Calculate embodied carbon and lifecycle emissions for construction materials and projects. Support sustainable design decisions with carbon data.
npx skills add https://github.com/datadrivenconstruction/DDC_Skills_for_AI_Agents_in_Construction --skill lifecycle-carbon-calculator
Calculate embodied carbon (EC) and lifecycle carbon emissions for construction materials, assemblies, and projects. Support sustainable design decisions and carbon reduction targets.
Carbon calculation supports:
from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional
from enum import Enum
import pandas as pd
class LifecycleStage(Enum):
A1_A3 = "Product Stage (A1-A3)" # Raw materials, transport, manufacturing
A4 = "Transport to Site (A4)"
A5 = "Construction (A5)"
B1_B7 = "Use Stage (B1-B7)" # Maintenance, repair, replacement
C1_C4 = "End of Life (C1-C4)" # Demolition, transport, disposal
D = "Beyond Lifecycle (D)" # Reuse, recycling potential
@dataclass
class MaterialCarbon:
material_id: str
name: str
category: str
unit: str
carbon_a1_a3: float # kgCO2e per unit
carbon_a4: float
carbon_a5: float
carbon_b: float
carbon_c: float
carbon_d: float # Usually negative (credit)
density: float # kg/m³ if applicable
source: str
epd_url: str = ""
@dataclass
class AssemblyCarbon:
assembly_id: str
name: str
materials: List[Dict[str, Any]]
total_carbon: float
carbon_by_stage: Dict[str, float]
@dataclass
class ProjectCarbon:
project_id: str
name: str
gross_area: float
assemblies: List[AssemblyCarbon]
total_embodied_carbon: float
carbon_per_area: float
carbon_by_stage: Dict[str, float]
carbon_by_category: Dict[str, float]
benchmark_comparison: Dict[str, Any]
class LifecycleCarbonCalculator:
"""Calculate lifecycle carbon for construction."""
# Sample material carbon data (kgCO2e per unit)
DEFAULT_MATERIALS = {
'concrete_30mpa': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='C30', name='Concrete 30MPa', category='Concrete',
unit='m³', carbon_a1_a3=300, carbon_a4=5, carbon_a5=2,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=10, carbon_d=-20, density=2400,
source='EPD Database'
),
'concrete_40mpa': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='C40', name='Concrete 40MPa', category='Concrete',
unit='m³', carbon_a1_a3=350, carbon_a4=5, carbon_a5=2,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=10, carbon_d=-20, density=2400,
source='EPD Database'
),
'steel_rebar': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='REBAR', name='Steel Reinforcing Bar', category='Steel',
unit='kg', carbon_a1_a3=1.99, carbon_a4=0.05, carbon_a5=0.02,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=0.05, carbon_d=-0.5, density=7850,
source='WorldSteel EPD'
),
'steel_structural': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='STEEL', name='Structural Steel', category='Steel',
unit='kg', carbon_a1_a3=1.55, carbon_a4=0.05, carbon_a5=0.03,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=0.05, carbon_d=-0.8, density=7850,
source='AISC EPD'
),
'timber_clt': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='CLT', name='Cross-Laminated Timber', category='Timber',
unit='m³', carbon_a1_a3=-500, carbon_a4=10, carbon_a5=5,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=50, carbon_d=-100, density=500,
source='AWC EPD'
),
'gypsum_board': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='GYP', name='Gypsum Board 12.5mm', category='Finishes',
unit='m²', carbon_a1_a3=3.2, carbon_a4=0.2, carbon_a5=0.1,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=0.3, carbon_d=-0.1, density=10,
source='EUROGYPSUM EPD'
),
'insulation_mineral': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='INS_MW', name='Mineral Wool Insulation', category='Insulation',
unit='m³', carbon_a1_a3=45, carbon_a4=2, carbon_a5=1,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=5, carbon_d=-2, density=40,
source='EURIMA EPD'
),
'glass_double': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='GLASS', name='Double Glazed Unit', category='Glazing',
unit='m²', carbon_a1_a3=35, carbon_a4=1, carbon_a5=0.5,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=2, carbon_d=-5, density=25,
source='Glass for Europe EPD'
),
'aluminum': MaterialCarbon(
material_id='ALU', name='Aluminum Profile', category='Metals',
unit='kg', carbon_a1_a3=8.0, carbon_a4=0.1, carbon_a5=0.05,
carbon_b=0, carbon_c=0.1, carbon_d=-4.0, density=2700,
source='EAA EPD'
),
}
# Building type benchmarks (kgCO2e/m²)
BENCHMARKS = {
'Office': {'typical': 500, 'good': 350, 'best': 200},
'Residential': {'typical': 400, 'good': 280, 'best': 150},
'Retail': {'typical': 450, 'good': 320, 'best': 180},
'Industrial': {'typical': 350, 'good': 250, 'best': 150},
'Healthcare': {'typical': 700, 'good': 500, 'best': 350},
}
def __init__(self):
self.materials: Dict[str, MaterialCarbon] = dict(self.DEFAULT_MATERIALS)
self.assemblies: Dict[str, AssemblyCarbon] = {}
def add_material(self, material: MaterialCarbon):
"""Add or update a material."""
