How Advanced Structural Consultancy is embedding sustainability into every stage of the engineering process.
Sustainability is no longer a checkbox at the end of a design process — it is a fundamental driver of every decision we make at Advanced Structural Consultancy. From material selection and structural efficiency to construction methodology and end-of-life considerations, our engineers are trained to think about environmental impact at every stage.
One of the most impactful levers available to structural engineers is the reduction of embodied carbon in the structural frame. Concrete and steel together account for the majority of a building's embodied carbon, and relatively modest changes in design — such as optimising column grids, reducing slab depths through post-tensioning, or specifying lower-carbon cement blends — can deliver reductions of 20–40% without any increase in project cost.
We have been early adopters of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and work closely with our contractor and supplier partners to source materials with verified low-carbon credentials. On several recent projects we have specified supplementary cementitious materials such as ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash to replace a significant proportion of Portland cement, achieving both sustainability targets and improved long-term durability.
Structural efficiency is another powerful sustainability tool. By using advanced analysis software — including SpaceGass and ETABS — we are able to optimise member sizes and remove material where it is not needed. A leaner structure uses less material, generates less waste, and costs less to build. It is a genuine win-win for clients and the environment alike.
We are also increasingly involved in the adaptive reuse of existing structures. Retaining and upgrading an existing building frame rather than demolishing and rebuilding can save enormous quantities of embodied carbon. Our team has developed particular expertise in assessing the residual capacity of existing structures and designing upgrade schemes that extend their useful life by decades.
Looking ahead, we are committed to achieving net-zero embodied carbon on all new projects by 2030. We are currently working with industry partners to develop a carbon accounting framework that will allow us to track and report embodied carbon consistently across our project portfolio. We look forward to sharing more on this initiative in the coming months.
Want to discuss how these insights apply to your project? Get in touch with our team.