Minimising Energy in Construction

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IQ1: Could we collectively define benchmark structural utilisation values against which new structural designs could be compared, to drive material efficiency?

IQ2: How might a calculation of material use per m2 best be presented to clients, to drive material efficiency?

IQ3: How might designers demonstrate they are contributing to meeting Construction 2025 targets?

IQ4: What might the benefit be of design code floor loading values being based on data gathered from a systematic global survey of loading levels in buildings?

IQ5: What might the unintended consequences be of changing live load values at ULS based on measured data?

IQ6: What might the unintended consequences be of changing live load values at SLS based on measured data?

IQ7: How might real time building loading information be integrated into building management systems to provide “traffic light” load levels to aid facility management?

IQ8: What measurements might be required to define realistic serviceability limit state acceptability criteria, to ensure that SLS design levels are appropriate and do not unreasonably dominate over strength design?

IQ9: What discussions are required with clients to understand allowable periods during which SLS requirements might not be met?

IQ10: How can digital tools be developed and used to better join up design, procurement, and construction, to avoid the need to “build in” spare capacity “just in case”?

IQ11: To what extent does connection design dominate overall member utilisation?

IQ12: How might we collectively design and build exemplar structures that achieve benchmark material consumption values (IR1 and IR2) to demonstrate full scale feasibility, with lessons learned being shared with the whole community?

IQ13: Would it be feasible to introduce both upper limits to member capacity, and target “average utilisation” factors across all members in a structure? What might the unintended consequences of this be?

IQ14: How might we agree on a “ratchet” of increasingly stringent design requirements, allowing time to adjust design culture whilst recognising the imperative need to reduce carbon emissions?

IQ15: Is there a perception that utilisation ratios of 1.00 are dangerous? If so, why?

IQ16: To what extent might design calculations and checking of calculations be automated, using techniques such as machine learning?

IQ17: How can we save design data for future interventions in the building? Might it be feasible to embed embodied energy data, structural capacity, and energy use data in land registry records, for example?

IQ18: Who needs to participate at which design stage to ensure material efficiency and embodied energy are key design drivers?