As the architecture and construction industry places an increased emphasis on sustainability, building researchers are seeking more comprehensive methods to evaluate and reduce a building's environmental impacts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as one of the most capable tools to aid in this assessment. Presently there are no guiding principles for the use of LCA in the building industry. This thesis aims to provide guidelines to help architects utilize LCA methodology as part of the design process. This study reviews a number of previously-completed whole-building LCA case-studies to understand different LCA scenarios of use in the building industry. In addition, a set of North American and international LCA tools were evaluated for their utility in different scenarios. The state of research was assessed to find answers to some critical issues concerning LCA. Based on these analyses, a number of scenarios of use of LCA were identified and a set of guidelines was proposed to conduct LCA for buildings. It was concluded that the present use of LCA is limited due to limited tool capabilities, deficient databases and lack of a building-specific methodology. The study recognizes these limitations and recommends specific research opportunities for future researchers. However, it is concluded that approximate LCA results obtained from the tools available today can be useful in informing design-decisions, keeping in mind the lack of precision in the results.

<p>The purpose of this master thesis is to develop a model for assessing cost effectiveness of facility layouts. A critical literature review of the available relevant models as well as theories was performed in accordance to this purpose. After this a model was developed in order to cover lacks in existing theories. The aim of the model is to evaluate different facility layouts, from both economical and working environmental aspects. The model as a whole is about evaluating, creating and selecting the most preferable facility layout. In this thesis a case study has been performed for testing the developed model. The case company for this testing was the Mail Terminal in Alvesta, which is a part of Posten Sweden AB. The mail terminal receives, sorts and distributes the mail further. The result of this thesis is that, by following the model the authors were able to evaluate all the layouts and also to create the most preferable one. This thesis provides a general model in a structured way, primary aimed to be used for manufacturing companies. Further researches could be to test the model on service producing companies and to define to what extent the model can be generalised.</p> / <p>Syftet med denna magisteruppsats är att utveckla en modell för att utvärdera kostnadseffektiviteten av anläggningslayouter. En kritisk litteraturundersökning av tillgängliga relevanta modeller samt teorier genomfördes i enlighet med syftet. Därefter utvecklades en modell för att täcka brister i existerande teorier. Syftet med modellen är att utvärdera olika layouter, från både ett ekonomiskt- och arbetsmiljös- perspektiv. Modellen i sin helhet handlar om att utvärdera, skapa och välja den mest fördelaktiga layouten. En fallstudie har genomförts i denna uppsats för att testa den skapade modellen. Fallföretaget för att testa modellen var Postterminalen i Alvesta, som är en del av Posten Sverige AB. Postterminal tar emot, sorterar och distribuerar posten vidare. Resultatet av denna uppsats är att genom att använda modellen lyckades författarna utvärdera alla layouter och även skapa den mest fördelaktiga layouten. Denna uppsats bidrar med en strukturerad generell model, som främst riktar sig till producerande företag. Fortsatt forskning skulle kunna vara att testa modellen på service baserade företag och att definiera till vilken omfattning man kan generalisera modellen.</p>

Sediment control devices (SCDs) are critical to reducing the contamination of waterways from adjacent construction sites. Perimeter sediment controls retard the flow of surface runoff water originating on site and subsequently reduce solid, nutrient, and metal concentrations suspended in the flowing water. Silt fence is a commonly used SCD comprised of geotextile filter fabric, steel or wood support posts, and wire mesh reinforcement. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) uses an extensive amount of silt fence every year, and because of high degradation of geotextile in the field, the silt fence installations are rarely recycled. This research measures the performance of five SCDs (two types of silt fence, mulch berm, compost sock, and straw bales) at suspended solid, turbidity, nutrient, and metal reduction. A life cycle analysis (LCA) is performed to identify environmental impacts associated with material production, assembly, installation, use on site, and disposal. An impact analysis is performed according to for each SCD. Results of the impact analysis are compared to determine the SCD with lowest overall environmental impact. Results of the SCD performance study show that silt fence installations performed the best at reducing suspended solids and turbidity, mulch was best at reducing nutrients, and compost was the best at reducing metal concentrations. The life cycle impact analysis indicates that a mulch berm is the SCD with the lowest overall environmental impact. The impact analysis included global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, and aquatic toxicity.

