Minimizing the Environmental Impact of Steel Structures

Abstract

Within the construction industry there is an increasing awareness of the importance of sustainable design. When considering the structure, the main focus will often be on minimising the carbon embodied within it. This paper discusses a strategy, design for deconstruction, aimed at minimising the embodied carbon of steel structures. This design tactic facilitates steel elements being reused after their first life. Following a PAS2050 methodology, the environmental impact of the element is spread out between the numbers of potential lives. This not only reduces embodied carbon but also lessens the exploitation of natural resources. The potential energy and carbon savings that can be accrued are estimated and the web-based tool, Sakura, used for these calculations is presented. This work culminates with an overview of projects that are already pioneering this approach in steel.