Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Construction Materials for the Urban Environment: Environmental Assessment of Life Cycle Performance

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Ecomaterials

Abstract

The considerable lifecycle consumption of energy and raw materials of construction projects is not just a challenge faced by the construction sector; it is also an economic, environmental, and social concern, which needs immediate action. In view of that, performing an objective evaluation of the novel “greener” and sustainable construction materials for the urban environment requires a set of well-established methodologies and tools invoking reliability and validity. This chapter introduces EcoHestia, a new comprehensive environmental building material assessment tool, which addresses the assessment of the environmental performance of construction materials for the urban environment, in terms of a whole life cycle approach. A detailed literature section presents the evolution and the development towards the existing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework, as well as the state-of-the-art and recent trends in the implementation of LCA of ecomaterials for the construction industry. The relevant European legislation and well-established existing LCA methodologies and tools are also presented. As regards to EcoHestia, this book chapter elaborates on the motivation of development of the specific tool, the definition of its scope, as well as the methodology behind the development of its Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and the calculation of its Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) results. Within the same context, limitations commonly linked to environmental assessment tools are extensively discussed. The findings of this chapter primarily establish the usefulness of employing LCA for supporting the definition of the most energy-, material-, and cost-efficient construction materials for the built environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 979.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2016) Chapter 6. Buildings sector energy consumption. In: International Energy Outlook 2016 (IEO2016). Available via EIA. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/index.php. Accessed 20 Aug 2017

  2. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2015) Material resources, productivity and the environment. In: OECD Green Growth Studies. Available via OECD. http://www.oecd.org/env/waste/material-resources-productivity-and-the-environment-9789264190504-en.htm. Accessed 20 Aug 2017

  3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (2016) Water withdrawal by sector. In: AQUASTAT. Available via AQUASTAT. http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/tables/WorldData-Withdrawal_eng.pdf. Accessed 20 Aug 2017

  4. Modak, P, Wilson DC, Velis C (2015) Chapter 3: Waste management: global status. In: Global waste management outlook. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Available via UNEP. http://www.unep.org/ourplanet/september-2015/unep-publications/global-waste-management-outlook. Accessed 20 Aug 2017

  5. International Energy Agency (IEA) (2013) Chapter 1: Buildings overview. In: Transition to sustainable buildings: strategies and opportunities to 2050. Available via IEA. http://www.iea.org/etp/buildings/. Accessed 20 Aug 2017

  6. McGraw Hill Construction (2013) World green building trends: business benefits driving new and retrofit market opportunities in over 60 countries. In: SmartMarket report. Available via Green Building Council SA (GBCSA). http://www.gbcsa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/WGBC-Trends-Report_2013.pdf. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  7. World Green Building Council (2013) The business case for green building: a review of the costs and benefits for developers, investors, and occupants. Available via World Green Building Council. http://www3.cec.org/islandora-gb/en/islandora/object/greenbuilding%3A30/datastream/OBJ-EN/view. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  8. Kylili A, Fokaides PA (2017) Policy trends for the sustainability assessment of construction materials: a review. Sustain Cities Soc 35:280–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Sinha R, Lennartsson M, Frostell B (2016) Environmental footprint assessment of building structures: a comparative study. Build Environ 104:162–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kylili A, Fokaides PA (2016) Life cycle assessment (LCA) of phase change materials (PCMs) for building applications: a review. J Build Eng 6:133–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) (2017) Research: EcoHestia. Available via SERG. https://www.serg-web.com/. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  12. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14040:2006. Environmental management – life cycle assessment – principles and framework. Available via ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/37456.html. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  13. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14044:2006. Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – requirements and guidelines. Available via ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/38498.html. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  14. Curran MA (2006) Life cycle assessment: principles and practise. National Risk Management Research Laboratory. Available via United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). https://www.epa.gov/nscep. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  15. Jensen AA (1998) Life cycle assessment (LCA): a guide to approaches, experiences and information sources (No. 6). In: Environmental Issues Series European Environment Agency (EEA). Available via EEA. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/GH-07-97-595-EN-C. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  16. Guinee JB, Heijungs R, Huppes G, Zamagni A, Masoni P, Buonamici R, Ekval T, Rydberg T (2010) Life cycle assessment: past, present, and future. Environ Sci Technol 45:90–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Filimonau V (2016) The life cycle thinking approach and the method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-26224-6_2; Filimonau V (2016) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Analysis in Tourism (pp 9–42). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26224-6

