Environmental Impact of Earthquake-Resistant Design: A Sustainable Approach to Structural Response in High Seismic Risk Regions
Journal
Buildings
ISSN
2075-5309
Date Issued
2024-11-28
Author(s)
Abstract
This study evaluates the environmental impact of earthquake-resistant structural design choices in high-risk seismic regions through life cycle assessment.
As climate change concerns intensify, understanding the environmental implications of structural design decisions becomes crucial for sustainable construction. Examining a building in Quito, Ecuador, the research compares three structural systems: Optimized Framed System (OFS), Optimized Dual System (ODS), and Equivalent Framed System (EFS).
The assessment quantifies emissions through a ‘cradle to gate’ approach, encompassing materials fabrication, transportation, and construction processes.
The results demonstrate that the ODS achieves optimal seismic performance equal to the EFS while reducing emissions by 38%, with only 5% higher emissions than the OFS.
The findings establish that effective earthquake-resistant design can simultaneously achieve structural resilience and environmental sustainability, providing valuable insights for sustainable structural engineering practices in seismic regions.
As climate change concerns intensify, understanding the environmental implications of structural design decisions becomes crucial for sustainable construction. Examining a building in Quito, Ecuador, the research compares three structural systems: Optimized Framed System (OFS), Optimized Dual System (ODS), and Equivalent Framed System (EFS).
The assessment quantifies emissions through a ‘cradle to gate’ approach, encompassing materials fabrication, transportation, and construction processes.
The results demonstrate that the ODS achieves optimal seismic performance equal to the EFS while reducing emissions by 38%, with only 5% higher emissions than the OFS.
The findings establish that effective earthquake-resistant design can simultaneously achieve structural resilience and environmental sustainability, providing valuable insights for sustainable structural engineering practices in seismic regions.