The Structural carbon tool - version 2

Author: Elliott Wood

Date published

31 March 2022

Price
Free
The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Back to Previous

The Structural carbon tool - version 2

Tag
Author
Elliott Wood
Date published
31 March 2022
Price
Free
Guidance
Author

Elliott Wood

Date published

31 March 2022

Author

Elliott Wood

Price

Free

Use this tool to help you quickly estimate the embodied carbon in your structures.

Version 2 of the Structural carbon tool is aligned with the IStructE guide ‘How to calculate embodied carbon’ 2nd edition. For an overview of the edits made to this edition of the guide, please visit this page.

Please use the tool with Microsoft Excel 2016 or a newer version.

The Structural carbon tool user guide Video 1 Introduction

The Structural carbon tool user guide Video 2 Project info sheet

The Structural carbon tool user guide Video 3 Scheme input sheets

The Structural carbon tool user guide Video 4 Comparison sheet

The Structural carbon tool user guide Video 5 Lifecycle material data

The Structural carbon tool user guide Video 6 Custom data

The Structural carbon tool user guide Video 7 Example uses

The structural engineer’s first priority in the Climate Emergency is to minimise carbon emissions. This can be done by minimising the use of new material as far as possible.

The Structural carbon tool has been created to help practising structural engineers make quantitative decisions as to how best to do this. The tool enables the user to:

  • Estimate the amount of carbon in different parts of the design
  • Identify carbon hotspots and opportunities to target for material reduction
  • Understand rough differences between different structural options
  • Communicate decision-making impacts with the design team

The Structural carbon tool is an open-source Excel-based carbon estimator. It has been developed by Elliott Wood Partnership Ltd in conjunction with The Institution of Structural Engineers.

It is aligned with the IStructE guide ‘How to calculate embodied carbon 2nd edition ’, and is therefore aligned with BS EN 15978, BS EN 15804 and the RICS professional statement Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment. The tool also uses the SCORS rating system proposed in 2020 by the Institution’s Climate Emergency Task Group.

Please note that the Excel file contains macros. If you are having difficulties downloading it, then it may have been blocked by your firewall due to these macros. Please speak to your company’s IT department before contacting the Institution.

Important Note: The RICS Professional Statement: Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment, has recently been updated and relaunched as 2nd Edition. The update provides a clear, consistent and accurate methodology for the whole life carbon measurement and reporting across all building types, and is aligned with BS EN 15978. The Institution’s guide ‘How to calculate embodied carbon’ and supporting tool ‘The Structural carbon tool’ will be updated in due course to align with the RICS PS 2nd Ed.

 

In partnership with

The Institution has worked alongside Elliot Wood to align the tool with the IStructE guide ‘How to calculate embodied carbon’ and other existing guidance as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Related resources and events

Guidance
<h4>Design for zero</h4>

Design for zero

This guide explains why overdesign is so prevalent, its impact on material consumption and CO2 emissions, and provides five key actions you can take now, to reduce the carbon your projects produce. 

Date – 29 October 2021
Author – J J Orr, M Cooke, T J Ibell, C Smith & N Watson
Price – £24.95
Training
Blue abstract blocks

Embodied carbon basics for structural engineers on-demand course

Learn how to undertake embodied carbon calculations for every project and aspect of structural design. 

Date – 15 December 2021
Author – Various
Price – £0.00 - £215 + VAT

Additional information

Format:
Excel Spreadsheet
Publisher:
Elliott Wood

Tags

Guidance Suitable for students Climate change Best practice Carbon