Short answer

Incorporate materially efficient geometries, such as thin shells, into foundation design to drastically reduce embodied carbon.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Architecture Structures and Construction (2023)
Method: Parametric design workflow with validated analytical engineering equations.
Evidence: Strong effect

Thin shell foundation geometries can significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions in construction by using materially efficient designs compared to traditional spread footings. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Architecture Structures and Construction. Using Parametric design workflow with validated analytical engineering equations., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate materially efficient geometries, such as thin shells, into foundation design to drastically reduce embodied carbon.

Study

Resource ManagementRecentStrong effect

Thin shell foundations halve embodied carbon by optimizing geometry

Thin shell foundation geometries can significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions in construction by using materially efficient designs compared to traditional spread footings.

Architecture Structures and Construction · 2023

Key Findings

01Shell foundations reduce embodied carbon by approximately 50% for small column loads and weak soils.
02Shell foundations reduce embodied carbon by almost two-thirds for high applied loads.
03Optimizing floor slabs alongside shell foundations can lead to structural systems with one-quarter of the embodied carbon of typical systems.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate materially efficient geometries, such as thin shells, into foundation design to drastically reduce embodied carbon.

How to apply

When designing building foundations, explore the use of curved or shell-like forms instead of flat, prismatic ones to minimize concrete and steel usage.

Project actions

01Investigate the structural benefits of different geometric forms for load-bearing elements.
02Quantify the material savings and environmental impact of alternative designs compared to conventional ones.

Method & Evidence

AimTo quantify and compare the embodied carbon reduction potential of thin shell foundations versus traditional spread footings for reinforced concrete shallow foundations.

MethodParametric design workflow with validated analytical engineering equations.

ProcedureThe study applied analytical engineering equations within a parametric design workflow to compare the embodied carbon of traditional spread footings and materially efficient shell foundations under various design loads and soil conditions. It also considered downstream savings in a whole building context and explored fabrication methods.

ContextReinforced concrete shallow foundations in building construction.

Variables

IVFoundation geometry (e.g., spread footing vs. thin shell).

DVEmbodied carbon reduction (quantified by material volume and estimated emissions).

CVDesign load, soil bearing capacity, material type (reinforced concrete).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides quantitative data on embodied carbon reduction.
+Explores a novel and promising design typology for foundations.

Limitations

Simplified calculations may not capture complex real-world structural behaviors or material variations. Fabrication challenges for complex geometries might not be fully addressed.

Reliability & validity

The study uses validated analytical engineering equations and a parametric workflow, suggesting good internal validity. However, external validity might be limited by the specific parameters tested and the absence of real-world construction data.

Think critically

To what extent are the proposed fabrication methods for thin shell foundations practical and cost-effective for widespread adoption in standard construction projects?

Design Principles

"Materially efficient geometry is key to reducing embodied carbon in structural elements."

This research highlights how innovative design and material efficiency can directly address the significant environmental impact of building foundations. It demonstrates that by rethinking fundamental structural forms, designers can achieve substantial reductions in embodied carbon, aligning with global sustainability goals.

What This Means for Your Design

Using curved, shell-like shapes for building foundations uses much less concrete and steel, which means less carbon pollution is created during construction.

How to use in your project

1.Use the concept of materially efficient geometry to justify a design that reduces material waste or embodied energy.
2.Quantify the environmental benefits of your design choices using comparative analysis.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This project explores the potential for materially efficient geometries in structural design to reduce embodied carbon. By adopting thin shell foundations, as demonstrated by Feickert and Mueller (2023), significant reductions in concrete and steel usage can be achieved, leading to a lower environmental impact compared to traditional prismatic forms. This principle of optimizing form for material efficiency can be applied to minimize the carbon footprint of building components.

Source

Architecture Structures and Construction

Thin shell foundations: Quantification of embodied carbon reduction through materially efficient geometry

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about thin shell foundations halve embodied carbon by optimizing geometry?: Incorporate materially efficient geometries, such as thin shells, into foundation design to drastically reduce embodied carbon. Evidence: Architecture Structures and Construction (2023).
Why does "Thin shell foundations halve embodied carbon by optimizing geometry" matter for design?: This research highlights how innovative design and material efficiency can directly address the significant environmental impact of building foundations. It demonstrates that by rethinking fundamental structural forms, designers can achieve substantial reductions in embodied carbon, aligning with global sustainability goals.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate materially efficient geometries, such as thin shells, into foundation design to drastically reduce embodied carbon.
What were the main findings?: Shell foundations reduce embodied carbon by approximately 50% for small column loads and weak soils.. Shell foundations reduce embodied carbon by almost two-thirds for high applied loads.. Optimizing floor slabs alongside shell foundations can lead to structural systems with one-quarter of the embodied carbon of typical systems.
What research method was used?: Parametric design workflow with validated analytical engineering equations..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Architecture Structures and Construction.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing building foundations, explore the use of curved or shell-like forms instead of flat, prismatic ones to minimize concrete and steel usage.
What are the limitations?: The study focuses on specific load and soil conditions and may not cover all possible scenarios. Fabrication methods are presented as a proposal rather than a fully implemented solution.