    Book  Google Scholar 

  18. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) (2011) Towards a life cycle sustainability assessment. Making informed choices on product. UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative Available via UNEP Document Repository. http://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/8001. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  19. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/Technical Committee (TC) 071 (2016) ISO/TC 071 Strategic business plan. Available via European Committee for Standardization (CEN). https://standards.cen.eu/bp/1640.pdf. Accessed 17 Mar 2017

  20. Chrysostomou C, Kylili A, Nicolaides D, Fokaides PA (2017) Life cycle assessment of concrete manufacturing in small isolated states: the case of Cyprus. Int J Sustain Energy 36:825–839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Van den Heede P, De Belie N (2012) Environmental impact and life cycle assessment (LCA) of traditional and ‘green’ concretes: literature review and theoretical calculations. Cem Concr Compos 34:431–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Celik K, Meral C, Gursel AP, Mehta PK, Horvath A, Monteiro PJ (2015) Mechanical properties, durability, and life-cycle assessment of self-consolidating concrete mixtures made with blended portland cements containing fly ash and limestone powder. Cem Concr Compos 56:59–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Gursel AP, Maryman H, Ostertag C (2016) A life-cycle approach to environmental, mechanical, and durability properties of “green” concrete mixes with rice husk ash. J Clean Prod 112:823–836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Teixeira ER, Mateus R, Camoes AF, Bragança L, Branco FG (2016) Comparative environmental life-cycle analysis of concretes using biomass and coal fly ashes as partial cement replacement material. J Clean Prod 112:2221–2230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Habert G, De Lacaillerie JDE, Roussel N (2011) An environmental evaluation of geopolymer based concrete production: reviewing current research trends. J Clean Prod 19:1229–1238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Huntzinger DN, Eatmon TD (2009) A life-cycle assessment of Portland cement manufacturing: comparing the traditional process with alternative technologies. J Clean Prod 17:668–675

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Napolano L, Menna C, Graziano SF, Asprone D, D’Amore M, de Gennaro R, Dondi M (2016) Environmental life cycle assessment of lightweight concrete to support recycled materials selection for sustainable design. Constr Build Mater 119:370–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Serres N, Braymand S, Feugeas F (2016) Environmental evaluation of concrete made from recycled concrete aggregate implementing life cycle assessment. J Build Eng 5:24–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Koroneos C, Dompros A (2007) Environmental assessment of brick production in Greece. Build Environ 42:2114–2123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Kumbhar S, Kulkarni N, Rao AB, Rao B (2014) Environmental life cycle assessment of traditional bricks in western Maharashtra, India. Energy Procedia 54:260–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Giama E, Papadopoulos AM (2015) Assessment tools for the environmental evaluation of concrete, plaster and brick elements production. J Clean Prod 99:75–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Bories C, Vedrenne E, Paulhe-Massol A, Vilarem G, Sablayrolles C (2016) Development of porous fired clay bricks with bio-based additives: study of the environmental impacts by life cycle assessment (LCA). Constr Build Mater 125:1142–1151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Kua HW, Kamath S (2014) An attributional and consequential life cycle assessment of substituting concrete with bricks. J Clean Prod 81:190–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Kumar CS, Parvathi S, Rudramoorthy R (2016) Impact categories through life cycle assessment of coal-fired brick. Procedia Technology 24:531–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Li G, Nie Z, Zhou H, Di X, Liu Y, Zuo T (2002) An accumulative model for the comparative life cycle assessment case study: iron and steel process. Int J Life Cycle Assess 7:225–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. World Steel Association (2016) World steel in figures 2016. Available via Worldsteel Association. https://www.worldsteel.org/media-centre/press-releases/2016/world-Steel-in-figures-2016-is-available-online.html. Accessed 2 Jul Mar 2017

