Good morning, again, CLF Structures forum!
As we seek to reduce the EC content of our buildings and structures, one of the target areas that structural engineers must work with the whole design team to address is that of materials specifications. There is much we can do to leverage the way we specify materials sourcing, refining, and manufacturing to make a big impact. This, of course, requires ‘buy-in’ from other members of the process - manufacturers, contractors, and Owners among others.
How are you specifying your materials to reduce carbon content? Are you, for instance, requiring steel from EAF’s as opposed to, say, Blast Furnaces. What about SCM’s in grout for CMU?
Are you finding the supply chain and other design and construction team members are responsive? What challenges have you encountered in changing your specifications and/or making them more stringent?