Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment | Funding Period 2
Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methodologies identify, assess and compare impacts and hotspots of product life cycles for more environmentally, socially, and economically friendly alternatives. LCSA can drive carbon-reinforced concrete (CRC) construction toward sustainable and carbon-neutral scenarios if the results are integrated in the early decision-making processes. In the first funding period, the focus of project E01 was the enhancement of LCSA for material-minimized CRC structures, including the evaluation of the three pillars of sustainability focusing on materials development, design principle, and production. In the second funding period, sustainability requirements and boundary conditions for carbon-neutral CR building components are defined. It is necessary to translate the complex LCSA results into understandable and interpretable requirements for building components.
For this purpose, the E01 team in Aachen develops boundary conditions, enabling easy decision-making based on sustainability performance. Particular efforts will be placed on the definition of circular economy indicators and the impact pathways of social indicators for carbon-reinforced concrete components. Simultaneously, in Dresden, we will advance these boundary conditions by addressing the complexity of interpretation criteria in absolute environmental sustainability assessments for enabling informed decisions, researching the gaps between value conceptions, behavior, and actual sustainability performance among stakeholders in the construction industry, and how to bridge them.
Scientist
![[Translate to English:] Edeltraud Günther](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/b/csm_Guenther_Quadratisch_8296c71fbb.jpg "Prof. Dr. Edeltraud Günther")
D-01062 Dresden (Germany)
![[Translate to English:] Marzia Traverso](/fileadmin/_processed_/0/1/csm_Traverso_Quadratisch_e565fbff63.jpg "Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marzia Traverso")
D-52074 Aachen (Germany)
D-01067 Dresden (Germany)
52074 Aachen (Germany)
Cooperations
Ehemalige | Former involved
Jana Backes (research associate, RWTH Aachen, 07/2020 – 11/2023)
Sustainability assessment for disruptive innovations like carbon-reinforced concrete | Funding Period 1
How can Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) be further developed and communicated in all three pillars: environment – Life Cycle Assessment, economy – Life Cycle Costing, and social – Social Life Cycle Assessment, in such a way that it enables early sustainability predictions in the research of material-minimized carbon-reinforced concrete structures and ensures the design of sustainable disruptive innovation? Project E01 develops tailored sustainability indicators and assessment methods at all three levels, e.g., to adequately address resource efficiency and recyclability in terms of a circular economy strategy (environmental), human health (social), or material flow and life cycle costs (economic). Risk factors, such as high emissions from specific production steps or the use of critical raw materials, and potential trade-offs between the three pillars are identified. In addition, the communication of LCSA results and the support of decision makers in the building sector regarding the sustainability of disruptive innovations is of great relevance.
Within the framework of E01, theseed fund project "Screening study PEFCR – Comparability, harmonisation and communication of the environmental performance of carbon-reinforced concrete" (1st round 2022) will be carried out at RWTH Aachen University.
Publikationen | Publications
Weniger, A.; Chabrawi, A.M.R.O.; Traverso, M. (2025) Method to develop social impact pathways: A case on carbon- and steel reinforced concrete. Developments in the Built Environment, Volume 22, ISSN 2666-1659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2025.100665
Backes, J. G.; Del Rosario, P.; Luthin, A.; Traverso, M. (2022) Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of End-of-Life Scenarios of Carbon-Reinforced Concrete: A Case Study in: Applied Sciences 12, 9255 – DOI: 10.3390/app12189255
Backes, J. G.; Del Rosario, P.; Petrosa, D.; Traverso, M.; Hatzfeld, T.; Günther, E. (2022) Building Sector Issues in About 100 Years: End-of-Life Scenarios of Carbon-Reinforced Concrete Presented in the Context of a Life Cycle Assessment, Focusing the Carbon Footprint in: Processes 10, issue 9, 1791 – DOI: 10.3390/pr10091791
Backes, J. G.; Hinkle-Johnson, R.; Traverso, M. (2023) The Influence of the Functional Unit on the Comparability of Life Cycle Assessments in the Construction Sector: A Systematic Literature Review and Attempt at Unification for Reinforced Concrete in Case Studies in: Construction Materials 18, e01966 – DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e01966
Backes, J. G. M.; Scheurer, M.; Kalthoff, M.; Gries, M.; Matschei, T.; Raupach, M.; Traverso, M. (2022) Sustainability of textile reinforcements for carbon concrete – today and tomorrow in: Stokkeland, S.; Braarud, H. C. [eds.] Concrete Innovation for Sustainability – Proc. for the 6th fib International Congress 2022, 12.–16.06.2022 in Oslo (Norway), Oslo: Novus Press, p. 2130–2138.
