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The U.N. World Commission on Environment and Development envisions sustainable development as that which “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This is a general statement with vast implications. When community stakeholders and building design and construction professionals discuss sustainability, they are referring to three categories:
1. Environmental
2. Economic
3. Human well-being
We as Structural Engineers focus on the building part of these issues. So, from our standpoint, an ideal sustainable building should preserve and protect the environment, save energy and money over its life cycle, and create comfortable surroundings conducive to productivity.
Economic
As valuable as these goals are to society, many have wondered if “green” building would fall by the wayside with the recent economic downturn. Despite its reputation for being expensive, there are proven and substantial financial gains associated with green standards. On average, green building increases construction costs by only 1%-2%. A prime example is Naval Base Building 850 in Port Hueneme, CA, which was constructed using sustainable principles and is estimated to save 64% in lighting, 67% in heating, and 43% in cooling expenses each year.
Human Well-Being:
As far as productivity benefits, a study of schools in Orange County, California; Seattle, Washington; and Fort Collins, Colorado determined that students performed better in schools with natural day lighting. Orange County students progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% faster on reading tests, while Seattle and Fort Collins students improved test scores between 7%-18%.
Environmental:
While it is true that Architects and Mechanical Engineers have the most prominent roles in sustainable design, Structural Engineers can make the difference between whether a building saves energy and natural resources or not. Energy savings from solar panels and energy saving lighting fixtures can be wiped out if a building is reduced to rubble in an earthquake. The building then becomes a burden on our landfills in the form of construction waste. Clearly, structural strength protects our environment as well as shielding occupants and property from harm. Resilient design can also prevent major disruptions in community life from housing shortages, traffic delays, and utility interruptions.
Structural Engineers can assist project teams in producing sustainable designs by specifying recycled or renewable materials. Structural steel is the most widely recycled building material, with a 75.7% recycling rate in 2005. A prime example of a renewable material is wood certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s Principles and Criteria, which promote sustainable forestry. Finally, Structural Engineers can contribute structural soundness to green design concepts. For example, green roofs are an increasingly popular approach to sustainable design. They reduce stormwater runoff and resulting erosion, regulate internal temperatures without using electricity, and turn urban rooftops into gardens. Traditionally, structural designs have not included earth and water loads on roofs, or considered the attendant corrosive effects on roof materials.
SEAOSC’s Sustainable Design Committee is working on developing design guidelines for these and other green building components, and incorporating them into the California and International Building Codes.
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SEAOSC is one of the four regional organizations under the Structural Engineering Association of California (SEAOC).
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