Introduction

As the global imperative for climate action intensifies, the construction industry faces a critical challenge to reduce its environmental footprint, making Sustainable Structural Design and Green Building Materials indispensable for creating resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible infrastructure. Moving beyond conventional practices, this field integrates ecological principles with engineering innovation to minimize embodied carbon, optimize energy performance, and promote healthier indoor environments. This training course is meticulously designed to equip civil and structural engineers, architects, sustainability consultants, developers, policy makers, and construction professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in understanding the principles of sustainable design, mastering lifecycle assessment (LCA) for materials, exploring various green building materials (e.g., mass timber, low-carbon concrete, recycled steel), optimizing structural systems for reduced environmental impact, navigating green building certification systems, and leveraging modern tools for integrated sustainable design. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to conceptualize, analyze, and design structures that contribute significantly to a sustainable built environment and a circular economy.

Target Audience

• Civil Engineers (Structural Design Focus)
• Structural Engineers
• Architects (with a focus on sustainability)
• Sustainability Consultants & Managers
• Green Building Professionals
• Developers & Project Owners
• Building Code Officials & Regulators
• Construction Managers
• Environmental Engineers
• Researchers in Sustainable Construction
• Advanced Engineering Students

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of sustainable structural design.
• Master the methodology of Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) for building materials and structures.
• Learn about various green building materials, including their properties and applications.
• Develop proficiency in optimizing structural systems for reduced embodied energy and carbon.
• Understand the role of structural engineers in achieving green building certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM).
• Explore innovative structural solutions that prioritize environmental performance.
• Learn about the durability, resilience, and adaptability of sustainable structures.
• Develop skills in specifying and sourcing green building materials effectively.
• Understand the economic benefits and challenges of sustainable construction.
• Explore advanced topics such as circular economy principles and material passports.
• Formulate comprehensive sustainable structural design solutions for various building types.

Course Content

Module 1. Introduction to Sustainable Structural Design

• Defining Sustainable Construction: Environmental, social, economic pillars
• Role of Structural Engineer: In achieving green building goals
• Embodied Carbon vs. Operational Carbon: Understanding the impact of materials
• Lifecycle thinking and its importance in design
• Overview of global sustainability challenges in the built environment

Module 2. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) for Structures and Materials

• LCA Methodology: Goal and scope, inventory analysis, impact assessment, interpretation (ISO 14040/44)
• Embodied Carbon Calculation: Cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for building materials
• Using LCA software tools (e.g., One Click LCA, Tally)
• Critical review of LCA results for decision-making

Module 3. Green Building Certification Systems

• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): Structural implications, material credits
• BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
• Passive House, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard
• Role of structural design in achieving certification points
• Documentation and compliance for green building projects

Module 4. Sustainable Concrete Technology

• Low-Carbon Concrete: Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) like fly ash, GGBS, silica fume
• Recycled Aggregates: Use of RCA (recycled concrete aggregate) in concrete
• Alternative Cements: Geopolymer concrete, calcined clay cements
• Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) in concrete production
• Durability and performance of sustainable concrete mixes

Module 5. Advanced Timber Structural Systems

• Mass Timber: Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam), Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
• Carbon sequestration in timber structures
• Design Considerations: Fire safety, acoustics, moisture management
• Hybrid timber-concrete/steel systems
• Sustainability benefits of timber construction

Module 6. Recycled and Reused Steel Structures

• Recycled Content in Steel: Benefits of electric arc furnace (EAF) production
• Reuse of Steel Sections: Salvaging and repurposing structural steel
• Design considerations for existing steel members
• Lifecycle impacts of steel production and recycling
• Opportunities for circularity in steel construction

Module 7. Sustainable Masonry and Earth Construction

• Sustainable Masonry: Recycled bricks, low-carbon concrete blocks
• Earth Construction: Rammed earth, adobe, cob, compressed earth blocks (CEB)
• Thermal mass and passive design benefits
• Structural stability and durability of earth structures
• Local sourcing and traditional building techniques

Module 8. Innovative and Emerging Green Materials

• Bamboo as a Structural Material: Properties, design, applications
• Mycelium-based composites
• Bio-based Materials: Hempcrete, straw bales, engineered bamboo
• Self-healing materials for concrete and other composites
• Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for thermal regulation

Module 9. Optimization of Structural Systems for Sustainability

• Material Efficiency: Minimizing material usage through optimized design
• Structural Form Optimization: Gridshells, reciprocal frames, lightweight structures
• Long-span vs. short-span considerations for material consumption
• Design for Disassembly (DfD) and adaptability
• Performance-based design for reduced material use

Module 10. Passive Design Strategies and Structural Integration

• Thermal Mass: Using structural elements for temperature regulation
• Natural Ventilation: Integrating structural form with airflow
• Daylighting and views: Structural elements supporting fenestration
• Shading devices and solar control
• Structural design supporting green roofs and living walls

Module 11. Resilience and Adaptability in Sustainable Design

• Climate Change Adaptation: Designing for extreme weather events (floods, winds)
• Material Durability: Ensuring long service life in challenging environments
• Adaptability: Designing for future changes in use, occupancy, and loads
• Deconstructability and recyclability of components
• Robustness against unforeseen events

Module 12. Water Management and Sustainable Drainage

• Rainwater Harvesting: Structural support for tanks and systems
• Green Roofs: Structural loading and drainage considerations
• Permeable Pavements: Structural layers and infiltration
• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) / Low Impact Development (LID) integration
• Reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality

Module 13. Digital Tools for Sustainable Structural Design

• BIM (Building Information Modeling): For material quantity take-off, embodied carbon calculation
• Parametric Design: Exploring multiple design options for sustainability
• Optimization Software: For material reduction and performance enhancement
• Energy modeling software integrating structural elements
• Lifecycle assessment (LCA) software integration

Module 14. Economic and Policy Aspects of Sustainable Construction

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Long-term savings vs. initial investment
• Green Building Incentives: Tax credits, grants, expedited permitting
• Sustainable procurement policies
• Carbon pricing and carbon taxes
• Case studies of economically viable green building projects

Module 15. Future Trends and Research in Sustainable Structural Engineering

• Circular Economy in Construction: Material passports, urban mining
• AI and Machine Learning: For optimized sustainable design and material selection
• Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) with sustainable materials
• Self-healing and smart sustainable materials
• Net-zero embodied carbon structures and regenerative design.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.