self.materials[material.material_id] = material
def calculate_material_carbon(self, material_id: str, quantity: float,
stages: List[LifecycleStage] = None) -> Dict:
"""Calculate carbon for a material quantity."""
if material_id not in self.materials:
raise ValueError(f"Unknown material: {material_id}")
material = self.materials[material_id]
if stages is None:
stages = list(LifecycleStage)
carbon_by_stage = {}
total = 0
for stage in stages:
if stage == LifecycleStage.A1_A3:
carbon = material.carbon_a1_a3 * quantity
elif stage == LifecycleStage.A4:
carbon = material.carbon_a4 * quantity
elif stage == LifecycleStage.A5:
carbon = material.carbon_a5 * quantity
elif stage == LifecycleStage.B1_B7:
carbon = material.carbon_b * quantity
elif stage == LifecycleStage.C1_C4:
carbon = material.carbon_c * quantity
elif stage == LifecycleStage.D:
carbon = material.carbon_d * quantity
else:
carbon = 0
carbon_by_stage[stage.value] = carbon
total += carbon
return {
'material_id': material_id,
'material_name': material.name,
'quantity': quantity,
'unit': material.unit,
'total_carbon': total,
'carbon_by_stage': carbon_by_stage
}
def create_assembly(self, assembly_id: str, name: str,
components: List[Dict]) -> AssemblyCarbon:
"""Create an assembly from multiple materials."""
total_carbon = 0
carbon_by_stage = {stage.value: 0 for stage in LifecycleStage}
material_details = []
for comp in components:
material_id = comp['material_id']
quantity = comp['quantity']
result = self.calculate_material_carbon(material_id, quantity)
total_carbon += result['total_carbon']
for stage, carbon in result['carbon_by_stage'].items():
carbon_by_stage[stage] += carbon
material_details.append({
'material': result['material_name'],
'quantity': quantity,
'unit': result['unit'],
'carbon': result['total_carbon']
})
assembly = AssemblyCarbon(
assembly_id=assembly_id,
name=name,
materials=material_details,
total_carbon=total_carbon,
carbon_by_stage=carbon_by_stage
)
self.assemblies[assembly_id] = assembly
return assembly
def calculate_project_carbon(self, project_id: str, project_name: str,
gross_area: float, building_type: str,
quantities: List[Dict]) -> ProjectCarbon:
"""Calculate total project carbon."""
