Environmental impacts in the construction of an embankment using the life cycle assessment tool: comparison between crushed and linz-donawitz steel slag aggregates

ABSTRACT The use of industrial co-products as components for civil construction has been a good way to promote a circular economy in the sector. However, this material must be analyzed so it avoids offering future risks. Life cycle assessment is an essential tool to quantify the environmental impact of replacing or integrating new components. Thus, this study aims to compare the potential environmental impacts between a crushed embankment designed with crushed natural aggregate (gravel and clay) and an embankment designed with steel aggregate to replace gravel on the OpenLCA software, which is an open life cycle assessment tool. The carried-out assessment considered the impact of materials and the construction of the embankment (cradle to construction site). Results indicate that using steel aggregates to replace natural aggregates offers environmental advantages for the evaluated proposition as the steel plant lies within up to 243 km from the work site.