Carbon footprint of expressway bridges based on LCA

Abstract Based on the whole life cycle theory, the research stage of an expressway bridge is divided into six stages: preliminary preparation design stage, production and processing stage of bridge structural materials, transportation stage of materials, on-site construction stage, operation stage and waste recycling stage, and the calculation model of expressway bridge carbon footprint is constructed. Two bridges along the Pingxiang Expressway in Jiangxi Province were chosen as case studies. Their carbon emissions across the entire life cycle were computed using the bill of quantities. Findings indicate that the material production stage accounts for the highest proportion of carbon emissions throughout the life cycle, whereas the construction stage registers the lowest proportion. Lastly, the results are compared with existing research to validate the feasibility and accuracy of the calculation model.