Graph-based database structure and calculation framework for automated dynamic life cycle assessment of buildings

Dynamic life cycle assessment (DLCA) captures temporal changes for construction sector decision-making but faces challenges in modeling dynamics affecting embodied emissions, integrating multiple interacting factors, and providing transparent automated calculation methodologies. This paper introduces GraphDLCA, a tool embedding a building-sector DLCA database and, once the input parameters are defined, providing an automated calculation workflow for building DLCA. GraphDLCA supports automated hierarchical impact calculations from material to district. Four background dynamic factors are modeled: dynamic environmental impact calculation, dynamic import ratios, dynamic circular recycling/remanufacture, and dynamic electricity mix at three voltage levels. A proof of concept at different levels reveals that circular recycling/remanufacture lowers embodied impacts, while import ratios exert upward pressure. The dynamic electricity mix has limited influence on embodied emissions but pronounced effects on operational emissions from heating. GraphDLCA’s extensible architecture and transparent calculation logic provide a transferable foundation for future DLCA research and integration with digital construction workflows.