Development of a Carbon Calculator forUnderground Utility Construction

Destructive effects of Green House Oas (OHO) emissions on the environment such as climate change
and global warming are some oftoday’s major concerns. According to the “Environmental Protection
Agency” (EPA) U.S 2010, construction is the third highest source ofOHO emission between other
industrial sections. Underground utility construction projects are considered as one of the major areas
of the construction projects. Also Underground infrastructure is aging across North America; hence
rehabilitation or new installation of pipelines and facilities has become inevitable. 1bis raises the need
to study the carbon emissions associated with different underground construction projects.
Furthermore, a local based carbon calculator is required to be developed that would consider the site
specifics, pipeline properties, equipment and specifications used in Edmonton for infrastructure
construction projects. Hence, the objective of this project is to develop a user friendly carbon
calculator, which helps designers to evaluate environmental impacts of each underground construction
methods in the feasibility study phase.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alireza Bayat

Student:

Partner:

City of Edmonton

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services; Public administration

University:

University of Alberta

Program: