Life Cycle Analysis for the Concept Design of a Smart Mobile Factory (SMF) for Infrastructure Construction Projects

This research paper investigates the environmental implications of an innovative concept of a Smart Mobile Factory (SMF) for infrastructure construction projects. The paper is part of the research project Smart Mobile Factory for infrastructure projects (SMF4INFRA). Traditionally, the prefabrication is organized in a centralized manner in fixed factories, with big lot sizes and long lead times. Specifically, in the case of linear infrastructure construction projects, where the construction site needs to move as the construction progresses, centralized manufacturing creates high environmental impacts. The SMF is a mobile manufacturing unit that moves with the construction site, thereby reducing transportation distances and associated environmental impacts. The study compares three different SMF variants - concrete-based, wood-based, and pneumatic-based - in the context of a hyperloop track construction between Zurich and Geneva (CH). The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is employed to evaluate and compare the environmental impacts of these three variants. The results indicate that the pneumatic-based SMF variant has the least environmental impact when considering factors such as transportation, assembly, disassembly, and the materials used in the components of the SMF. The paper concludes by suggesting future research directions. It proposes the development of a dynamic LCA that includes the operations of SMF to produce, transport and install hyperloop tubes. Furthermore, it recommends integrating this system into a Digital Twin environment for improved monitoring and control of the environmental impacts.