As structural engineers, we should lead the discussion of embodied carbon related to the structural system. The structural engineer is the most well-equipped to make reductions, so if they are not involved in the embodied carbon conversation, these efficiencies may not be realized. **Structural engineers can:** - Include embodied carbon as part of their service offerings. - Ask to be part of the sustainability charrette on projects. - Be highly knowledgeable about the embodied carbon of structural systems. - Be willing to educate the rest of the design team. # What to do, when? The following is adapted from the [CLF Road Map to Reducing Building Life Cycle Impacts](https://carbonleadershipforum.org/lca-practice-guide/). For each of the design stages, the following actions are recommended to be taken by the structural engineer in collaboration with the entire design team. ## Pre-Design - Set whole-building carbon intensity limits, % reductions, and/or limits. - Identify what green building rating systems may be targeted. ## Schematic Design - Identify the structural system goals and carbon reductions - Work with geotechnical engineer to optimize foundation options. - Study structural system comparisons and suitability for design. - Discuss how design decisions will impact schedule and budget with the contractor. - Refine structural performance criteria considering serviceability requirements and loading. ## Design Development - Identify “hot spots” of the structural system (e.g. topping slab, mat foundations) as areas to refine. - Collaborate to reduce the volume of structural materials as much as possible. - Finalize reduction strategies for the structural system (e.g. cement reduction, sourcing goals for steel). ## Construction Documents - Confirm reduction strategies are achievable with contractor and suppliers. - Identify GWP limits for materials - Include embodied carbon specific specifications to ensure material-specific reductions are achieved and are part of the bid requirements. ## Construction - Update final calculations based upon as-built submittals. - Confirm that reduction targets have been met. # Presenting Results Without effectively sharing the results of embodied carbon assessments, there is little value in performing the assessment in the first place. Some things to consider when presenting results: - **Simplification**: how can key results be communicated effectively? - **Storytelling**: identify how design decisions made by others will impact other systems. - **Levers**: emphasizing the levers available to reduce structural embodied carbon, and their relative magnitudes, is key to enabling conversation. An example of a clear presentation of results for a typical bay study from BuroHappold, published by IStructE in 2020: [Embodied carbon: structural sensitivity study](https://www.istructe.org/resources/case-study/embodied-carbon-structural-sensitivity-study/). # Navigation Return: [[Home]] Suggested Next: [[Specifications]]