21, July 2025
Life Cycle Assessment of sustainable construction materials: A Comparative Study with a Case Analysis on Fly Ash Concrete Mixes
Author(s): 1 Mahek Sultana, 2 Mr. Dr. Mohammed Imthatullah Khan
Authors Affiliations:
1PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Lords Institute of Engineering & Technology (A), Hyderabad-91,
2Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Lords Institute of Engineering &Technology(A), Hyderabad-91, Â
DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202507026 | Paper ID: IJIRMF202507026Abstract
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Abstract:Â Â Â The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to global carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) emissions, primarily due to the use of energy-intensive materials like cement and steel. As the demand for infrastructure rises, it becomes essential to adopt sustainable construction practices that minimize environmental impacts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an effective tool for evaluating the environmental footprint of construction materials across various stages, from raw material extraction to production. This study focuses on a cradle-to-gate LCA to quantify COâ‚‚ emissions associated with both conventional and alternative materials in the Indian construction sector.
An experimental investigation was conducted on M25 concrete mixes containing 0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, and 30% fly ash as a partial replacement for cement. The results showed that a 30% fly ash mix led to approximately 28% reduction in cradle-to-gate COâ‚‚ emissions compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete. In addition, secondary data from the literature was used to assess the emissions of fly ash bricks, bamboo panels, recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), and geopolymer concrete. Among these, bamboo panels and fly ash bricks demonstrated the lowest embodied carbon.
The findings of this study emphasize the significant role of material selection in reducing the carbon footprint of construction projects. Adoption of sustainable alternatives such as fly ash concrete, bamboo panels, and geopolymer concrete can help the construction industry align with global sustainability goals. Future work could include cradle-to-grave assessments, integration of water and energy footprints, and cost analyses to provide a holistic view of environmental performance.
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Key Words: Â Life Cycle Assessment, Cradle-to-Gate, COâ‚‚ Emissions, Fly Ash Concrete, Bamboo Panels, Geopolymer Concrete, Sustainable Materials, Construction Industry
Mahek Sultana, Mr. Dr. Mohammed Imthatullah Khan (2025); Life Cycle Assessment of sustainable construction materials: A Comparative Study with a Case Analysis on Fly Ash Concrete Mixes, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-7, Pp. 181-187.    Available on –  https://www.ijirmf.com/