As we approach the deadline of carbon neutrality by 2050 and the world becomes more environmentally conscious, increasing attention is being paid to how the construction industry can adopt more environmentally friendly practices, with structural engineers having a key role to play. Read on as we explore five ways to help you reduce the carbon footprint in your structures.
While everyone has their part to play in enhancing the "green" nature of construction, engineers occupy an important position to really make a difference, being responsible for changing the way our future structures and infrastructures are designed and built.
A more sustainable construction sector may be the overall goal, but many factors contribute to its achievement. Carbon modeling and life-cycle analysis are among them, with a significant proportion of a building's final carbon footprint value being specified at the earliest stages of initial design.
Although not yet a legislative requirement for new construction projects, there is the possibility that carbon footprint reporting may become one in the future, or perhaps even the introduction of a carbon tax. Until then, carbon modeling should become an increasingly common request from customers and developers alike. In fact, we're already seeing it, whether motivated by a "moral" change of mindset or a genuine interest in understanding the value of their building/structure's carbon footprint and seeing how this can be reduced.
So how can engineers work to reduce the carbon footprint of their structures?
1. Calculate carbon footprint**.**
This may seem simple, even excessively obvious, but it's essential that you first have a detailed understanding of the level of carbon the proposed structure contains. Only then can you work to consider and evaluate how this value can be reduced.
Here, a carbon footprint calculation tool can be invaluable, working in tandem with your 3D modeling software to intelligently measure and provide real-time insight into the carbon incorporated into a proposed structure, or even its individual components. Having access to this data from the earliest stages of construction can be invaluable, providing you with the information and, perhaps more importantly, the time you need to assess and work to effectively reduce the structure's carbon impact.
2. Design optimization
In many ways, design optimization is already an expected and integral part of an engineer's role on a project, tasked with engineering to make a structure buildable, cost-effective and efficient. However, it is also a crucial part of reducing carbon footprint levels.
Consider, for example, a standard steel beam or concrete floor slab in a building. By assessing the effectiveness of the component in the context of the wider structure, it may be possible to replace it with a thinner beam or slab, without compromising stability or overall performance. As well as saving time and money, this simple design change could also help reduce the carbon footprint value of the structure.
Using carbon footprint calculation tools, engineers can visualize and evaluate both measures (the amount of carbon present AND the design/resistance) side by side, ensuring that both are taken into account and that the most efficient building design is created.
**3. Compare materials and designs**
An essential part of design optimization is the ability to compare. Only by evaluating the merits and drawbacks of different design iterations, materials, foundation types and column grids can the most efficient scheme be established.
Similarly, where carbon is concerned, this same ability to visualize, evaluate and analyze different viable designs, materials and their respective carbon footprint values can lead to a more informed decision-making process - and overall to the creation of a more environmentally-friendly building.
**4. Reduce waste**
Whether caused by errors at the design stage, or by the inefficient transfer of information to fabricators and contractors, wasted materials can be a major potential problem on any construction project. This could manifest itself in the on-site manufacture and delivery of structural components, only for contractors to discover that they cannot be used due to conflicts with other sections.
In addition to the obvious delays this can cause to the overall project delivery schedule, these errors and the subsequent rework and remanufacturing required to rectify them can also result in excessive carbon output - emissions that could be avoided altogether.
With a 3D model-based workflow and the enhanced visibility and level of detail it offers, engineers can ensure that the proposed structural design is buildable, and that any potential conflicts or problems are detected and resolved before arriving on site, guaranteeing a "right first time" construction process.
**5. Collaborate and communicate**
Effective collaboration and communication are essential on any construction project, whether internal or external communication between stakeholders and contractors, and can often be crucial to project success. Collaboration tools, such as cloud-based Trimble Connect software, have proven essential in facilitating and encouraging this coordinated way of working, and will continue to be so as we meet this sustainability challenge.
It's no secret that "building sustainably" and tackling climate change will require a new way of thinking. It's a new challenge for us all, and we all have a role to play. With this in mind, communication on a much broader level will be essential, as we change our approach to projects and start using new tools, sharing our knowledge and experience with colleagues and project stakeholders.
As an engineer, you can often play a key and influential role in the design of a project, working closely with the customer and other stakeholders to help shape the way it is delivered. As such, it's important to raise your voice on the importance of sustainable construction, with embedded carbon calculation tools being an important part of this "green building" vision.
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To find out more about reducing your carbon footprint with Tekla software, please visit our resource center. If you have any questions or would like to book a demonstration, please don't hesitate to contact us.