assemblies = []
total_carbon = 0
carbon_by_stage = {stage.value: 0 for stage in LifecycleStage}
carbon_by_category = {}
for qty in quantities:
if 'assembly_id' in qty:
# Use predefined assembly
if qty['assembly_id'] in self.assemblies:
assembly = self.assemblies[qty['assembly_id']]
multiplier = qty.get('multiplier', 1)
scaled_carbon = assembly.total_carbon * multiplier
assemblies.append(AssemblyCarbon(
assembly_id=assembly.assembly_id,
name=assembly.name,
materials=assembly.materials,
total_carbon=scaled_carbon,
carbon_by_stage={k: v * multiplier for k, v in assembly.carbon_by_stage.items()}
))
total_carbon += scaled_carbon
elif 'material_id' in qty:
# Direct material
result = self.calculate_material_carbon(
qty['material_id'], qty['quantity']
)
total_carbon += result['total_carbon']
for stage, carbon in result['carbon_by_stage'].items():
carbon_by_stage[stage] += carbon
# Track by category
material = self.materials[qty['material_id']]
cat = material.category
carbon_by_category[cat] = carbon_by_category.get(cat, 0) + result['total_carbon']
# Calculate metrics
carbon_per_area = total_carbon / gross_area if gross_area > 0 else 0
# Compare to benchmarks
benchmark = self.BENCHMARKS.get(building_type, self.BENCHMARKS['Office'])
benchmark_comparison = {
'carbon_per_area': carbon_per_area,
'typical_benchmark': benchmark['typical'],
'good_benchmark': benchmark['good'],
'best_benchmark': benchmark['best'],
'vs_typical': (carbon_per_area / benchmark['typical'] - 1) * 100,
'rating': self._get_rating(carbon_per_area, benchmark)
}
return ProjectCarbon(
project_id=project_id,
name=project_name,
gross_area=gross_area,
assemblies=assemblies,
total_embodied_carbon=total_carbon,
carbon_per_area=carbon_per_area,
carbon_by_stage=carbon_by_stage,
carbon_by_category=carbon_by_category,
benchmark_comparison=benchmark_comparison
)
def _get_rating(self, carbon: float, benchmark: Dict) -> str:
"""Get rating based on benchmark comparison."""
if carbon <= benchmark['best']:
return 'A (Best Practice)'
elif carbon <= benchmark['good']:
return 'B (Good Practice)'
elif carbon <= benchmark['typical']:
return 'C (Typical)'
else:
return 'D (Above Typical)'
def compare_alternatives(self, base_project: ProjectCarbon,
alternatives: List[Dict]) -> pd.DataFrame:
"""Compare carbon of design alternatives."""
comparisons = [{
'Option': 'Base Design',
'Total Carbon (tCO2e)': base_project.total_embodied_carbon / 1000,
'Carbon/m² (kgCO2e)': base_project.carbon_per_area,
'vs Base': '0%',
'Rating': base_project.benchmark_comparison['rating']
}]
for alt in alternatives:
project = self.calculate_project_carbon(
alt['id'], alt['name'], alt['gross_area'],
alt.get('building_type', 'Office'), alt['quantities']
)
change = (project.total_embodied_carbon - base_project.total_embodied_carbon) / base_project.total_embodied_carbon * 100
comparisons.append({
'Option': alt['name'],
'Total Carbon (tCO2e)': project.total_embodied_carbon / 1000,
'Carbon/m² (kgCO2e)': project.carbon_per_area,
'vs Base': f'{change:+.1f}%',
'Rating': project.benchmark_comparison['rating']
})
return pd.DataFrame(comparisons)
def suggest_reductions(self, project: ProjectCarbon) -> List[Dict]:
"""Suggest carbon reduction opportunities."""
suggestions = []
# Analyze by category
if 'Concrete' in project.carbon_by_category:
concrete_carbon = project.carbon_by_category['Concrete']
if concrete_carbon > project.total_embodied_carbon * 0.3:
suggestions.append({
'category': 'Concrete',
'current_carbon': concrete_carbon,
'suggestion': 'Consider low-carbon concrete (GGBS/PFA replacement)',
'potential_reduction': '20-40%',
'impact': concrete_carbon * 0.3
})
if 'Steel' in project.carbon_by_category:
steel_carbon = project.carbon_by_category['Steel']
if steel_carbon > project.total_embodied_carbon * 0.2:
suggestions.append({
'category': 'Steel',
'current_carbon': steel_carbon,
'suggestion': 'Specify high recycled content steel',
'potential_reduction': '10-25%',
'impact': steel_carbon * 0.2
})
# Benchmark-based suggestions
if project.benchmark_comparison['vs_typical'] > 0:
suggestions.append({
'category': 'Overall',
'current_carbon': project.total_embodied_carbon,
'suggestion': 'Project exceeds typical benchmark - review high-carbon elements',
'potential_reduction': f"{abs(project.benchmark_comparison['vs_typical']):.0f}%",
'impact': project.total_embodied_carbon * abs(project.benchmark_comparison['vs_typical']) / 100
})
return sorted(suggestions, key=lambda x: -x['impact'])
def generate_report(self, project: ProjectCarbon) -> str:
"""Generate carbon assessment report."""
