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Osu1275406390 PDF
Osu1275406390 PDF
Master’s Thesis
Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in
the Graduate School of The Ohio State University
By
Joseph M. Danatzko
Thesis Committee
Efficient energy use during construction and operation of buildings and sustainable
building design are important issues in both modern society and the engineering
community. Innovative methods are needed to address the environmental impact, energy
use and other sustainability issues faced during planning and design of buildings. This
study investigates sustainable design methodologies, the relationships between structural
system and the 2009 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating
system, the impact that project size and type can have on project sustainability,
sustainable properties associated with construction materials (such as steel, cast-in-place
concrete and prestressed/precast concrete) and computer programs aimed at determining
the properties of sustainable structural design alternatives. This study investigates some
sustainable structural design methodologies including minimizing material use,
minimizing material production energy, minimizing embodied energy, life-cycle
analysis/inventory/assessment and maximizing building reuse and presents their positive
and negative sustainable qualities. This study discusses and reviews the categories of the
2009 LEED rating system in which points could be awarded to a project for sustainability
of its structural frame. This study presents the role that project size and structural system-
type play on aspects of sustainable design including the design and analysis phase, land
use, investments in sustainable technologies, use of timber as a primary load bearing
material and other sustainable issues. This study reviews the structurally applicable
sustainable properties associated with structural steel, cast-in-place and prestessed/precast
concrete. Finally, this study provides a review of life-cycle analysis computer programs
focusing on three (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) v4.0,
SimaPRO v7.1 and Athena Impact Estimator v4.0) aimed at assessing the sustainability
of design alternatives. This study determined that no single current sustainable design
ii
methodology can address all project sustainability issues at this time. Also, the LEED
2009 rating system does not reward projects for sustainable design of their structural
systems in the same manner it does other aspects of design. It was determined that
construction type and project size can have significant impact on sustainable
opportunities for a project and that no single construction material is the most sustainable
compared to others for all design types at this time. Finally, existing sustainability
analysis software does not meet the current needs of its users in assessing design
alternative sustainable properties and provides users with basic structural system
comparisons, as exemplified by parametric studies using the Athena Impact Estimator
v4.0.
iii
Dedication
I would like to dedicate this work to my grandfathers for their inspiration and the lessons
Joseph G. Inglese
Michael Danatzko
iv
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the following people for their help and guidance in life, civil
John Warren
Nicholas R. Fisco
Muhammad S. Lodhi
Cindy Crawford
Patrice Allen
Diane Rano
v
Vita
2003................................................................Saint Peter’s Preparatory School
2003................................................................Engineering Intern/Drafting
Rutherford, NJ)
PA)
(Easton, PA)
vi
2007 to 2008 ..................................................Structural Engineer, Inglese Architecture
Field of Study
vii
Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii
Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv
Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................v
Vita..................................................................................................................................... vi
2.2 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System ... 6
viii
3.2.1 Positive Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 1 .................................................... 9
4.2.1 MR Credit 1.1: Building Reuse-Maintain Existing Walls, Floors and Roof ........... 22
7.2 Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) v4.0 ................. 59
Chapter 8: Modeling and Analysis with the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 .....................78
8.7 Study 5: Concrete Fly-Ash Percentage Effect on Energy Consumption ............... 102
xiii
8.7.1 Study 5: Input Values............................................................................................. 102
References ........................................................................................................................113
Appendix A1: Athena Impact Estimator Output Tables for Study 1 ...............................116
Appendix A2: Athena Impact Estimator Output Tables for Study 2 ...............................144
Appendix A3: Athena Impact Estimator Output Tables for Study 3 ...............................168
Appendix A4: Athena Impact Estimator Output Tables for Study 4 ...............................174
Appendix A5: Athena Impact Estimator Output Tables for Study 5 ...............................180
xiv
List of Tables
Table 3.1. Positive and negative sustainable attributes of sustainable structural design
methodologies ..................................................................................................19
Table 8.3. Total energy consumption values for study 1 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations ...........................................87
Table 8.5. Total energy consumption values for study 2 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations ...........................................92
Table 8.7. Total energy consumption values for study 3 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations ...........................................97
Table 8.9. Total energy consumption values for study 4 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations .........................................100
Table 8.11. Total energy consumption values for study 3 as provided by the Athena
Impact Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations .............................104
xv
List of Figures
Figure 7.1. Screenshot of initial program screen for BEES v4.0 .......................................60
Figure 7.2. Screenshot of ratio weighting option offered by BEES v4.0 ..........................60
Figure 7.3. Economic performance graphical output for stucco, aluminum siding and
trespa meteon comparison................................................................................62
Figure 7.4. Environmental performance graphical output for stucco, aluminum siding and
trespa meteon comparison................................................................................63
Figure 7.5. Overall Performance Graphical Output for Stucco, Aluminum Siding and
Trespa Meteon comparison ..............................................................................64
Figure 7.6. SimaPRO v7.1 product tree for 1.0 kilogram of cattle feed ............................67
Figure 7.7. SimaPRO v7.1 Graphical Output for One (1) Kilogram of Cattle Feed .........68
Figure 7.8. Athena impact estimator v4.0 bill of materials report generic example..........71
Figure 7.9. Athena Impact Estimator v 4.0 tabular output-generic example .....................72
Figure 7.10. Athena Impact Estimator v 4.0 graphical output-generic example ...............73
Figure 8.1. Illustration of structure employed as generic model for Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 energy consumption assessment ..............................................79
Figure 8.2. Screenshot of initial input interface for a “New” project in Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 ..................................................................................................80
Figure 8.3. Screenshot of interface for “Concrete Suspended Slab” in Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 ..................................................................................................81
Figure 8.4. Screenshot of interface for “Mixed Columns and Beam” in Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 ..................................................................................................82
Figure 8.5. Screenshot of project assembly tree with project heading highlighted ...........83
Figure 8.6. Screenshot of “Reports” interface window with highlighted areas .................84
Figure 8.7. Column height vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 45 psf .............88
xvi
Figure 8.8. Column height vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 75 psf .............88
Figure 8.10. Live load vs. total energy consumption for columns ....................................89
Figure 8.11. Beam length vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 45 psf ...............93
Figure 8.12. Beam length vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 75 psf ...............93
Figure 8.13. Beam length vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 100 psf .............94
Figure 8.14. Live load vs. total energy consumption for beams ........................................94
Figure 8.15. Concrete suspended slab span length vs. total energy consumption .............97
Figure 8.16. Live load vs. total energy consumption for concrete suspended slab at span
lengths of 15, 20, 25, 28 and 30-ft ...................................................................98
Figure 8.17. Concrete suspended slab concrete strength vs. total energy consumption ..100
Figure 8.18. Live load vs. total energy consumption for concrete suspended slab at
concrete strengths of 3000, 4000 and 9000 psi ..............................................101
Figure 8.19. Gross floor area vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 45 psf .......105
Figure 8.20. Gross floor area vs.total energy consumption at a live load of 75 psf ........105
Figure 8.21. Gross floor area vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 100 psf .....106
Figure 8.22. Live load vs. total energy consumption for concrete suspended slab fly-ash
percentages .....................................................................................................106
xvii
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction
In the modern engineering and architectural culture, sustainable design and
energy efficiency have become paramount in design and application for architects,
engineers and users as civic requirements and financial limitations mount. In all areas of
civil engineering, engineers are encouraged to ensure that projects have the maximum
lifespan for their intended use and employ the least amount of natural recourses (e.g., raw
materials and energy required for their production) while still meeting client, economic,
societal demands and code requirements.
Two fields of civil engineering that are constantly assessing their ability to
achieve sustainable goals are the engineering design and construction industries. The
goal of these industries is to achieve lasting, environmentally sound solutions to the
problems faced in the modern culture and look to achieve this in their design of new and
rehabilitative projects. Achieving this goal requires the construction and design
engineering communities to assess all the aspects and processes involved in a project.
These aspects are can be varying and influenced by local conditions and the economy.
They include but are not limited to; the required material production energies, design
alternative maintenance requirements, material durability, recycled materials contents,
project adherence to and applicability within sustainable rating systems such as LEED,
structural system design methodologies, relation of sustainability to construction type,
sustainability and construction materials and life cycle analysis modeling computer
programs. Research into each of these areas contributes to determining methods for
achieving high overall project sustainability.
Various aspects of sustainable design and construction research have been and are
currently being investigated. Research into the qualification and development of the
sustainable properties of construction materials has been carried out in an attempt to
1
provide structural designers, planners and constructors with methods for optimizing the
environmental impact of structural design. Research into the effect that structural form,
system and magnitude have on building design relative to a structure’s overall sustainable
qualities has also been conducted to address the means and methods pertinent to all
design phases (planning, design and implementation).
Along with this research, rating systems such as the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) rating system must be assessed in various ways for their
applicability to sustainable structural design. LEED is currently employed in the United
States to grade various construction types on a credit weighted points system based on the
environmental impacts each has across 13 categories typically associated with building
design. While the LEED ranking system rewards construction projects (with little
mention of structural system design) that meet its requirements, the engineering
community looks to go further and better define the sustainable properties of all aspects
of a project. This is illustrated by the construction materials production industry’s effort
to determine their economic and environmental impact more fully and achieve more
sustainable designs.
The aspects of a project’s form, structural system and magnitude directly relate
the issues facing both structural engineers and architects in attempts to achieve more
sustainable structural designs. This study aims to present research on these aspects of
sustainable structural design and illustrates the effect these issues have on structural
systems. While structural design and sustainable structures hold many other key
elements (such as material choice, life-cycle analysis, construction types and
methodologies, etc.), this study focuses on the sustainability achievable in structural
design and the nature of how it can directly relate to sustainability in the built
environment.
1.2 Objectives
The main objectives of this study are to:
• Present the roles of structure and structural design can play in project
sustainability.
• Present the concept of sustainable structural design.
2
• Present and discuss five sustainable structural design methodologies.
• Present and review the 2009 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Green Building document’s applicability for structural system design.
• Present and review the role project size and material type play in structural and
sustainable design.
• Present and discuss the role sustainability plays in three major construction
materials (steel, cast-in-place reinforced concrete and prestressed/precast
concrete).
• Describe and review the concept of life cycle analysis and its implication on
structural design.
• Present and investigate the effectiveness of life cycle analysis computer programs
aimed at assessing design alternative’s sustainable qualities.
• Perform parametric studies use a LCA package program (the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0) to investigate the effects of columns, beams, slabs, concrete
strength and fly-ash percentage on energy consumption and sustainable structural
design.
• Present conclusions drawn from this study, limitations involved in this research
and recommendations for future research.
1.3 Organization and Scope
This thesis investigates sustainable structural design and provides background
information and review of all concepts addressed. Chapter 3 presents the role structure
and structural design play in overall project sustainability and the concept of sustainable
structural design. This chapter also discusses five potential design methodologies to
achieve sustainable structural designs. Chapter 4 presents and reviews the 2009
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building document’s
applicability within project structural system design. Chapter 5 presents and investigates
the role construction type plays in structural and sustainable design. Chapter 6 presents
and reviews the role sustainability plays in three commonly used construction materials
(steel, cast-in-place reinforced concrete and prestressed/precast concrete). Chapter 7
presents and reviews the concept of life cycle analysis and life cycle analysis computer
3
programs aimed at assessing design alternatives’ sustainable qualities. Chapter 8 presents
parametric studies conducted using the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 to assess issues of
energy consumption in structural systems. This chapter addresses this by assessing the
sustainability of columns, beams, slabs, concrete strength and fly-ash percentages via the
Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 program output. Chapter 9 presents the conclusions drawn
from this study, limitations involved in this research and recommendations for future
research.
4
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Sustainable Structural Design Methodologies
Sustainable design has been at the forefront of research in both the engineering
and architecture communities for several years. Spurred by civic, monetary and political
motivations, analysis of the effect that structures and construction has on the world
around it has been conducted. Various researchers from numerous fields have worked to
present the multifaceted world of sustainable construction and design and the
methodologies, mindsets and practices associated with it.
In the current building system design processes, structural engineers play a
limited role in the overall sustainability of a design (Kestner 2007). While the
contribution of sustainability to the built environment typically influences the
architectural form of a structure, the performance and cost of a project drive the
engineer’s work and bottom line. While the building and construction community look to
improve sustainable development through attention to integrated design and form, cost
and structural performance must remain at the forefront of development (Jackson 2008
and Beheiry et. al 2006).
Notwithstanding the merit of research into the sustainable properties of materials
and the energy saving methodologies to overall sustainable design, previous research has
illustrated that sustainable structural design relies on the proper implementation of
structural form and systems. Also as suggested by previous research, the future of the
built environment needs to account for more varied aspects of structure and construction
(Smith 2007 and Horvath et al. 1998).
2.1.1 Sustainable Structural Design of Tall Structures
In a discussion on sustainable structural design, building size and magnitude play
an integral part. As noted by Smith (2007), “tall buildings can be considered sustainable
structures in their very existence as they optimize the use of limited land resources.”
5
Coupled with this are the increased loads, energy use, calculation time, etc. that are also
associated with tall structures. For this reason, tall structures provide a platform to
address how incorporating structural design and form with architectural desires and
environmental constraints are keys to sustainable designs
The design, construction, architecture and form of tall buildings each contribute to
a structure’s sustainable design. Each provide an illustration of the effects on
sustainability that structural design can have outside of material choice and energy
conservation. Sustainable structural design relies on designing structures that in their
inherent nature within the built environment serve to enhance and provide to the existing
infrastructure system. Tall buildings provide opportunities for sustainable structural
design, as exemplified above, and through their place and use within both the general
public’s everyday life and engineering community.
2.2 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating
System (LEED) is a tool employed by project designers to illustrate the effectiveness that
their design choices can have on project sustainability. Developed by the United State
Green Building Council (USGBC), the LEED 2009 rating system awards credits to a
project for meeting outlined prerequisites and goals that are summed for a total point
score under which a project’s sustainable rating (silver, gold or platinum) is awarded.
Design professionals petition the USGBC for the rating through an application process
that requires detailed documentation of energy conservation efforts undertaken during the
projects construction and operation. The USGBC publishes guidelines against which
application for sustainable ratings are measured. The guidelines have been prepared for
numerous construction types. This document provides and outline for the manner in
which application for sustainable rating must be completed as well as guidelines and
suggestions for meeting individual credit acquirements and goals.
2.3 Sustainability and Construction Type
In structural design, the type of construction being undertaken by a project
directly relates to its ability to achieve its sustainability goals. As the magnitude of a
project and/or structure increase, its operating and embodied energy also increase. Due
6
to this, review of the effect that construction type (wood construction and steel and
concrete construction) can have on the sustainable properties of a project is crucial to
understand the role structural systems play in sustainability (Kestner 2007 and Szekely
1996).
2.4 Sustainability and Construction Materials
Construction materials play a integral part in assessing the sustainability of any
design alternative. Structural steel, cast-in-place reinforced concrete and
prestressed/precast concrete each have unique qualities that contribute to the
sustainability of a project. Good sustainable properties are associated with structural
components that have low energy costs, high durability, low maintenance requirements
and contain high-proportions of recycles materials (Naik 2008). The construction
materials discussed each have their own positive and negative sustainable properties that
have been reviewed from industry and research agency data.
2.5 Review of Life-Cycle Analysis Computer Programs
This study looked to review the implementation of sustainable design concepts
and methodologies in current life cycle analysis (LCA) computer programs. In an effort
to assess the economic and environmental impact that design alternatives can have on a
project, sustainability-modeling programs have been written. These programs attempt to
assess the sustainability of design alternatives for comparison in an effort to determine
the most sustainable option. Programs of specific interest in assessing structural design
sustainability are the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES)
v4.0, SimaPRO v7.1 and Athena Impact Estimator v4.0. These programs address the
problem of sustainability measurement in various ways.
7
Chapter 3: Sustainable Structural Design Methodologies
3.1 Introduction
A project’s structural form, system and magnitude directly relate to the issues that
its engineers and architects face when determining the most sustainable structural design
alternative. This chapter presents research on numerous aspects and methodologies of
sustainable design and illustrates their effect on structural systems.
Structural engineers have various methods to design a structural element or
system. From material choice to lateral force-resisting system, a structural system and its
layout become a combination of the architectural form and engineering properties (two
aspects that can often be at odds with one another.) This chapter assumes the goal of
sustainable structural design to be the production of a structural system that meets the
needs of the owner and user while minimizing the environmental impact and conserving
resources where possible. From low/high-rise buildings to short/long-span bridges and
any structure in between, minimizing project impact on natural resources and the
environment is a goal of engineers, architects and builders alike. This chapter discusses
some design methodologies for achieving this goal including:
Methodology 1.) Minimizing Material Use
Methodology 2.) Minimizing Material Production Energy
Methodology 3.) Minimizing Embodied Energy
Methodology 4.) Life-Cycle Analysis/Inventory/Assessment
Methodology 5.) Maximizing Structural System Reuse
Each design methodology has both positive and negative sustainable qualities. While
each methodology has the same end goal, this goal is reached via different routes that can
compete with one another and can have adverse effects either individually or combined
on a successful sustainable structural design. It should be noted that these design
methodologies, and the discussion herein, look to address issues concerning
8
structural, and not non-structural, members and construction materials. It is not the
intention of this study to address the effect that non-structural members or materials can
have on overall project sustainability. Therefore, for example, glass as a non-structural
building material is not discussed in this research.
