A critical review on BIM and LCA integration using the ISO 14040 framework

The application of building information modelling (BIM) in life cycle assessment (LCA) brings significant benefits, resulting in increasing publications in the field of BIM-LCA integration. However, there is no systematic examination on the present status in BIM-LCA integration. In this regard, ISO 14040 standard series provides a systematic framework. This study investigates the latest research development in BIM-LCA integration using ISO 14040 framework. The analysis focused on research studies on data collection, data mapping and data exchange between BIM and LCA data and expression of buildings' environmental impacts from 2012 to 2021. 61 articles have been collected and analysed by using content analysis methods. The results indicate that LCA data sources are well presented in BIM-LCA integration studies but the accessibility of data from BIM model is poor. Moreover, manual work is the most popular method for data exchange. Environmental impacts from buildings are mainly presented in traditional ways such as bar charts and pie charts. This study also reveals that majority of BIM-LCA integration studies focus on comparing design alternatives. Findings of this research study identified several unaddressed issues, such as lack of understanding in applicability of each BIM-LCA integration approach and unified structure between BIM and LCA data. By drawing on these findings, authors provide recommendations on improving BIM-LCA integration, such as recommending to create strategies for selecting suitable integration approaches for different LCA scenarios. This research provides academics and practitioners with a comprehensive understanding in the current development of BIM-LCA integration, and heuristic implications for future studies.