14.4 Sustainability and resilience in structural design

Sustainability in structural design is all about making buildings that are kind to the planet. It's not just about using eco-friendly materials, but also thinking about how a building impacts the environment throughout its entire life.

Resilience is the other side of the coin. It's about creating structures that can take a beating from natural disasters and bounce back. This approach helps buildings last longer and stay safer, even in the face of climate change.

Sustainable Materials and Certifications

Life Cycle Assessment and Embodied Carbon

Top images from around the web for Life Cycle Assessment and Embodied Carbon

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Life Cycle Assessment and Embodied Carbon

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | A Guideline for Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Capture and Utilization View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Life cycle assessment evaluates environmental impacts of materials throughout their entire lifespan
  • Includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal
  • Helps identify areas for improvement in sustainability
• Embodied carbon refers to total greenhouse gas emissions associated with material production and construction
  • Accounts for CO2 released during manufacturing, transportation, and installation
  • Differs from operational carbon, which relates to building energy use during its lifetime
• Reducing embodied carbon involves selecting low-carbon materials (timber, recycled steel)
• Optimizing material usage and minimizing waste during construction lowers overall environmental impact

Green Building Materials and Certifications

• Green building materials prioritize sustainability and environmental friendliness
  • Rapidly renewable resources (bamboo, cork)
  • Recycled content materials (reclaimed wood, recycled plastic)
  • Low-emitting materials to improve indoor air quality (low-VOC paints)
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification assesses building sustainability
  • Point-based system evaluates various aspects of green building practices
  • Categories include energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality
  • Certification levels range from Certified to Platinum based on points achieved
• Other green building certifications include BREEAM (UK) and Green Star (Australia)
• Certifications incentivize sustainable design and construction practices in the industry

Resilient and Adaptive Design

Resilience and Disaster-Resistant Design

• Resilience in structural design refers to ability to withstand and recover from extreme events
  • Natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, floods)
  • Man-made hazards (fire, explosions)
• Disaster-resistant design incorporates strategies to mitigate potential damage
  • Seismic design principles (base isolation, damping systems)
  • Wind-resistant features (aerodynamic shapes, reinforced connections)
  • Flood-resistant materials and elevated structures in flood-prone areas
• Redundancy in structural systems enhances overall resilience
  • Multiple load paths ensure stability if one component fails
• Performance-based design approaches optimize structures for specific hazard scenarios

Adaptive Reuse and Climate Change Considerations

• Adaptive reuse involves repurposing existing buildings for new functions
  • Preserves embodied energy and reduces waste from demolition
  • Challenges include updating old structures to meet modern building codes
  • Examples include converting warehouses into loft apartments or factories into museums
• Climate change considerations in structural design address long-term environmental shifts
  • Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
  • Rising sea levels and coastal erosion
• Design strategies for climate change adaptation include:
  • Elevated structures in flood-prone areas
  • Enhanced thermal insulation for energy efficiency
  • Green roofs and permeable pavements for stormwater management
• Flexible design allows for future modifications as climate conditions evolve
  • Modular construction techniques
  • Adaptable floor plans and building systems