  37. Burchart-Korol D (2013) Life cycle assessment of steel production in Poland: a case study. J Clean Prod 54:235–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Zygomalas I, Efthymiou E, Baniotopoulos C, Blok R (2012) A newly developed life cycle inventory (LCI) database for commonly used structural steel components. Struct Infrastructure Eng 8:1173–1181

    Google Scholar 

  39. World Aluminium (2017) Statistics. Available via World Aluminium. http://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/. Accessed 2 Jul 2017

  40. IEA (International Energy Agency)/Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2009) Energy technology transitions for industry: strategies for the next industrial revolution. Available via OECD. http://www.oecd.org/publications/energy-technology-transitions-for-industry-9789264068612-en.htm. Accessed 2 Jul 2017

  41. Liu G, Bangs CE, Müller DB (2013) Stock dynamics and emission pathways of the global aluminium cycle. Nat Clim Chang 3:338–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Zhang Y, Sun M, Hong J, Han X, He J, Shi W, Li X (2016) Environmental footprint of aluminum production in China. J Clean Prod 133:1242–1251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Olivieri G, Romani A, Neri P (2006) Environmental and economic analysis of aluminium recycling through life cycle assessment. Int J Sustain Dev World Ecol 13:269–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Frees N (2008) Crediting aluminium recycling in LCA by demand or by disposal. Int J Life Cycle Assess 13:212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Werner F, Richter K (2007) Wooden building products in comparative LCA. Int J Life Cycle Assess 12:470

    Google Scholar 

  46. Lippke B, Wilson J, Meil J, Taylor A (2010) Characterizing the importance of carbon stored in wood products. Wood Fiber Sci 42:5–14

    Google Scholar 

  47. Bribián IZ, Capilla AV, Usón AA (2011) Life cycle assessment of building materials: comparative analysis of energy and environmental impacts and evaluation of the eco-efficiency improvement potential. Build Environ 46:1133–1140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Guardigli L, Monari F, Bragadin MA (2011) Assessing environmental impact of green buildings through LCA methods: a comparison between reinforced concrete and wood structures in the European context. Procedia Eng 21:1199–1206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Jablinska J, Trocka- Leszczynska E (2014) Ecology for the architecture of large hotel spaces. In: Brebbia CA, Pulselli R (eds) Eco-architecture V: harmonisation between architecture and nature. WIT Press, Southampton

    Google Scholar 

  50. Porhincak M, Estokova A (2014) Analysis of buildings based on the materials LCA data. Int J Hous Sci Appl 38:115–125

    Google Scholar 

  51. Bushi L, Meil MJ (2011) A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of ½″ regular and 5/8″ type X gypsum wallboard. Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, prepared for the Gypsum Association, Inc. Available via Athena Sustainable Materials Institute. http://www.athenasmi.org/resources/publications/. Accessed 10 Jul 2017

  52. Moraes CAM, Kieling AG, Caetano MO, Gomes LP (2010) Life cycle analysis (LCA) for the incorporation of rice husk ash in mortar coating. Resou Conservation Recycl 54:1170–1176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Berge B (ed) (2009) The ecology of building materials. Oxford, Burlington

    Google Scholar 

  54. Kim KH (2011) A comparative life cycle assessment of a transparent composite facade system and a glass curtain wall system. Energ Buildings 43:3436–3445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Babaizadeh H, Hassan M (2013) Life cycle assessment of nano-sized titanium dioxide coating on residential windows. Constr Building Mater 40:314–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Papadopoulos AM, Giama E (2007) Environmental performance evaluation of thermal insulation materials and its impact on the building. Build Environ 42:2178–2187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Zelazna A, Pawlowski A (2011) The environmental analysis of insulation materials in the context of sustainable building. In: The 8th international conference of environmental engineering, May 19–20, 2011, Vilnius, Lithuania. Available via Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Press. http://leidykla.vgtu.lt/conferences/Enviro2011/Articles/3/825-829_Zelazna_others.pdf. Accessed 10 Jul 2017

