PREFACE................................................................................................................................XIII
1.0
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1
MOTIVATION............................................................................................................ 2
1.2
RESEARCH QUESTIONS......................................................................................... 5
1.2.1
Question 1: How can a residential LCA framework be created to
overcome shortcomings of previous LCAs ................................................................ 5
1.2.2
Question 2: How can the framework created be validated .......................... 6
1.2.3
Question 3: How can the LCA framework created be used for green
labeling of building products? .................................................................................... 7
1.2.4
Question 4: How can the impacts of green labeled building products be
evaluated at a national level? ...................................................................................... 7
1.3
RESEARCH CONTEXT AND CONTRIBUTIONS ............................................... 8
1.3.1
Context .............................................................................................................. 8
1.3.2
Contribution ................................................................................................... 10
2.0
BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................... 12
2.1
WHY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS....................................................................... 13
2.2
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................. 13
2.2.1
Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability ........................ 15
vii
2.2.2
ATHENATM .................................................................................................... 17
2.2.3
SimaPro 7........................................................................................................ 18
2.3
PRIOR WORK ON BUILDINGS AND BUILDING PRODUCTS...................... 19
3.0
RESIDENTIAL LIFE CYCLE MODELING: COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF
INSULATING CONCRETE FORMS AND TRADITIONAL BUILDING MATERIALS 27
3.1
MOTIVATION.......................................................................................................... 27
3.2
BACKGROUND........................................................................................................ 29
3.2.1
Insulating Concrete Form............................................................................. 29
3.2.2
Cost.................................................................................................................. 31
3.2.3
Construction Practices................................................................................... 32
3.3
METHOD................................................................................................................... 33
3.3.1
Raw Materials Extraction and Manufacturing Phase................................ 35
3.3.2
Transportation Phase .................................................................................... 35
3.3.3
Construction Phase ........................................................................................ 37
3.3.4
Use Phase ........................................................................................................ 38
3.3.5
End of Life Phase ..........................................................................