ABSTRACT
Environmental impacts of structures need to be considered just as much as available materials, constructability, and cost at the earliest of stages of design. The most efficient and environmentally responsible structures are those with least mass and incorporate structural solutions informed by nature. Reducing seismic mass can be accomplished with the use of light-weight materials such as light-weight concrete that has 25" less mass than normal-weight concrete. The patented Sustainable Form Inclusion System (SFIS) accomplishes both by creating voids within the concrete framing system and by using materials such as plastic water bottles, plastic bags, waste Styrofoam, etc. that would otherwise be placed in landfills. Curve fitting techniques are used to consider building height relative to low, moderate, or high wind/seismic conditions. Superstructure materials include structural steel, reinforced concrete, composite, wood, masonry, and light metal framing. Foundation materials include reinforced concrete for spread/continuous footings, mats, and pile-supported mats.