3.2 Methodology 1: Minimizing Material Use
As presented by Moon (2008), total structural material minimization can be one
goal of sustainable structural design. Engineers can achieve this in two ways. As
suggested by Shi at al. (2009), combinations of various material types to form more
efficient structural members and systems is one method by which the structural engineer
can use the minimal amount of natural resources. Similarly, optimization of a structural
model employing a single material type can be another method that reduces the amount
of material employed in a design.
Likewise, a project architect’s methods for minimizing material use are two-fold.
An architect can generate a building layout that produces the greatest amount of unusable
space from the project site while allowing for all the functionality required by the
structure’s use. Contrary to this, an architect can minimize building material by making
the layout itself as efficient as possible for intended structural use, but without producing
the maximum amount of usable space (Trabbuco 2008). While in many cases the
proposed building layout achieves the maximum usable space, the second method looks
to employ layouts that maximize use-productivity while the first attempts to maximize
usable space.
Minimizing material use is one sustainable design methodology that can be
achieved separately by architects and engineers. This design methodology achieves the
goal of sustainable design producing structures that can perform as required while being
as structurally efficient as possible.
3.2.1 Positive Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 1
Research into this topic has included evaluation of similar building systems with
varying heights to determine and quantify the increase in the amount of material
associated with each layout. Also, research on lateral force resisting systems has been
conducted to determine their impact of the total material use (Moon 2008, Shi et al.
9
2009).
A structure employing the minimal material can achieve the goal of a sustainable
design as it has the least impact on the natural environment through lower raw material
use. Also, this methodology can affect the structural engineering community to develop
more efficient and innovative design processes using the least amount of materials. As a
result, engineers may need to evaluate and improve the current conventional design
concepts and practices to determine the most efficient manner to achieve designs with the
minimum amount of materials.
3.2.2 Negative Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 1
While the end goal of least impact on natural resources is achieved, the analysis
and design time associated with these methods can be computationally high. The
additional computation time required is due to the complexity involved in solving
structural optimization problems or systems with multiple material types interacting. The
increased complexity may require that more construction drawings with greater detail
must be provided to contractors following the design phase. In short, more calculations
and greater complexity take the engineer more time to complete and require more
drawings. In addition, a structural design optimization to the use the minimum amount of
materials may not be the most sustainable design as construction issues or needs require
additional resources.
A project’s approvals process becomes longer as the number of drawings and
details increase. This process may also lead to disputes between architect, engineer and
owner as minimal changes by one may require complete redesign by the other. Although
new tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) can reduce the amount of time
and effort needed to modify a design, simple revisions to a complicated design still
require time. Following the design process, the construction duration of the structure also
increases as well as the time required for scheduling and labor due to increased design
complexity. Along with this, there may be increased need for design construction
clarifications, such as requests for information (RFIs), as complexity of the design
increases. All of these possible negative aspects are likely to adversely affect the total
project cost.
10
3.3 Methodology 2: Minimizing Material Production Energy
Apart from the design of the structural system itself, a methodology for structural
sustainability involves reducing the amount of energy and natural resources required for
the production of construction materials. For all construction materials (cast-in-place
reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, steel, wood, masonry, etc.) there exists a
production energy cost. This cost can vary from year to year, and by location, and can be
the result of the world market and environmental regulation requirements.
Sustainability enters the material production process mainly during the evaluation
of the energy costs required in the gathering, refining, and mixing (etc.) of raw materials.
Along with this, sustainability in this methodology relies on the reduction of overall
energy costs that can be made to produce materials with the same, or similarly
structurally useful, material properties as current production methods.
This methodology calls for engineers to designate the use of or specify structural
elements that employ production-energy efficient materials in their designs. It also calls
on the respective industries to best quantify their energy uses and work to improve
current energy costs and production methods. Along with this, industries should seek the
development of new technologies and processes for material generation. Another critical
aspect of this methodology calls for the reduction and monitoring of material generation
by-products and emissions (Naik 2008).
3.3.1 Positive Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 2
Researchers and industry experts have been working in recent years to quantify
both the positive and negative effects of construction materials from a sustainable
viewpoint. By providing and compiling data on the energy expenditures associated with
construction material production, energy values can be tied to sustainable material
properties. In achieving a sustainable structural design, this methodology can be
advantageous in its attempt to conserve natural recourses and reduce by-products and
emissions. Also, studying and providing material production energies to design
professionals may lead to innovations in design as the relation between material strength
and the energy required for its construction can be determined. In short, as the industry
and engineers more fully define construction material properties, the sustainability of
11
structural systems will increase.
3.3.2 Negative Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 2
While the correlation between increased sustainability and minimization of
material production energy may seem evident, this is not the case. As the materials
themselves may increase structural system sustainable properties, this does not mean that
the structural system itself will achieve its most sustainable configuration. Inherently,
when the selection of one construction material for use in a structure is made (whether it
includes the most sustainable properties or not), the structural system’s ability to be
sustainable becomes limited.
For example, with the selection of special moment resisting reinforced concrete
frames as a lateral force resisting system in a structure, the possibility of a more
sustainable configuration coming from a design that could include masonry shear walls or
steel moment frames is negated. While this can be combated with designs that include
combination of different construction materials, use of other materials than the “most
sustainable” construction material would thus decrease the structural system
sustainability from a raw materials conservation viewpoint (Shi et al. 2009).
Additionally, while the manufacturing industry works to achieve sustainable
products, this methodology does not address the input of building industry to sustainable
structural design (Deane 2008.) Thus, it falls solely to the manufacturing industry and
the engineer to produce greater structural sustainability.
3.4 Methodology 3: Minimizing Embodied Energy
As suggested by Trabucco (2008), “the design of an efficient service core is
probably the most challenging aspect of a tall building project.” While his focus is on tall
buildings in this statement, the methodology he is referring to can be extended to all
structures. The embodied energy associated with a structure is a result of its intended
use, initial design and life span. These aspects relate the energy associated with
construction to the energy associated with the operation and maintenance over the
structure’s life.
The concept behind minimizing embodied energy is an effort made on both
architect and engineer’s parts to assess the energy cost of construction versus the
12
operational energy expenditure. Structural layouts that follow this methodology require
both engineer and architect to generate designs that focus on reducing the energy use
within and around the building. Also associated with this is the design of a structure
from a “service core” standpoint with the goal of balancing building use with façade
design (Trabucco 2008).
This methodology offers opportunities for sustainable designs to be generated as
the focus becomes more on the effective use of the natural environment (regional thermal
qualities, geothermal wells, waste recycling systems, wind turbines, solar panels, etc.) to
reduce the energy associated with a structures operation. This methodology also
addresses the idea of maximizing a structure’s thermal mass qualities, harnessing energy
use in structural motion and adaptable structural systems (Moon 2008). The
methodology also looks to achieve the goal of a sustainable structural system by possible
inclusion of adjacent structures in the design or dividing the design of a single structure
to multiple smaller structures to allow for a more efficient setup (Shi et al. 2009.)
3.4.1 Positive Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 3
This methodology focuses on achieving sustainable structural design through
attention to both the “service core” and the structure’s façade. The minimization of
embodied energy requirement is achieved through analysis of both the “service core” and
façade to determine the competing qualities each can have on overall structural
sustainability. Ideally, this methodology will result in a structure that attunes the form
both structurally and architecturally finding a balance between both to reduce the
structures energy envelope. In doing so, the structural system will increase project
sustainability through allowing for a consideration of various sustainable properties
(including but not limited to: thermal properties, natural light, utilization of solar
panels/wind turbines.)
3.4.2 Negative Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 3
The minimizing embodied energy methodology typically neglects maximizing the
efficiency of the structural system. Analyzing the structure from a total operating energy
envelope viewpoint, the methodology limits its users to define the design by the manner
in which it can most effectively utilize the ambient energy available to it. In doing this, a
13
design may not efficiently use its structural materials, which in turn can decrease its
overall sustainability.
Also, in areas with a lesser-built environment than dense cities, facades that
utilize available ambient qualities may reduce the architectural appeal or functionality of
a structure relative to the existing infrastructure (Wood 2007). This methodology is also
directly tied to location and regional limitations due to the effectiveness of certain
technologies (geothermal wells, waste-recycling systems, wind turbines, solar panels,
etc.).
3.5 Methodology 4: Life-Cycle Analysis/Inventory/Assessment
A common tool employed by design professionals to assess and quantify the
sustainability of a project is the Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA). Similarly employed are the
Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCAs) analysis methods. These
tools are often employed to justify or qualify the net-cost to benefit ratio or economic
impact of a design decision. Designers and engineers have worked to employ these
models (outlined by ASTM standards E 964-06, E1057-06, E 1074-06, E 1121-07,
E1185-07 and E2204-05) to determine the sustainable properties of various aspects of the
structural system. These standards define the methods to identify and evaluate multi-
faceted aspects of a decision involving various measures.
Both designers and owners see the LCA/LCI/LCAs as tools to generate the most
sustainable design by evaluating its monetary value and constructability requirements.
By assessing a structural design through a multifaceted view, the increased number of
measures employed along each step increase the accuracy of the evaluation and allow for
the most sustainable design to be achieved (Horvath 1998). This is achieved by including
and balancing a greater number of aspects of the design (e.g., not solely minimizing
material amounts) and will produce a more sustainable design. This methodology has
been employed in various projects (Laefer et al. 2008) both related and unrelated to
sustainable design and reviewed for case studies to assess its accuracy. Thus, it has merit
as a design tool/methodology for sustainable structural design.
3.5.1 Positive Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 4
The most notable advantage of LCA/LCI/LCAs, when employed for structural
14
sustainability purposes, is that they provide designers and owners with a clear outlook
and picture of what their structure can achieve during its lifetime. This means that
projects with low initial construction costs can assess their estimated energy use over
building life considering both environmental and economic impacts. Also, buildings with
high initial construction costs can determine viability of sustainable technologies relative
to their payback periods.
Along with this, LCA/LCI/LCAs models call for greater inclusion by all
representative parties on a project, allowing for varied input and cross-discipline
interaction. This interaction and input can only help to further the design and lead to
greater overall sustainability through more effective designs, decreased design time,
increased construction speed and less energy use and maintenance requirements during
the lifetime of the structure. Also, through widespread use within industries, this
methodologies/models can help to increase efficiencies throughout the built environment
and provide a greater knowledge bank for future design as development continues
(Horvath 1998).
3.5.2 Negative Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 4
Notwithstanding the positives aspects discussed above, the most lauded negatives
to LCA/LCI/LCAs are accuracy with which they can be implemented and completed.
Inherent in all of the ASTM standards applicable to LCA/LCI/LCAs is the inclusion of
both risk and uncertainty in the analyses. This uncertainty is driven by poorly or
obscurely defined factors. This has led to many analysis methods that have produced
controversial results (Horvath 1998). While the goal of this methodology is to inform
designers so as to generate more sustainable designs, much of this information may not
be accurate enough or unknown at the time of initial design to achieve the goal of
sustainability.
Varying costs, shifting deadlines, durability of materials, long term maintenance
requirements and factors not related to the structural system can lead to LCA/LCI/LCAs
results that misinform the designers and thus lead to designs that are not the most
structurally sustainable. It should also be noted that while increasing the accuracy of the
LCA/LCI/LCAs model might be a solution to inaccurate or misleading reports, this
15
increased accuracy does not guarantee a more effective description of overall sustainable
structural system properties. This means that even an accurate model may not efficiently
contribute to describing design alternative sustainable properties and thus serve useless to
project designers.
The LCA/LCI/LCAs methodology is a prominent method for assessing many
aspects of a project. However, the uncertainty can be very high in its application to the
structural system and its sustainability. Also, as with the Methodology 1, minimal design
changes can have adverse effects on the structural sustainability and the methodology’s
accuracy and may require entirely new models.
3.6 Methodology 5: Maximizing Structural System Reuse
The concept behind maximizing structural reuse is to generate layouts and designs
that produce the least amount of solid waste at end-of-life or allow for the greatest
amount of whole or partial system and/or structural component reuse. This two-pronged
methodology is similar in idea to the concept of minimizing material use but differs in the
type of design it produces. As opposed to the most material efficient design, the
objective of this methodology is to achieve layouts that allow for various structural uses,
longer structural life spans and to address the possibility of structural element reuse
during the planning and initial design stage.
Coupled with this initial concept of this methodology is the idea that solid waste
management is a key to, and opportunity for, enhanced sustainable design (Laefer 2008.)
This concept of solid waste management can extend to waste during all phases of design,
construction and demolition, and involves an assessment of all materials included in each
part/phase. However, the main goal of the structural reuse methodology is for architects
and engineers to achieve greater sustainability through the design of structures by
investigating multiple uses of the same structural.
This methodology has grown out of observations on the cost associated with
demolition and the waste it produces compared with the financial incentive or prolonging
building life. Also, this methodology focuses more on the end-of-life of a structure and
calls on the engineer to assess material types and structural elements considering their
possible reuse in the initial structural system design. This methodology aims to combat
16
the “rapid technological developments and higher standard of living in the twenty-first
century” and the negative that this increased expansion can have on the infrastructure as
suggested by Laefer (2008). This methodology also suggests that standardization of
connections and structural elements that allow for more versatile structural systems will
produce higher levels of sustainability within those systems.
3.6.1 Positive Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 5
As pointed out by Laefer (2008), “total or partial building reuse is a solution that
contributes to both direct financial gain and environmental sustainability.” The
methodology of maximizing building reuse is clearly captured by this statement. In
relation to sustainability, building reuse and initial design for multiple intended uses is a
key factor as its outcome is reduced waste and need for less raw materials. The possible
reuse of a structure may have financial incentives as the owner has the ability to reoccupy
the building for a new use, which in turn extends the service life of the structure.
Also, this design methodology calls for initial architectural design that attempts to
involve a structure’s adaptation to its surrounding environment and reduces the amount of
renovations required for future structural reuse. This methodology could also lead to
innovation in both the architectural and engineering communities by employing similar
design layouts that allow for relocation of partial structural systems between project sites
or possible structural element reuse. Each of these aspects can increase the sustainability
of a structure and are possible advantages of this methodology.
3.6.2 Negative Sustainable Attributes of Methodology 5
Multiuse structures often inherently produce sustainable structural designs, as
they are versatile and efficient in their use of available space. Incorporating various
functions for a design can result in less functionality for the primary structural use.
While this may seem a small price for increased sustainability, generating a multiuse
structure may not necessarily produce the most sustainable structural design for the
original intended use. In short, the design may not be as efficient as it could have been if
a single use structure had been maintained.
Also, while structural element reuse from one structure to another can lead to
fewer raw material requirements for future construction, close inspection of and accurate
17
qualification of structural members must be completed before reuse. The advantage of
reusing a structural element over the cost of qualifying a subsequently unsafe member
may result in higher initial project costs and reduce the sustainability of the second
structure (Laefer 2008).
3.7 Conclusions
Each methodology presented herein looks to achieve the same goal, the most
sustainable structural design, through different means and measures. Table 3.1 provides
a summary of the positive and negative sustainable attributes that each methodology
present.
18
Methodologies Positive Sustainable Qualities Negative Sustainable Qualities
Longer design and analysis time
Least impact on natural
Greater structural system
environment
complexity
Methodology 1: Minimizing More drawing and details
Material Use Lower raw material requirements required
Longer approvals process
May lead to innovative designs Construction complexity
and practices Higher total project cost
Research currently being May not be "most" sustainable
conducted design
Conservation of natural resources Limitations to sustainability from
Methodology 2: Minimizing By-product reduction material choice
Material Production Energy May lead to innovative designs
that assess strength and Currently lacking input from
sustainability properties building industry
simultaneously
Consideration of both sustainable Can result in less efficient
form and function structural system
Design limited to most effective
Focus on operating energy use
Methodology 3: Minimizing use of ambient energy
Embodied Energy Surrounding built environment
Attention to "service core" during can limit methodology
design Highly sensitive to
location/region
Considers sustainability over
Model accuracy
project life
Greater inclusion of Risk and uncertainty included in
representative project parties analyses
Methodology 4: Life-Cycle
Other sustainable issues can
Analysis / Inventory / Assessment Encourages cross-discipline
detract from most sustainable
interaction
structural design
Widespread use can lead to Adverse effects from minimal
quicker innovation design changes
Financial incentives Possibility for decreased primary-
Extended service life use functionality
Methodology 5: Maximizing Design relative to surrounding
Structural System Reuse built environment Structural element reuse
May lead to innovation in inspection required
standardized designs
Table 3.1. Positive and negative sustainable attributes of sustainable structural design
methodologies
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Chapter 4: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System
4.1 Introduction
Dwindling natural resources, environmental changes, financial limitations and the
global community have produced a climate in which modern civic growth requires the
attention, commitment to and promotion of environmentally sound design and
construction practices by the public and private sector. In response to this, the United
States created the Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993, which serves as an
organization aimed at assessing and quantifying the environmental impact of new,
existing and rehabilitative projects. The USGBC has developed several rating systems
for these projects while also working to address different project development and
delivery processes. These rating systems and processes provide users with outline for
various development and construction types (e.g., schools, neighborhood development,
retail, etc.) and are referred to as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) for those project types and are continually updated.
