The study of carbon benefits of building materials based on product lifecycle design

Abstract The construction industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions due to its high energy consumption and resource use. As part of the global effort to mitigate climate change, evaluating the environmental impact of building materials has become critical. This study evaluates the carbon benefits of building materials using product lifecycle design, focusing specifically on the environmental impacts and emissions throughout the stages of raw material acquisition, production, usage, and disposal. The research covers the entire lifecycle, from raw material acquisition to production, packaging, transportation, usage, and recycling/disposal. Using a case study of the Hefei Brick and Tile Factory, the study quantifies carbon emissions at each stage, revealing that the production and processing stages contribute the most to emissions. A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is employed to quantify carbon benefits, incorporating factors such as carbon emissions, cost, and material functionality. The study concludes by proposing a carbon benefit evaluation model, offering a quantitative tool for assessing the environmental impact of building materials and highlighting the importance of reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry.