Advances in science of life cycle assessment (LCA) have set the stage to develop methods that meet global warming potential (GWP) reduction targets for construction materials, specifically, using instruments such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).

EPDs convey GWP information, are mix and plant specific and a large number of them are being produced by industry. Before a process to meet GWP reduction targets is established, there is a need to standardize the collection and analysis of the available EPDs.

In addition, the information in EPDs need to be characterized and aligned with MnDOT construction specifications to support an incentive system as has been used to achieve construction quality goals. A critical challenge is to collaborate with industry partners in promoting the fair and consistent use of EPDs to inform the bidding and procurement process.

In a new project, researchers will provide technical assistance and support to the concrete ready-mix industry to adapt to well informed EPD related practices. The research will collect, classify, and characterize concrete ready-mix EPD data, LCA inventory data and procurement process data. An empirical assessment of the EPD data will provide the foundation for a pilot framework to identify effective ways in which potential contractual incentives can be tied to EPD information. The benefit of this research will be to meet GWP reduction targets based on standards for EPD acceptance levels and regionalized incentive levels. The proposed research methods will build on current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research in sustainable pavements and complement prior work with MnDOT.

“We have a long history of purchasing construction materials based upon anticipated durability and price.  The ability to add global warming potential to the decision making process will require the rapid collection and analysis of materials specific comparable data,” said Curt Turgeon, MnDOT State Pavement Engineer. “This project will initiate the means to consider the global warming potential and other environmental outcomes for the projects and materials specified.”

Objectives

• Develop and pilot a regionalized framework for using LCA based EPDs in the highway construction procurement process. The framework addresses technical and organizational challenges in collecting, analyzing, benchmarking, and integrating EPDs into the procurement process.
• Develop a collaborative relationship with industry partners to inform the framework development and reflect state of the art in knowledge and practice.
• Develop web-based resources for the concrete ready-mix and contracting industry and support with resources to produce EPDs/LCA that are compliant with agency needs.

Project Details

• Estimated Start Date: 11/16/2022
• Estimated Completion Date: 10/31/2024
• Funding: MnDOT
• Principal Investigator: Amlan Mukherjee
• Co-Principal Investigators: Lianna Miller, Tom Van Dam, Michelle Helsel
• Technical Liaison: Curt Turgeon

Details of the research study work plan and timeline are subject to change.

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