To address both new and rehabilitative construction, the USGBC developed the
LEED Green Building Rating System for New Construction and Major Renovations
(USGBC 2008). This document serves as an outline for engineers, architects, developers
and contractors of the means and methods by which sustainable designs can be achieved
in the planning, construction and operational phases of building projects within the LEED
Rating System’s guidelines (with 2009 being the most current edition.) The code
describes that the LEED Rating System is composed of five distinct design areas each
requiring various prerequisites and including 49 separate categories in which up to 100
points can be achieved by construction applying for accreditation. The 2009 LEED
document provides design professionals with the intent, requirements/options and
potential technologies and strategies for each prerequisite and category. The use of and
adherence to the requirements outlined in the document during the design process is at
20
the discretion of the architect and/or engineer and often due to requests made by either
party or the owner.
4.2 LEED Rating System Relative to Structural Design
The 2009 LEED Rating System for New Construction and Major Renovations
provides its user with the opportunity to achieve up to 100 rating points. Each of these
points is attainable under different sections of the code and relate to various aspects of the
design process and choices. Many of the rating points available to a new or rehabilitative
construction project are directly related to the project magnitude, location and whether it
is to be new or rehabilitative construction. Due to this, the structural system of a project
can greatly affect its sustainability.
While the code offers various ways in which a sustainable design can be achieved
under the 2009 LEED Rating System, it is limiting in how structural frame system can
increase a project’s sustainability. As a result, the structural engineer (while a part of the
planning phase of the project) has little room within the current code to suggest and affect
a project’s LEED rating. However, most of these limitations are directly related to the
size of the project and the complexity of the structural system required as governing load
cases can directly affect structural system material choice. Nonetheless, these limitations
can restrain a project from achieving the most sustainable design possible and provide
structural engineers and designs with little room to affect whole building sustainability.
Upon reviewing the 2009 LEED Rating System for application within the
structural frame design in new construction, five categories offer possible opportunities
for the structural engineer to contribute to the sustainability of the project. These five
categories are all located within the “Materials & Resources” design area of the
document and include; MR Credit 1.1: Building Reuse-Maintain Existing Walls, Floors
and Roof, MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse, MR Credit 4: Recycled Content, MR Credit 5:
Regional Materials, and MR Credit 7: Certified Wood.
While the 2009 LEED Rating System offers numerous instances where rating
points can be obtained in other areas of a project, the above categories offer the
opportunity for structural system choices to directly affect the LEED rating a project can
obtain. This chapter provides a review of these categories and illustrates their effect on
21
sustainable structural design through discussion of both their positive and negative
aspects.
4.2.1 MR Credit 1.1: Building Reuse-Maintain Existing Walls, Floors and Roof
The 2009 LEED rating system awards up to 3 points under MR Credit 1.1:
Building Reuse. These points are awarded based upon the total percentage of building
reuse as documented during planning and construction. The intention of this credit
according to the 2009 LEED document is, “to extend the lifecycle of existing building
stock, conserve resources, retain cultural resources, reduce waste and reduce
environmental impacts of new buildings as they relate to materials manufacturing and
transport.” The document outlines that 1 point can only be obtained with a minimum of
55% building reuse increasing to 2 and 3 points at 75% and 95%, respectively. The 2009
LEED rating system suggests the reuse of existing building elements as well as the
removal of elements that impede increased sustainable building operation.
4.2.1.1 Benefits of MR Credit 1.1: Building Reuse
The building reuse credit offers the opportunity for both financial and sustainable
gains for a project. Its intention is to encourage the reuse of significant portions of an
existing structural system that can be incorporated into new construction, employed for
an alternative building use from that of the original design intention or updated to comply
with more current building codes for existing use. Each of these applications offer
structural engineers the opportunity to affect the sustainable qualities of a project in
positive ways with regard to the LEED rating system.
Through the incorporation of existing structural elements into new construction,
the LEED rating system provides a structural engineer with the opportunity to present
applicable design alternatives to other project parties. While this opportunity may require
more in depth structural analysis and the detailed assessment of the existing structural
frame, by offering these credits the USGBC encourages innovative design approaches
that allow a structural engineer to provide direct input to sustainable properties of a
project. If the project calls for maintaining the existing frame while expanding a
structure to include new construction, the structural engineer can present structural
system design alternatives that employ the existing structural frame. Using engineering
22
practice and knowledge, any new structural elements can be designed to function as
efficiently as possible with the existing frame.
Similarly, if a project called for a structure to provide an alternative use from the
original design, structural engineers are offered the opportunity to affect the project’s
sustainable rating by suggesting design alternatives that maintain as much of the existing
structural system as possible. Through the addition of new structural elements to the
existing frame, upgrading of specific connections or other required structural system
additions, the project can maintain its existing frame but achieve the goal of an
alternative use. Also, this credit encourages new construction and design that focuses on
layouts that can allow for alternative future uses. Again, the structural engineering
community is offered an opportunity to affect project sustainability, as defined by LEED.
Finally, if a project calls for the continued use of a structure with qualification for
existing design codes or increased loads, structural engineers can affect project
sustainability by suggesting design alternatives and analysis approaches that look to alter
the existing system as little as possible. Efficient connection design and innovative
member strengthening methods are just two of the proposals that the structural engineer
can make. All of these suggestions are examples of how, within the 2009 LEED rating
system parameters, structural design can affect a project’s sustainability rating.
4.2.1.2 Disadvantages of MR Credit 1.1: Building Reuse
While the above examples describe how structural load carrying system choice in
a project can affect the overall sustainability, this LEED credit has limited applicability.
As noted by the credit name, this credit can only be obtained by projects that look to
employ an existing system and not new construction. This credit is also limiting by the
manner in which building reuse is suggested and measured. By requiring that at least
55% of the existing structure be maintained, design alternatives are limited to those
which incorporate more than half the existing structure and LEED 2009 does not reward
what may be more sustainable designs that do not reach this benchmark. Also, this credit
rewards the reuse of existing building frames that may result in overall designs that might
produce less sustainable layouts than their new counterparts. However, the most glaring
omission in this credit is that there is no relation of alternative new/existing design to
23
actual sustainable properties such as production and/or operational energy. Each of these
shortcomings illustrate that this credit, while allowing for relation of the structural system
to sustainability, may not serve to create the most sustainable design but may increase the
sustainability of a project as defined by LEED.
4.2.2 MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse
The 2009 LEED rating system awards up to 2 points under MR Credit 3:
Materials Reuse. These points are awarded based on the percentage of Reused Materials
as documented during planning and construction. The intention of this credit according to
the 2009 LEED document is, “to reuse building materials and products to reduce demand
for virgin materials and reduce waste, thereby lessening impacts associated with the
extraction and processing of virgin resources.” The code outline that 1 point can be
obtained with a minimum of 5% reused materials increasing to 2 points at 10% with no
further reward in increased percentages. The document suggests that materials should be
salvaged where possible and that potential reused material suppliers be researched as
well.
4.2.2.1 Benefits of MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse
The material reuse credit is aimed directly towards reducing the amount of raw
materials for construction elements required by a project. By reward material reuse from
an existing structure, LEED 2009 encourages investigation by the project team into
designs that look to reuse as many of the existing construction elements as possible.
Also, this credit supports plans for reuse of existing structural elements between two
projects. Hence, a project team can investigate if other surrounding projects have
resources that might serve in their design and incorporate them into project planning and
development.
This credit allows for the structural engineer to have a direct effect on project
sustainable qualities by suggesting and developing designs that achieve layout allowing
for easier reuse of sections. Also, by investigating existing systems for their lateral and
vertical force resisting capabilities, the structural engineer can affect project sustainability
through the reuse of existing systems or through creative designs that incorporate existing
sections with new ones. This credit reward can provide a stepping-stone for structural
24
engineers to affect sustainable design through innovative designs and structural systems
that may not have been considered in preliminary design.
4.2.2.2 Disadvantages of MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse
The greatest pitfall that this credit has is the requalification of existing structural
members. While a member’s reuse may be preferable to a new design, care must be
taken to ensure that the condition of the member is such that its material properties have
not been drastically altered from its initial use. If a project plans to reuse a member, it
must first meet the criteria for reuse within the new structural frame according to the
current applicable building code. However, if after testing or evaluation of the member it
is shown to no longer have the necessary material properties, the resources required for
that requalification must be absorbed by the project financially and can affect how
sustainable the project can now be. It may occur that a design calling for reuse of several
structural members from an existing frame may no longer retain the required material
properties resulting in a redesign of the new structural frame. Also, the existing members
that are not sufficient will require replacement with new members resulting in what might
be a lower overall sustainable rating.
Along with this, the relatively small number of points awarded by the 2009 LEED
rating system for this credit in relation to the total possible points a project can achieve
may not warrant the detailed design that may be required. Also, these same points can be
achieved by reuse of existing architectural fixtures and other mechanical systems. By not
providing a greater reward to structural systems that reuse elements, pursuit of this credit
by the project team does not mean that the most sustainable structural design will be
achieved.
4.2.3 MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
The 2009 LEED rating system awards up to 2 points under MR Credit 4:
Recycled Content. These points are awarded based on the percentage of Recycled
Content included in building materials as documented during planning and construction.
The intention of this credit according to the 2009 LEED code is, “to increase demand for
building products that incorporate recycled content materials, thereby reducing impacts
resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials.” The code outlines that 1
25
point can be obtained with a minimum of 10% recycled content increasing to 2 points at
20% with no further reward in increased percentages. The document suggests that
project should establish recycled content materials goals and consider a range of
materials attributes with selecting products and materials.
4.2.3.1 Benefits of MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
Encouraging the use of construction materials with increased recycled contents is
an effective way to reduce the volume of raw materials employed in material production.
This credit fosters sustainability by rewarding the selection of construction materials with
recycled content and provides an avenue for project teams and structural engineers to
directly affect a building’s LEED Sustainability rating through structural frame choice. It
can also be noted, as further described in Chapter 6 of this document, that high-rise
structural frame construction materials such as steel and concrete employ recycled
content and research into each materials sustainable qualities is conducted and fostered
by their respective industries.
Another benefit of this credit is potential use of byproducts, such as fly ash and
slag in concrete as a replacement for cement. Research has shown positive results
indicating that concrete strength can increase through the use of these admixtures. Also,
fly ash and slag are usually readily available industrial byproducts. This availability also
illustrates their applicable sustainable qualities as they reuse existing byproducts for new
material production. These admixtures are one example of research being conducted and
any admixtures employed in concrete production look to relate both production costs and
sustainability. Researchers look to achieve this by defining the material properties of
cement and concrete mixes relative to their sustainable properties for their effective use
as construction materials. Relating the sustainable qualities of these materials to their
material properties can serve to better inform project teams and structural engineers to
more effectively develop and suggest structural frame designs that achieve this credit.
This may also lead to the design of structural systems that achieve low production energy
and raw material consumption relative to alternate designs.
4.2.3.2 Disadvantages of MR Credit 4: Recycled Content
From the perspective of a project’s structural frame, this credit may not go far
26
enough to encourage the most effective and encompassing sustainable design. These two
credits can be achieved by a design through the selection of concrete design mixtures or
steel that provides the required recycled material content. By making the only
requirement for this credit be that the materials include recycled content, this does
encourage research into alternative layouts or designs by the project team. Simply, as
long as the material has the required material content, the points can be obtained
regardless of whether or not an alternative material design would have resulted in a
structural system that would have greater sustainable impact.
As outlined in greater detail in chapter 6, as the recycled content of materials
increase, the required production energy of those materials can also increase and produce
high concentration of byproducts. From this, it can be observed that the production
energies and byproducts associated with high-recycled content materials can yield a
negative effect on the total production/construction energies required for a project.
Therefore, the selection of one material over another, and the subsequent reward by the
LEED 2009 rating system, may not increase the overall sustainability of a project in
relation to total energy expenditures and byproduct generation for production and
construction.
Current research into the material properties of high-recycled content cements has
illustrated that while strength can be increased through their use, ductility and durability
may decrease at high contents. Research also indicates that this material may have
limited application. While the decision for high-recycled material content concrete
would need to be made on a project-by-project basis, the research indicates that it may
best serve a structural system not to employ this material.
4.2.4 MR Credit 5: Regional Materials
The 2009 LEED rating system awards up to 2 points under MR Credit 5: Regional
Materials. These points are awarded based on the percentage of Regional Materials
included in building materials as documented during planning and construction. The
intention of this credit according to the 2009 LEED document is, “to increase demand for
building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region,
thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources and reducing the environmental
27
impacts resulting from transportation.” The document outlines that 1 point can be
obtained with a minimum of 10% of the total project materials cost being regional
materials and increasing to 2 points at 20% with no further reward in increased
percentages. LEED 2009 suggests that a project should establish locally sourced
materials goals and consider a range of materials attributes with selecting products and
materials.
4.2.4.1 Benefits of MR Credit 5: Regional Materials
The Regional Materials credit encourages a project to consider use of building
materials and suppliers within a 500 miles radius of the project site. This credit can have
several positive effects on the sustainability of a project. First, encouraging the use
materials located within the radius can help to minimize the both transportation costs and
environmental impact. Most notably, if the shipping route that a building material must
take to a site can be minimized, the environmental impact of that material can be
mitigated. As a result, a project can increase its sustainable environmental effects while
contributing to the project’s financial bottom line.
Second, the use of regional materials can have positive effects on the regional
economy and encourage growth both economically and technologically. By rewarding
projects that aim to maximize regional materials use, LEED can affect an increase in
material production in that area. If a project employs regional materials, it can work with
local producers to ensure that any other attainable LEED credits can be achieved through
their use. Thus, a project can encourage a local producer to investigate technologies that
reduce their byproduct emissions or utilize designs including higher recycled materials
contents or any other applicable LEED credit. This can serve to make the producer more
attractive as a supplier for future projects, leading to increases in both current and future
projects’ sustainability.
Finally, regional materials can also contribute to sustainability by allowing and
encouraging a project to be similar in form and design to the surrounding built
environment. This can encourage designs that both architecturally and structurally mimic
similar projects already in use. This LEED credit can therefore encourage a project to
pursue designs that can incorporate the intended use with those of the surrounding built
28
environment and thus contribute to that environment in a more sustainable fashion.
4.2.4.2 Disadvantages of MR Credit 5: Regional Materials
Inherent in the selection of any design or building material is the limitation that
specific design or material choice comes with. These limitations can have an effect on
the overall sustainability of a structure. For example, if a project were to select cast-in-
place concrete as its primary structural frame building material, that project’s design
could thus be limited by whatever layouts or configurations that building materials would
allow. This limitation could mean that an alternative design that chose steel for its
primary structural frame may have more (or less) sustainable qualities for the selected
design.
While this can be said about all projects, the use of regional materials and the
reward that LEED gives for it can be limiting to decisions made for design and may not
result in the most sustainable overall project. If a project were to pursue this credit for its
structural frame and select an applicable building material that was within the 500 mile
radius and obtain this LEED credit, this does not mean that the lowest possible material
production byproducts would be generated by that choice. If an alternative material were
selected from a producer outside that radius did not award this credit, it is possible that
lower production energies and environmental impact could be achieved. Therefore, the
choice by a project to pursue this credit may have negative effects on the overall project
sustainability contrary to the positives that it might gain for its LEED rating.
From the perspective of a project structural system and its relation to all the other
building materials included nn a project, this credit can be obtained without its
consideration. If the selected materials for a project’s interior or exterior construction
were regional materials, this LEED credit may still be obtained with no consideration of
regional material use for structural load carrying system. This would seem to be at odds
with this credit’s intention as the necessary percentages for the credit points could be
achieved without consideration of a structural frame and could limit the effect that a
structural engineer can have on project sustainability.
4.2.5 MR Credit 7: Certified Wood
The 2009 LEED rating system awards 1 point under MR Credit 7: Certified
29
Wood. This point is awarded based on meeting the requirement that 50% (based on cost)
of a project’s wood based materials are certified according to the Forest Stewardship
Council’s criteria for wood components. The intention of this credit according to the
2009 LEED document is, “to encourage environmentally responsible forest
management.” LEED suggests that project should establish a project goal for certified
wood use and ensure proper installation and that all materials are quantified.
4.2.5.1 Benefits of MR Credit 7: Certified Wood
Through this credit, LEED is encouraging project designers to pursue and ensure
the use of specific wood products, that are renewable compared to other building
materials due to their natural growth, in design. By employing of certified wood in
design, designers can look to increase overall project sustainability and decrease the
effect on the use of raw materials associated with other building materials.
This credit also has the byproduct of promoting certified wood production and
encouraging expansion in that field. As projects seek to obtain this credit, supply of
sufficient material must be made available and can encourage the increased production in
a region as building demand increases. Thus, this credit can help to bolster local and/or
regional economies and encourage innovation and expansion in the area of certified wood
production.
