Towards Automated Building Life Cycle Assessments: A Novel Approach Using Large Language Models and the COMPAS Framework

Abstract

The Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, urgently requires innovative approaches to upscale life cycle assessment (LCA) for both new and existing projects to meet emission reduction targets. This can be done through further automation of LCA. However, traditional methods for conducting LCAs face challenges due to the manual and time-consuming process of data synthesis from heterogeneous sources and the interoperability issues among various software tools used by different stakeholders. This research introduces a novel automated LCA workflow leveraging the synergies between large language models (LLMs) and the open-source computational framework COMPAS. By combining the cognitive capabilities of LLMs for processing unstructured data with the computational precision of COMPAS for handling 3D geometries, we propose a system capable of conducting LCAs across diverse data sources with minimal manual intervention. Our methodology involves segmenting the LCA process into several modules, including material data extraction, geometry data conversion, material and geometry data integration, life cycle inventory (LCI) data association, LCA calculation, and output integration. This modular approach streamlines the LCA process, improving scalability, and also facilitates its adaptation to different project scales and complexities. A prototypical implementation using the NEST HiLo project demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed approach. It shows particular promise for reducing the manual labour involved in integrating data that is stored in inconsistent ways. This research marks a step towards achieving fully automated LCA workflows, enhancing the capacity for comprehensive environmental assessments in both the planning stages of ongoing projects and the evaluation of existing built projects, thus promoting more sustainable construction practices across the industry.