Sustainable structural design optimization – RC T-Beam

Abstract

According to United Nations Environment Programme, the built environment accounts for approximately 40% of global energy consumption and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions (Sustainable Buildings, n.d.). Over the years, the industry, particularly the construction sector, consumes large amounts of resources at an alarming rate, resulting in large amounts of carbon dioxide being emitted into the environment. This contribution can be further categorized into operating carbon (OC) and embodied carbon (EC). This in turn quickens the pace of climate change, exacerbating the energy crisis. The author aims to establish a guideline in which structural engineers and relevant parties can rely upon to generate environmentally conscious designs during the early design stages. The paper is theoretical in nature and relies on fundamental RC design equations to study the different design parameters and it's effects on EC in structures specifically on T-Beam. The paper carried out a parametric study in accordance with Eurocode 2 design restrictions where it was observed that the smaller the neutral axis depth to effective depth ratio (x/d), the smaller the amount of EC being emitted. It was also observed that the longer the effective flange width, the smaller the amount of EC being emitted. After carrying out a case study with a set range of parameters, it was observed that the optimum length of a T-Beam would at 7m. Studies were also conducted to obtain the optimum flange width and depth as well.

The author hopes that the findings and guidelines can assist structural engineers and relevant parties in the built environment industry for their future design projects and achieve sustainable engineering designs with minimal efforts.