes.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Bonded Nd-Fe-B Magnets: Virgin Production versus Recycling

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Bonded Nd-Fe-B Magnets: Virgin Production versus Recycling

Lifecycle cost and benefit analysis for parcel-scale implementation of green stormwater infrastructure

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is commonly implemented to reduce excess stormwater runoff while also producing secondary environmental, health, and aesthetic benefits. However, GSI is sometimes perceived to be cost prohibitive for limited-budget site development projects. This study used lifecycle cost analysis (LCCA) and benefit-cost analysis (BCA) to investigate the cost-effectiveness of GSI combined with conventional stormwater infrastructure for a proposed parcel development site in Oxford, Mississippi, USA. Hydrologic modeling was conducted for a conventional underground detention facility as well as three GSIs (permeable pavement, rain garden, and grassy ditch), all of which met regulatory runoff attenuation targets for the site. The LCCA considered capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Benefits were estimated under six categories–water, energy, climate, air quality, health, and community–based on existing tools for economic analysis of low impact development (LID). Economic benefits and costs over different scenarios of project lifecycles were compared using the present value (PV) approach in the benefit cost analysis (BCA). The lifecycle costs of two of the three GSIs (rain garden and grassy ditch) were lower than for the conventional alternative alone. However, in all three GSI cases, the long-term benefits of GSI features outweighed the costs. The methodology presented can be adapted to other locations to inform analyses of lifecycle costs and benefits and identify GSI and hybrid infrastructure options that are financially and environmentally feasible.

A Life Cycle Cost Comparison of Flexible Versus Rigidpavements in Nigeria: Case Study of Papalanto - Sagamu Road

The condition of roads in Nigeria, most of which are made from asphalt, is generally considered unsatisfactory. This has led to calls for a blanket switch from asphalt pavements to concrete pavements for new road construction. This study examines the characteristics and relative advantages of the two pavement types; and carried out the design and life cycle cost comparison of a case study road with heavy traffic and poor subgrade conditions. The results indicate that, the initial cost of construction is actually less for the concrete pavement by 12% when compared with the asphalt alternative, while the life cycle cost analysis further yielded an advantage of 36% for the concrete pavement. The paper therefore recommends that major roads, particularly those on the national and international transit corridor, being of heavy traffic, should be reconstructed as the need arises, as concrete pavements. The paper however further recommends that, axle load control should be enforced through the introduction of weigh bridges and that routine maintenance should mandatorily be carried out, as even the best constructed concrete pavements have failed due to lack of routine maintenance like clearing the road verges of weed and road sand and desilting of drainage structures

Experimental study and techno-economic evaluation of an active fault detection kit in the prospect of future zero energy building installations

This article presents an active fault detection kit, applicable to low voltage single-phase electrical installations, in the prospect of the Zero Energy Building concept, integrating on-site renewable energy generation and energy storage. This simple, flexible, self-powered and compact kit is capable of detecting faults, such as power theft (meter tampering), unintentional islanding and neutral conductor loss. Its operation is based on harmonic voltage injection, in series with the electrical installation, through a low-power H-bridge inverter and a current transformer, along with the corresponding harmonic current measurement, to estimate the impedance and effectively detect faulty conditions; the fast and robust Goertzel algorithm is utilized. Moreover, it features IoT communication capabilities, employing the ESP32 microcontroller, to exchange data and information with the installation meters. The functionality and effective fault detection of the proposed device are validated, through experimental tests on a custom-developed hardware prototype; IoT connectivity and data uploading are experimentally tested and verified, too. Finally, a sustainability assessment study is performed, using the Life Cycle Cost Analysis tool.

