Life cycle analysis of a mega underwater RC structure (glazing)

• Main Author: Hu, Jipeng.
• Other Authors: Tan Soon Keat
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Structures and design
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/49655
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Nowadays due to land space limit, people have the intention to stretch to the sea. A mega underwater structure is going to be built in the sea. With environmental concerns, a life cycle analysis is being conducted to evaluate the impacts of such an activity. In this report, only glazing material is going to be discussed. Usually LCA consists of four major steps, which are goal definition and scoping, inventory analysis, impact assessment, interpretation. In this project, Eco-Indicator 99 will be used as the principal method to conduct this life cycle analysis. The results show that 1 tonne of glass will lead to 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission and consume 12700MJ energy. By comparing to other material, this is relatively moderate and acceptable. In order to further minimize the environmental impacts, cement or concrete may be used as an alternative to achieve lesser energy consumption.