4.2.5.2 Disadvantages of MR Credit 7: Certified Wood
In consideration of a project’s structural system, this credit may play little role in
increasing its sustainability as the economical use of wood as a primary structural system
material decrease with increase project height and the subsequent increase in design
loads. Also, the use of wood as a structural load carrying system can be limited by its
durability and service life.
From the perspective of a structural engineer and a project structural system
material choice, this credit does little for large projects. While projects with generally
lower structural loads can achieve the use of wood as a primary structural system
element, the increase in height of a structure and loads can limit the ability of wood to be
utilized in an economical manner. Due to this, building materials such as steel and
concrete are typically chosen for structural system for their ability meet required
30
structural performance at these higher loads. Therefore, this credit may have little effect
on projects that must meet structural design requirements for medium to high-rise and
long-span structures.
Similar to other LEED credits, the certified wood credit requirements can be met
through the use of building materials other than the primary structural system. If a
project that did not employ wood as the primary structural system element was to
designate that all partitions must be constructed of certified wood, this credit may still be
obtained. While this may be viewed as a positive for the project and its LEED rating, this
does not mean nor encourages that the overall project is the most sustainable choice or
layout possible.
Structural engineers are limited in being able to meet the requirements of this
credit for two reasons. First, the use of wood as a primary structural element may not be
available as an economical choice or from a durability, maintenance and service life.
And second, this credit can be achieved elsewhere devoid of the structural engineer’s
input.
31
Chapter 5: Sustainability and Construction Type
5.1 Introduction
Project type can greatly affect the sustainability of structural systems. As
discussed in Chapter 4, the 2009 LEED rating system can limit the ability of a project to
achieve the most sustainable design possible while still reaching a high LEED rating.
Also introduced was the concept that project size (the total height of structure) can affect
the overall sustainability through the increased design and analysis period that larger
structures can require. However, overall project sustainability may not be directly related
to project size and/or height.
As a project’s size increases, structural system complexity can also increase due
to factors including, but not limited to, design loads increase. Due to this, larger projects
often encounter limitations in the form of structural system material strength
requirements. As a result, primary load bearing systems in these projects require
materials with higher strength properties (such as steel, cast-in-place concrete and
prestressed/precast concrete). This limitation can have significant effects on the design
and performance of a structure.
5.2 Construction Type
This chapter classifies the sustainability of projects under two construction types:
wood construction (allowing for the use of wood as the primary load carrying material)
and steel and concrete construction (employing steel and/or concrete as the primary load
carrying materials). For this discussion, these references will be employed throughout.
Both construction types offer opportunities to achieve a sustainable design and have
qualities that illustrate the structural system’s role in a sustainable design.
5.3 Wood Construction
As defined earlier, wood construction allows wood to be used as the primary
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load bearing material. This type of construction has various effects on the design of a
project and its ability to achieve and implement sustainable measures. In this section,
some of the aspects affecting project sustainability and the structural system design are
discussed.
5.3.1 Design and Analysis Phase
Inherent in any project involving new and/or rehabilitative construction is the
design and analysis phase. This phase includes, but is not limited to, design and analysis
of the proposed structure. Design and analysis for any new construction can have varied
lengths for completion and is closely related to building layout and architectural design.
In wood construction, values for design loads are often lower than their steel and concrete
construction counterparts. This is mostly due to the intended use and smaller size of the
structure. As a result of this, the amount of time required for the design and analysis
phase to be completed on wood projects is usually shorter than steel and concrete
construction projects. With a shorter design and analysis phase, more energy, effort and
project budget can be allotted to research into sustainable technologies and systems that
can be employed during the projects construction and operational phases.
5.3.2 Investments in Sustainable Technologies
As mentioned in the previous section, wood construction has the advantage of a
shorter design and analysis phase. Similarly, wood construction can also have a shorter
period between initial planning and building operation, namely, a shorter construction
phase. This means that the time between initial owner investment and revenue generation
is shorter than its steel and concrete companion. Thus, the shorter construction phase that
wood construction has a shorter payback period and can result in a sustainable
technology providing a more economical investment.
This shorter payback period also has the advantage of providing engineers and
architects with a financial incentive that can be attached to a proposed sustainable design.
By being able to link financial and sustainable properties in a design, the designers of
low-rise construction projects can have a greater effect on project sustainability.
5.3.3 Use of Wood as Primary Load Bearing Material
Another sustainability benefit of wood construction is in its use of wood as a
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primary load bearing material. A project that employs wood frame construction has the
sustainable advantage of using a rapidly renewable building material. Typical steel and
concrete construction materials, such as steel and concrete, require more raw materials
than wood. Also, the production energies required for steel and concrete construction
materials are greater than those for wood. Along with this, current sustainability rating
systmes (such as LEED), provide an incentive for the use of wood as a building material.
From these three aspects, wood can be viewed as a more sustainable alternative to other
construction materials.
5.3.4 Other Wood Sustainability Issues
Contrary to the positive sustainable qualities of wood as a building material is the
lack of attention that a wood construction projects structural system can receive.
Through the selection of wood as the primary building material, a wood construction
project can meet design code requirements. However, the selected wood design may not
be the most sustainable alternative for the project. If an alternate design involving steel
or concrete as the primary frame was to be selected it may result in a longer project
service life and greater durability. These are just two of several sustainable advantages
that and alternate design may provide. This illustrates the fact that while wood
construction often achieves high sustainable ratings and provide opportunities to the
project team to suggest sustainable technologies, the final product may not be the most
sustainable alternative.
Along with this, another sustainability issue that can be unique to wood
construction is energy use. In any construction project, the service core (the operational
and maintenance energy required for the project) and its function must be taken into
account. Inherently, the service core of a project is dependent on the project’s size. For
example, the amount of energy and power required for a wood construction residential
structure compared to a steel and concrete construction residence (assuming the same
project site) can be very different. This difference drives the design of interior layouts in
both high- and wood construction and the manner with which operational and
maintenance efficiency issues are addressed. With a smaller service core relative to a
steel and concrete alternative, a wood construction project can be afforded the
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opportunity to achieve a lower total embodied energy. The relationship between
embodied energy and service core in the wood project alternative can allow engineers
and architects to employ technologies that may work only for smaller scale projects.
Thus, a wood construction project may be able to achieve greater energy
efficiency than a steel and concrete alternative, assuming both are on the same site and
with the same intended use, due to the difference in building size and service core energy
use requirements. This can also be related to project structural system design as the use
of wood as a construction material can afford a project with advantageous thermal
qualities and opportunities that may not be achievable in a steel and concrete construction
project.
5.4 Steel and Concrete Construction
As defined earlier, steel and concrete construction employs steel and/or concrete
as the primary load bearing material. This type of construction has various effects on the
design of a project and its ability to achieve and implement sustainable measures. In this
section, some of the aspects affecting project sustainability and the structural system
design will be discussed.
5.4.1 Design and Analysis Phase
Similar to wood construction, the design and analysis phase can play a major part
in a steel and concrete construction project. As steel and concrete construction projects
often have higher design load values, they must rely on stronger materials such as steel
and concrete. Also, analysis of a steel and concrete construction alternative often
produces governing loads that vary between members throughout the structural system.
For example, while the overall design of a steel and concrete project can determine that it
is controlled by its seismic response loads, this does not mean that the design of certain
elements are not controlled by other loading scenarios.
The increased number of design controlling load combinations on elements can
require greater engineering effort and a longer period required for design relative to a
wood construction alternative. This can have both positive and negative effects on
project sustainability. With more complex structural systems comes the opportunity for
design innovation that may achieve higher overall project sustainability. However, this
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increased effort required for design may draw project funds away from other sustainable
efforts resulting in a lower overall sustainable rating. From this, it becomes clear that
complexity of a project’s structural system can lead to difficulties in its ability to achieve
a higher sustainable rating.
5.4.2 Land Use
Inherent in a steel and concrete construction project is a sustainable quality that
cannot be achieved in wood construction. With stronger structural materials, steel and
concrete construction projects can be built taller than a wood alternative. Thus the design
of any steel and concrete construction makes efficient use of project site (especially in
areas where land is expensive, i.e., downtown of major cities) that cannot be achieved by
a wood construction alternative.
By increasing the overall height of a project, the useable space increases.
Efficient use of allowable project space is a sustainable quality that looks to meet and/or
exceed the requirements of the current project. By doing this, the overall sustainability of
the project can be higher as it can serve or house more occupants. For example,
construction of a five-story hospital instead of a two-story one would make more efficient
use of the limited resource of space.
5.4.3 Investments in Sustainable Technologies
Opposing the positive sustainable qualities of steel and concrete construction can
be the financial limitations it imposes on sustainable technologies. With more complex
building designs and larger structures, additional monetary limitations can occur. Due to
this, investments into sustainable technologies can prove to be financially unsound as
their payback period can be much longer than in wood construction. Combating this is
the idea that economy of scale can take over and that numerous efficient technologies can
result in greater overall system efficiency. Each of these points illustrates that sustainable
technologies can affect steel and concrete construction projects sustainability in
significant ways.
However, sustainable technologies in steel and concrete construction can also
limit overall project sustainability. One limitation can be due to project budget
constraints that limit what technologies might be implemented. A second limitation
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comes from involving numerous technologies (such as roof gardens or reflective façade
surfaces) that may interact negatively. If a project cannot install more sustainable
systems due to cost restrictions, it can result in an overall less sustainable structure than
its wood construction counterpart. Likewise, investing in numerous technologies can
result in a system not interacting efficiently or leading to higher future maintenance costs.
Both of these reasons illustrate that sustainable technologies play a different role in steel
and concrete construction.
5.4.4 Building Materials
Steel and concrete construction projects are those that employ steel and/or
concrete as the primary construction material. This means that either steel, cast-in-place
concrete or precast/prestressed concrete sections serve as primary load carrying members.
Each of these building materials have unique qualities that can help a project to achieve a
high sustainable rating and will be discussed in a later chapter. However, some general
observations can be made about the role that these building materials play in a project’s
overall sustainability relative to their wood alternatives.
The above materials have advantageous strength qualities that lead to their
selection as construction materials. From a sustainability perspective, each of these
material choices makes efficient use of space as their design intention is to resist the
required load with as little cross-sectional area required. This can allow for greater
usable space.
These materials are also well established within the construction industry for use.
This has led to both past and current research into the sustainable properties of these
materials and methods by which they can be employed in a project layout and interact
with project facades in sustainably advantageous ways. Similarly, in an effort to increase
sustainable properties, research into and the implementation of new production methods
and technologies have been included to increase material use by their respective
industries and reduce required production energies and byproducts. Along with this,
research into the use of industrial byproducts (fly-ash, slag, etc.) and recycled materials
contents on the strength properties of these materials have also and are currently being
conducted.
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While the ability of steel, cast-in-place concrete or precast/prestressed concrete to
achieve higher sustainable properties as construction materials through the means listed
above varies, it can be concluded that their use in high-rise construction can have
advantageous sustainable impact on a project. However, other limitations and issues can
affect this.
5.4.5 Other Steel and Concrete Construction Sustainability Issues
Another sustainable advantage that steel and concrete construction projects can
achieve is the ability of larger projects to include multi-use or future-use functions into
their layouts and to reuse structural elements or partial structural systems. In the design
of these systems, designers look to achieve various goals.
In a multi-use project, design layouts that foster, promote and provide the means
by which a project can successfully achieved multiple uses are presented. For example, a
structure that provides an underground parking area, street level business layouts and
residences above looks to capitalize on the ability to provide shopping, covered car
parking and housing in one location. The above example can increase a project’s
sustainability as the inclusion of these essentials would require less environmental impact
than housing that was further from shopping areas requiring residents to transport both
themselves and their purchases. By reducing the need for these additional trips, a project
can increase its sustainability.
Similarly, a future-use project looks to provide designs and layout that allow for
various occupancies. For example, if in the initial project design, care is taken to ensure
that the provided layout achieves both the original intention of an office layout as well as
allowing for minimal to no remodeling requirements for conversion to a residence,
building service life can be extended. This can increase project sustainability and
marketability as the additional future use can provide a longer revenue stream to recoup
sustainable investments as well as mitigate or remove demolition costs for future
construction.
Both of these designs types also provide sustainable advantages through the
efficient use of sections (by extending their service life) and by reducing raw materials
requirements for future use. Also afforded to steel and concrete construction design is
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the opportunity for section or partial structural system reuse. Steel and concrete
construction projects require materials with greater strength properties than wood and
thus employ more raw materials for their production. Structural elements made of these
materials (steel and concrete) involved in steel and concrete construction can come at a
premium cost due to world markets. Due to this, investigation into the reuse of either
single structural elements or partial structural systems can be a viable alternative in
modern construction projects. This is a sustainable quality that can only be achieved in
steel and concrete construction and thus plays a role in overall project sustainability and
initial project planning and design phases.
5.5 The Built Environment
The surrounding built environment is an issue in steel and concrete construction
projects looking to maximize building height. Local municipalities can impede a project
from achieving the most sustainable design by imposing restrictions on heights, distance
from roads, façade design, etc. While a project can apply for a variance, there is no
guarantee that it will be approved. For example, if a project’s surrounding architecture
were limited to heights of 40 feet, a new structure that might serve its occupants more
efficiently with a design height of 60 feet cannot be pursued, possibly affecting overall
structural sustainability. Similarly, if a project looks to decrease its operating energy
through the use of glass in an area where codes limit buildings to only masonry facades,
overall project sustainability can be negatively affected.
Both of these examples illustrate that factors other than construction type can
affect a project. As displayed above, a steel or concrete structure can provide a more
sustainable alternative in areas where land-use is paramount by allowing for greater
structural height. Combating this sustainable property is the surrounding built
environment and the effect that that it can have on design. In areas with predominantly
steel and concrete construction with greater height, other building design effects, for
example unique wind loading due to a tunneling effect, must be taken into account
leading to additional design and analysis time. In areas with predominantly wood
construction with lower heights, proposed steel and construction steel and concrete
construction projects that are higher may be able to take advantage of thermal energy but,
39
in the process, may impede the ability of surrounding projects to do the same. Each of
these areas can affect total building sustainability and point to the role that the
surrounding built environment can play in a project’s design.
5.6 Conclusions
This chapter displays that both construction type and structural design play a role
in various aspects of a project. Table 5.1 provides an outline of the advantages offered by
steel and concrete and wood construction types as defined in this chapter.
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Design Aspect Wood construction Steel and Concrete Construction
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Chapter 6: Sustainability of Construction Materials
6.1 Introduction
The materials selected by a project can greatly affect overall project sustainability.
The primary construction materials discussed in this chapter are steel, cast-in-place
concrete and prestressed/precast concrete. These materials have various individual
sustainable qualities and their use in a structural load carrying system can have unique
effects of project sustainability.
Presented herein is a review of each of these primary construction materials for
their individual sustainable qualities, byproducts associated with their production,
production energies required for member fabrication/construction and issues surrounding
their use and application as sustainable materials along with a summary of positive and
negative sustainable aspects of each. Along with this, issues included in the construction
methods and limitations imposed by each are presented.
6.2 Structural Steel
The use of structural steel as a primary structural system material has been widely
employed in various construction projects in United States and around the world. This is
due to the advantageous material properties that steel possesses and its ability to be
employed in varying design layouts. Research has been conducted to investigate its
applicability as a sustainable building material, the energy, methods and byproducts
associated with its production and the effect of recycled materials contents. The design
and construction of steel has been and continues to be outlined by the American Institute
of Steel Construction (AISC 13th Ed.). This section discusses sustainable properties of
steel and provides examples.
6.2.1 LEED 2009 and Structural Steel
While many of the sustainable properties of steel are associated with the
technological advances made in industry and in its production methods, qualities other
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production energy requirements can contribute to the sustainability of steel relative to
cast-in-place and prestressed/precast concrete sections. Steel sections have the ability to
be reused as construction materials as one project reaches its end-of-life. This ability for
section reuse means that it is also possible for the reuse of partial structural systems
between projects. These qualities can contribute to a higher LEED sustainability rating,
possible advantageous financial outcomes for a project and a lower environmental
impact.
As described in Chapter 4, the 2009 LEED sustainable rating system rewards
projects that reuse existing sections or existing structural systems under MR Credit 3:
Materials Reuse. This credits aims to encourage the reuse of these structural sections or
partial systems between projects for two reasons. First is the goal of reducing
transportation costs for construction materials to a project site. Second is the goal of
reducing the depletion of natural resources. Both of these goals can be achieved through
the use and reuse of steel as a construction material and can contribute to overall project
sustainability.
Along with the 2009 LEED rating system credits rewarded for the reuse of
sections that steel can offer a project, reuse of sections can offer significant financial
gains. Be reducing transportation and new sections costs, additional funds can be
employed to pursue other sustainable technologies and increase total project
sustainability. Likewise, the additional saving can make the choice of steel as the
primary structural system material more attractive to project owners, which can have a
positive effect within the construction industry. It should be noted that construction costs
for steel can vary between regions with varying labor costs. However, the section
reusability may be able to offset this aspect for a given design and encourage steel use
outside of typically non-steel-use regions.
