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BIM-Based Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings—An Investigation of Industry Practice and Needs

Author

Listed:
  • Regitze Kjær Zimmermann

    (Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Simone Bruhn

    (Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Harpa Birgisdóttir

    (Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark)

Abstract

The climate debate necessitates reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. A common and standardized method of assessing this is life cycles assessment (LCA); however, time and costs are a barrier. Large efficiency potentials are associated with using data from building information models (BIM) for the LCA, but development is still at an early stage. This study investigates the industry practice and needs for BIM–LCA, and if these are met through a prototype for the Danish context, using IFC and a 3D view. Eight qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with medium and large architect, engineering, and contractor companies, covering a large part of the Danish AEC industry. The companies used a quantity take-off approach, and a few were developing plug-in approaches. Challenges included the lack of quality in the models, thus most companies supplemented model data with other data sources. Features they found valuable for BIM–LCA included visual interface, transparency of data, automation, design evaluation, and flexibility. The 3D view of the prototype met some of the needs, however, there were mixed responses on the use of IFC, due to different workflow needs in the companies. Future BIM–LCA development should include considerations on the lack of quality in models and should support different workflows.

Suggested Citation

  • Regitze Kjær Zimmermann & Simone Bruhn & Harpa Birgisdóttir, 2021. "BIM-Based Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings—An Investigation of Industry Practice and Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:10:p:5455-:d:553843
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christi L. Saunders & Amy E. Landis & Laurel P. Mecca & Alex K. Jones & Laura A. Schaefer & Melissa M. Bilec, 2013. "Analyzing the Practice of Life Cycle Assessment," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 17(5), pages 777-788, October.
    2. Kai Kanafani & Regitze Kjær Zimmermann & Freja Nygaard Rasmussen & Harpa Birgisdóttir, 2021. "Learnings from Developing a Context-Specific LCA Tool for Buildings—The Case of LCAbyg 4," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Tajda Potrč Obrecht & Martin Röck & Endrit Hoxha & Alexander Passer, 2020. "BIM and LCA Integration: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Tiziano Dalla Mora & Erika Bolzonello & Carmine Cavalliere & Fabio Peron, 2020. "Key Parameters Featuring BIM-LCA Integration in Buildings: A Practical Review of the Current Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-33, September.
    5. Sebastian Theißen & Jannick Höper & Jan Drzymalla & Reinhard Wimmer & Stanimira Markova & Anica Meins-Becker & Michaela Lambertz, 2020. "Using Open BIM and IFC to Enable a Comprehensive Consideration of Building Services within a Whole-Building LCA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    6. Rafael Horn & Sebastian Ebertshäuser & Roberta Di Bari & Olivia Jorgji & René Traunspurger & Petra von Both, 2020. "The BIM2LCA Approach: An Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)-Based Interface to Integrate Life Cycle Assessment in Integral Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-30, August.
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