What if carbon drives our design from the outset?

Author: James Norman

Date published

1 February 2022

Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

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What if carbon drives our design from the outset?

Tag
Author
James Norman
Date published
1 February 2022
Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

The Structural Engineer
Author

James Norman

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 100, Issue 2, 2022, Page(s) 4

Date published

1 February 2022

Author

James Norman

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 100, Issue 2, 2022, Page(s) 4

Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

This article considers the implications of adopting a carbon-driven design approach – with the express intent of limiting the embodied carbon of the structure.

Synopsis

This article considers the implications of adopting a carbon-driven design approach – with the express intent of limiting the embodied carbon of the structure. It examines the impact this approach will have on a number of key design decisions – material choice, grids and spans, loads, structural system, foundations, serviceability requirements, facade type and method of construction – and highlights the tensions that may arise between these and the low-carbon goal.

The article argues that opting for timber as the initial material choice will likely offer greater flexibility and leave open the option of switching to another material later in the design process should the need arise.

Additional information

Format:
PDF
Pages:
4
Publisher:
Institution of Structural Engineers

Tags

Timber Climate change Conceptual Design Technical Carbon Issue 2

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