6. Sustainability-Oriented Structural Optimization

This chapter delves into the critical role of structural optimization in reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector, which accounts for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. It explores various methodologies, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), to evaluate the environmental impact of buildings throughout their lifecycle. The text emphasizes the importance of considering social and economic dimensions, known as the triple bottom line, in sustainable civil engineering. It presents results from investigations on structural optimization applications that address not only cost minimization but also aspects related to sustainability and performance, such as CO2 reduction, vibration control, and crack mitigation. The chapter discusses the environmental impact of reinforced concrete (RC) columns, beams, and composite structures, highlighting the influence of concrete strength and regional environmental impact factors. It also examines the role of carbonation in life-cycle assessments and the use of multi-criteria decision-making methods to compare optimized solutions for different structural materials. The text concludes by emphasizing the potential of optimization techniques to achieve structural solutions that are cost-efficient, environmentally responsible, and aligned with broader project goals.