Van Den Dobbelsteen, A; Arets, M and Nunes, R (2007) Sustainable design of supporting structures: Optimal structural spans and component combinations for effective improvement of environmental performance. Construction Innovation, 7(1), pp. 54-71. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – In order to establish sustainable development, there is a need to focus on solutions effectively improving environmental performance. Effectiveness is the product of significance and improvement potential. For buildings, the supporting structure is the predominant environmental load by materials, hence significant. The purpose of the studies presented in this paper is to determine the improvement potential of the supporting structure of buildings and explore other sustainable solutions effectively enhancing environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach – For the same office layout, various combinations of structural components at different spans were studied. The environmental load of these variants was determined by means of an life cycle analysis (LCA)-based model. Findings – The studies presented in the paper demonstrated an environmental difference by a factor of 5 between the solutions performing worst and best. The optimal combination is the uncommon solution of TT-slabs with timber beams and columns, expecting to establish an improvement factor of 4 with respect to common practice. Practical implications – The findings of the studies presented suggest another way of building, with common structural components but whose combination is not common at present. Originality/value – So far, sustainable building has not focused enough on effective solutions and has had little means to do so. Approaching the supporting structure of buildings rather than small, ineffective adaptations will significantly improve environmental building performance. An elaborate LCA of supporting structures had never been done before. The paper, on the one hand, rationalises sustainable building and, on the other hand, supports effective sustainable design.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | environmental management; life cycle costs; structural design; sustainable design |
| Index terms: | structural design, methodology, sustainable building, life cycle cost, column, life cycle analysis, sustainable development, building performance, sustainable design, environmental management, office layout, effectiveness, beam, adaptation, environmental performance |
| Subjects: | structural engineering, sustainability assessment, performance management, research methods, health safety and environment, sustainable construction, design process, specialized design, quality assurance, architectural engineering, user focus, environmental impact |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Quality Management, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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