A carbon emission calculation model and evaluation method for drill-and-blast tunnel construction machinery

The carbon emissions from tunnel construction can cause a significant impact to today's deteriorating environmental conditions, with a substantial portion arising from construction machinery. However, current methods lack accuracy in quantifying these emissions in real-world projects. This paper proposed a new calculation model for timely result output of construction machines used in drilling-and-blast tunnelling which considered on-site influencing factors. In particular, the proposed model classified different machineries into different groups based on the tunnel construction processes and machinery’s function, incorporating internal combustion engines, electric motors, and operational resistance. The reliability and applicability of the model is verified with real tunnel construction data. Through control variable comparisons, the impacts of slope, acceleration, and complex road conditions on mechanical carbon emissions are analyzed. Based on construction time and operational processes, the advantages of introducing new battery-based energy machinery compared to traditional fossil fuel machinery are highlighted, confirming the various benefits of new energy machinery. Besides, this study provides a method for calibrating the carbon emissions of tunnel construction machinery. This study helps understanding the environmental impact of construction and aids subsequent research on machinery selection.