Digital preservation is a relatively new subject to Swedish archives. Alhough computers have been used for a long time, preservation has been made on paper and stored on shelves. These days a lot of cities in Sweden have investigated how to best secure the digital information for the future through electronic archiving, e-archives. One option is to hand in the information as soon as possible, but to let the producer keep the information ownership yet some time. The idea is to let the producers of the information answer questions and hand out material, since they are more competent on their field. This thesis analyzes how five different cities have organized the submission of information. I have used archiving models and interviews. For comparison the cities creating their e-archives have been set against Stockholm. There archive has been up and running for some time. The conclusion is that the solution using a transfer archive could be useful, if the material has got a lot of secrecy and one needs specific knowledge to handle the questions. The theoretical framework has been the life cycle model versus the records continuum model. Swedish city archives embrace the continuum approach early in the creation of the information, but the archivists believe in the life cycle model where all long term preservation comes to the point where no further changes can be done, to protect the authenticity of the information. Two years master’s thesis in Archive, Library and Museum studies. Archival science.

In the past few decades, globalization has led to a world economy with unbounded consumption. In addition to the consequential impoverishment of natural resources, this large consumption produces copious amounts of waste and requires high energy use. Proper end-of-life strategies can help to reduce the global impact of these inefficiencies. The objective of this thesis is to demonstrate, through life-cycles analyses of an automotive transfer case and a gear, the positive environmental impact of remanufacturing strategies compared to recycling and disposal end-of-life strategies. In this study, the energy consumption, the air emissions and the wastes resulting from the entire supply chain s engineering processes will be quantitatively evaluated through calculations and also industrial or governmental data. In disposal end-of-life strategies, the analysis will begin with the ore mining phase, will go through material refining and processing; and eventually end with the final parts machining. In recycling scenarios and remanufacturing scenarios, the analysis will begin with the used material collection, will go through material s reprocessing or refurbishing and will finally end with the new or renewed parts machining. This study will show the significant impact of high energy consumption processes such as electrolysis of aluminum and metal melting. It will also show how shipping and collection phases can dramatically change or annihilate the advantage of sustainable reuse scenarios depending on the sorting strategies adopted in the supply chain. To conclude, the goal of this research is to demonstrate how remanufacturing strategies can reduce the energy consumption, air emissions and waste. This thesis will also show how inappropriate supply chain management can negate the impact of these savings.

Les produits avec des phases d'usage multiple sont de plus en plus pris en considération a du fait des pressionséconomiques et environnementales. Ces produits aux cycles de vie complexes, utilisent des process tels que leremanufacturing. Ces process doivent être modélisés et évaluée par des équipes de conception. Cette thèse montrecomment représenter, modéliser et évaluer des produits en cycle de vie à boucle fermées. L'étude montre commentétablir des évaluations environnementales pour ces produits et les comparer aux évaluations environnementales decycles de vie classiques.Les modèles ont été développés sur des travaux antérieurs, tels que la méthodologie de Gehin et al. basée sur leconcept du brique du cycle de vie produit. La première approche proposée sert pour évaluer les bénéficesenvironnementaux des opérations et des activités autour du cycle de vie de produit en boucle fermée(remanufacturing scénario de fin de vie et systèmes de produit-service comme stratégie de vente des services).L'introduction de systèmes produit-service vise à réduire les impacts environnementaux de produits parl'intensification de l'utilisation. Ainsi, la thèse propose un modèle pour évaluer les éléments de systèmes produitsserviceet leur cycle de vie du point de vue environnemental. La thèse se concentre sur l'élaboration d'un modèle quiintègre le cycle de vie d’un produit-service système et ses paramètres, en tenant en compte des éléments physiques,ainsi que de l'infrastructures, la conception des unités de services, les acteurs dans la logistique et leurs interactions.Les modèles permettent d’identifier et de distinguer les différentes phases du cycle de vie du produit et de réajuster ladécision des concepteurs dans le processus de conception du produit. De plus, le modèle cherche l'intégration desparamètres du process de remanufacturing et des systèmes produit-service dans l'ensemble du cycle de vie duproduit. Les modèles visent à aider la conception de produits et de processus, ainsi que les acteurs de la chaîneapprovisionnement et les personnes chargées de la prise de décision sur la conception du produit et deschangements dans le système.Les résultats peuvent être utilisés, afin d'évaluer la performance environnementale des différents scénarios de fin devie des produits, fournissant un outil pour les concepteurs qui permet de quantifier les avantages environnementauxliés à l'utilisation des produits en cycle de vie en boucle fermée. / Products with multiple use phases have to be considered regarding new economic and environmental pressures.Therefore, the related complex life cycles of (re)manufactured products have to be modeled and assessed by designteams for a better understanding of their performance. This thesis presents methodologies to represent, model andassess closed-loop product lifecycle (focused on remanufacturing strategies). The study shows how to establishenvironmental assessments for remanufactured products life cycles and how to compare them to environmentalassessments for classical life cycles.The present study shows how to establish the models and how to compare the environmental assessments ofremanufactured products life cycles vs. classical life cycle scenarios. The objective is to provide easy to use methodsand tools for designers to allow them quantifying the environmental benefits related to the use of a closed loopstrategy. In this project, a life cycle assessment, life cycle bricks, and a parametric model of the products are used toevaluate and compare the environmental benefits provided by the remanufacturing. The methodologies and modelshave been developed based on previous works, such as the the life cycle bricks concept developed by Gehin et al.[2007].On the other hand, the thesis proposes a model to assess the product-service systems elements and their respectivelife cycle from an environmental point of view. Here, the thesis focuses on the development of a model whichintegrates the product lifecycle within those parameters by a product-service system strategy, taking into accountphysical elements, as well as the infrastructures network, unit services design, supply chain actors and theirinteractions.Finally, a model has been developed to assess from an environmental point of view the data of the operations andactivities around product life cycle of the products with final non classic disposition scenarios (remanufacturing asend-of-life scenario and multiple uses by the disposition of the service offers system as a business strategy). Themethodologies and models proposed allow identifying and distinguishing impacts between the different product lifecycle stages and readjust the designers’ decision at the product design stage. The results can be further used insimulation, to evaluate the environmental performance of different product life cycle end-of-life scenarios.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The concrete is the principal featured in the construction industry, in terms of volume and demand of natural resources for its production. It is need to seek sustainability through researches to assist in the upgrade industry. Studies for this purpose have been gaining ground in different areas, and exploring important information to human knowledge. Besides the environmental assessment, it is interesting to apply economic aspects. This research seeks to assess the sustainability of structural concrete by durability testing of carbonation in the laboratory and analyzing the modular Life Cycle Assessment (LCA - m) through the computer program SimaPro and Life Cycle Costs Analysis (LCCA). Evaluated the sustainability assessment of a reinforced concrete pillar of a standard building in Santa Maria region, RS - Brazil, ranging from the cement type (CPII - Z, CPIV and CPV-ARI) and characteristic strength levels (fck 30 and 50 MPa), since the phases of production, use, maintenance and deconstruction/recycling of this functional unit (period between cradle-togate). It is useful life was estimate by the analysis of carbonation coefficients, by natural and accelerated methods. It was conclude that the increase in concrete strength from 30 to 50 MPa is favorable in all the studied factors. The cement variation was decisive for fck = 30 MPa, for the life of the project for minimum standard was not met with CPIV and CPV-ARI. The cement CPII-Z achieved the best results. / O concreto é o principal destaque na indústria da construção, em termos de volume e demanda de recursos naturais para sua produção. É preciso buscar sua sustentabilidade, através de pesquisas que auxiliem na atualização da indústria. Estudos com esta finalidade vêm ganhando espaço nas diferentes áreas, e explorando informações importantes para o conhecimento humano. Além da avaliação ambiental, torna-se interessante a aplicação de aspectos econômicos. Esta pesquisa busca avaliar quantitativamente a sustentabilidade do concreto estrutural através de ensaio de durabilidade à carbonatação em laboratório utilizando Análise do Ciclo de Vida modular (ACV-m) por meio do programa computacional SimaPro e do Custo do Ciclo de Vida (CCV). Avaliou-se a sustentabilidade de um pilar de concreto armado de uma edificação padrão da região de Santa Maria, RS Brasil, variando-se o tipo de cimento (CPII-Z, CPIV e CPV-ARI) e níveis de resistência característica à compressão (fck 30 e 50 MPa), desde as fases de produção, de uso, de manutenção e de desconstrução/reciclagem desta unidade funcional estrutural (período compreendido entre berço e o túmulo). Sua vida útil foi estimada pela análise dos coeficientes de carbonatação, por meio dos métodos natural e acelerado. Concluiu-se que o acréscimo da resistência do concreto de 30 para 50 MPa é favorável em todos os fatores estudados. A variação do cimento foi decisiva para fck = 30 MPa, pois a vida útil de projeto mínima por norma não foi atingida com CPIV e CPV-ARI. O cimento CPII-Z obteve os melhores resultados.