  58. Asdrubali F, D’Alessandro F, Schiavoni S (2015) A review of unconventional sustainable building insulation materials. Sustain Mater Technol 4:1–17

    Google Scholar 

  59. Murphy RJ, Norton A (2008) Life cycle assessments of natural fibre insulation materials. Imperial College London, prepared for the National Non-Food Crop Center (NNFCC). Available via European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). http://eiha.org/media/attach/372/lca_fibre.pdf. Accessed 10 Jul 2017

  60. Uihlein A, Ehrenberger S, Schebek L (2008) Utilisation options of renewable resources: a life cycle assessment of selected products. J Clean Prod 16:1306–1320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Menet JL, Gruescu IC (2012) A comparative life cycle assessment of exterior walls constructed using natural insulation materials. Environ Eng Sustain Dev Entrepreneurship 1:14–21

    Google Scholar 

  62. Batouli SM, Zhu Y, Nar M, D’Souza NA (2014) Environmental performance of kenaf-fiber reinforced polyurethane: a life cycle assessment approach. J Clean Prod 66:164–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) (2012) Life Cycle Assessment of Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation. Available via CertainTeed. https://www.certainteed.com/resources/SPFALCALongSummary.pdf. Accessed 12 Jul 2017

  64. European Association of Flexible Polyurethane Foam Block Manufacturers (EUROPUR) (2015) Flexible Polyurethane (PU) Foam. In: Eco-profiles and environmental product declarations of the European plastics manufacturers. Available via PlasticsEurope. http://www.plasticseurope.org/plastics-sustainability-14017/eco-profiles.aspx. Accessed 12 Jul 2017

  65. Schiavoni S, Bianchi F, Asdrubali F (2016) Insulation materials for the building sector: a review and comparative analysis. Renew Sust Energ Rev 62:988–1011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Schmidt AC, Jensen AA, Clausen AU, Kamstrup O, Postlethwaite D (2004) A comparative life cycle assessment of building insulation products made of stone wool, paper wool and flax. Int J Life Cycle Assess 9:53–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Flury K, Frischknecht R, Flumroc AG (2012) Life cycle assessment of rock wool insulation. ESU-services Ltd., prepared for Flumroc AG. Available via ESU-services Ltd. http://esu-services.ch/data/public-lci-reports/lcidownload/. Accessed 23 Jul 2017

  68. Sierra-Pérez J, Boschmonart-Rives J, Gabarrell X (2016) Environmental assessment of façade-building systems and thermal insulation materials for different climatic conditions. J Clean Prod 113:102–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Silvestre JD, de Brito J, Pinheiro MD (2011) Life-cycle assessment of thermal insulation materials for external walls of buildings. In: Cost C25-International Conference Sustainability of Constructions-Towards a better built environment, Innsbruck. Available via ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283326066_Life-Cycle_Assessment_of_Thermal_Insulation_Materials_for_External_Walls_of_Buildings. Accessed 25 Jul 2017

  70. Audenaert A, De Cleyn SH, Buyle M (2012) LCA of low-energy flats using the eco-indicator 99 method: impact of insulation materials. Energ Buildings 47:68–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Smith R (1996) The environmental aspects of the use of PVC in building products. CSIRO Division of Chemicals and Polymers, prepared for the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association Inc. Available via CSIRO Division of Chemicals and Polymers. http://www.frocc.org/pdf/enviromental/CSIROReportPVC1998.pdf. Accessed 28 Jul 2017

