Integrated Buildings & Structures

  • 1.  Sustainability

    Posted 11-10-2016 10:03 AM

    If you weren't at the AEI Forum earlier this year, have you seen AEI Sustain video?  If not, be sure to check it out!  Are we (the AEI industry and academia) practicing what we preach?  We all know that sustainability is important, but are we personally embracing this idea?  What is your company doing to promote sustainability?  What is your University doing to promote sustainability?  

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    Stephanie Guy P.E.
    Alvine Engineering
    Omaha NE
    (402)346-7007
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  • 2.  RE: Sustainability

    Posted 05-22-2017 09:47 AM
    We are asked to include at least one sustainable solution in our final works, and besides cleaner practices and techniques, we have a good emphasis in Accessibility and Ergonomics regulations (here, in BR, NBR 9050 and NR17).

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    Rodrigo Pissarra S.M.ASCE
    Sao Paolo
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Sustainability

    Posted 05-24-2017 10:19 AM
    Edited by Veronique Nguyen 05-24-2017 10:19 AM
    I am a practicing civil engineer since 1965 and am interested in sustainability very much. But I still need to understand in what way the term 'sustainability' affects my profession, as I work as a consultant, catering to different clients in different ways, from design/ drawings to construction management, from small scale to large projects!
    i am totally dependent on the fees that I receive in return. So what should sustainability mean to me?


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    Peter Singh M.ASCE
    Managing Director
    Kingdom Designers
    Birganj
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Sustainability

    Posted 05-25-2017 09:29 AM
    This is kind of a pet peeve of mine. As structural engineers, we are typically working toward lean solutions. When we consider the weights of materials (typically as a measure of constructed cost), we are attending to the minimization of materials and the associate embodied energy. When we consider constructability, we are trying to minimize the time a crane has to run, the number of commutes required to move construction workers, and other energy-consuming activities. We generally have two jobs on a project: 1) provide a design that meets a set of minimum functional and safety requirements, and 2) save money, time, and materials. Most of us strive to get better - but better does not mean leaner. Lean buildings may be "greener" at the time of construction, but the time and treasure required to operate, maintain, repair, and replace buildings constructed to our designs far outweighs some incremental additional energy/cost required up-front to assure longevity of the building.

    The sustainability of a durable building that remains useful for 100 years probably speaks for itself.

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    John Turner P.E., M.ASCE
    Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
    Irving TX
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Sustainability

    Posted 05-25-2017 04:49 PM
    I agree with John Turner.  Civil Engineers have always built sustainable structures if sustainability means something that lasts. Unfortunately, sustainability in this context means energy supplies.  John is correct when he says that todays buildings cost more to construct, more to operate and do not affect in a significant way energy use.  In my practice that the types of building envelopes that are used today because they are more sustainable for energy do not hold up to the forces of nature.  Much of what I do relates to moisture intrusion.  These lighter weight system are too flexible, must be precisely installed to function and once breached are very costly to repair.  I have also seen that even if you start out to build a sustainable building, there is no guarantee that you will actually get one.  There are too many variables in the deign and construction efforts that can cause a building to bleed certified.  Millions of dollars have been spent in these attempts to build a "perfect building".  Worse yet are the 10's of millions of dollars spent on litigation because he building do not function properly  After all what is a building's function?  Is it not to protect whatever is going inside it from the weather?  This whole climate change/global/warming debate has caused out profession to loose it's way.  So I end this post with one question.  How does a gas that is .32% of the atmosphere,heavier than air and water soluble have such a devastating impact on the planet?


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    Joseph Buongiorno P.E., M.ASCE
    Owner
    Building Infrastructure Consulting Services
    Hopatcong NJ
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Sustainability

    Posted 05-30-2017 09:41 AM
    I totally agree with John, Mark and Joseph. But for the clients and architects and engineers here in Nepal or most of the south Asian countries sustainability is using common sense! As the climates change from place to place, from tropical to cold, openings are provided accordingly. Bigger windows are needed for tropical buildings to let sufficient air in and comparatively smaller ones in cold climates, but sufficient enough for light and warmth. There are still many villages where there is no power available yet. Natural light and wind are the only option.
    Then, there are clients who are totally unaware of sustainability and many engineers too. Here we need both awareness and wisdom!

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    Peter Singh M.ASCE
    Managing Director
    Kingdom Designers
    Birganj
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Sustainability

    Posted 05-25-2017 09:30 AM
    First we need an agreement on what are the sustainability objectives and to what extent we are in a position to address them given our training and scope of work.  For example I would suggest that engineers do not have the training to be able to evaluate risks associated with EPDs.

    Once we understand what our objectives are then we need to understand what strategies we can implement in  the context of our fees, our scope of work, and clients expectations related to project costs and project performance.    We can try to educate our client but our options are limited without client support.

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    Mark Gilligan S.E., M.ASCE
    Berkeley CA
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    Original Message


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