Embodied carbon reduction strategies for steel structures: a parametric design approach

The environmental impact of the construction industry is a pressing concern, with steel structures contributing significantly to embodied carbon emissions. This study addresses the importance of minimizing the environmental footprint of steel warehouses by exploring the influences of span, roof pitch, and bay spacing on embodied carbon. The objective of this study was to systematically assess the environmental implications of these design parameters and provide insights into sustainable steel structure practices. A comprehensive analysis and design process encompassing parametric variations in the span, roof pitch, and bay spacing was performed. The findings revealed that span size significantly impacts total embodied carbon, aligning with expectations. Smaller spans exhibit higher material use efficiency, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint per unit area. Roof pitch variations have a minimal influence on embodied carbon, emphasizing the robustness of steel structures across different pitch angles. This study also highlights the critical role of bay spacing, demonstrating that smaller spacing results in lower embodied carbon, highlighting the importance of efficient material utilization. Interestingly, an optimal range for carbon intensity per unit area was identified, providing nuanced insights into the sustainable design of warehouses. This research advances the understanding of embodied carbon in steel structures and offers practical recommendations for optimizing warehouse design. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable construction practices, guiding industry professionals, architects, and policymakers toward more environmentally conscious decisions in the realm of steel structure design and construction. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.