  72. Asif M, Davidson A, Muneer T (2002) Life cycle of window materials-a comparative assessment. Millenium. Available via ResearchGate. http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1054/files/uk%20window%20frame%20lca.pdf. Accessed 28 July 2017

  73. Salazar J, Sowlati T (2008) Life cycle assessment of windows for the north American residential market: case study. Scand J For Res 23:121–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Alvarenga RA, Dewulf J, De Meester S, Wathelet A, Villers J, Thommeret R, Hruska Z (2013) Life cycle assessment of bioethanol-based PVC. Biofuels. Bioprod Biorefining 7:386–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Comanita, ED, Ghinea, C, Rosca, M, Simion, IM, Petraru, M, Gavrilescu, M (2015) Environmental impacts of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production process. In: E-Health and Bioengineering Conference (EHB). Available via IEEE Xplore Digital Library. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7391486/. Accessed 1 Aug 2017

  76. Spirinckx C, Aranyi S, Vanderreydt I, Vercalsteren A (2011) Sustainability aspects of plastic pipe systems; the environmental pillar of the polyvinylchloride (PVC-U) solid wall sewer pipe system. In: Congrès International sur l’Analyse du Cycle de Vie. Available via TUdelft. https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid%3A6cb87d48-5fec-4681-a0df-40d017fdec33. Accessed 1 Aug 2017

  77. Carolin S, Vanderreydt I, Vercalsteren A, Boonen K, Peeters K (2011) Life Cycle Assessment of a PVC-U solid wall sewer pipe system (according to EN 1401). VITO NV, under the authority of The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA). Available via TEPPFA. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54e49e84e4b062d077116c87/t/552fb3c0e4b039a12638f9ed/1429189568158/PVC-solid-wall-sewer-Third-party-report-March2012.pdf. Accessed 1 Aug 2017

  78. Nebel B, Alcorn A, Wittstock B (2011) Life cycle assessment: adopting and adapting overseas LCA data and methodologies for building materials in New Zealand. Prepared for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. ISBN: 978-0-478-37560-2 (online)

    Google Scholar 

  79. Ma Y, Cao L, Zhou CH, Li MB, Yue WC, Liu ZW (2011) Environmental impact assessment of typical chemical product using life cycle assessment – based on water-based paint. Environ Sci Technology 11:40

    Google Scholar 

  80. Hischier R, Nowack B, Gottschalk F, Hincapie I, Steinfeldt M, Som C (2015) Life cycle assessment of façade coating systems containing manufactured nanomaterials. J Nanopart Res 17:68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Antony F, Grießhammer R, Speck T, Speck O (2016) The cleaner, the greener? Product sustainability assessment of the biomimetic façade paint Lotusan® in comparison to the conventional façade paint Jumbosil®. Beilstein J. Nanotechnology 7:2100–2115

    Google Scholar 

  82. Abeysundra UY, Babel S, Gheewala S (2007) A decision making matrix with life cycle perspective of materials for roofs in Sri Lanka. Mater Des 28:2478–2487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Gargari C, Bibbiani C, Fantozzi F, Campiotti CA (2016) Environmental impact of green roofing: the contribute of a green roof to the sustainable use of natural resources in a life cycle approach. Agric Agric Sci Procedia 8:646–656

    Google Scholar 

  84. Cellura M, Longo S, Mistretta M (2011) Sensitivity analysis to quantify uncertainty in life cycle assessment: the case study of an Italian tile. Renew Sust Energ Rev 15:4697–4705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Abeysundara UY, Babel S, Gheewala S (2009) A matrix in life cycle perspective for selecting sustainable materials for buildings in Sri Lanka. Build Environ 44:997–1004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Kuruppuarachchi KABN, Ihalawatta RK, Kulatunga AK (2014) Life Cycle Assessment of two different Clay Roofing Tiles. In: Conference: Asia Pacific Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production. Available via ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/302025720_Life_Cycle_Assessment_of_two_different_Clay_Roofing_Tiles. Accessed 5 Aug 2017

