Abstract
This chapter seeks to provide insight into the concept of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) and its potential usefulness and application in the environmental management of materials. To this end, both the theoretical framework and the main applications of LCA on the use and implementation of materials in the construction industry worldwide are described and overviewed. Furthermore, a series of case studies consisting of the assessment of the life-cycle environmental impacts generated by widely used materials during their production and inclusion in the construction of buildings and infrastructures, such as cement, steel, asphalt, concrete, plastics, wood, or glass, are presented and discussed in detail. The conclusions drawn from these practical experiences demonstrated that LCA is an enlightening tool for assessing cradle-to-grave environmental impacts produced by construction processes and, by extension, facilitates the selection of eco-friendly materials. Therefore, its implementation in planning and management policies can help undertake sustainable practices aimed at environmental impacts and protect human health.
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Güereca, L.P., Jato-Espino, D., Lizasoain-Arteaga, E. (2018). Life-Cycle Assessment of Construction Materials: Analysis of Environmental Impacts and Recommendations of Eco-Efficient Management Practices. In: Hussain, C. (eds) Handbook of Environmental Materials Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58538-3_76-1
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