A Comparative Study of Precast and Cast-in Place Concrete in Construction Home Project by Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Construction industry plays a significant role in economic growth, and the industry will continue to grow with the economic expansion. However, the industry is known for its labor-intensiveness, In order to shorten construction time and address labor issues, developers have explored new systems of construction such as a precast system. This paper is to present a comparative study of precast and cast-in place concrete system in construction home project by life cycle cost analysis by dividing project period into 3 phase (Preparing phase, Construction phase and O&M phase). In modelling life cycle costs, sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation will be employed to incorporate uncertainty of material and labor costs into the proposed model. The study also found that in 6 home projects, there have risk factors that impact to life cycle cost by using sensitivity analysis are construction cost, major repair and minor repair. The result from this study is life cycle cost from precast and cast -in place systems

Utilization of Multiple Recycled Materials in Asphalt Concrete: Mechanical Characterization and Cost-Benefit Analysis.

This study examines the strategic incorporation of various recycled materials into asphalt concrete, specifically focusing on municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA), recycled asphalt shingle (RAS), and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). Due to the high porosity of MSWI BA and RCA, and the significant asphalt binder content (30-40%) found in RAS, there is a need to increase the amount of liquid asphalt used. RAS is posited as an efficient substitute for the asphalt binder, helping to counterbalance the high absorption characteristics of MSWI BA and RCA. The research objective is to quantitatively evaluate the effect of the combined use of RAS, MSWI BA, and RCA in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). This study encompasses several laboratory evaluations (i.e., rutting and tensile strength tests) and a cost-benefit analysis, which is a life cycle cost analysis. The results indicate that the combined use of these materials results in a higher tensile strength and rut resistance when compared with the control (with virgin aggregate). According to the cost-benefit analysis result, when the three recycled materials are used for an HMA overlay over an existing aged pavement, it could be 60-80% more cost-effective compared to a conventional HMA overlay, thereby offering significant economical savings each year in the field of road construction.

Life cycle impact and cost analysis of quarry materials for land-based enhanced weathering in Northern California

Enhanced weathering (EW) is a CO2 removal (CDR) and sequestration strategy that accelerates the natural reactions of minerals that can store carbon from the atmosphere and biotic reactions. One method of EW is to apply finely ground silicate rocks to agricultural lands. EW has been demonstrated in laboratory and field tests, but great uncertainty remains regarding the life-cycle of using locally available rocks on candidate soils. We evaluate the life-cycle impacts, job creation, and cost of scenarios where fines and rocks mined from quarries in Oregon and Northern California are transported by truck and tilled into agricultural soils. Candidate quarry dust samples were classified as dacite, andesite, and olivine-bearing rocks, with EW potentials ranging from 125 to 760 kg CO2/metric tonne rock. We determined the olivine-bearing rock from Southern Oregon could achieve a levelized cost of CDR under the DOE Earthshot target of $100/t CO2, as long as application rates are 25 t/ha or more. Even andesite and dacite materials reach lower costs than commercial direct air capture technologies, with reduction in fines purchase and transport costs critical for achieving the Earthshot target. The results suggest that low-cost EW can be achieved using natural quarry materials, with average removal up to 2.2 t CO2e per hectare per year.

Sustainability Assessment Methods for the Transport Sector Considering the Life Cycle Concept—A Review

This paper presents a summary and review of life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methods for the transport sector. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of articles that employ a variety of methods for assessing sustainable development in the transport sector, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. In the sustainability assessment of transport, three methods were evaluated: life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost analysis (LCC), and social life cycle assessment (SLCA). An overview of sustainability assessment methods in transport and a review of the indicators used in the life cycle sustainability assessment was conducted. It was found that the selection of indicators within the LCSA for assessing various aspects of sustainable development is dependent on various geographic and policy contexts. An overview of the application of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods to assess LCSA in the transport sector was performed. MCDA methods are used to support decision-making regarding the selection of the most sustainable transport options and allow for the simultaneous consideration of multiple criteria, enabling a more sustainable assessment of different transport options. MCDA methods help to rank alternative transportation fuels and help decision-makers consider indicators encompassing economic, environmental and social aspects.

