Eco-efficient Construction and Building Materials: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Eco-Labelling and Case Studies

Fernando Pacheco-Torgal · Luisa F. Cabeza · Joao Labrincha · Aldo Giuntini de Magalhaes

Feb 2014 · Woodhead Publishing

About this ebook

Eco-efficient Construction and Building Materials reviews ways of assessing the environmental impact of construction and building materials. Part one discusses the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to building materials as well as eco-labeling. Part two includes case studies showing the application of LCA methodology to different types of building material, from cement and concrete to wood and adhesives used in building. Part three includes case studies applying LCA methodology to particular structures and components. - Reviews ways of assessing the environmental impact of construction and building materials - Provides a thorough overview, including strengths and shortcomings, of the life cycle assessment (LCA) and eco-labeling of eco-efficient construction and building materials - Includes case studies showing the application of LCA methodology to different types of building material, from cement and concrete to wood and adhesives used in building

About the author

Dr. F. Pacheco-Torgal is a principal investigator at the University of Minho, in Portugal. He currently holds the title of Counsellor from the Portuguese Engineers Association and has authored more than 300 publications. He is a member of the editorial boards for 9 international journals. He has acted as a foreign expert in the evaluation of 30 PhD theses. In the last 10 years he has been a Member of the Scientific Committee for almost 60 conferences most of them in Asian countries. He is also a grant assessor for several scientific institutions in 15 countries including the UK, US, Netherlands, China, France, Australia, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, Chile, Saudi Arabia, UA. Emirates, Croatia, Poland, and the EU Commission. He has also been an invited reviewer for 125 international journals and has reviewed almost 1200 papers and has been the lead editor of 27 books.Luisa F. Cabeza is Professor at the University of Lleida (Spain) where she leads the GREA research group. She has co-authored over 100 journal papers and several book chapters. Luisa F. Cabeza received her PhD in Industrial Engineering in 1996 from the University Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain. She also holds degrees in Chemical Engineering (1992) and in Industrial Engineering (1993), as well as an MBA (1995) from the same University. Her interests include the different TES technologies (sensible, latent and thermochemical), applications (buildings, industry, refrigeration, CSP, etc.), and social aspects. She also acts as subject editor of the journals Renewable Energy, and Solar Energy.João Labrincha is Associate Professor in the Materials and Ceramics Engineering Department of the University of Aveiro, Portugal, and member of the CICECO research unit. He has registered 22 patent applications, and has published over 170 papers.Aldo Giuntini de Magalhães is a Professor in the Department of Materials Engineering and Construction at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and coordinates government research projects related to the area of Sustainable Buildings.