Towards a design framework for the structural systems of tall buildings that considers embodied greenhouse gas emissions

Abstract

proposed an influential design framework for the structural systems of tall buildings titled premium-for-height. Khan argued that the challenge of a structural engineer is to design structural systems that minimise the increase in structural material weight per gross floor area with increasing building height. However, in meeting the challenges of climate change and urbanisation, minimising the embodied environmental flows of tall buildings must also be a priority in structural design frameworks. This paper proposes to expand the premium-for-height framework for tall buildings by considering the embodied greenhouse gas emissions of structural systems using a hybrid life cycle inventory analysis method. Advanced structural analysis and a comprehensive consideration of building parameters are also proposed. To demonstrate the use and potential of the framework, embodied greenhouse gas emissions of six case study tall buildings are analysed. The results are discussed and recommendations are made to improve the reliability of the more comprehensive framework.

Embodied Carbon Premium for Cantilevers

“…Recent research has elucidated the notion of "embodied carbon premiums" linked to various architectural features, such as height [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16], slenderness [17], irregularity [18], and wide-open spaces [17,19]. For example, the construction of taller buildings typically requires an increased quantity of structural materials to counteract the intensified wind and seismic forces, a phenomenon referred to as the 'premium for height' [20].…”