Com a crescente demanda do mercado de tintas por produtos mais sustentáveis, toda a cadeia produtiva tem se movimentado para oferecer soluções neste âmbito. Para contemplar o pilar ambiental da sustentabilidade, a redução de Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis (VOC), de alquilfenol etoxilados (APEO) e a substituição de matérias-primas de origem fóssil por vegetal nas formulações de tintas são algumas das práticas em expansão neste setor. No presente estudo, os perfis de impactos ambientais de duas tintas imobiliárias base água foram comparados aplicando-se a metodologia de Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) (ABNT NBR ISO 14040 e 14044). Primeiramente, foram desenvolvidas duas fórmulas genéricas não comerciais de tinta standard (ABNT NBR 15079): \"Tinta A\" com matérias-primas de uso convencional e \"Tinta B\" com algumas matérias-primas alternativas, que hipoteticamente contribuiriam com um melhor desempenho ambiental do produto final. Em seguida, ambas fórmulas foram reproduzidas em laboratório, as amostras das tintas foram submetidas a testes de desempenho técnico e com os dados obtidos determinou-se os fluxos de referência para cumprir a unidade funcional definida por cobrir 36 m2 de parede de alvenaria interior por um período mínimo de 4 anos (ABN NBR 15575-1). A ACV tem quatro fases: objetivo e definição do escopo, análise de inventário, avaliação do impacto ambiental e interpretação. Com os objetivos e escopo do estudo definidos, foi realizada uma abrangente coleta de dados, majoritariamente secundários, para possibilitar a Análise de Inventário (ICV). Posteriormente, o ciclo de vida das tintas foi modelado e analisado no software SimaPro 8.2 e na fase de Avaliação de Impactos do Ciclo de Vida (AICV) foi selecionado o método ReCiPe Midpoint (H) v.1.12. Para as sete categorias de impacto analisadas, a \"Tinta B\" apresentou perfil de impactos ambientais reduzido em relação a \"Tinta A\": Mudanças Climáticas (-18,6%), Formação de Oxidantes Fotoquímicos (-19%), Toxicidade Humana (-17,7%), Ecotoxicidade (-30,5%), Depleção de Recursos Fósseis (18,8%), Depleção de Recursos Minerais (-21,4%) e Depleção de Recursos Hídricos (-18,7%). Os resultados do estudo, reforçam a importância da ACV como uma ferramenta eficaz para mensurar o desempenho ambiental de tintas. No entanto, a falta de disponibilidade de dados primários dos processos de toda a cadeia produtiva de tintas dificulta a execução de estudos e compromete a precisão dos resultados. Destaca-se ainda, que a perspectiva do ciclo de vida de produtos e processos foi incluída como requisito da nova versão da norma ISO 14001, que é do interesse de toda a cadeia de valor, portanto, vale considerar a aplicação da ACV na indústria de tintas. / The demand for sustainable products in the paint market has been steadily growing and is pushing the whole production chain to offer solutions following this scenario. The reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) and the substitution of raw materials of fossil origin by vegetable in the formulations of paints are some of the practices increasing among this sector to meet the environmental sustainability pillar. In the present study, the environmental impact profiles of two water-based architectural paints were compared applying the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology (ABNT NBR ISO 14040 and 14044). Firstly, two generic non-commercial formulas of standard paint (ABNT NBR 15079) were developed: \"Paint-A\" with conventional raw materials and \"Paint- B\" containing some alternative raw materials, which would hypothetically contribute to a better environmental performance of the final product. Then both formulas were reproduced in the laboratory and the samples of the paints were submitted to technical performance tests. With the data obtained, the reference flows were determined to fulfill the functional unit defined by covering 36 m2 of interior masonry wall by a minimum period of 4 years (ABN NBR 15575-1). The LCA has four phases: goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, environmental impact assessment and interpretation. After goal and scope definition, a comprehensive data collection was carried to enable the Inventory Analysis (LCI). Afterwards, the life cycle of the paints was modeled and analyzed in the SimaPro 8.2 software and in the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) phase the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) v.1.12 method was selected. Within seven impact categories analyzed, \"Paint-B\" presented a reduced environmental impact profile compared to \"Paint-A\": Climate Change (-18.6%), Photochemical Oxidants Formation (-19%), Human Toxicity (-18.5%), Ecotoxicity (-30.5%), Fossil Resources Depletion (18.8%), Mineral Resources Depletion (-21.4%) and Water Resources Depletion (-18.7%). The results of the study strengthen the importance of LCA as an effective tool for measuring the environmental performance of paints. However, the lack of availability of primary process data throughout the paint production chain makes it difficult to carry out studies and compromises the accuracy of the results. It is also relevant to highlight that the product and process lifecycle perspective was included as a requirement of the new version of the ISO 14001 standard, which is a matter of concern to the entire value chain, so it is worth considering the application of LCA in the paints industry.

