Life Cycle Assessment in Structural Design

LCA is an essential instrument in contemporary structural design and constructing it, in which the impact on the environment can be assessed at any stage of the life of a structure, including its extraction and production of raw materials, the process of construction and operation to the demolition and the final stage of disposal. Such assessment method helps in sustainable decision making since it relates the amount of energy a building consumes, amount of gaseous emissions, and amount of resources used based on the design decisions made. The important role of LCA in designing structures is to enable architects and engineers to use environmentally friendly materials and systems in the design and planning to minimise ecological footprint in the completed structure and foster circle economy values. The paper examines nature of LCA principles, LCA methods and its applications in the field of structural engineering and also the importance of sustainable development in the built environment.