Similarly, partial structural system reuse can have the positive financial aspect of
prolonging building service life and reducing construction costs. For example, if and
existing steel frame consisting of six floors were to be partially demolished preserving
the lower three floors for an alternate use, a project could greatly decrease their
construction and labor costs as well as possibly contribute to new construction from the
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out-of-service elements of the original project. Also, partial structural system reuse can
be achieved through the use of steel as a building material through addition or removal of
members to existing frames. This can be illustrated in two ways. First, if a project were
to convert a braced steel frame to a moment resisting frame, façade improvements, such
as additional storefront window space, may now be possible allowing for a new structural
system use. Also, if a project explored a design alternative that called for the
construction of a new frame that would be connected to an existing frame, minimal
changes may be required to the existing frame that would only be possible in steel
construction. Both of these examples can contribute to the overall sustainability of a
project as well as provide financial incentive by reducing the required amount of new
materials and construction costs relative to new construction.
As referenced earlier, the reuse of steel sections between local projects and the
reuse of partial structural systems can provide environmental advantages to a project.
Two key aspects of new steel section production are the energies required and the
emissions that occur during production. New steel generation can be an intensive process
requiring various types of thermal and electrical energy. Associated with this energy are
any byproducts involved in its generation, most specifically green-house-gasses (GHGs).
With various inputs involved in energy generation for mining of raw materials,
conversion of existing materials into usable materials for new sections and transportation
of materials to production facilities, quantifying the total energy and byproducts
associated with production can be difficult. In addition, the mixing of necessary
materials and the resulting chemical reaction to achieve useable grade steel also has its
own GHGs emissions. These points illustrate that reuse of sections and partial systems
within structures can contribute greatly to reducing the environmental impact of steel as a
construction material.
Reuse of steel between projects requires qualification of existing steel sections for
further use. While the 2009 LEED document rewards the reuse of sections or partial
systems, analysis and testing must be conducted on sections to ensure that there has been
no degradation or compromise of their strength and deformation properties. For example,
if the section or part of the section buckled or yielded, it may not be reusable. Also, the
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same section or system, while possibly designed following earlier building standards or
codes, must be ensured to perform as required by the current code. For this reason, a
project must take into account that while section reuse may be an option, investment may
be made into requalification of these sections and system. The additional cost associated
with this testing and analysis can hurt a project financially and use of new steel materials
may be advantageous from both financial and sustainable points of view. Therefore, a
project may decrease its overall sustainability if it were to investigate the reuse of
sections or a system to find that new materials were required. Also, a project that
investigated reuse options unsuccessfully would invest time, financial assets and energy
into section testing and analysis that could result in an increase in overall project
environmental impact.
6.2.2 Structural Steel Section Production
Production energy requirements for steel can be difficult to fully quantify as
numerous variables and units of measure exist across the inputs required for new section
production. According to data published by the United States Department of Energy
(USDOE 2009) an estimated 16.3 MBtu/ton were employed in the production of steel.
This publication references data provided to the USDOE from industry and includes only
values associated with electricity, natural gas and coal use relative to the various steel
production methods. The data provided by industry for this publication does not address
the environmental impact from power generation nor the impact of the chemical reactions
associated with the production of steel.
Illustrated by the non-inclusion of other energy requirements, such as those
involved in raw material mining, environmental data provided from industry doe not
provide a full definition of the energies and emissions in steel section production. This
lack of a full definition can limit the use of steel as a construction material as its
advantageous for section reuse over new section production cannot be fully described. In
essence, the sustainable advantages that steel can provide to construction are directly tied
to its ability to be easily reused as well as the financial and environmental cost associated
with its production.
6.2.3 Recycled Materials Content and Structural Steel
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As outlined in Chapter 4, the 2009 LEED rating system rewards project that
incorporate building materials containing recycled materials into their construction. Steel
provides a project with this option as the percentages of recycled materials included in
new steel production have been increasing over recent decades. Research by both
industry and academia has displayed that recycled materials content has little effect on
strength properties associated with steel sections as well. Also, recycled content has no
significant effect on steel section durability (Horvath 1998).
This recycled material content is an advantage to both projects and producers as it
can minimize the need for additional raw materials for section production. As indicated
by the United States Department of Energy publications, recycled materials content can
increase required production energies relative to the various steel production methods
(USDOE 2009, Eruchan 2002). As noted above though, there exists a lack of fully
defined energies required for recycled materials contents including all energy and
environmental costs associated with section or material recycling. This limits the ability
to fully define the effects recycled materials contents can have on material sustainability.
6.2.4 Other Sustainable Issues of Structural Steel
The use of steel as structural load carrying system choice can provide a project
with advantages that may not be possible with other materials. Its strength and ductility
properties have made it a preferred material choice for many current and past projects. It
also offers other possible sustainable advantages such as streamlined construction
schedules and lower construction waste production. For example, unlike other
construction material types, steel construction does not require formwork, which can
reduce the overall waste produced and energy required for construction. Also, with
planning, construction speed of a project can increase, as steel structural elements do not
require any time between placement and function in steel construction. In essence, in a
steel construction project, as members are placed they can carry load. This means that a
project does not have to wait a period of time for sections to reach their required strength
properties. It should also be noted that each of these advantages might have positive
financial benefits that would encourage owners and project managers to pursue steel
construction and contribute to available funds for other sustainable technologies.
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Each of the positive sustainable qualities provided above may depend on accurate
predictions of production energy requirements and byproducts. To achieve a clear
understanding of the use of steel as a construction material relative to others, care must be
taken by a project team and industry to assess the impact the steel has. While sustainable
advantages can be achieved through its use, these advantages rely on accurate life-cycle-
analysis (LCA) and life-cycle-cost modeling (LCC). Included in these models should be
accurate forecasts of production energy requirements, byproduct emissions and
operational and maintenance costs.
6.3 Cast-in-Place Concrete
Cast-in-place concrete construction has been employed for a wide range of
construction projects. As a construction material, it offers the opportunity for projects to
achieve complex designs and provides engineers with and opportunity for variations
within structural layouts that other construction materials may not. Regional financial
restrictions and labor costs have driven the use of cast-in-place concrete construction
throughout the United States and the world. Cast-in-place concrete construction and the
concrete production industry are both highly skilled and developed professions with vast
project experience and knowledge. The design and construction of cast-in-place concrete
has been and continues to be governed by the American Concrete Institute with input
from the Portland Cement Institute. This section addresses the LEED 2009 sustainable
qualities, production, recycled materials content and other sustainable issues associated
with cast-in-place concrete construction. Where applicable, examples for these topics will
be provided as well as an outline of the positive and negative sustainable properties that
cast-in-place concrete can provide to a project if selected as the primary building
material.
6.3.1 LEED 2009 and Cast-in-Place Concrete
The LEED 2009 credit applicability to the aforementioned construction materials
often overlaps between points that can be obtained. While this is most often applicable to
MR Credit 4: Recycled Content, MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse becomes more difficult in
cast-in-place concrete construction. The intention of the LEED credit as applied to a
project’s structural system, as provided in Chapter 4, is to encourage the reuse of existing
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structural elements or systems. For cast-in-place concrete construction, this task can be
very complex. The removal and testing of an element may be possible with cast-in-place
elements provided care is taken during deconstruction. For example, the removal of a
cast-in-place concrete beam would require that beam-column joints be severed between
all adjacent beams and the supporting columns. This would mean that any reinforcing
steel placed through a connection would require either cutting or demolition that would
leave the connection reinforcing intact. If the reinforcing bars were cut, the existing
section would require further design for permanent connections in a frame, which could
lead to either more waste or construction difficulty. If the joint reinforcement were
maintained, a project would be required to ensure that sufficient strength was developed
between the connection of existing member and new construction. This would again
require further design and possible construction issue. Therefore, reuse of cast-in-place
concrete members, as described here, is very unlikely and difficult.
As illustrated in the above example, although difficult, it may be possible to reuse
cast-in-place concrete components. However, to assess the sustainability of this
construction, a project must consider the construction energy required and design time
necessary for the member’s reuse as well as any other sustainable issues related to it.
Also, similar to the reuse of steel sections, design professionals would need to address the
strength and other material properties of the existing member. It is possible that a
member may be tested and determined to no longer be functional for reuse in a new
structural system. This shows that reuse of a cast-in-place concrete component between
two projects may require greater financial assets, construction, demolition and
preparation time and analysis relative to entirely new construction.
Unlike MR Credit 3: Materials Reuse, MR Credit 4: Recycled Content can benefit
the overall sustainability of a cast-in-place concrete project as well as its LEED 2009
ranking. Concrete construction, in general, has similar qualities to that of steel
construction in that new member production can be achieved including recycled
materials. Also, similar to steel, concrete section offers the opportunity for a project at its
end-of-life (demolition phase) to reuse materials from demolished structure to be
employed as recycled content for new elements. This means that a project could increase
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its overall sustainability by employing members that include recycled materials contents
as well as planning for the reuse of their demolished sections as raw materials for new
construction. While pursuing this opportunity in new construction is possible, the only
reward currently provided to projects in the LEED 2009 rating system is for their use of
recycled materials. With concrete reuse may be viewed as a materials reuse issues and
fall under MR Credit 3 of the LEED 2009 rating system, the current document intention
does not encourage this. Other recycled materials content effects will be discussed in a
later section.
6.3.2 Cast-in-Place Concrete Member Production
The sustainable properties associated with the production of a cast-in-place
concrete member are centered on the production of the concrete, and specifically cement.
Reinforcing steel may also be an important factor contributing to sustainability of the
member. Also, construction methods associated with concrete placement can contribute
to its sustainable properties and are discussed in a later section.
Driving the sustainability of cast-in-place concrete sections are the energy
intensive aspects of cement and concrete production including raw material gathering and
byproduct emissions that are associated with both. While three of the four raw materials
in concrete (water, sand and gravel) are abundant and renewable resources, the fourth
(cement) is the single most critical material affecting the byproduct emissions,
environmental impact and sustainable properties of concrete. The mining and gathering
of raw materials for the production of cement requires various forms of energy. In
addition to this initial energy, additional energy is required to generate usable cement
mixes from these raw materials. Illustrating the energy and raw material requirements of
cement production, it has been shown an average of 1.6 tons of raw materials are required
to produce 1.0 ton of cement (Naik 2008). This high amount of input energy and raw
materials are combined with byproduct outputs that include CO2, NOx and other green
house gasses. Along with this, additional energy input is required for mixing of cement
and other raw materials for concrete production also producing CO2.
Upon review of the production requirements of concrete elements, it becomes
clear that its production requires various energy inputs during its various stages of
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production. Consequently, production energy associated with concrete members can vary
and are related to their production facilities and raw material availability. The measures
of these focus on cement or concrete production facilities themselves and do not include
the various other energy requirements associated with concrete production (e.g. raw
material mining, transportation and carbon emissions associated with it, etc.). Due to
this, an accurate and normalized required energy value for concrete production per
volume is difficult to obtain.
The concrete industry tries to reduce the energy and environmental impact of
concrete and cement production through the use of pozzolanic and recycled industrial
materials. Materials, including but not limited to, silica fume, slag and fly ash are often
used to replace cement in concrete design mixes in an effort to increase the sustainable
and material properties of concrete. The addition of these pozzolanic materials can
reduce the total amount of raw materials required for cement production and typically
increase the strength of concrete. However, in both cement and concrete, these materials
can affect the required production energies and may lead to higher energy input
requirements.
6.3.3 Recycled Materials Content and Cast-in-Place Concrete
Concrete construction can provide several opportunities for recycled materials
content. Similar to steel, the concrete industry and research institutions have investigated
the use of industrial byproducts, such as fly-ash and slag, in construction and production
(Pentalla 1997). Along with these industrial byproducts, research has been conducted
into the use of demolished concrete sections as aggregates and raw materials for new
production (Petalla 1997). This research has displayed various material properties such
as the possibility to make gains in the mix design strength and construction functionality.
However, this same research has indicated that at higher recycled material
concentrations, concrete mixes can have increased brittleness (Pentalla 1997). As
mentioned earlier, an increase in the recycled materials content of a concrete mix can
yield and increase in the required production energy. While this increase can play a role
is analyzing design alternatives, the use of recycled materials can increase the overall
sustainability of a project.
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6.3.4 Other Sustainable Issues of Cast-in-Place Concrete
Cast-in-place concrete construction can offer projects unique opportunities in
terms of scheduling. While cast-in-place concrete construction requires time after
placement for initial member strength to be achieved, streamlining of construction
schedules can be achieved. With proper planning, a project may be able to increase its
construction speed and decrease financial costs.
While a streamlined construction schedule can aid a project, the time required
between concrete placement and hardening of cast-in-place concrete elements can be
limiting. Unlike its steel and prestressed/precast counterparts, cast-in-place concrete
sections do not possess the ability to be loaded upon initial placement. This limitation
can have impact throughout all phases of a project. By limiting the load that can be
placed on a section during construction, the design and analysis phase may not be able to
pursue designs that employed these members in temporary use. For example, a project
that employs a partially completed portion of the structural frame as a support for loads
associated with temporary storage on an upper floor may not be able to carry that load
until the cast-in-place section met the required strength.
The volume of construction wastes generated also affect the sustainability of
construction. The required formwork and associated materials necessary for a cast-in-
place concrete frame must also be taken into account during whole project sustainability
assessment. While a project may be able to achieve high sustainable ratings through the
intelligent use of thermal energy in its design, these ratings may not offset the wastes
produced during construction.
6.4 Prestressed/Precast Concrete
Prestressed/precast concrete construction offers projects unique sustainability
opportunities in both design and construction. Among these is the ability to achieve
better material quality control not available in cast-in-place concrete construction due to
greater control during the casting process. This allows for project designers to consider
layouts not possible with other construction materials. As with the other construction
materials discussed in this chapter, research has been conducted by both industry and
academia into the sustainable qualities that prestressed/precast concrete possesses as well
51
as investigations into newer production methods and materials (Deane 2008 and Laefer
2008). As an alternative to cast-in-place and steel construction, prestressed/precast
concrete construction can allow a project to increase its overall sustainability in terms of
both environmental and financial aspects. The design of a prestressed/precast concrete
structure is typically governed by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Precast
Concrete Institute with additional information provided by the Portland Cement Institute.
This section addresses the LEED 2009 sustainable qualities, production, recycled
materials content and other sustainable issues associated with prestressed/precast
concrete construction. Where applicable, examples for these topics are provided as well
as an outline of the positive and negative sustainable properties that prestressed/precast
concrete can provide to a project if selected as the primary building material.
6.4.1 LEED 2009 Sustainable Qualities and Prestressed/Precast Concrete
Prestressed/precast concrete construction offers projects the opportunity to
address two of the sections of the LEED 2009 rating system. These two sections are MR
Credit 3: Section Reuse and MR. Credit 4: Recycled Materials Content.
Prestressed/precast concrete construction provides a project with the opportunity
to investigate the reuse of existing members from a previous project under MR Credit 3.
Similar to steel construction, precast/prestressed concrete construction allows for the
possibility of existing section removal during demolition of one project and reuse in a
new project. This is achieved in similar manner to that of steel construction as members
can require little modification before reuse. However, a similar issue as that which
occurs in cast-in-place concrete construction can hinder this because care must be taken
to ensure that an existing section possesses adequate strength properties through testing.
Also, analysis must be conducted on the existing component for its applicability within a
new structural design. These issues also rely heavily on the initial use of the
prestressed/precast member. For example, a project must initially allow for removal of a
component from the structural system with impact or demolition that could affect that
member (a factor for systems that employ spandrel beams with a poured concrete deck)
in its reuse. Similarly, for projects that do allow for the above, the existing member must
be of both usable geometry and strength for the new project. While these hurdles may be
52
difficult for a project to overcome, it is possible for prestressed/precast concrete
construction to achieve the goal intended by MR Credit 3: Section Reuse in the LEED
2009 rating system.
Also, similar to the discussion on cast-in-place concrete sections,
prestressed/precast concrete construction allows for the use of recycled materials in
concrete mix design. The materials involved in prestressed/precast concrete construction
can also be employed as recycled materials after demolition. Prestressed/precast concrete
construction also offers the additional ability to employ higher recycled materials
contents as both concrete design mixtures and the curing process can be controlled in way
not possible in cast-in-place concrete construction. This allows designers to achieve
strengths and material properties not possible in cast-in-place construction while still
meeting and intentions of MR Credit 4: Materials Reuse with the possibility of even
higher recycled materials contents.
6.4.2 Prestressed/Precast Concrete Member Production
The production energies and raw material required for prestressed/precast
concrete are very similar to cast-in-place concrete with the addition of a key element.
While production of cement and concrete for both cast-in-place and prestressed/precast
construction is similar, additional energy can be required for prestressed/precast members
that require specific curing methods. To increase the curing speed and strength gain time
for prestressed/precast concrete section, producers can employ steam curing and other
methods. The addition of these methods increases the energy required during production
and can affect the total required production energy and materials. For accurate
sustainability calculations, the issues discussed above affecting the material production of
cement and concrete are needed to be included with the additional curing energies.
The increased control over section production involved in prestressed/precast
construction can provide a project with the ability to increase section durability and
stiffness. As a result, prestressed/precast concrete construction attempts to include
measures that can decrease the maintenance costs associated with project operation.
However, both of these measures can affect sustainability in negative ways.
