Avaliação ambiental comparativa de blocos de concreto e cerâmicos para alvenaria de vedação

Abstract

The construction sector has a relevant environmental impact due to the intensive use of natural resources, high energy demand, and associated emissions, with vertical enclosure systems playing an important role in this context. This study analyzed and compared the environmental performance of ceramic and concrete blocks used in masonry walls based on a critical review of twelve studies that applied the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, considering different functional units, system boundaries, and impact assessment methods. The results indicate that no material can be considered environmentally superior in all analyzed scenarios, as concrete blocks generally present higher impacts related to Global Warming Potential, mainly due to Portland cement use and clinker production, while ceramic blocks concentrate their main impacts in the clay firing stage, which is strongly influenced by fuel type and kiln efficiency. Methodological differences among studies were also found to significantly affect the results and limit direct comparisons, although there is convergence regarding the identification of environmental hotspots associated with clinker production, clay firing processes, and thermal and electrical energy consumption, highlighting the relevance of LCA as a decision-support tool in the construction sector.