  87. Cabeza LF, Barreneche C, Miró L, Morera JM, Bartolí E, Fernández AI (2013) Low carbon and low embodied energy materials in buildings: a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 23:536–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. Milutiene E, Staniškis JK, Krucius A, Auguliene V, Ardickas D (2012) Increase in buildings sustainability by using renewable materials and energy. Clean Technologies Environ Policy 14:1075–1084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Pacheco-Torgal F (2014) Eco-efficient construction and building materials research under the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. Constr Build Mater 51:151–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Kubba S (2010) Green construction project management and cost oversight. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9781856176767; Kubba S (2010) Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-85617-676-7.00022-1

  91. Melià P, Ruggieri G, Sabbadini S, Dotelli G (2014) Environmental impacts of natural and conventional building materials: a case study on earth plasters. J Clean Prod 80:179–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Milano P (2010) Environmental assessment (LCA) as guide parameter in choosing eco- efficient materials. In: CESB2010 Central EuropeTowards Sustainable Building from Theory to practice. Available via Fraunhofer-Informationszentrum Raum und Bau IRB. http://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB17854.pdf. Accessed 6 Aug 2017

  93. Christoforou E, Kylili A, Fokaides PA, Ioannou I (2016) Cradle to site life cycle assessment (LCA) of adobe bricks. J Clean Prod 112:443–452

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. Arrigoni A, Beckett C, Ciancio D, Dotelli G (2017) Life cycle analysis of environmental impact vs. durability of stabilised rammed earth. Constr Build Mater 142:128–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC

    Google Scholar 

  96. Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings (recast)

    Google Scholar 

  97. Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC

    Google Scholar 

  98. Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast)

    Google Scholar 

  99. COM(2011)571. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe

    Google Scholar 

  100. COM(2012)433. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council Strategy for the sustainable competitiveness of the construction sector and its enterprises

    Google Scholar 

  101. ECORYS SCS Group (2014) FWC Sector Competitiveness Studies N° B1/ENTR/06/054 – Sustainable Competitiveness of the Construction Sector. ECORYS SCS Group, prepared for Directorate-General Enterprise & Industry. Available via Directorate-General for Environment. http://ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/4838/attachments/1/translations/. Accessed 10 Aug 2017

  102. COM(2014)445. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on resource efficiency opportunities in the building sector

    Google Scholar 

  103. COM(2014)398. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Towards a circular economy: a zero waste programme for Europe

    Google Scholar 

  104. Zeschmar-Lahl B, Schoenberger H, Styles D, Galvez-Martos JL (2016) Background Report on Best Environmental Management Practice in the Waste Management Sector – Preparatory findings to support the development of an EMAS Sectoral Reference Document. BZL Kommunikation und Projektsteuerung GmbH and E3 Environmental Consultants Ltd, prepared for the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. European Commission – Joint Research Centre (JRC). Available via JRC. http://susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/activities/emas/documents/WasteManagementBackgroundReport.pdf. Accessed 10 Aug 2017

  105. COM(2015) 614. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Closing the loop – An EU action plan for the Circular Economy

    Google Scholar 

  106. COM (2003) 302. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament Integrated Product Policy Building on Environmental Life-Cycle Thinking

    Google Scholar 

  107. BS EN ISO 14025:2010. Environmental labels and declarations. Type III environmental declarations. Principles and procedures

    Google Scholar 

  108. Kylili, Fokaides, Seduikyte (2018) Life cycle assessment of polyurethane foam. In: Rane A, Thomas S, Abitha VK, Kanny K, Thomas MG, Valutkevich A (eds) Recycling of polyurethane foams. Elsevier, London. In press

    Google Scholar 

  109. Haapio A, Viitaniemi P (2008) A critical review of building environmental assessment tools. Environ Impact Assess Rev 28:469–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  110. Cabeza LF, Rincón L, Vilariño V, Pérez G, Castell A (2014) Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle energy analysis (LCEA) of buildings and the building sector: a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 29:394–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  111. Castellano J, Castellano D, Ribera A, Ciurana J (2014) Development of a scale of building construction systems according to CO2 emissions in the use stage of their life cycle. Build Environ 82:618–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  112. Trusty W, Horst S (2005) LCA tools around the world (progress report on life cycle assessment). Build Des Constr 5:12–16

    Google Scholar 

  113. Norris GA, Yost P (2002) A transparent, interactive software environment for communicating life-cycle assessment results. J Ind Ecol 5:15–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  114. Erlandsson M, Borg M (2003) Generic LCA-methodology applicable for buildings, constructions and operation services-today practice and development needs. Build Environ 38:919–938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  115. Martínez-Rocamora A, Solís-Guzmán J, Marrero M (2016) LCA databases focused on construction materials: a review. Renew Sust Energ Rev 58:565–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  116. Kylili A, Fokaides PA (2017) EcoHestia: a comprehensive building environmental assessment scheme, based on life cycle assessment. Procedia Environ Sci 38:515–521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  117. Kylili A, Chrysostomou C, Fokaides PA (2015) EcoHestia: a comprehensive building environmental assessment scheme, based on Life Cycle Assessment: white paper. Available via Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG). https://www.serg-web.com/ecohestia. Accessed 17 Aug 2017

  118. Du G, Karoumi R (2014) Life cycle assessment framework for railway bridges: literature survey and critical issues. Struct Infrastruct Eng 10:277–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  119. Wolf MA, Pant R, Chomkhamsri K, Sala S, Pennington D (2012) The International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook. In: JRC reference reports. Available via JRC. http://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/uploads/JRC-Reference-Report-ILCD-Handbook-Towards-more-sustainable-production-and-consumption-for-a-resource-efficient-Europe.pdf. Accessed 17 Aug 2017

  120. Blengini GA, Di Carlo T (2010) The changing role of life cycle phases, subsystems and materials in the LCA of low energy buildings. Energ Buildings 42:869–880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  121. Finnveden G, Potting J (2014) Life cycle assessment. In: Wexler P (ed) Encyclopedia of toxicology, vol 3. Elsevier, London, pp 74–77

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  122. Van der Harst E, Potting J, Kroeze C (2016) Comparison of different methods to include recycling in LCAs of aluminium cans and disposable polystyrene cups. Waste Manag 48:565–583

    Article  Google Scholar 

  123. Shen L, Worrell E, Patel MK (2010) Open-loop recycling: a LCA case study of PET bottle-to-fibre recycling. Resour Conservation Recycl 55:34–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  124. European Commission (EC) Document L:2013:124:TOC. Commission Recommendation of 9 April 2013 on the use of common methods to measure and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organisations

    Google Scholar 

  125. Institute of Environmental Science (CML) (2001) CML’s impact assessment methods and characterisation factors. Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Science (CML). Available via Leiden University. https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/research/research-output/science/cml-ia-characterisation-factors. Accessed 22 Aug 2017

  126. Athena Sustainable Materials Institute (2017) Resources: about LCA. Available via Athena Sustainable Materials Institute. http://www.athenasmi.org/resources/about-lca/. Accessed 22 Aug 2017

  127. Sarkis J (2012) Benchmarking and process change for green supply chain management. In: Madu CN, Kuei CH (eds) Handbook of sustainability management. World Scientific, Singapore, pp 87–108

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus

    A. Kylili & P. A. Fokaides

Authors
  1. A. Kylili
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. A. Fokaides
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Kylili .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ingeniería Civil Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Leticia Myriam Torres Martínez

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Físico-Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico

    Oxana Vasilievna Kharissova

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Boris Ildusovich Kharisov

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Kylili, A., Fokaides, P.A. (2019). Construction Materials for the Urban Environment: Environmental Assessment of Life Cycle Performance. In: Martínez, L., Kharissova, O., Kharisov, B. (eds) Handbook of Ecomaterials. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68255-6_133

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation