Abstract
The construction industry faces the imperative of reconciling structural integrity with environmental sustainability, urging a nuanced exploration of the material choices and design parameters. This study investigated the seismic design and embodied carbon implications of varying concrete grades and column spacing in concrete moment frames. A systematic approach was employed, conducting seismic design analyses and embodied carbon assessments for concrete moment frames with concrete grades of C25/30, C32/40, and C40/50 and column spacings of 4, 6, and 8 m. The results highlight the intricate influence of concrete grades on the resulting beam and column designs, with C32/40 emerging as the optimal choice, showing a substantial reduction in total embodied carbon. Additionally, column spacing is pivotal in shaping the beam design parameters, exhibiting a positive correlation between reduced column spacing and lower embodied carbon. This study contributes useful insights into the ongoing discourse on sustainable construction, offering a balanced perspective on the complex interplay between structural design choices and environmental implications.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the support of Civil Engineering Department, Bina Nusantara University and Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering Department, The University of Manchester.
Funding
Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Contract No. 179/E5/PG.02.00/PL/2023; 1402/LL3/AL.04/2023; 149/VR.RTT/VII/2023
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Suwondo, R., Keintjem, M. & Cunningham, L. Towards sustainable seismic design: assessing embodied carbon in concrete moment frames. Asian J Civ Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-024-01011-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-024-01011-1