Title

Eco-Efficiency of Construction Materials: Data Envelopment Analysis

Authors

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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