Backes, J. G.; Schmidt, L.; Bielak, J.; Del Rosario, P.; Traverso, M.; Claßen, M. (2023) Comparative Cradle-to-Grave Carbon Footprint of a CFRP-Grid Reinforced Concrete Façade Panel in Sustainability 15, 11548 – DOI: 10.3390/su151511548
Backes, J. G.; Steinberg, L. S.; Weniger, A.; Traverso, M. (2023) Visualization and Interpretation of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment—Existing Tools and Future Development in Sustainability 15, 10658 – DOI: 10.3390/su151310658
Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M. (2021) Application of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment in the Construction Sector: A Systematic Literature Review in: Processes 9, issue 7, 1248 – DOI: 10.3390/pr9071248
Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M. (2021) Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment—A Survey Based Potential Future Development for Implementation and Interpretation in: Sustainability 13, issue 24, 13688 – DOI: 10.3390/su132413688
Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M. (2021) Sustainability of disruptive innovation – Cradle-to-gate LCA of Carbon Reinforced Concrete in: Proc. of X Convegno dell’Associazione Rete Italiana LCA, 22.–24.09.2021 in Reggio Calabria (Italien), p. 207–214.
Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M. (2022) Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment as a metrics towards SDGs Agenda 2030 in: Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry 38, 100683 – DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100683
Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M. (2022) Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment in the construction sector – actual application and future outlook in: E3S Web of Conferences 349 (2022) – S. Albrecht, M. Fischer, C. Scagnetti, M. Barkmeyer and A. Braune [eds.] Proc. of LCM 2021, 01.–08.09.2021 in Stuttgart (digital), 2022, 6 pages – DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202234904007
Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M. (2023) Social Life Cycle Assessment in the construction industry – systematic literature review and identification of relevant social indicators for carbon reinforced concrete in: Environment,Development and Sustainability – DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03005-6
Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M.; Horvath, A. (2022) Environmental assessment of a disruptive innovation: comparative cradle-to-gate life cycle assessments of carbon-reinforced concrete building component in: Int J Life Cycle Assess, issue 28, p. 16–37 – DOI: 10.1007/s11367-022-02115-z
Haist, M.; Bergmeister, K.; Fouad, N. A.; Curbach, M.; Deiters, M. V.; Forman, P.; Gerlach, J.; Hatzfeld, T.; Hoppe, J.; Kromoser, B.; Mark, P.; Müller, C.; Müller, H. S.; Scope, C.; Schack, T.; Tietze, M.; Voit, K. (2023) Nachhaltiger Betonbau—Vom CO2- und ressourceneffizienten Beton und Tragwerk zur nachhaltigen Konstruktion in: Fouad, N. A. [ed.] Bauphysik-Kalender 2023, Berlin: Ernst & Sohn, p. 259–364.
Hatzfeld, T.; Backes, J. G.; Scope, C.; Guenther, E.; Traverso, M. (2022) Environmental Assessment of Carbon Reinforced Concrete Recycling Options in: Stokkeland, S.; Braarud, H. C. [eds.] Concrete Innovation for Sustainability – Proc. for the 6th fib International Congress 2022, 12.–16.06.2022 in Oslo (Norway), Oslo: Novus Press, p. 891–900.
Hatzfeld, T.; Backes, J. G.; Guenther, E.; Traverso, M. (2022) Modeling circularity as Functionality Over Use-Time to reflect on circularity indicator challenges and identify new indicators for the circular economyin: Journal of Cleaner Production 379/part 2, 134797 – DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134797
Hatzfeld, T.; Schlüter, D.; Scope, C.; Krois, K.; Guenther, E.; Etzold, B.; Curbach, M. (2022) Rethinking residential energy storage: GHG minimization potential of a Carbon Reinforced Concrete facade with function integrated supercapacitors in: Building and Environment 224, 109520 – DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109520
Hatzfeld, T.; Scope, C. (2022) Recyclingpfade für Carbonbeton in Labor und Praxis: Wie ökologisch nachhaltig? in: C³ – Carbon Concrete Composite e. V. [ed.] Carbonbeton – Die Zeit ist jetzt – Proc. of the 14th Carbon and Textile Concrete Days, 27./28.09.2022 in Dresden, Dresden: C³ – Carbon Concrete Composite e. V., p. 10/11 – https://www.carbon-textilbetontage.de/tagungsband/
