Know the Actions to be taken by a Structural Engineer for a More Sustainable Design

Did you know if everyone around the globe consumed as many natural resources as the average western European, the equivalent of three planets would be required to support the demand?

Developing a sustainable design is a one way that can be implemented to reduce the impact to the equivalent of one planet. A structural engineer should be aware of how to apply the concept of sustainability the projects in the construction industry and in the fields of civil and structural engineering.

What is Sustainable Living?

Sustainable living is an effort to create a development with reduced emissions and water that also encouraged residents to live lower impact lifestyles. This includes the following ten principles.

• Health and happiness
• Equity and local community
• Culture and community
• Land and nature
• Sustainable water
• Local and sustainable food
• Travel and transport
• Materials and products
• Zero waste and
• Zero carbon energy

Steps that can be taken by Structural Engineer for a Sustainable Design

Here we have listed a few ways structural engineering consultants in Mandurah can focus on,

Zero Waste and Products

Excessive waste generated is still a problem despite of the continuing efforts to reduce inefficiencies in the construction industry. So, structural engineers should concentrate on designing for deconstruction or reuse and encourage zero waste. For example, some engineers use bolted steel connections instead of welded materials that make it easy to disassemble and encourage reusing of materials.

Zero Carbon Energy

Use reclaimed or recycled local materials on site to achieve zero carbon energy. Switching to local materials reduces transportation, and supports local businesses and encourages the use of reused steel.

Culture and Community

Mandurah structural engineers incorporate designs that have flexibility and dual-use facilities wherever applicable that clients to let out the facilities to local community use.

Land and Nature

Structural engineers play a significant role in creating a sustainable design that reduces the impacts of the proposed project on the environment. The make an effective plan to compose organic waste on-site, reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill and reduce truck movements.

Materials and Products

Many common building materials such as paints, wall panels, adhesives, and more come with volatile compounds that affect the indoor air quality. A good structural engineer would suggest materials and finishes with no volatile organic compounds that promote the health and well-being of the workers.

It is not always possible to utilise all these principles in a single project. A structural engineer should take these principles into consideration to develop a sustainable design that benefits future generations.

Visit http://nrmconsultants.com.au/ to know more about structural engineering in Mandurah WA.

The author of this article is one of the leading Mandurah structural engineers with over 15 years of experience in the industry. In this article, he writes about various principles that a structural engineer should focus on to create a sustainable design. Visit http://nrmconsultants.com.au/ for more information.

NRM Consultants builds upon the experience of Dr N Mills in the fields of precast and Reinforced concrete structural design. The foundaer of the company has over 20 years in the field of structural engineering.