Exploring economic and environmental impacts of recycled aggregate concrete using particle swarm optimization algorithm

Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is a sustainable alternative that encounters challenges due to varying sources and processing methods. This study introduces a novel approach to optimize the mix proportions of RAC through machine learning and multi-objective optimization techniques. It identifies the key factors influencing the compressive strength of concrete, aiming to minimize costs and environmental impacts while meeting compressive strength requirements. Six machine learning models were developed based on a database of 522 samples to predict the cubic compressive strength of RAC. Among these, the XGBoost model demonstrated the highest accuracy, establishing a functional relationship between cubic compressive strength and mix proportions, achieving an R2 of 0.965 and a composite performance index of 0.081. Additionally, life cycle cost analysis and life cycle assessment were employed to evaluate both cost and environmental impacts. Using the particle swarm optimization algorithm, the optimization of strength, cost, and environmental impact was conducted, comparing RAC with conventional concrete. The significant factors affecting cubic compressive strength were identified as curing age, water-to-cement ratio, and sand content, contributing 28.6%, 20.6%, and 15.8% to the variation in strength, respectively. Cement content and the fly ash-to-cement ratio were found to significantly influence cost and environmental factors, respectively. Optimal reductions in cost and environmental impact were achieved with a recycled aggregate replacement ratio of 45%–60%, resulting in decreases of up to 18.94% and 41.72%, respectively.

BIM and orthogonal test methods to optimize the energy consumption of green buildings

The construction industry’s rapid growth significantly impacts energy consumption and environmental health. It is crucial to develop optimization strategies to enhance green building energy efficiency and encompass comprehensive analysis methods. This study aims to introduce and validate a novel framework for optimizing energy efficiency design in green buildings by integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, and orthogonal testing methods, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and reducing life cycle costs. The optimization parameters for the building envelope are identified by analyzing energy consumption components and key green building factors. The orthogonal testing method was applied to streamline design options. Building Energy Consumption Simulation (BECS) software and LCC analysis tools were employed to calculate each optimized option’s total annual energy consumption and the current life cycle costs. Using the efficiency coefficient method, each optimization scheme’s energy consumption and economic indicators were thoroughly analyzed. The framework’s validity and applicability were confirmed through an empirical analysis of a campus green building case in Fujian Province, demonstrating that the optimized framework could reduce energy consumption by 4.85 kWh/m2 per year and lower costs by 38.89 Yuan/m2 compared to the reference building. The case study highlights the framework’s significant benefits in enhancing environmental performance and economic gains. The results provide critical parameter selection and offer scientific and technological support for the design of building energy efficiency, promoting optimization techniques and sustainable development within the construction industry.

Life cycle assessment of ceramic tiles manufactured using industrial waste fly ash

Sustainability in the ceramic tile industry is critical due to its significant resource and energy consumption. With limited life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on waste materials in tile production, a research gap exists specifically for industrial waste fly ash (IWA). Building upon previous research that has confirmed the technical feasibility of IWA as a sustainable alternative material in ceramic tile, this study explores the environmental and economic feasibility of replacing potash feldspar with IWA in ceramic tiles. A comparative LCA across scenarios with varying IWA additions from 0 % to 30 % was conducted, focusing on six key environmental impact categories: climate change, terrestrial acidification, human toxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater eutrophication, and fossil depletion. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis on increased production energy and an environmental life cycle cost analysis (ELCC) were performed. Results reveal significant reductions in environmental impacts with increased IWA incorporation compared to the conventional construction. Notably, the IWA30 (30 % IWA addition) scenario, which entirely substitutes potash feldspar, achieves the most substantial benefits, reducing climate change impacts by 8 %, terrestrial acidification by 10 %, and terrestrial ecotoxicity by 22 %. These reductions demonstrate that incorporating IWA significantly decreases the overall environmental footprint of ceramic tile production by reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources and mitigating pollution. IWA30 also proves to be the most cost-effective option, with an 11 % cost reduction due to IWA's availability as a waste material. Overall, adopting IWA decreases the environmental burden and enhances economic viability, providing strong incentives for industries to adopt more sustainable practices by minimising waste management challenges and raw material consumption.