A Gestão do Ciclo de Vida (LCM) pode ser entendida como uma abordagem para melhorar continuamente o desempenho em sustentabilidade da organização e de seus produtos e serviços por meio da incorporação do pensamento de ciclo de vida nas práticas de negócio. Entretanto, faltam instrumentos de gestão para auxiliar na sua operacionalização e implementação. Nesse sentido cabe destacar as possibilidades advindas da abordagem de Gestão por Processos de Negócio (BPM), que visa a reestruturação e otimização das atividades organizacionais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e analisar as relações entre essa duas abordagens, verificando as possibilidades de contribuições entre elas. Para isso foi conduzida uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática para identificar as definições e práticas de BPM e LCM, que foram utilizadas para a elaboração de definições de trabalho e para a análise das relações entre as práticas e os processos de negócio. Adicionalmente, foi realizado um estudo bibliométrico para identificar relações entre as duas áreas de pesquisa, a partir do qual é possível afirmar que não há referencial teórico compartilhado entre as duas áreas. Em contrapartida, os resultados da análise de publicações indicam que as práticas de BPM estão relacionadas com os processos de negócio e com o desempenho da organização, e que muitas práticas de LCM estão sendo aplicadas nos processos de negócio, havendo assim uma relação indireta entre as abordagens. Além disso, foram identificadas oportunidades de contribuição relacionados a teoria e prática dessas abordagens: BPM possui um conjunto de práticas para a gestão e melhoria dos processos com base no planejamento estratégico, enquanto LCM possui elementos e práticas que visam a sustentabilidade do ciclo de vida de produtos. / Life cycle management (LCM) is an approach for continuously improve the sustainability performance in organizations and its products through the incorporation of life cycle thinking in business practices. However, there are few management instruments to support this approach. Aiming to meet this demand, the purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship of LCM with Business Process Management, which aims at continuous improvement of organizational activities. A systematic literature review was conduct to identify BPM and LCM definitions and practices, which were used to define BPM and LCM and to analyze the relationship between practices and business process. Additionally, a bibliometric study was conducted to identify relationships between the two areas and its results shows that there are no conceptual framework shared between two. In constrast, the results indicate that BPM practices are related to business processes and organizational performance, and that many LCM practices are being applied into business processes, thus having an indiredt relationship between approaches. In addition, opportunities related to theory and practice are indentified: BPM has a set of practices for the management and improvement of process based on strategic planning, while LCM has elements and practices aimed at sustainability of the life cycle of products.

The purpose of this master thesis is to develop a model for assessing cost effectiveness of facility layouts. A critical literature review of the available relevant models as well as theories was performed in accordance to this purpose. After this a model was developed in order to cover lacks in existing theories. The aim of the model is to evaluate different facility layouts, from both economical and working environmental aspects. The model as a whole is about evaluating, creating and selecting the most preferable facility layout. In this thesis a case study has been performed for testing the developed model. The case company for this testing was the Mail Terminal in Alvesta, which is a part of Posten Sweden AB. The mail terminal receives, sorts and distributes the mail further. The result of this thesis is that, by following the model the authors were able to evaluate all the layouts and also to create the most preferable one. This thesis provides a general model in a structured way, primary aimed to be used for manufacturing companies. Further researches could be to test the model on service producing companies and to define to what extent the model can be generalised. / Syftet med denna magisteruppsats är att utveckla en modell för att utvärdera kostnadseffektiviteten av anläggningslayouter. En kritisk litteraturundersökning av tillgängliga relevanta modeller samt teorier genomfördes i enlighet med syftet. Därefter utvecklades en modell för att täcka brister i existerande teorier. Syftet med modellen är att utvärdera olika layouter, från både ett ekonomiskt- och arbetsmiljös- perspektiv. Modellen i sin helhet handlar om att utvärdera, skapa och välja den mest fördelaktiga layouten. En fallstudie har genomförts i denna uppsats för att testa den skapade modellen. Fallföretaget för att testa modellen var Postterminalen i Alvesta, som är en del av Posten Sverige AB. Postterminal tar emot, sorterar och distribuerar posten vidare. Resultatet av denna uppsats är att genom att använda modellen lyckades författarna utvärdera alla layouter och även skapa den mest fördelaktiga layouten. Denna uppsats bidrar med en strukturerad generell model, som främst riktar sig till producerande företag. Fortsatt forskning skulle kunna vara att testa modellen på service baserade företag och att definiera till vilken omfattning man kan generalisera modellen.