Expanding the role of structural engineers in sustainable development beyond the current rating systems

Structural engineers are one of the key players in any architectural or civil infrastructure project. This study examined the role of structural engineers in sustainability rating system by analyzing the credits available in three such systems (LEED, BREEAM and Estidama) related to the structural aspects. It was concluded that the points related to the structural aspects are more or less proportional to the cost of structural elements in a building. However, participation of structural engineers in the sustainability efforts is disproportionally low based on the percentage of structural engineers holding LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) designation. Embodied and total energy requirements of typical buildings were examined and it was concluded that the embodied energy in the structural components has a share ranging from 2% for traditional buildings to 25% for net zero buildings. It implies that importance of structural engineer's role increases as efficiency in the operating energy of the building increases.