While maintenance costs are attempted to be driven down, practice has displayed
53
that project maintenance costs associated with operation can often be higher for
prestressed/precast construction (Naik 2008). Along with this, the addition of durability
and strength increase materials and admixtures can adversely affect section brittleness,
which can account for the additional maintenance costs mentioned previously. However,
prestressed/precast concrete construction offers the opportunity for reinforcement
placement and control. Similarly, prestressed/precast concrete construction has, in
general, much better quality control that traditional reinforced concrete. All of these
issues affect project sustainability and production sustainability by the increase energy
and materials costs associated with section production as well as maintenance. The
increased energy involved in improving concrete strength properties can thus adversely
affect whole project sustainability. Again, as with cast-in-place concrete, the measures
required for determination of production energy requirements can be difficult to fully
quantify and have significant effects on production design alternative selection.
6.4.3 Recycled Materials Content and Prestressed/Precast Concrete
Similar to cast-in-place concrete and steel construction, prestressed/precast
concrete construction allows for the use of recycled materials in its design. These
recycled materials often include fly-ash, silica fume, slag or recycled aggregate as with
cast-in-place concrete mix design. However, due to the control possible in production of
prestressed/precast members, percentages for recycled materials contents can be
increased due to different potentially better curing methods than cast-in-place concrete
members. The recycled materials content included in members vary relative to
application in a project. Prestressed/precast concrete sections can also offer an end-of-
life recycling option, just as cast-in-place construction, of the reuse of demolished
sections as aggregate or fill.
6.4.4 Other Sustainable Qualities of Prestressed/Precast Concrete
As with steel construction, prestressed/precast construction provides a project
with the ability for members to be loaded immediately upon placement. This advantage
can allow for streamlined construction schedules similar to those possible with steel
construction. Additionally, prestressed/precast construction allows for more complex
designs that involve structural system members playing several roles in a project’s
54
systems. For example, available to prestressed/precast construction can be the option for
piping, HVAC or other systems to be included in section design. This inclusion allows
for these additional systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.) to be put into place while
structural construction is proceeding. This means that a project can complete multiple
systems during the same time and drive construction time and costs down. In essence,
prestressed/precast concrete sections do not limit additional systems designs as strictly as
steel construction can, and does not require on-site curing time as with cast-in-place
concrete. All of these reasons can add to a project’s overall sustainability.
Similar to transportation of structural steel members and materials for cast-in-
place concrete construction, transportation of elements to project sites can create
limitations. Whereas a project and designer may call for a larger component/member,
site access limitations can reduce the overall project sustainability by requiring that
member to be a single element. This can mean that while the opportunity to be
sustainable is provided in prestressed/precast construction, limitations can also exist.
6.5 Conclusions
Below are the conclusions that have been drawn from this study relative to each
of the material types discussed. Table 6.1 provides a summary of these conclusions.
6.5.1 Sustainable Qualities and Issues for Steel
Many issues surround the use of steel as a construction material and its
relationship to sustainability. However, it can be seen that steel construction offers the
positive attributes to project sustainability of individual or frame section reuse, recycled
materials content possibility, durability, opportunity for streamlined construction
schedules and a short period between placement and ability to resist load. The negative
sustainable attributes associated with structural steel of byproduct emission from
production (most specifically carbon dioxide), operational and maintenance requirements
including fire and corrosion protection, required testing for section or system reuse and
significant (and not fully defined) production energy requirements.
6.5.2 Sustainable Qualities and Issues for Cast-in-Place Concrete
As illustrated, numerous issues surround the use of cast-in-place concrete as a
construction material and its relationship to sustainability. However, it can be seen that
55
cast-in-place construction offers the positive attributes to project sustainability of
abundant raw materials, possibility of recycled materials contents, ability to be recycled
for future construction and unique construction and scheduling opportunities relative to
the other materials discussed herein. The negative sustainable attributes associated with
cast-in-place concrete of byproduct emissions including several GHGs, significant energy
requirements for cement production, additional energy requirements for concrete
production, higher energy requirements for incorporation of pozzolanic or recycled
materials, materials placement limitations and wastes generated during construction.
6.5.3 Sustainable Qualities and Issues for Prestressed/Precast Concrete
Prestressed/precast concrete has many issues surrounding its use as a construction
material and its relationship to sustainability. However, it can be seen that
prestressed/precast construction offers the positive attributes to project sustainability of
abundant raw materials, possibility of recycled materials contents, ability to be recycled
for future construction, possibility for streamlined and multi-system construction, short
period between placement and service and the possibly for more durable and complex
design configurations. Combating these are the negative attributes of byproduct
emissions including several GHGs, significant energy requirements for cement
production, additional energy requirements for concrete production, higher energy
requirements for incorporation of pozzolanic or recycled materials, limitations imposed
by site access and relatively high maintenance costs.
56
Material Benefits Shortcomings
Ability for frame and section
CO2 emissions
reuse
Structural Steel
Recycled materials content
Operational and maintenance
possibility
requirements
Durability
Possibility for streamlined Required testing for
construction schedules requalification
Short period from placement to Significant energy requirements
service for production
Byproduct emissions (Various
Abundant raw materials
GHGS)
C.I.P. Reinforced
GHGS)
Possibility of recycled materials Significant energy requirements
content for raw material (cement)
Ability to be employed as a production and recycled materials
recycled material contents
Possibility for streamlined/multi-
system construction Construction constraints/material
Short period from placement to placement limitations
service
Possibility for high durability and Relatively high maintenance
complex designs costs.
57
Chapter 7: Review of Life Cycle Analysis Computer Programs
7.1 Introduction
Successful sustainable design of any structure relies on the ability of designers to
provide input to a client on design alternatives. Accurate design alternative prediction
requires various measures of energy and environmental impact analysis involving a range
of issues. The issues include but are not limited to the production energies associated
with construction materials as well as an analysis of the environmental impact materials
can have over their lifetime. While the producers of façade and non-structural building
construction materials present designers and engineers with the sustainable properties of
their products, all construction materials involved must be accounted for. This means
that a project must account for the sustainable impact that all materials included in
construction have during all planning and construction phases.
Accurate prediction of energy and environmental measures are what contribute to
the total life-cycle analysis (LCA) of a project. The sustainability of individual materials
contributes to total project sustainability and accurate prediction of sustainable qualities
are required during design alternative analysis. To achieve more accurate predictions and
allow for direct side-by-side comparison of designs’ sustainable properties, the energy
requirements for production/use, environmental impact, and end-of-life options must be
better determined. The construction materials industries and research institutions actively
must actively pursue these material sustainable properties in an effort to achieve
increased accuracy.
Private companies and government entities have created tools, in the form of life-
cycle analysis computer programs, to assist designers in these predictions. These life-
cycle analysis programs vary in capability and address different issues, such as focusing
solely on energy use, environmental impact or other LEED rating point applicable
sustainable properties (e.g., air quality, use of natural light, waste management, etc.),
58
associated with project planning and construction. These programs make calculations
based on data from a variety of industries and attempt to unify the results between
alternative designs.
In this study, three programs (Building for Environmental and Economic
Sustainability (BEES) v4.0, SimaPRO v7.1 and Athena Impact Estimator v4.0) have been
evaluated for their applicability to the life-cycle analysis of buildings alternatives. These
programs employ databases created from information provided by various sectors of the
construction materials production and construction industries and rely on the reported
energy values, environmental impacts, and other sustainable properties of construction
materials and construction processes. Both positive and negative aspects relating to
measurement of sustainable qualities of design alternative of these programs’ use will be
presented. Also, figures displaying program input requirements and output values where
relevant.
7.2 Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) v4.0
The Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) computer
program is a life-cycle analysis tool that performs side-by-side comparison of a single
construction material type involved in project design at a time. The program interface
allows its user to set weighting ratios for various aspects of both environmental and
economic impact resulting from a product’s use and compare it to another product in the
same major group element. Figures 7.1 and 7.2 show the initial program screen and the
option for applying rating ratios:
59
Figure 7.1. Screenshot of initial program screen for BEES v4.0
60
An example of the program’s materials comparison options would include
comparison of two concrete beams, made with 100% Portland cement mix and 15% fly-
ash cement mix concrete respectively, from either the same or different locations (input
as distance from manufacturing plant to project site). As described earlier, construction
discount rates for each of these beams can be weighted for user economic and
environmental importance and compared against their performance in both categories.
The ratios calculated for the environmental impact and economic performance of a
product over its life cycle are generated from a database contained within the program of
applicable product properties and uses. The values in these databases are provided by the
program for user review and contain the associated raw material inputs, byproducts of
production, wastes due to installation and maintenance, type of energy employed in
production and land use associated with life-cycle stage of a construction material. The
program’s creators, the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology,
periodically update the values in these tables BEES v4.0 employs these databases to
provide the user with both tabular and graphic representations of the products being
compared.
7.2.1 BEES v4.0 Program Outputs
Outputs from the BEES v4.0 program provide users with comparisons of single
construction material type on both economic and environmental scales. The program
inputs require users to provide distance to project site from supplier, indicating that the
tables employed in generating these outputs consider transportation costs and
environmental impacts. Using the weighting option provided, a user can indicate which
byproduct emissions or energy use issues are most important for comparison as well as
designate the importance of economic or environmental data to a project’s design. Each
of these inputs are applied the material selections made by a user from the provided
program database. The program then assesses each of the materials selected and provides
the user with both graphical and tabular outputs as well as an overall performance
combining economic and environmental outputs relative to user weighting. Provided
below are examples of program graphical output of both economic, environmental and
overall performance for an unweighted material comparison of the three façade materials
61
stucco, aluminum siding and trespa meteon with the same “distance to project site”
values.
The economic performance output provides the us
user
er with both the first and future
costs as well as the sum. As displayed in Figure 7.3, the future cost values can be both
positive and negative and are related to a materials ability to provide a project with a
financially advantageous use. The vertical axis of Figure 7.3 is the present value costs
associated with the previously discussed example while the horizontal axis is the three
design alternatives. It should also be noted that values provided from the
these
se outputs are at
present value costs.
Figure 7.3. Economic performance graphical output for stucco, aluminum siding
s and
trespa meteon
eteon comparison
The environmental performance output, Figure 7.4, provides the user with
measures of several environmental factors including the following; acidification, critical
air pollutants, ecological toxicity, eutrophication, fossil fuel depletion, global warming,
habitat alteration, human health, indoor air quality, ozone depletion, smog and water
62
intake. The measures in this output are gathered from industry data that are provided to
the program in the aforementioned performance tables.
The program assess the tabular data as well as the user input we
weights
ights and
“distance from producer” data. These values are converted within the program to
percentages of performance that are then converted to a points system. Each of the above
mentioned categories contribute to this point system and the program provides
provid the user
with and overall (with user defined weights where applicable) environmental score for
the materials being compared. The vertical axis of Figure 7.4 is the scores associated
with the previously discussed example while the horizontal axis is the three design
alternatives. As illustrated by Figures 7.3 and 7.4 from the provided example, stucco has
a relatively low economic cost with a high environmental performance (lower scores in
environmental performance as desired). The BEES v4.0 computer program
ogram also provides
the user with and overall performance output
output, displayed in Figure 7.5.
63
Figure 7.5. Overall Performance Graphical Output for Stucco, Aluminum Siding
Sidi and
Trespa Meteon comparison
65
Along with this, the program can only provide a user with comparisons of one
building material type at a time. While multiple alternatives within the building type can
be compared, alternative interactions cannot without running several models. For
example, a user might want to compare façade alternatives considering multiple window
alternatives. Each analysis would need to be run separately and cannot be combined.
This means that output would only provide a project insight about one material on its
own and not data on consideration of alternative materials that may be possible from
multiple suppliers. This can be a major hindrance to total project sustainability as
building materials may be selected that do not produce the most sustainable design.
Included in these limitations is the lack of ability to define material quantities
within the program. While comparisons are made between material types, the BEES v4.0
program cannot consider the effect that larger or smaller quantities of one material
relative to another in a design alternative can have. It can thus be concluded that the
BEES v4.0 program cannot consider if economy of scale or construction advantages were
available between different design alternatives.
These negatives can outweigh the positive program aspects if accurate, and in-
depth comparison is required for a project. It can also limit the ability of project
designers to effectively contribute to project sustainability and effect a project’s overall
sustainable qualities.
7.3 SimaPRO v7.1
The SimaPRO v7.1 computer program is a life cycle analysis tool employed in the
general calculation of a product’s environmental and economic impact. SimaPRO v7.1
bases its calculations off of databases that include inputs from various sectors of the
production industry including, but not limited to, raw materials and energy requirements
for production. The program offers its user the ability to create and change the values in
its databases to better suit a designer’s needs. The SimaPRO v7.1 computer program also
allows the user to select datum input for a life cycle and environmental impact analysis
for a user-defined product generated from a program-defined list of raw materials.
However, detailed investigation into all aspects of production must be conducted prior to
the combination of raw materials for a new, non-program defined product. Figure 7.6 is
66
an example of a program--defined product, 1.0 kilogram
am of cattle feed, and the raw
materials product tree provided by the SimaPRO v7.1 program.
Figure 7.6. SimaPRO v7.1 product tree for 1.0 kilogram of cattle feed
Figure 7.7. SimaPRO v7.1 Graphical Output for One (1) Kilogram of Cattle Feed
69
program-defined raw materials. Any user-defined products must be possible from
configurations of program-defined materials and thus can limit the types of products that
can be defined. As the program does not allow for definition of any product, it can
greatly limit the effectiveness that its outputs can have on design alternative comparison.
This relates directly to the limitations imposed by the program from its database. As with
the BEES v4.0 program, SimaPRO v7.1 can only produce results relative to its database.
If there exist errors in the manner in which data was collected or a product being
considered is produced/consists of materials outside the program-defined database, the
outputs may not be relevant to a project’s intended comparisons.
Similar to the BEES v4.0 program, SimaPRO v7.1 also cannot consider quantities
in its calculations. As discussed in Section 7.2.3, this means that alternative designs
could not accurately reflect advantages that one product can provide over another used in
a project.
Each of these limitations contribute to the overall effectiveness of the SimaPRO
v7.1 computer program in comparing alternative design options for a project and affect
the effectiveness that program outputs can have for project material choice.
7.4 Athena Impact Estimator v4.0
The Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 computer program is a building system
environmental effect calculation tool designed to help engineers and designers determine
the summary measures and/or absolute environmental effect of a design alternative by
either life-cycle stage or assembly group embodied effects. The program allows users to
create alternative building systems, based on both provided product details user-defined
products, that are compared against total (as well as by life-cycle stage) environmental
impact. The databases included in the program are generated from industry values
considering various energy use aspects including, but not limited to; electricity, hydro-
power, coal, diesel, feedstock, gasoline, heavy fuel oil, natural gas and nuclear. A
designer would generate a model based on a simple building layout (e.g., number of bays,
length of bays, etc.) for each applicable level of the building. Interior and façade details
can also be specified. The program employs the user-input design data to generate total
quantities of raw materials, which are displayed by a “Bill of Materials” report (an
70
example is provided in Figure 7.8
7.8).
Figure 7.8. Athena impact estimator v4.0 bill of materials report generic example
e
71
project energy values. This is due to varying energy use by region North America and is
encapsulated in the program
program-defined databases.
The program interface and input requirements are most effectively employed for
projects considering building design alte
alternatives
rnatives not project design alternatives.
alterna
Provided in Figures 7.9 and 7.10 are equivalent tabular and graphical representations of
output data from a generi
genericc building design alternative and illustrate the type of outputs
(ex. electricity, coal, natural ggas, etc.) associated with a building.
72
Figure 7.10. Athena Impact Estimator v 4.0 graphical output-generic example
xample
73
design. One of the most predominant advantages offered by the program is the ability to
consider multiple design alternatives. This allows a project to present energy and
environmental impact analysis for various layouts or designs and compare them
simultaneously. The designers then can compare design alternatives and make more
informed decisions.
Similar to this, the program can provide users with analysis results from multiple
viewpoints such as by life cycle stage or embodied energy. This means that designers
can consider the impact of their material choices relative to project life cycles as well to
total project energy requirements. Designers can thus make conclusions based on this
data relative to aspects (construction issues, maintenance issues, etc.) important to their
project. This also means that alternative design choices can display what areas of the
project life cycle will require greater energy expenditures and allow a project to plan for
this in their final design decisions.
The databases included in the program are from industry data and other outside
research efforts. It can be assumed that this data was gathered from various regions
within North America and thus can provide a user with accurate input relevant to their
project site. These database and regional considerations can be important to project
design alternative choices as their accuracy can influence the decision of designers.
The Athena Project Estimator v4.0 has the ability to include material quantities in
its calculations. Inclusion of these quantities increases the accuracy with which design
alternatives can be compared. This accuracy can aid users and project designers to
determine what design alternatives meet, exceed or fall short of their sustainability goals.
Another positive sustainable quality of the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 is that
its databases and user interface consist of both interior and exterior structural elements.
This does not mean that the program can analyze a structure for its effectiveness to resist
loads. Rather, it means that the program can consider elements of a projects design rather
than simple architectural or structural aspects separately. The program can also assess a
building design alternative over its life. This allows designers to consider aspects
surrounding material/design choice including end-of-life options.