Kalthoff, M.; Bosbach, S.; Backes, J.; Morales Cruz, C.; Traverso, M.; Claßen, M.; Raupach, M.; Matschei, T. (2023) Fabrication of lightweight, carbon textile reinforced concrete components with internally nested lattice structure using 2-layer extrusion by LabMorTex in: Construction and Building Materials 395, 132334 – DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132334
Kalthoff, M.; Nebel, H.; Morales Cruz, C.; Schmidt, L.; Weniger, A.; Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M.; Raupach, M.; Matschei, T. (2023) CO2 Curing for Extruded Textile Reinforced Concrete Components – Requirements and Potentials in: Ilki, A.; Çavunt, D.; Çavunt, Y. S. [eds.] Building for the Future: Durable, Sustainable, Resilient – Proc. of fib Symposium 2023, 05.–07.06.2023 in Istanbul (Turkey), publ. in: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 349, Cham: Springer, p. 1265–1274 – DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32519-9_128
Neef, T.; Kalthoff, M.; Müller, S.; Backes, J. G.; Raupach, M.; Matschei, T.; Traverso, M.; Mechtcherine, V. (2023) Extrusion of High Yield Strength Carbon Reinforced Concrete with Mineral Impregnated Rovings in: Ilki, A.; Çavunt, D.; Çavunt, Y. S. [eds.] Building for the Future: Durable, Sustainable, Resilient – Proc. of fib Symposium 2023, 05.–07.06.2023 in Istanbul (Turkey), publ. in: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering 350, Cham: Springer, p. 1568–1576 – DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32511-3_160
Weniger, A.; Del Rosario, P.; Backes, J. G.; Traverso, M. (2023) Consumer Behavior and Sustainability in the Construction Industry—Relevance of Sustainability-Related Criteria in Purchasing Decision in: Buildings 13, issue 3, 638 – DOI: 10.3390/buildings13030638
Wuth, J.; Scope, C. (2021) Nachhaltiges Bauen in der Praxis: Bewertung des Zertifizierungsprozesses der ökologischen Qualität nach DGNB System in: Bauingenieur 96, issue 9, p. 296–308 – DOI: 10.37544/0005-6650-2021-09-40
Dissertation | Doctoral thesis
Jana Gerta Backes:Opportunities, challenges and future development of life cycle sustainability assessment in the construction sector with focus on carbon reinforced concrete [Doktorarbeit | doctoral thesis]. TU Dresden, Datum der mündlichen Prüfung | Date of oral examination: 29.11.2023, publiziert | published: 2023, https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/record/974125/files/974125.pdf | DOI: 10.18154/RWTH-2023-11233
Vorträge und Poster | Oral presentations and posters
Backes, J. G.; Vogelsang, M. E.; Traverso, M. (2021) Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment interpretation and communication Vortrag bei 14th Biennal Int. Conf. on EcoBalance – EcoBalance Conf. 2020, 04./05.03.2021 in Sendai (Japan, digital), 2021, p. 6/7 (book of conf. abstracts) – https://www.ecobalanceconference.org/conference/2020/pdf/EcoBalance2020Abstract_0225.pdf
Studentische Arbeiten | Student's works
Franz, L. (2022) Auswirkungen der EU-Taxonomie auf die Bauindustrie: Herausforderungen für den Neubau [Diplomarbeit | Diploma thesis]
Gleitsmann, M. (2023) Versorgungsrisiken und Vereinbarkeit von Klimazielen in der Baubranche (Tiefbau): Auswirkungen von Krisen und Entwicklungsmaßnahmen von Kraftstoffen unter der Betrachtung von Transportwegen in Abhängigkeit der Kennzahlen für zwei geografisch getrennte Autobahngroßprojekte [Masterarbeit | Master's thesis]
Janetta, K. (2021) Das Verständnis zu sozialer Nachhaltigkeit in der Baupraxis privater Einfamilienhäuser: Eine empirische Untersuchung [Masterarbeit | Master's thesis]
Köhler, A. (2023) Vergleichende Betrachtung der Kreislauffähigkeit zwischen Holz und Beton [Diplomarbeit | Diploma thesis]
Melzer, M. (2021) Ökonomisch-ökologische Bewertung einer Amphibienleiteinrichtung in Carbonbetonbauweise [Diplomarbeit | Diploma thesis]
Rai, A. R. (2023) The Functional Unit in Building Sustainability Assessments [Masterarbeit | Master's thesis]
Riemann, R. (2021) Entwicklung eines Konzepts zur Durchführung und Auswertung einer Stoffstromanalyse für gipshaltige Stoffe in der Region Südharz [Masterarbeit | Master's thesis]
Vocke, K. (2021) How sustainable are concrete reinforcement alternatives? Sustainability assessment of carbon- and glass fiber-reinforced concrete in comparison to conventional steel-reinforced concrete based on Life Cycle Assessment [Masterarbeit | Master's thesis] (mit | with B02)
Wuth, J. (2020) Nachhaltiges Bauen in der Praxis: Hemmnisse in der Umsetzung der ökologischen Kriterien der DGNB e.V. im Neubau [Diplomarbeit | Diploma thesis]