Structure
Simple Design
Structure Reuse
The reuse of a pre-existing structural system for a given percentage of the building's floor area. Note that these measures only affect upfront emissions; refurbishments are counted normally.
Primary Structural System
Specification of a structural system other than the system modeled in the baseline. Note that this is not strictly a carbon reduction measure, as the substitution of some structural systems with some others can lead to an increase in embodied emissions.
Reinforced Concrete. A structural system comprised of columns, beams, and slabs of concrete reinforced with steel that provides tensile strength.
Mass Timber. A structural system comprised of massive beams, panels, and columns, often assembled by aggregating many smaller timber elements. This approach assumes that timber elements are aggressively substituted for other structural materials.
Wood Frame. A structural system comprised of dimensional lumber, plywood sheathing, and reinforced concrete cores and podiums.
Steel Frame. A structural system comprised of steel columns, beams, and girders connected with rigid or pin joints. Floors are steel decking with a concrete topping slab.
Hybrid Concrete-Steel. A structural system that combines rigid steel frames with concrete columns, beams, and slabs. These hybrid structures are more materially intensive and may be used when there are significant seismic loads, in high-rise buildings, or for programs with very high live or environmental loads.
Secondary Structural System
Specification of a secondary structural system, and its associated percentage of the overall building structure.
Structural Material Intensity
Specification of the the structural material intensity based on the chosen material. The selections made in this field sample the distribution of bills of materials (not carbon intensities). Choices are described in narrative form below, and the underlying data is listed in C.Scale's whole life carbon methodology.
Concrete Specification
The specification of concrete for a given strength class. Concrete emissions are assessed regionally. See Structure in the C.Scale data model for details on how carbon intensity data is regionalized.
Responsibly-Sourced Timber
Carbon storage from timber can only be claimed if the wood is responsibly sourced. C.Scale recommends meeting at least two of three criteria (traceable supply chain, growing forest carbon stock, and certified/recycled/reclaimed material). See Stored Carbon in the C.Scale data model for full criteria and methodology, or refer to procurement guidance from the Climate Smart Wood Group.
Detailed Design
The Detailed Design configurator supports the input of project-specific data.
To begin using this feature, turn on Detailed Design within the Structure accordion, and then click "Configure Structure".
You can configure structural materials using the table and the following fields in the right-hand panel:
Element
The structural element where the material is applied.
Element Choices
Deep Foundations
Shallow Foundations
Foundation Walls
Basement Walls
Beams
Columns
Framing
Floors
Stairs
Uncategorized
Quantity
The quantity of material.
Material
The material used in the structural design.
Material Origin
The source of the material.
Service Life
Number of years over which at least half of the material will be replaced.
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