Integrating Life Cycle Assessment Into Sustainable Bridge Design: Evaluating Environmental Impacts

This research explores the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into the design and construction of sustainable bridges in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a focus on reducing environmental impact. Using SimaPro software and secondary data, the study evaluated the environmental performance of different material choices throughout the bridge’s life cycle—from raw material extraction to disposal. Key assessments included replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) and comparing conventional mild steel reinforcement with carbon steel alternatives. Results showed that using GGBS reduced CO₂ emissions by up to 60% across various concrete mixes, with total emissions dropping from 482 kg CO₂ e/m³ to as low as 169 kg CO₂ e/m³. Similarly, using carbon steel reinforcement reduced total life cycle emissions from 29.4 million kg CO₂ to 25.9 million kg CO₂. The study also included a professional survey, which highlighted strong industry support for integrating LCA into structural design. The findings demonstrate that incorporating LCA at the design stage can significantly reduce environmental impacts and long-term costs, offering a practical framework for advancing sustainable infrastructure aligned with the UAE’s 2050 net-zero vision.