Life Cycle Analysis of bulding [LCA]
Life Cycle Analysis of building (LCA) is the methodology which identifies, quantifies and characterizes the several potential environmental impacts originated during the construction process. The assessment comprehends the complete life cycle of the process or the activity, including: the extraction and treatment of raw materials, its transportation, distribution, use, re-use, recycling and final dumping.
ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
Rules ISO 14025, ISO 21930 and prEN15804 define an internationally accepted analysis methodology.
USE IN PROJECTS
LCA results show the environmental impact of choosing specific materials during the construction process, focusing the election on those materials which have the less negative incidence on the environment, as using thermal insulation from the plant and animal world instead of petroleum products, or choosing recycled products instead of first-handed products.
RESULTS
The degree of definition of the LCA results can be increased as much as we want. In the architectural field, the most usual measurement values are the CO2 emissions. However, other parameters are also studied, as the incidence on the global warming or the level of toxicity for users.