LCA databases focused on construction materials: A review

Abstract

Evaluation of the environmental impact caused by construction materials frequently presents such obstacles as the mismatch between the construction project location and where the LCA database was made, lack of transparency, and/or the unsuitability of the data to the building project conditions, thereby making it necessary to establish a state-of-the-art review for researchers in order to facilitate selection between the wide variety of databases available. A review of existent LCA databases containing data for building materials has been performed. A list of features and criteria for their evaluation is developed, and subsequently applied in order to compare the various databases. Their methodology, documentation, data quality and comprehensiveness are thereby analysed. Despite the existence of a considerable number of databases, only a few contain data on construction materials. Some projects have been abandoned and several more can be considered incomplete. However, GaBi Database and Ecoinvent stand out for their integrity, usability and dedicated resources. A starting point in the selection of an LCA database for construction materials is provided. With all the information gathered herein, researchers are equipped to make a well-founded choice, and the selection process is certainly improved. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.