Embodied Carbon 101: Structure
Included in subscription
Description
Structure accounts for a significant portion of a project’s embodied carbon. In this course, a panel of structural engineers and researchers discusses the positives and negatives, with regard to embodied carbon, of using concrete, steel, and timber each as primary structural materials. Panelists share ways to reduce and measure the embodied carbon impacts of each structure material–-through material makeup and specification, material reduction, material sourcing, and reuse.
Course expires 11/14/2026
Learning Objectives
Identify the factors that determine the embodied environmental impact of concrete and implement strategies to reduce the impact.
Employ holistic design strategies for low embodied carbon or carbon positive structural systems using timber and mass timber.
Appraise the embodied carbon impacts of steel structural systems related to steel production, reuse, and reduction.
Compare and contrast the environmental impacts of single-material and hybrid structural systems for a project.