MnDOT Research Project
Development of Process to Lower GWP of COnstruction Materials
Objectives
The goal of this project is to lower global warming potential (GWP) of construction materials, particularly concrete, using processes informed by environmental product declarations (EPDs) and life cycle assessment (LCA). This project emphasizes assessing the environmental impacts associated with construction operations and transportation of construction equipment and materials. During the study, we will:
Collect concrete ready-mix EPD data, including LCA inventory data and procurement process data, and conduct an in-depth analysis to classify and characterize the EPD data.
Provide technical support and assistance for development of EPDs for ready-mix producers by establishing web-based resources, educational tools, and conducting workshops.
Develop a framework that addresses technical and organizational challenges to integrating LCA information into the project procurement decision-making process.
Conduct a risk-reward analysis that will identify ways to integrate EPDs into the procurement process.
In other words, this project will help Minnesota DOT and the Minnesota pavement industry to quantify the environmental impacts associated with pavement projects. To help us achieve our goals, we are collecting and analyzing EPDs associated with concrete mixtures used in Minnesota. We are working with industry members to quantify the environmental impacts related to construction operations and the transportation of materials and equipment to the job site. This information will be used to connect global warming potential of project components and aspects with pay items.
Resources
Environmental Product Declarations.pdfEPD One-Pager
A brief document providing background on EPDs and how to utilize them by answering these questions:
What is an EPD?
How are EPDs developed?
How do you use an EPD?
How shouldn't you use an EPD?
Climate Challenge resources from FHWA
Click the picture to the left to connect to the Climate Challenge Resources.
The Modules page within the Climate Challenge resources provides videos that will teach you about LCA, the data used for an LCA, and how to model an LCA in OpenLCA (an open source, freely available software (see below)).
FHWA every day counts program -
EPDs for Sustainable project delivery
Visit this link to view resources regarding EPDs from the Federal Highway Administration: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/everydaycounts/edc_7/sustainable_epds.cfm
Michelle Cooper
macoope1@mtu.edu
Dr. Amlan Mukherjee
amlan@wapsustainability.com