Life cycle assessment of a low-height noise barrier for railway traffic noise

Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to assess five locally developed mix designs for a 20 m low-height noise barrier (LHNB) categorized as: precast Portland cement concrete (S0-baseline scenario), two geopolymer composites (S1; S2), and additive-manufactured (S3; S4). The objective of the study is carry out LCA designs, identify environmental hotspots evaluate influence durability service life on results. Environmental impact categories assessed are global warming potential (GWP), fossil depletion, photochemical ozone formation, acidification. Results show that when fixed 40 years chosen all S4 most environmentally sustainable with 73% reduced GWP compared S0. When sensitivity analysis used determine effect varying (10–40 years) S1–S4; shows equivalent better performance than Carbonation considered result up 8% CO2 uptake can be achieved. In conclusion, depicts solutions concepts in improvement potentials LHNB from composites. results this supported decision-making guided development 83% industrial side-streams 0.3% alkali activator maintaining 10 dB absorption capacity.