Life cycle assessment of regional brick manufacture

Abstract

This document presents a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study to quantify the environmental cradle-to-gate impact of the manufacture of brick for the construction industry, produced with material of igneous source. Its mineral composition and thermal isolation properties were characterized for use in real estate construction. The LCA results for brick manufacture using this material identified the greatest environmental impact to be associated with material extraction and its proportional cement content. Additionally, this document presents an evaluation of the environmental impact of the manufacturing process by comparing traditional fired clay brick and brick of the material under study. In conclusion, the studied material shows thermal insulation qualities and suitability for the manufacture of bricks with low incorporated energy.

Life Cycle Assessment of a Traditional Brick Manufacture Improvement

“…The electrical power consumption for scenario II (230 W) and scenario III (460 W) was calculated according to each HB motor. The electricity LCI (Table II) was used in an LCA study previously published (López-Aguilar et al 2016). In this study case, it was assumed that the regional characteristics of electricity production represent the impact of electricity consumption even when it supplies a national electrical network.…”