Using LCA to research carbon footprint for precast concrete piles during the building construction stage: A China study

Due to the rapid development of the construction industry, large construction projects consume a significant amount of energy, and emit large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which has received extensive attention from the society. According to statistics, 30% of the energy losses and 40% of the solid wastes of the construction industry are generated during the construction phase. In addition, 40% of the solid waste generated by the construction industry is generated during the construction phase. Therefore, it is an important large potential research value in the construction stage emission reduction. As a result, this study aims to investigate precast concrete pile products and their carbon footprint at the construction stage based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Chinese Life Cycle Database (CLCD) databases, a database of mechanical equipment carbon emission factors was compiled. The carbon footprint of precast concrete piles was divided into three sources: material transportation, construction equipment, and office area. The carbon footprint calculation model of precast concrete pile during the construction stage was established. Lastly, a detailed case study was conducted to verify the empirical findings. Pile foundation area, pile foundation cost, and pile foundation number were analyzed as independent variables, through SPSS(Statistical Product and Service Solutions) software for regression analysis. Based on research result, the carbon emissions of construction machinery reached 73% of the total carbon emissions during the construction of precast concrete piles, and the carbon emissions of pile drivers are more than half of the carbon emissions of construction machinery. And there is a strong linear relationship between the area of pile foundation, the cost of pile foundation and the number of pile foundation and the total carbon emission during the construction of precast concrete piles. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing the carbon footprint calculation and establishing the trend of carbon emissions for precast concrete pile construction. In addition to that, the findings of this study can be used to improve construction management plans and select energy-saving technologies. The results can also provide a theoretical support for the formulation of regulations and emission reduction policies based on building energy conservation and carbon emission reduction. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.