Comparative life cycle assessment of recycled soil-stabilized bricks and traditional bricks

The different stakeholders are concerned about management and utilization of construction and demolition waste (CDW) resulted while construction, renovation, & devasting of structures. Excavated soil is a part of CDW and there is significant proportion of excavated soil, which is lying un-utilized or used for construction of sub-base in pavement. The excavated soil and brick waste are utilized in production of soil-stabilized bricks (SSB). In this study the SSB are developed by using 5% cement, 50% brick waste, and 50% excavated soil. This study evaluated the environment impacts of a SSB and conventional brick by using life cycle assessment (LCA) approach as per ISO 14040. LCA was performed with SimaPro 9.3.0 software. Environmental Impact classification i.e., climate change, ozone depletion, acidification & eutrophication, human-toxicity & particulate matter formation was estimated and interpreted. The incorporation of CDW in SSB resulted 54% reduction in CO2 emissions. The production of SSB would lead to sustainable use and significant saving in natural resources.