7.4.3 Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 Sustainable Measurement Disadvantages
74
One of the key issues in program use and output, as with the previously discussed
programs, are the reliability of the program defined databases. While the program
employs industry and research data, the applicability of this data to a specific project may
be incorrect. It is difficult to verify the data because it is not clear to the user every input
comes from. This means that a user may assess design alternatives that display energy
values that are not accurate relative to their material choices and product availability
within the project site’s region. This can limit the ability of both the program and
designers to accurately predict the energy expenditures associated with alternative project
designs.
The Athena Impact Estimator program shows that energy requirements increase
as material quantity increase. However, the program does not provide the user with
individual section or member sizes, just an increase in energy relative to span length.
Parametric studies employing the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 are provided in Chapter
8. These studies display program use and output more accurately, and depict that the
increases in energy are general comparison of design alternative.
The final negative sustainable quality associated with the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 is that its use for design alternatives can require extensive input and data.
Geometry, layout and initial design are required to achieve an accurate design alternative
comparison from the program. This means that both design time and energy must be
employed to first determine the various design alternatives as well as enter their required
data for program analysis. While this may not be difficult on relatively small projects, as
size and complexity increase, design time will increase. This can harm overall project
sustainability, as program results may not be accurate. This can lead to modeling that
detracts from design alternative decisions choices rather than adds to their effectiveness.
7.5 Conclusions and Program Highlights
Review and analysis of the three computer programs presented (Building for
Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) v4.0, SimaPRO v7.1 and Athena
Impact Estimator v4.0) led to the following program specific and general conclusions.
7.5.1 BEES v4.0 Program Conclusions
The BEES v4.0 program allows for the side-by-side comparison of building
75
materials and can integrate location from supplier to site. Simultaneous economic and
environmental analyses can be conducted including weighting ratios relative to their
importance within a project decisions making process. The program also relies heavily
on a product materials database.
One shortcoming of the BEES v4.0 program is that it compares only materials and
not project design alternatives directly. As a result only general product conclusions can
be drawn. In addition, there is uncertainty about the products database and what
information is employed to generate it. Thus, program outputs may not accurately reflect
desired project design alternatives. Finally, the program does not allow for material
quantity comparison.
7.5.2 SimaPRO v7.1 Program Conclusions
The SimaPRO v7.1 program offers a user an extensive database of predefined
materials as well as the ability to edit these materials to generate new product as required
for design alternatives. It also provides a user with side-by-side product comparison as
well as visual raw material inputs to the project under analysis. The program also allows
the user to perform environmental, energy and life cycle analyses using various analysis
methods including the BEES and TRACI methods.
SimaPRO v7.1 falls short as it only allows for comparison of product alternatives
and not design alternatives. As a result, limited raw material inputs can hinder the ability
of a user to clearly define new products leading to limitations in the results and their
effectiveness in project design alternative decision-making. Similar to the BEES v4.0
program, the program database can limit comparison effectiveness as well as its inability
to consider material quantities.
7.5.3 Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 Program Conclusions
The Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 program includes environmental and energy
analysis measures. The program also allows for alternative design comparison by life
cycle stage or embodied energy effect. The values for which are determined from an
industry-generated database that includes both interior and exterior building components.
It can provide insight into energy expenditures and environmental impact at each step
along building life. Unlike the other programs discussed, the Athena Impact Estimator
76
considers material quantities in its analyses.
The Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 falls short on its effectiveness as a sustainable
design alternative comparison tool because of the trends it applies to its output data.
Energy requirements are shown to increase relative to material quantity increase and
measurements do not indicate changes in section size (this is depicted in more depth in
the studies contained in Chapter 8). Also, the program has difficulty in accurately
comparing varying structural design layouts and focuses on general architectural and
quantity comparisons. Similar to the previous programs discussed, it also relies heavily
on an industry-defined database that may not always be accurate.
7.5.4 General Life Cycle Analysis Computer Program Conclusions
In general, the three life cycle analysis programs reviewed rely heavily on
databases for analysis. These databases can distort outputs in a manner not helpful to
design alternative decision-making. The reviewed programs also lack the ability to fully
define a project’s building envelope and/or structural system. This limits how a project
can compare design alternatives. Care must also be taken in program use to address
aspects of project sustainability in effective and meaningful ways. Each of the programs
reviewed only provide general comparisons for design alternatives. This limits the
accuracy with which conclusions about design alternative can be made. Also, none of the
programs reviewed relate material strength, durability and other properties with their
program-defined sustainable properties. This limits the type of comparisons that can be
made as well as the effectiveness of any research based on these programs’ use.
The programs reviewed are not effective for structural system or whole project
modeling on their own. Use of multiple programs may lead to more effective design
results, but this is unclear as their shortcomings are often overlapping and may not
provide all the necessary solutions for accurate design alternative comparisons at this
point in time.
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Chapter 8: Modeling and Analysis with the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0
8.1 Introduction
This chapter presents sustainability analysis of beams, columns and concrete slabs
using the Athena Impact Software v4.0. It was concluded from the review of available
computer programs that the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 would best serve in parametric
studies to assess the relationship between structural members and energy consumption.
This modeling was conducted to evaluate the energy consumption values associated with
the following structural elements and properties:
• Wide Flange (WF), Concrete and Glulam columns’ energy consumption relative to
column height
• Wide Flange, Concrete and Glulam columns’ energy consumption relative to live
load
• Wide Flange, Concrete and Glulam beams’ energy consumption relative to span
length
• Wide Flange, Concrete and Glulam beams’ energy consumption relative to live load
• Concrete Suspended Slabs’ energy consumption relative to span length
• Concrete Suspended Slabs’ energy consumption relative to live load
• Concrete Suspended Slabs’ energy consumption relative to concrete strength
• The concrete strength of Concrete Suspended Slabs’ energy consumption relative to
live load
• The fly-ash percentage of Concrete Suspend Slabs’ energy consumption relative to
gross floor area
• The fly-ash percentage of Concrete Suspend Slabs’ energy consumption relative to
live load
This modeling assesses the output energy values associated with varying widths
and lengths of the columns, beams and slabs displayed in Figure 8.1.
78
Figure 8.1. Illustration of structure employed as generic model for Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 energy consumption assessment
For each of the studies, the values for height, span, live load, concrete strength
and concrete fly-ash percentage were varied individually holding other values constant to
determine the effect that each had on energy consumption as predicted by the Athena
Impact Estimator v4.0. The manner in which each value was varied is presented in the
next section
8.2 Modeling Parameters
Figure 8.2 displays the initial input screen when starting a new project in the
Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 computer program.
79
Figure 8.2.. Screenshot of initial input interface for a “New” project in Athena
Athe Impact
Estimator v4.0
In all modeling, the “Project Location” dropdown window was set to “USA.”
Also, the “Building Type” was maintained as “Comm
“Commercial.”
ercial.” Displayed on Figure 8.2
are two highlighted inputs. These inputs are “Gross Floor Area” and “Building
Building Life
Expectancy”.. All studies were conducted in “Imperial” units. The “Project Number” and
“Project Description” input fields were left blank.
Figure 8.3 displays the input screen obtained after completing the initial input
screen parameter inputs
ts and clicking the “Edit” dropdown tab in the program interface
and selecting “Add Assembly”, “Floor” and “Concrete Suspended Slab”.
80
Figure 8.3.. Screenshot of iinterface
nterface for “Concrete Suspended Slab” in Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0
81
Figure 8.4. Screenshot of iinterface
nterface for “Mixed Columns and Beam” in Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0
In all modeling, the “Number of Columns” and “Number of Beams” were set to 4.
Displayed on the figure are six highlighted inputs: “Bay Size”, “Supported Span”, “Floor
to Floor Height”,, “Live Loa
Load”, “Column Type” and “Beam Type”.. Table 8.1 provides a
list of all highlighted input
inputs for reference.
Highlighted Input Label Reference to Figure Name Reference
Input 1 Figure 14 Gross
ross Floor Area
Input 2 Figure 14 Building Life Expectancy
Input 3 Figure 15 Floor Width
Input 4 Figure 15 Span
Input 5 Figure 15 Concrete Flyash %
Input 6 Figure 15 Concrete
Input 7 Figure 15 Live Load
Input 8 Figure 16 Bay Size
Input 9 Figure 16 Supported Span
Input 10 Figure 16 Floor to Floor Height
Input 11 Figure 16 Live Load
Input 12 Figure 16 Column Type
Input 13 Figure 16 Beam Type
Figure 8.5. Screenshot of project assembly tree with project heading highlighted
ighlighted
83
Figure 8.6. Screenshot of “Reports” interface
nterface window with highlighted areas
84
(MJ), which varies with the selection of Glulam for Inputs 12 and 13.
The values from these tables were exported from the Athena Impact Estimator
v4.0 to Microsoft Excel. From there, all units were converted to MJ (the conversion unit
of 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ was employed in converting the Electricity output) and summed for a
total energy consumption value for each model. These total energy consumption values
were then compared via the parameters varied in each study. All exported tables are
provided in Appendix A.
8.3 Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 Parametric Studies
This section provides the information relevant to the parametric studies that were
conducted.
8.3.1 Study 1: Column Energy Consumption
The intention of this study was to assess the required energy consumption per
length of three column types (Wide Flange, Concrete and Glulam) as predicted by the
Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 computer program. In this study, all values associated
with the slab and beams lengths and widths (as illustrated in Figure 8.1) were held
constant while the floor-to-floor height, column type and live load were varied.
8.3.1.1 Study 1: Input Values
Table 8.2 displays all input labels included in this study along with their constant
or varied value, a reference to their name and a reference to their applicable figure. Table
8.2 also displays the values for the parameters that were varied as applicable.
85
Input Reference to Name Reference Value Unit
Label Figure
Input 1 Figure 14 Gross Floor Area 400 ft2
Input 2 Figure 14 Building Life Expectancy 50 Years
Input 3 Figure 15 Floor Width 20 ft
Input 4 Figure 15 Span 20 ft
Input 5 Figure 15 Concrete Flyash % average %
Input 6 Figure 15 Concrete 4000 psi
Input 7 Figure 15 Live Load 45 psf
Input 8 Figure 16 Bay Size 20 ft
Input 9 Figure 16 Supported Span 20 ft
Input 10 Figure 16 Floor to Floor Height Varied (10-15) ft
Input 11 Figure 16 Live Load Varied (45, 75, 100) psf
Input 12 Figure 16 Column Type Varied (WF, Concrete, Glulam) --
Input 13 Figure 16 Beam Type WF --
86
Live 45 psf Live 75 psf Live 100 psf
Table 8.3. Total energy consumption values for study 1 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations
87
y = 5162.3x + 105783
195.0 R² = 1
185.0
175.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
165.0
155.0
145.0
135.0
y = 1036.7x + 105782
R² = 1
125.0
y = 203.91x + 105806
115.0 R² = 1
105.0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Column Height (ft.)
Figure 8.7. Column height vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 45 psf
y = 4947.2x + 85599
165.0 R² = 1
155.0
145.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
135.0
125.0
115.0
y = 1036.7x + 85599
105.0 R² = 1
85.0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Column Height (ft.)
Figure 8.8. Column height vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 75 psf
88
y = 5301.8x + 136179
R² = 1
225.0
215.0
205.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
195.0
185.0
175.0
y = 1659.5x + 136179
R² = 1
165.0
155.0
y = 362.97x + 136387
R² = 1
145.0
135.0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Column Height (ft.)
Figure 8.9. Column height vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 100 psf
220.0
200.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
180.0
160.0
140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Live Load (psf)
WF Co ncrete Glulam
Figure 8.10. Live load vs. total energy consumption for columns
89
Figures 8.7 through 8.9 display the relationship between Column Height and
Total Energy Consumption that the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 output tables provide
for the three column types investigated (WF, Concrete and Glulam) at the live loads
investigated (45 psf, 75 psf, and 100 psf). Figure 8.10 displays the relationship between
Live Load and Total Energy Consumption for the three column types investigated.
Along with this, trendlines have been calculated in Microsoft Excel to determine the best-
fit linear equation where applicable.
8.3.3 Study 1: Conclusions
The following conclusions have been drawn from the graphs generated in this
study:
• Energy consumption is highest with concrete as the column type devoid of
column height
• Energy consumption increases linearly as volume of material of a column
increases
• Steel columns are approximately 3-5 times more energy conservative than
Concrete columns depending on live load
• Glulam columns are approximately 14-25 times more energy conservative
than Concrete columns depending on live load
• Glulam columns are approximately 4.5-5.5 times more energy conservative
than steel columns depending on live load
• Energy consumption increases as live load on columns increases
• Energy consumption is highest with Concrete as the column type devoid of
live load choice
8.4 Study 2: Beam Energy Consumption
The intention of this study was to assess the required energy consumption per
length of a beam as predicted by the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 computer program.
In this study, the values associated with the columns height, slab length, beam length and
slab width (as illustrated in Figure 8.1) were held constant, while the values for beam
span, beam type and live load were varied.
8.4.1 Study 2: Input Values
90
Table 8 displays all input labels included in this study along with their constant or
varied value, a reference to their name and a reference to their applicable figure. Table 8
also displays which parameters were varied as applicable.
Input Reference Name Reference Value Unit
Label to Figure
Input 1 Figure 14 Gross Floor Area 400 ft2
Input 2 Figure 14 Building Life Expectancy 50 Years
Input 3 Figure 15 Floor Width 20 ft
Input 4 Figure 15 Span 20 ft
Input 5 Figure 15 Concrete Flyash % average %
Input 6 Figure 15 Concrete 4000 psi
Input 7 Figure 15 Live Load 45 psf
Input 8 Figure 16 Bay Size Varied (15, 20, 25, 30) ft
Input 9 Figure 16 Supported Span 20 ft
Input 10 Figure 16 Floor to Floor Height 12 ft
Input 11 Figure 16 Live Load Varied (45, 75, 100) psf
Input 12 Figure 16 Column Type WF --
Input 13 Figure 16 Beam Type Varied (WF, Concrete, Glulam) --
91
Live Live Live
45 psf 75 psf 100 psf
Load Load Load
Table 8.5. Total energy consumption values for study 2 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations
92
140.0
120.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
100.0
80.0
60.0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Live Load (psf)
WF Concrete Glulam
Figure 8.11. Beam length vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 45 psf
420.0
400.0
380.0
360.0
340.0
320.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
300.0
280.0
260.0
240.0
220.0
200.0
180.0
160.0
140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
60.0
14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
Beam Length (ft.)
WF Concrete Glulam
Figure 8.12. Beam length vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 75 psf
93
540.0
520.0
500.0
480.0
460.0
440.0
420.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
400.0
380.0
360.0
340.0
320.0
300.0
280.0
260.0
240.0
220.0
200.0
180.0
160.0
140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
Beam Length (ft.)
WF Concrete Glulam
Figure 8.13. Beam length vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 100 psf
140.0
120.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
100.0
80.0
60.0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Live Load (psf)
WF Concrete Glulam
Figure 8.14. Live load vs. total energy consumption for beams
94
Figures 8.11 through 8.13 display the relationship between Beam Length and
Total Energy Consumption that the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 output tables provide
for the three beam types investigated (WF, Concrete and Glulam) at the live loads
investigated (45 psf, 75 psf, and 100 psf). Figure 8.14 displays the relationship between
Live Load and Total Energy Consumption for the three beam types investigated.
8.4.3 Study 2: Conclusions
The following conclusions have been drawn from the graphs generated in this
study:
• Energy consumption is highest with Wide Flange as the beam type devoid of
beam length
• Energy consumption increase as volume of material of a beam increases
• Energy consumption for Wide Flange beams increase at a greater rate as span
length increases as compared to Concrete and Glulam beams
• At beams lengths of 20 – 30 ft, energy consumption is similar for Concrete
and Glulam beams with live loads of 45 psf and 100 psf
• Energy consumption increases as live load on beams increases
• Energy consumption is highest with Wide Flange as the beam type devoid of
live load choice
• Energy consumption for Wide Flange beams increase at a greater rate as live
load increases as compared to Concrete and Glulam beams
8.5 Study 3: Concrete Suspended Slab Span Energy Consumption
The intention of this study was to assess the required energy consumption
associated with span length of a slab as predicted by the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0
computer program. In this study, the values associated with the columns height, slab
width, beam length and beam width (as illustrated in Figure 8.1) were held constant,
while the values for slab length and live load were varied.
8.5.1 Study 3: Input Values
Table 8.6 displays all input labels included in this study along with their constant
or varied value, a reference to their name and a reference to their applicable figure. Table
8.6 also displays which parameters were varied as applicable.
