Eco-Efficiency of Construction Materials: Data Envelopment Analysis

    Authors

    O. Tatari;M. Kucukvar

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Constr. Eng. Manage.-ASCE

    Keywords

    Eco-efficiency; Sustainable development; Data envelopment analysis; Linear programming; LIFE-CYCLE; DEA APPROACH; PRODUCTIVITY; DECISION; ENERGY; MODEL; Construction & Building Technology; Engineering, Industrial; Engineering, Civil

    Abstract

    Sustainability assessment tools are critical in the process of achieving sustainable development. Eco-efficiency has emerged as a practical concept that combines environmental and economic performance indicators to measure the sustainability performance of different product alternatives. In this paper, an analytical tool that can be used to assess the eco-efficiency of construction materials is developed. This tool evaluates the eco-efficiency of construction materials by using data envelopment analysis, a linear programming-based mathematical approach. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle cost (LCC) are utilized to derive the eco-efficiency ratios, and data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to rank material alternatives. Developed mathematical models are assessed by selecting the most eco-efficient exterior wall finish for a building. Percent improvement analysis was carried out to investigate target environmental effect categories that need more reduction to reach 100% eco-efficiency. Through this study, the goal is to show that DEA-based eco-efficiency assessment model could be used to evaluate alternative construction materials and offer vital guidance for decision makers during material selection. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000484. (C) 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Construction Engineering and Management-Asce

    Volume

    138

    Issue/Number

    6

    Publication Date

    1-1-2012

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    733

    Last Page

    741

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000304816000007

    ISSN

    0733-9364

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