An economic, and environmentally benign Psidium guajava L. leaves catalyst for biodiesel production at room temperature: Process optimization, and life cycle cost analysis

Biodiesel has emerged as a popular alternative to conventional fossil fuel in transportation sector and thus producing low-cost biodiesel is a topic of interest for a large community of researchers. This study reports the preparation of an efficient and robust heterogeneous catalyst from dried Psidium guajava L. (Guava) leaves and its application towards generation of biodiesel from soybean oil at room temperature. The biomass material was calcinated at variable temperature and the efficiency of each of the catalyst prepared was studied. The catalyst generated as well as the product biodiesel was thoroughly characterized using sophisticated analytical techniques. The catalyst was found to have mesoporous structure with active basic sites which contributed towards accelerating the transesterification process. Detailed characterization unveiled the occurrence of Ca as oxide and carbonate, in addition to a certain quantity of K in oxide and carbonate form, which contribute to the catalyst’s activity. Maximum biodiesel yield of 95.8 % was observed for reaction performed under optimum experimental conditions i.e., 1:17 oil-to-methanol ratio, 6 wt% loading of GL-850 (catalyst prepared by calcination at 850°C), and 15 % n-Hexane loading for 3 h at room temperature. GL-850 demonstrated exceptional recyclability for up to the fifth cycle exhibiting a mere 3.7 % decline in yield. The calculated expense for 1 kg catalyst was found to be $0.478, whereas the production cost of 1 kg biodiesel was found to be merely $1.120, indicating a strong economic feasibility of the process.

Evaluating Life-Cycle Unit Costs of Traditional Cement Concrete and New Polymer Concrete Manholes in Wastewater Systems

Wastewater manholes are crucial infrastructure components in sewage systems. They provide necessary access points for inspection and maintenance. However, limited studies were conducted on the life-cycle cost analysis of manholes. The primary objective of this study is to compute and compare the Life-Cycle Unit Cost (LCUC) of cement concrete and polymer concrete manholes to identify a cost-effective alternative for public agencies. To achieve the objective, this study analyzed commonly used 1.83 m diameter manhole data; 343 cement concrete manhole and 88 polymer concrete manhole cost data were collected from the Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD), Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The results show that the initial costs of polymer concrete are higher than those of traditional cement concrete. Statistical tests were conducted to determine the group differences. The findings show that the LCUCs of polymer concrete manholes are significantly cost-effective when compared to traditional cement concrete manholes. Public agencies can utilize polymer concrete manholes to save costs in future water and wastewater pipeline manhole construction projects.

Structural frequency-based maintenance management method for steel truss bridges under atmospheric corrosion

Deterioration of steel truss bridges due to atmospheric corrosion can result in a degradation of performance that fails to meet basic safety requirements before the structure has fulfilled its design life. In order to prevent unexpected costs and premature structural damages caused by deterioration in steel truss bridges, cost-effective corrosion protection and maintenance strategies are required. In this study, a novel maintenance management method was proposed to keep the structural frequencies of steel truss bridges in between predefined boundaries throughout the service life. To pursue this aim, preventive and essential maintenance techniques were applied to provide appropriate atmospheric corrosion protection to steel truss bridges in a cost-effective way. Different repetitive repainting intervals were used for preventive maintenance, and member replacement alternatives with different ratios of total members were applied for essential maintenance approaches. Moreover, the replacement of members using conventional carbon steel, or A709-50CR was investigated separately. For the illustration of the proposed maintenance management method, a planar and a spatial steel truss bridge were selected from the literature, and maintenance strategies were applied considering two different corrosion classes. Life cycle cost analyses of steel truss bridges were conducted to evaluate different maintenance alternatives. Consequently, a cost-effective maintenance strategy was determined for each steel truss bridge in different corrosion environments.

Life-Cycle Assessment and Environmental Costs of Cement-Based Materials Manufactured with Mixed Recycled Aggregate and Biomass Ash.

