Life Cycle Assessment for sustainable civil infrastructure with standardized functional units and boundaries

Abstract

This study critically explores the integration of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) within civil engineering as a strategy to enhance the sustainability of infrastructure projects. Focused on assessing environmental impacts throughout project lifecycles from material extraction to decommissioning, LCA emerges as a vital tool for sustainable development. Utilizing detailed case studies, we applied LCA methodologies to assess their efficacy in reducing environmental footprints and guiding decision-making toward sustainability objectives. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in the accuracy of environmental impact assessments through the adoption of advanced digital technologies and sector-specific databases. Challenges such as limited data availability and the complexity of LCA methods were identified. Strategies to address these challenges include educational programs to enhance understanding and adoption of LCA, alongside technological innovations that streamline data collection and analysis processes. Our study underscores the potential of LCA to drive civil engineering practices towards more resilient, sustainable, and circular infrastructure solutions. This analysis confirms the growing importance of LCA in project planning and highlights its role in achieving global sustainability targets, advocating for its wider adoption in civil engineering practices.