Excavation method determination of earth-retaining wall for sustainable environment and economy: Life cycle assessment based on construction cases in Korea

Abstract

This study describes life cycle assessment (LCA) results of the excavation depth and ground condition of a medium-sized excavation ground in order to examine the effect of construction methods on environmental and economic feasibility for an earth-retaining wall. LCA is con-ducted in consideration of eight environmental impact categories according to the construction stage of the earth-retaining wall. In addition, the environmental cost of construction method for the earth-retaining wall was calculated, and its selection criteria were analyzed based on the calculation results. The evaluation results of the environmental load of construction methods for the earth-retaining wall show that the H-Pile+Earth plate construction method has low economic efficiency be-cause the construction method significantly increased the environmental load due to the increased ecological toxicity. The environmental load characteristics have a greater effect on the selection of construction methods in sandy soil than in composite soil when the excavation depth is the same. The evaluation result of the environmental cost of the construction methods for the earth-retaining wall shows that the environmental cost increased as the excavation depth increased, and the sandy soil conditions have higher environmental costs than complex soil conditions.