95
Input Reference Name Reference Value Unit
Label to Figure
Input 1 Figure 14 Gross Floor Area 400 ft2
Input 2 Figure 14 Building Life Expectancy 50 Years
Input 3 Figure 15 Floor Width 20 ft
Input 4 Figure 15 Span Varied (15, 20, 25, 28, 30) ft
Input 5 Figure 15 Concrete Flyash % Average %
Input 6 Figure 15 Concrete 4000 psi
Input 7 Figure 15 Live Load Varied (45, 75, 100) psf
Input 8 Figure 16 Bay Size 20 ft
Input 9 Figure 16 Supported Span 20 ft
Input 10 Figure 16 Floor to Floor Height 12 ft
Input 11 Figure 16 Live Load 45 psf
Input 12 Figure 16 Column Type WF --
Input 13 Figure 16 Beam Type WF --
96
Live Live Live
45 psf 75 psf 100 psf
Load Load Load
Span Span Span
Energy Energy Energy
Length Length Length
(MJ) (MJ) (MJ)
(ft) (ft) (ft)
15 84803.8 15 84560.0 15 87448.7
20 98039.6 20 98099.2 20 104681.8
25 117948.8 25 118010.4 25 126864.3
28 134041.7 28 133836.9 28 142674.7
30 146801.3 30 146267.8 30 154297.0
Table 8.7. Total energy consumption values for study 3 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations
160.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
Span Length (ft.)
Figure 8.15. Concrete suspended slab span length vs. total energy consumption
97
160.0
140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Live Load (psf)
15 ft. Span 20 ft. Span 25 ft. Span 28 ft. Span 30 ft. Span
Figure 8.16. Live load vs. total energy consumption for concrete suspended slab at span
lengths of 15, 20, 25, 28 and 30-ft
Figures 8.15 displays the relationship between Concrete Suspended Slab span
length and Total Energy Consumption that the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 output
tables provide for the three live loads investigated (45 psf, 75 psf, and 100 psf). Figure
8.16 displays the relationship between Live Load and Total Energy Consumption at each
the three live loads investigated (45 psf, 75 psf, and 100 psf) for five span lengths (15-ft.,
20-ft., 25-ft., 28-ft. and 30-ft.) investigated.
8.5.3 Study 3: Conclusions
The following conclusions have been drawn from the graphs generated in this
study:
• Energy consumption is highest at a live load of 100 psf devoid of slab span
length
• Energy consumption increase as volume of material of a slab increases
• Energy consumption for live loads of 45 and 75 psf are nearly identical for
98
increased span
• Energy consumption increases as slab span length increases
• Energy consumption increases as live load on slab increases
8.6 Study 4: Concrete Strength Energy Consumption
The intention of this study was to assess the required energy consumption
associated with the concrete strength of a slab as predicted by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 computer program. In this study, the values associated with the columns
height, slab length, slab width, beam length and beam width (as illustrated in Figure 8.1)
were held constant, while the values for concrete strength and live load were varied.
8.6.1 Study 4: Input Values
Table 8.8 displays all input labels included in this study along with their constant
or varied value, a reference to their name and a reference to their applicable figure Table
8.8 also displays which parameters were varied as applicable.
Input Reference Name Reference Value Unit
Label to Figure
Input 1 Figure 14 Gross Floor Area 400 ft2
Input 2 Figure 14 Building Life Expectancy 50 Years
Input 3 Figure 15 Floor Width 20 ft
Input 4 Figure 15 Span 15 ft
Input 5 Figure 15 Concrete Flyash % Average %
Input 6 Figure 15 Concrete Varied (3000, 4000, 9000) psi
Input 7 Figure 15 Live Load Varied (45, 75, 100) psf
Input 8 Figure 16 Bay Size 20 ft
Input 9 Figure 16 Supported Span 20 ft
Input 10 Figure 16 Floor to Floor Height 12 ft
Input 11 Figure 16 Live Load 45 psf
Input 12 Figure 16 Column Type WF --
Input 13 Figure 16 Beam Type WF --
Table 8.9. Total energy consumption values for study 4 as provided by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations
90.0
87.5
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
85.0
82.5
80.0
77.5
75.0
2500 3500 4500 5500 6500 7500 8500 9500
Concrete Strength (psi)
Figure 8.17. Concrete suspended slab concrete strength vs. total energy consumption
100
90.0
87.5
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
85.0
82.5
80.0
77.5
75.0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Live Load (psf)
Figure 8.18. Live load vs. total energy consumption for concrete suspended slab at
concrete strengths of 3000, 4000 and 9000 psi
Figures 8.17 displays the relationship between Concrete Suspended Slab concrete
strength and Total Energy Consumption that the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 output
tables provide for the three live loads investigated (45 psf, 75 psf, and 100 psf). Figure
8.18 displays the relationship between Live Load and Total Energy Consumption for
each the three live loads investigated (45 psf, 75 psf, and 100 psf) at the three concrete
strengths (3000 psi, 4000 psi and 9000 psi) investigated.
8.6.3 Study 4: Conclusions
The following conclusions have been drawn from the graphs generated in this
study:
• Energy consumption increase as concrete strength increases
• Energy consumption increases are similar for live loads of 45 and 75 psf
• Energy consumption increases as slab material increases
101
• Energy consumption for 100 psf live load is the most energy intensive devoid
of concrete strength
• Energy consumption is lower at lower live loads
• The range between energy consumption relative to concrete strength decreases
with higher concrete strength.
8.7 Study 5: Concrete Fly-Ash Percentage Effect on Energy Consumption
The intention of this study was to assess the required energy consumption for a
slab area relative to concrete fly-ash percentage as predicted by the Athena Impact
Estimator v4.0 computer program. In this study, the values associated with the column
height, beam width and slab width (as illustrated in Figure 8.1) were held constant. The
values for the slab length and beam length were varied to achieve the same floor area for
the slab and between the beams. This floor area was also set equal in the initial project
parameters interface (see Figure 8.2). The concrete fly-ash percentage was also varied.
It should be noted that this is the only study in which beam and slab lengths were varied
to match gross floor area.
8.7.1 Study 5: Input Values
Table 8.10 displays the input labels that were held constant in this study as well as
their value. Table 8.10 also displays which parameters were varied as applicable.
Input Reference to Figure Reference Value Unit
Label
Input 1 Figure 14 Gross Floor Area Varied (300, 400, 500, 600) ft2
Input 2 Figure 14 Building Life Expectancy 50 Years
Input 3 Figure 15 Floor Width 20 ft
Input 4 Figure 15 Span Varied (15, 20, 25, 30) ft
Input 5 Figure 15 Concrete Flyash % Varied (average, 25%, 35%) %
Input 6 Figure 15 Concrete 4000 psi
Input 7 Figure 15 Live Load Varied (45, 75, 100) psf
Input 8 Figure 16 Bay Size Varied (15, 20, 25, 30) ft
Input 9 Figure 16 Supported Span 20 ft
Input 10 Figure 16 Floor to Floor Height 12 ft
Input 11 Figure 16 Live Load 45 psf
Input 12 Figure 16 Column Type WF --
Input 13 Figure 16 Beam Type WF --
102
8.7.2 Study 5: Analysis
The values provided in Table 8.10 were employed to generate models for each of
the varied parameters. The “Energy Consumption Absolute Value By Life Cycle Stages”
output tables for each model from the Athena Impact Estimator are provided in Appendix
A5.
Table 8.11 provides the total energy consumption values as tabulated from the
values provided in Appendix A5 for each varied “Concrete Flyash %” and “Live Load”
by the applicable “Gross Floor Area”. This table was employed to generate the graphs in
Figures 8.19 through 8.22.
103
Live 45 psf Live 75 psf Live 100 psf
Load Load Load
Table 8.11. Total energy consumption values for study 3 as provided by the Athena
Impact Estimator v4.0 for the applicable input variations
104
250.0
240.0
230.0
220.0
210.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
200.0
190.0
180.0
170.0
160.0
150.0
140.0
130.0
120.0
110.0
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650
Gross Floor Area (ft2)
25% 35%
Figure 8.19. Gross floor area vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 45 psf
260.0
250.0
240.0
230.0
220.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
210.0
200.0
190.0
180.0
170.0
160.0
150.0
140.0
130.0
120.0
110.0
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650
Gross Floor Area (ft2)
25% 35%
Figure 8.20. Gross floor area vs.total energy consumption at a live load of 75 psf
105
250.0
240.0
230.0
220.0
210.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
200.0
190.0
180.0
170.0
160.0
150.0
140.0
130.0
120.0
110.0
100.0
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650
Gross Floor Area (ft2)
25% 35%
Figure 8.21. Gross floor area vs. total energy consumption at a live load of 100 psf
75.0
74.0
Energy Consumption (MJ x 103)
73.0
72.0
71.0
70.0
69.0
40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
Live Load (psf)
25% 35%
Figure 8.22. Live load vs. total energy consumption for concrete suspended slab fly-ash
percentages
106
Figures 8.19 through 8.21 display the relationship between gross floor area and
total energy consumption that the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 output tables provide for
the three concrete fly-ash percentages investigated (average, 25%, 35%) at the live loads
investigated (45 psf, 75 psf, and 100 psf) for a Concrete Suspended Slab. Figure 8.22
displays the relationship between live load and total energy consumption for a Concrete
Suspended Slab.
8.7.3 Study 5: Conclusions
The following conclusions have been drawn from the graphs generated in this
study:
• Energy consumption decreases as fly-ash percentage increases devoid of live
load amount
• The energy consumption decrease relative to fly-ash percentage is greater at
larger floor areas
• Energy consumption decreases for all fly-ash percentages as when live load is
increased
• Energy consumption for 100 psf live load is the most energy intensive devoid
of fly-ash percentage
8.8 Concluding Remarks
All studies conducted in this chapter employed output data from The Athena
Impact Estimator. Microsoft excel was employed for data manipulation. No other
computer program was employed in this analysis. Due to this, all finding and
conclusions made in these studies are subject to any inherent limitations included in The
Athena Impact Estimator. Conclusions about beams, columns, slabs, spans, concrete
strengths, live loads, fly-ash percentages lengths and heights all refer to The Athena
Impact Estimator inputs and any and all definitions associated with them.
107
Chapter 9: Conclusions, Limitations and Recommendations
9.1 Summary and Concluding Remarks
Sustainability, as defined by the World Commission on Environment and
Development of the United Nations (1987), is achieved by “meeting the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own
needs”. In response to this, the engineering community has been working to develop
accurate methods for determining and comparing the sustainability of design alternatives.
This study investigated the issues involved in achieving sustainable designs for projects’
structural systems and assessed some of the measurement methods currently in use.
Five potential sustainable structural design methodologies are presented:
Minimizing Material Use, Minimizing Material Production Energy, Minimizing
Embodied Energy, Life-Cycle Analysis/Inventory/Assessment and Maximizing
Structural Reuse. Each design methodology reviewed in Chapter 3 defines sustainability
in structural design in a unique way and looks to employ that unique definition in
assessing and achieving the most sustainable design. However, use of any single design
methodology can limit project sustainability, as outline in Table 3.1. Review of these
five potential solutions for the problem of achieving a sustainable structural design, and
their positive and negative sustainable qualities, displays that no one methodology can
guarantee the most sustainable design. It is suggested that the use of two or more design
methodologies is more advantageous to sustainable design as the positive qualities of one
methodology can offset the negative qualities of another.
The categories of the 2009 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) rating system are reviewed to see which points could be awarded to a project to
improve sustainability of its structural frame. Chapter 4 describes the aspects of design
related to its structural system for which a project can receive up to 10 rating points.
These points account for ten percent of the total possible points that can be awarded in
108
the LEED rating system. Illustrated by the low percentage of points that can be earned
by a structural system in LEED is the lack of weight that this rating systems give to this
aspect of design. It can be inferred from this that were more importance to be placed on
the sustainable design of structural frames in the LEED rating system, more efficient
designs and thus overall higher project sustainability would result. Thus, the LEED
rating system has little effect on structural system sustainability and can negatively affect
overall project sustainability. Also, demolition, maintenance and durability requirements
are not considered in LEED.
The role that project size and structural system-type play on aspects of sustainable
design are presented. Design and analysis phase, land use, investments in sustainable
technologies, use of wood as a primary load bearing material are some of the critical
issues discussed in Chapter 5. Reviews of the effect that project size and structural
system-type can have on these aspects of design displays that they are closely tied to
overall project sustainability. During initial project design, attention to the impact that
increased project size has on structural system material requirements as well as overall
project sustainable is important. Designers and owners should consider the implications
that selection of one design alternative over another can have relative to its ability to
achieve a successful sustainable design.
Structurally applicable sustainable properties associated with structural steel, cast-
in-place and prestessed/precast concrete are reviewed. Each material presents unique
sustainable qualities that can be advantageous to sustainable design. However, each
material also presents unique construction requirements, by-product emissions and
impact of project operation and maintenance. It was concluded that no single
construction material discussed in Chapter 6 guarantees that the most sustainable design
will be achieved. Use of different materials for a structural system can contribute to
overall project sustainability but the combination can prove to be less sustainable. It is
suggested that designers consider multiple design alternatives paying close attention to
project location and material availability.
A review of life-cycle analysis computer programs (e.g. Building for
Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) v4.0, SimaPRO v7.1 and Athena
109
Impact Estimator v4.0) was conducted to assess the sustainability of design alternatives.
This review displays that the reviewed life-cycle analysis programs do not provide users
with definite conclusions about design alternative sustainability. Potential inaccuracy
included in internal program tables, limiting raw material input choices and analysis
methods that do not accurately changes in design alternatives all contribute to this. It can
thus be concluded that current design alternative comparison programs do not meet the
basic needs of engineers in determining structural sustainability.
Structural system sustainability has many issues that can be affected by all aspects
of project design. Accurate prediction of the sustainability of design alternatives relies
heavily on accuracy of the data provided by industry. Thus the current analysis tools and
methodologies may be inaccurate. To increase overall project and structural system
sustainability, consideration to the role that structural systems play and the impact that
they can on overall project sustainable properties must be given. More accurate and
encompassing industry data is required to assess design alternative’s sustainability.
Current sustainable rating systems should also include the role that a project’s structural
system plays in sustainability as well as how raw material requirements and material
production energies contribute to the overall sustainable properties of a project.
Parametric studies using the Athena Impact Estimator v4.0 can be employed to
investigate relationships between energy consumption and structural systems. Energy
consumption of structural members varies depending on their material type and length.
The energy consumption associated with columns, beams, slabs, concrete strength and
fly-ash percentage are unique in their response to changes in live load and system
geometry. The program’s internal analysis tools limit any conclusions drawn from use of
the Athena Impact Estimator.
9.2 Conclusions
This study has concluded the following:
• No single current sustainable design methodology can address all project
sustainability issues at this time.
• The LEED 2009 rating system does not reward projects for sustainable design of
their structural systems in the same manner it does other aspects of design.
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• Construction type and project size can have significant impact on sustainable
opportunities for a project.
• No single construction material is the most sustainable compared to others for all
design types at this time.
• Existing sustainability analysis software does not meet the current needs of its
users in assessing design alternative sustainable properties.
• Use of the Athena Impact Estimator can provide insights into the relationship
between energy consumption and structural system member types but is limited
by the internal program analysis methods and definitions.
9.3 Limitations
This study has been limited by the following:
• Lack of previous research involving the application of each of the aforementioned
design methodologies simultaneously.
• Lack and difficultly of the development of equations and methods for completing
each of the proposed methodologies within a structural design.
• Lack of research providing quantitative values on the effect that project size and 3
• Inaccurate or limiting data on total production inputs and energy requirements for
construction materials.
• The limited number and accuracy of tools and computer programs to assess
sustainable design alternative.
9.4 Recommendations
The following suggestions were outside the scope of this thesis and suggested as
recommendations for future research:
• The analysis of various structures of different size and material choice to
determine the overall production energies inputs and values associated with each.
• Investigation of use of each of the design methodologies suggested for
comparative structures separately as well as in combination.
• Careful review of the LEED rating system’s importance and impact on
sustainable designs from a structural perspective be conducted including
investigation into what LEED ratings can be achieved following the any (or any
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combination of the mentioned design methodologies.
• The development of a more accurate sustainable design alternative assessment
computer program or other tools that can be used by engineers.
112
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Appendix A1: Athena Impact Estimator Output Tables for Study 1
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Energy Consumption Absolute Value Table By Life Cycle Stages
Project Column Type = Concrete, PSF = 45, Column Height = 10
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Energy Consumption Absolute Value Table By Life Cycle Stages
Project Beam Type = WF, Live Load = 45 PSF, Beam Length = 15
Project Beam Type = Concrete, Live Load = 100 PSF, Beam Length = 40
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Energy Consumption Absolute Value Table By Life Cycle Stages
Project Floor Type = Concrete Suspended Slab, Live Load = 45 PSF, Span Length = 15
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Energy Consumption Absolute Value Table By Life Cycle Stages
Project Floor Type = Concrete Suspended Slab, Live Load = 45 PSF, Concrete Strength = 3000
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Energy Consumption Absolute Value Table By Life Cycle Stages
Project Concrete Flyash % = Average, PSF = 45, Gross Floor Area = 300
Project Concrete Flyash % = 35%, PSF = 45, Gross Floor Area = 400
Project Concrete Flyash % = 35%, PSF = 45, Gross Floor Area = 500
Project Concrete Flyash % = 35%, PSF = 75, Gross Floor Area = 400
Project Concrete Flyash % = 35%, PSF = 75, Gross Floor Area = 500
Project Concrete Flyash % = 35%, PSF = 100, Gross Floor Area = 400
Project Concrete Flyash % = 35%, PSF = 100, Gross Floor Area = 500