Life Cycle Assessment Workflow
The LifeCycleAssessment_Toolkit is best understood through a workflow diagram describing its inputs, processes and outputs.
Objects: These are typically building elements (structural columns, MEP ducts) created within a digital workspace (Revit, Rhino or Grasshopper), these objects can be from any model at any stage.
Environmental Product Declaration Datasets: These are BHoM Datasets which are collections of Environmental Product Declarations that contain life-cycle environmental impact information (embodied carbon/global warming potential) related to your objects that come from various independently verified and registered documents and sources.
Material Template: The Material Template is typically an Excel sheet where you are able to assemble a series of BHoM materials that consist of a Density, an Environmental Product Declaration (an entry from a Dataset), and a MaterialName. The material name should match the object's material name or names - depending on the number of layers (think of a layered wall or floor assembly.) These material names could be assigned in Revit, or they can be assigned directly within your BHoM workflow.
Environmental Results: This is a Query Engine Method that allows you to input your elements/objects (Structural Columns, MEP Ducts) through the elementM input, your Material Template (materials by name mapped to their densities and EPDs) through the templateMaterials input, and the appropriate environmental metric (Climate Change Total aka Embodied Carbon) via the metricFilter input. By using an 'Explode' component you can see the A-D results broken down (generally stored in A1-A3 for most generic EPDs). You may also use the 'TotalMaterialBreakdown' Query Engine Method to view your results.