Life-cycle inventory analysis of concrete production: A critical review

A. Petek Gursel*, Eric Masanet, Arpad Horvath, Alex Stadel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

339 Scopus citations

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials with a global consumption rate approaching 25 gigatonnes per year. Consequentially, its environmental burden is significant in terms of resource use and environmental emissions. There is a diverse audience of decision makers and manufacturers who are interested in understanding and lowering the environmental impact of concrete and other buildings materials, which requires a life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach. A critical first step in any LCA is the compilation of a credible life-cycle inventory (LCI), upon which subsequent life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) can be based. This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of concrete LCIs to date, and offers a research roadmap to improve the quality of future cement and concrete LCIs and meet the needs of major LCA users.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)38-48
Number of pages11
JournalCement and Concrete Composites
Volume51
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

Keywords

  • Admixture (D)
  • Cement manufacture (E)
  • Concrete (E)
  • Life-cycle inventory analysis (LCI)
  • Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • General Materials Science

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