SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, STRUCTURES & RATING SYSTEMS

Structural engineering and sustainable construction

The Institution of Structural Engineers has funded a project to consider the effectiveness of Sustainable
Building Rating Schemes in the context of the contribution of structural engineers to sustainable design. The study considered BREEAM, LEED and a selection of other schemes that represent a range of approaches.

he project combined a literature review,

a survey, and an analysis of project
scores. The Arup research team provided project data regarding embodied and
operational impacts. Green building councils,
rating scheme providers and researchers in
the field were also generous with their data.
An overall assessment of each rating
scheme was followed by a detailed appraisal
of topics that are directly applicable to the
structure. This appraisal considered the
characteristics of structural materials, local
issues and the experiences of structural engineers striving to achieve the credits.
The appraisal considered how effectively
each approach would provide:
incentives for sustainable actions;
a comparable measure of the sustainability of buildings;
a framework to define sustainable design
practices for professionals; and
a practical tool which can be deployed
cost-effectively during the procurement of
buildings.
The evidence was used to identify the attributes of an effective scheme.
The review showed that rating scheme
credits can play an important part in supporting sustainable construction but only if devised correctly. The survey demonstrated an
enthusiasm from structural engineers to contribute, both to the sustainability of buildings,

Relative contributions to embodied CO2 of

office buildings (Arup/Concrete Centre).
Superstructure

45%

Substructure

17%

Construction

12%

Cladding

11%

Floor finishes

11%

Roof

2%

Internal planning

1%

Wall finishes

1%

Ceiling finishes

0%

and to the development of rating schemes.

Structural engineers can play an active role
in delivering many aspects of a sustainable
building. This can include supporting architectural, acoustic, thermal, lighting and construction performance. Achieving a sustainable
building is noted to require a coordinated
team, with early input from all parties. It has
been estimated that the indirect influence of
the structural engineer in an active supporting
role contributes to 50% of the scores.
The credits that are directly related to the
design and specification of the structure are
where structural engineers can provide the
most direct value to clients. Here the story is
quite different. These were typically found to
form only 5% of project scores. This finding

was the same for nearly all the rating schemes

studied, despite a large variety in approach.
For a rating scheme to be effective, increased attention should be devoted to structure. This finding is supported by
consideration of:
broader sustainability through responsible
sourcing beyond the project boundary;
avoidance of waste through design;
reduction in impacts of materials used.
Taking the reduction in impacts alone, consideration of climate change or embodied energy places structural materials as 10% to
20% of the whole life impact of new buildings
built to rating scheme standards.
Recommendations include improved drafting of some individual credits and a mixture of
actions relating to particular materials, combined with assessment of responsible sourcing,
impact reduction, and planning for end of life.
The research considered the building rating schemes from the point of view of a single
profession working within a multi-disciplinary team. It is hoped that the research will
assist in future development of building rating schemes. The full report can be viewed
at: www.istructe.org/rating-schemes.
For further information please contact
Berenice Chan, Institution of Structural
Engineers (020 7201 9125; E-mail:
Berenice.chan@istructe.org).