ABSTRACT

Engineering structures consume a significant fraction of resources and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. A conducted literature review shows that most existing approaches to improve the environmental performance of structures concern the adoption of decisions during the conceptual design stage (e.g. on the choice of material), often in connection with life cycle assessment. However, approaches for addressing environmental objectives in practice are often hampered by economic interests pursuing short-term profit. Moreover, such approaches are rather descriptive and lack criteria for assessing the acceptability of specific solutions. Sustainable development of our built environment requires hence a shift of paradigm on how engineering structures are designed. In this paper it is claimed that this should be approached at the strategical level of structural design codes, which contain the rules that support everyday engineering decisions in regard to structural safety and functionality. The paper discusses the reasons why these rules as conceived do not foster an optimal use of materials and explores possibilities for savings of resources and greenhouse gas emissions through modifications of these rules. The potential of risk-informed decision approaches in this context is highlighted and illustrated by a case study – the design of steel beams in building structures.

摘要

工程结构消耗很大一部分资源，并导致全球温室气体排放。一项文献综述表明，大多数现有的改善结构环境性能的方法都涉及概念设计阶段决策的采用（例如材料的选择），通常与生命周期评估相关。然而，在实践中解决环境目标的方法常常受到追求短期利润的经济利益的阻碍。此外，此类方法相当具有描述性，缺乏评估特定解决方案可接受性的标准。因此，我们建筑环境的可持续发展需要改变工程结构设计的范式。本文声称，应该在结构设计规范的战略层面上解决这一问题，其中包含支持结构安全和功能方面的日常工程决策的规则。本文讨论了这些规则未能促进材料的最佳利用的原因，并探讨了通过修改这些规则来节省资源和温室气体排放的可能性。在这种情况下，风险知情决策方法的潜力通过案例研究（建筑结构中的钢梁设计）得到了强调和说明。本文讨论了这些规则未能促进材料的最佳利用的原因，并探讨了通过修改这些规则来节省资源和温室气体排放的可能性。在这种情况下，风险知情决策方法的潜力通过案例研究（建筑结构中的钢梁设计）得到了强调和说明。本文讨论了这些规则未能促进材料的最佳利用的原因，并探讨了通过修改这些规则来节省资源和温室气体排放的可能性。在这种情况下，风险知情决策方法的潜力通过案例研究（建筑结构中的钢梁设计）得到了强调和说明。