Life cycle assessment of large scale timber bridges: A case study from the world’s longest timber bridge design in Norway

Abstract This paper seeks to use life cycle assessment to investigate the comparative environmental impacts of two proposed bridge designs for the new Mjosa Bridge over Lake Mjosa in Norway. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has designed one timber and one concrete alternative for the 1650 m 4-lane highway bridge. If the timber bridge design is chosen, it will be the longest timber bridge in the world once constructed. The main motivation for building the timber bridge is to utilize local industry and to reduce environmental impacts in road infrastructure. This study aims to determine the expected emissions from both construction designs by using life cycle assessment. Life cycle as…

A review of environmental impacts of winter road maintenance

Abstract The need for winter road maintenance (WRM) is changing in cold regions due to climate change. How the different modes of WRM will contribute to future overall emissions from infrastructure is therefore of great interest to road owners with a view to a more sustainable, low-carbon future. In the quest for near-zero-emissions transport, all aspects of the transport sector need to be accounted for in the search for possible mitigation of emissions. This study used 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2018 to map available information on the environmental impacts and effect of WRM and reveal any research gaps. The articles were categorized according to their research th…

Comparative life cycle assessment of concrete and timber road bridge deck designs

Life Cycle Assessment of a Battery Passenger Ferry

Circular business models for lithium-ion batteries - Stakeholders, barriers, and drivers

Abstract Business models for the circular economy, or circular business models, is a growing field of research applied in various industries. Global sustainability trends, such as electrification of the transport sector and increased energy consumption from renewable sources, have led to rapid growth in the number of batteries produced, especially lithium-ion based batteries. Sustainable lifetime management, including end-of-life, needs development to avoid social and environmental harm and potentially to recapture economic value as the use of these batteries increases. Current research primarily focuses on technical and economic issues based on recycling and the second use of batteries rat…

Implementing climate impacts in road infrastructure in the design phase by combining BIM with LCA

Abstract Building information modelling (BIM) software is increasingly being used in as a visual road design tool and offers real-time information on material demands as designs change. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool that is used to measure the lifetime environmental impacts of systems, materials and processes. LCA data sets are organized according to process or product, which is ideal for implementation as a parameter in BIM. This paper seeks to explore how BIM and LCA can be used together in road design by analysing existing literature, creating a Norwegian test case on a road designed in a BIM model and adding LCA data to the model before comparing to a standard LCA study of the s…

Determining the Environmental Benefits of Ultra High Performance Concrete as a Bridge Construction Material

Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a material that is attracting attention in the construction industry due to the high mechanical strength and durability, leading to structures having low maintenance requirements. The production of UHPC, however, has generally higher environmental impact than normal strength concrete due to the increased demand of cement required in the concrete mix. What is still not sufficiently investigated, is if the longer lifetime, slimmer construction and lower maintenance requirements lead to a net environmental benefit compared to standard concrete bridge design. This study utilizes life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine the lifetime impacts of two compar…

Life Cycle Assessment of an Ambitious Renovation of a Norwegian Apartment Building to nZEB Standard

Author's accepted manuscript. The upgrading of building infrastructure to modern standards represents a key tool for reducing global energy demand and emissions from buildings. In Norway, building upgrades have been prioritized despite the relatively low carbon intensity of the Norwegian energy mix through various incentive programs and continual improvement in building standards. Prioritizing upgrades is important as up to 90% of the existing Norwegian building stock is expected to remain standing by the year 2050. The overall impact of upgrading buildings is expected to be a net benefit to the environment but this is primarily in operation, and many studies on energy do not include the ma…