lines = ["# Embodied Carbon Assessment Report", ""]
lines.append(f"**Project:** {project.name}")
lines.append(f"**Gross Area:** {project.gross_area:,.0f} m²")
lines.append(f"**Assessment Date:** {pd.Timestamp.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d')}")
lines.append("")
# Summary
lines.append("## Carbon Summary")
lines.append(f"- **Total Embodied Carbon:** {project.total_embodied_carbon/1000:,.0f} tCO2e")
lines.append(f"- **Carbon Intensity:** {project.carbon_per_area:,.0f} kgCO2e/m²")
lines.append(f"- **Rating:** {project.benchmark_comparison['rating']}")
lines.append("")
# By lifecycle stage
lines.append("## Carbon by Lifecycle Stage")
for stage, carbon in project.carbon_by_stage.items():
if carbon != 0:
pct = carbon / project.total_embodied_carbon * 100
lines.append(f"- {stage}: {carbon/1000:,.1f} tCO2e ({pct:.1f}%)")
lines.append("")
# By category
lines.append("## Carbon by Material Category")
for cat, carbon in sorted(project.carbon_by_category.items(), key=lambda x: -x[1]):
pct = carbon / project.total_embodied_carbon * 100
lines.append(f"- {cat}: {carbon/1000:,.1f} tCO2e ({pct:.1f}%)")
lines.append("")
# Benchmark
lines.append("## Benchmark Comparison")
bc = project.benchmark_comparison
lines.append(f"- Project: {bc['carbon_per_area']:.0f} kgCO2e/m²")
lines.append(f"- Typical: {bc['typical_benchmark']} kgCO2e/m²")
lines.append(f"- Good Practice: {bc['good_benchmark']} kgCO2e/m²")
lines.append(f"- Best Practice: {bc['best_benchmark']} kgCO2e/m²")
lines.append("")
# Reduction opportunities
suggestions = self.suggest_reductions(project)
if suggestions:
lines.append("## Reduction Opportunities")
for sug in suggestions[:5]:
lines.append(f"\n### {sug['category']}")
lines.append(f"- **Suggestion:** {sug['suggestion']}")
lines.append(f"- **Potential Reduction:** {sug['potential_reduction']}")
lines.append(f"- **Impact:** {sug['impact']/1000:,.1f} tCO2e")
return "\n".join(lines)
# Initialize calculator
calc = LifecycleCarbonCalculator()
# Calculate project carbon
project = calc.calculate_project_carbon(
project_id="PROJ-001",
project_name="Office Building",
gross_area=5000,
building_type="Office",
quantities=[
{'material_id': 'concrete_40mpa', 'quantity': 1500}, # m³
{'material_id': 'steel_rebar', 'quantity': 150000}, # kg
{'material_id': 'steel_structural', 'quantity': 200000},
{'material_id': 'gypsum_board', 'quantity': 8000}, # m²
{'material_id': 'glass_double', 'quantity': 1200}, # m²
]
)
print(f"Total Carbon: {project.total_embodied_carbon/1000:,.0f} tCO2e")
print(f"Carbon Intensity: {project.carbon_per_area:,.0f} kgCO2e/m²")
print(f"Rating: {project.benchmark_comparison['rating']}")
# Get reduction suggestions
suggestions = calc.suggest_reductions(project)
for sug in suggestions:
print(f"- {sug['category']}: {sug['suggestion']}")
# Generate full report
report = calc.generate_report(project)
print(report)
pip install pandas
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