Core Values

The story is about the expanding role of the structural engineering in sustainable design. The approach of the article is to highlight the most important ways that structural engineers contribute to green building. The article begins by looking at the segregation of the design process into specialties. Many designers and engineers are pushing for a more integrated process in which disciplines such as structural engineers can contribute their expertise early in design process rather than after many of the critical decisions have been made. The article examines the issues of making a building structurally efficient (saving materials and energy) versus making a structure durable, adaptable and resilient (extending the lifespan of the structure). The story explores the importance of structural material selection (especially concrete and steel) in terms of environmental impact, by explaining factors such as lifecycle assessment, embodied energy, embodied carbon. Finally the story considers the importance of structural detailing especially interms of design for deconstruction and the end-of-life scenarios for structures.