The carbon emissions associated with the production of concrete and steel are significant contributors to the climate crisis, but these materials will remain over the next decade when much of the greatest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions must be made to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Structural engineers can directly influence the emissions related to these materials on their projects through design and procurement optimization and best-practices. Often, however, the most effective solutions to reduce the carbon “embodied” in these products are not always obvious.   

 

This session provides an overview of the origins of embodied carbon associated with the production of concrete and steel. Drawing on lessons-learned from practice and a year-long research-and-development study, Thornton Tomasetti has compiled actionable steps that industry professionals can take to make significant embodied carbon reductions in typical concrete- and steel-framed building projects. The presenters will review the manufacturing processes and typical energy use profiles of concrete and steel products, and provide examples of how to use that knowledge to reduce embodied carbon of these materials. At the end of the session, participants will be able to return to work with the knowledge to make embodied carbon reduction in concrete and steel scalable.