The recommended way to carry out a complete Building Life Cycle Assessment, is through our native integration with One Click LCA ®, a powerful yet easy to use LCA and LCC platform. The integration enables DesignBuilder users to:
Note: The One Click LCA integration uses the material names selected in the DesignBuilder model, mapping them to certified data contained in the extensive One Click LCA database. The embodied carbon data entered in the DesignBuilder Materials database is not used in these analyses.
DesignBuilder's One Click LCA integration allows you to automatically submit the materials included in an EnergyPlus model to One Click LCA for analysis and reporting. The process is described below.
1. Set the model up with the required material definitions. This step requires little or no extra work for most simulation models.
The materials data is extracted from the model as follows:
Opaque materials - material quantities are calculated by summing the area and thickness of construction material layers for each surface in the model. The embodied carbon data for each material is defined later within One Click LCA by mapping project materials to data points in their database. DesignBuilder library materials should mostly be automatically mapped.
Glazing
For glazing defined using Detailed layers, the quantity of glass in the model is calculated using the area of windows x number of panes of each.
For glazing defined using the Simple method, the number of panes data is used to multiply a standard glass element of the defined window area.
Component blocks
Component blocks defined with their Level set to 1-Building will be included in the LCA analysis. Component blocks defined with their Level set to 2-Site are not included. The rationale is that such component blocks are typically used to represent other buildings, site objects such as trees and other site objects, and these should not excluded in an LCA analysis.
Additionally, component blocks can individually be switched out of the analysis by unchecking the Shades and reflects checkbox.
For Non-flat component blocks material quantities are included in the report on a volumetric basis using the Component block material setting.
For Flat component blocks with ~ zero thickness, material quantities are included in the report on an area basis. They use the same Component block material setting.
Local shading - Local shading surfaces are included on an area basis using the Local shading Blade material setting.
PV panel - a separate line item for PV panels is included in the data submitted.
Note: PV panels must be connected to a Load centre to be included in the analysis.
2. When the model has been set up as required, click on the One Click LCA toolbar icon 
to start the submission process.
3. As DesignBuilder processes the model, if any errors are encountered, you will be asked if you would like to review them.
Click Yes to open the error log file in the application associated with the .txt file extension, typically a text editor such as Notepad.
If errors are reported, the usual reason is that materials referenced by constructions or component blocks are missing from the model. See example errors below.
4. You will be prompted to save the materials inventory in a spreadsheet report format. Enter the name of the report to be saved on your local machine and press the Save button.
5. Once the report has been created, you will be asked whether you would like to upload it to One Click LCA.
6. At this point, you can check the materials inventory spreadsheet you saved locally to make sure it reflects the data you would expect to see for your model, and if necessary, make any adjustments before uploading it. The screenshot below shows an example materials inventory spreadsheet for a simple model.
7. When you are happy with the report, click on the Yes button to upload it to One Click LCA.
8. To access the data uploaded on the One Click LCA website, you must first sign in using the web form shown below.
9. When signed in you will be presented with the One Click LCA "Settings" page where the process of refinement and reporting begins.
For more information on the integration see:
Note: You should contact One Click LCA to obtain a licence to access their online system from DesignBuilder.