a b s t r a c tNowadays, global warming and the gradual deterioration of our
planet are both causes for concern.Within the global development context,
the environmental impact of construction activities is significant.
While the embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were limited by
the Kyoto Protocol, the construction industry continues to generate
40–50% of all global GHG emissions [1]. According to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), buildings are responsible for 38% of the entire
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the United States [2]. Furthermore,
the cement industry produces 5% of world's GHG emissions [3]. Consequently,
it is not enough to build cheaply and efficiently; construction
should save non-renewable natural resources and respect the environment.
This has promoted research related to sustainability in the field
of construction.