A Study on the Environmental Impact Assessment According to the Material Change of the Debris Barrier using Life Cycle Analysis: Focusing on the Case of Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyze the environmental performance of an debris barrier installed in Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do through life cycle analysis. Throughout the entire process of the debris barrier, the six major environmental categories, including greenhouse gas emissions, will be quantitatively evaluated and based on the derived alternatives, it is intended to help improve environmentality to the extent applicable to future plans for the installation of the debris barrier. Methods In this study, the major environmental categories (Resource Footprint, Carbon Footprint, Ozone Depletion, Acidification, Eutrophication and Photochemical Smog) for each scenario were calculated and evaluated for changes to major materials of debris barrier according to the methodology of the Environmental Product Declaration Preparation Guidelines. Considering the characteristics of debris barrier, the life cycle evaluation stage considered raw material collection and production stages, and exclude the use stage and disposal stage. Results and Discussion As a result of analyzing environmental feasibility after setting scenarios for each major material (ready-mixed concrete, natural stone) derived through life cycle evaluation for the debris barrier that is the subject of this study, the maximum difference was resource footprint 4.45E+02 kg Sb-eq., carbon footprint 1.46E+05 kg CO2–eq., ozone Depletion 6.97E-03 kg CFC-11-eq., acidification 2.16E+02 kg SO2–eq., eutrophication 3.94E+01 kg PO43-–eq., photochemical smog was evaluated as 5.28E-01 kg C2H4–eq. Conclusion It was found that it was possible to reduce the environmental category by up to 64.54% or more when changing construction materials during the construction of an debris barrier. Among these, the carbon footprint was the highest at over 70%, which confirmed that the environmental impact of the ready-mix concrete production process was significant. Based on the results of this study, it is believed that in order to improve the environment when planning the installation of an debris barrier, it is necessary to minimize the use of ready-mixed concrete, introduce eco-friendly materials such as natural stone, and improve eco-friendly technology and construction methods.

Keywords

• debris barrier
• lca(life cycle assessment)
• environmental impact category
• construction materials