The development of new building elements, such as concrete and mortar with sustainable materials, which produce a lower carbon footprint, is an achievable milestone in the short term. The need to reduce the environmental impact of the production of cement-based materials is of vital importance. This work focuses on the evaluation of the life-cycle assessment, production costs, mechanical performance, and durability of three mortars and three concrete mixtures in which mixed recycled aggregates (MRAs) and biomass bottom ash from olive waste (oBBA) were included to replace cement and aggregates. Powdered MRA and oBBA were also applied as complementary cementitious materials with a reduced environmental footprint. Chemical and physical tests were performed on the materials, and mechanical performance properties, life-cycle assessment, and life-cycle cost analysis were applied to demonstrate the technical and environmental benefits of using these materials in mortar and concrete mixtures. This research showed that the application of MRA and oBBA produced a small reduction in mechanical strength but a significant benefit in terms of life-cycle population and environmental costs. The results demonstrated that finding long-term mechanical strength decreases between 2.7% and 14% for mortar mixes and between 1.7% and 10.4% for concrete mixes. Although there were small reductions in mechanical performance, the savings in environmental and monetary terms make the feasibility of manufacturing these cement-based materials feasible and interesting for both society and the business world. CO2 emissions are reduced by 25% for mortar mixes and 12% for concrete mixes with recycled materials, and it is possible to reduce the cost per cubic meter of mortar production by 20%, and the savings in the cost of production of a cubic meter of concrete is 13.8%.

The first engineering application of 10MN CFRP cables in cable-stayed bridge in China

Existing engineering applications typically involve carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) cables with relatively small ultimate tensile forces (less than 10MN). This study presents the engineering application of China's first thousand-ton-grade CFRP cable-stayed bridge. The optimal steel and CFRP hybrid cable system was determined through a comparative analysis of structural behavior and life cycle cost. Thereafter, the CFRP cable, consisting of 121 strands of φ7 CFRP tendons, along with its anchoring system, was designed and manufactured with a theoretical ultimate tensile strength of 10,710 kN (Pb). Subsequently, the mechanical properties of 7–121 CFRP cable were investigated and experimentally verified. The tensile test revealed a satisfied ultimate tensile bearing capacity of 10,805 kN. Furthermore, after two million fatigue cycles, the CFRP cables retained approximately 90 % of their theoretical ultimate force, highlighting their excellent fatigue resistance. Besides, no damage occurred with a maintained tension force of 0.45 Pb at a temperature of 150 °C for a duration of at least 30 min, meeting the requirements of specification. Moreover, the key procedures of CFRP cable installation were also claimed. This study aims to further promote the application and development of CFRP cables in larger span and even super-long span bridges.

Holistic life cycle cost analysis of road bridges with non-metallic reinforcement

Corrosion-related damage due to exposure to environmental conditions is the main cause of costs in the maintenance of transport infrastructure. Because of its high corrosion resistance and the associated higher durability, non-metallic reinforcement offers great potential for preventing such damage, thus reducing maintenance costs. In this article, potential savings for an integral road bridge are studied through a holistic life cycle cost (LCC) analysis considering four different reinforcement materials (steel, glass, basalt, carbon). A fair comparison is enabled by a material-specific design, the calculation of maintenance and user costs and the consideration of the respective disposal scenario. Moreover, environmental costs are recognised by carbon pricing based on life cycle analysis (LCA). The influence of individual parameters is quantified by means of a sensitivity analysis and the probability of savings is studied by Monte Carlo simulation. It is shown that higher investment costs for non-metallic reinforcement can be compensated by lower user costs. This is mainly due to shorter maintenance periods, as less time is required for repair action, whereby potential savings in user costs are particularly evident if the traffic route below the bridge is not disrupted. It is concluded that even from today's perspective, the use of glass and basalt fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement in highway bridges with average traffic volumes very likely offers an economic advantage over corrosion-prone reinforcing steel.