A generic, object-oriented data model for life cycle analysis applications

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) requires the manipulation of a large amount of both quantitative and qualitative data. It is also a continuous and iterative process in which the knowledge of previous steps is always necessary for the realization and understanding of subsequent stages. Current LCA data models are mostly organized as lists from which quantitative data can be extracted and manipulated, subsequently leading to lists of numerical results. Performing an LCA can benefit from more flexible structures that allow for complete or partial treatments and provides links between the successive transformations of various types of information. A generic, object-oriented model is presented, written in ISO/STEP EXPRESS, using the STEP principles.