As the world strives to reduce its carbon footprint, innovative designs in infrastructure are taking center stage. A new approach to bridging and structure design is on the horizon, promising significant reductions in embodied carbon by up to 20%.
The Importance of Holistic Design
As we strive to reduce our carbon footprint, it’s essential to consider all aspects of a structure’s life cycle. This includes not only the materials used but also their transportation, installation, and eventual demolition. Zane Schemmer, 2024 MAD Design Fellow, is working on algorithms that optimize overall function, minimize carbon footprint, and produce manufacturable designs.
Challenges in Structural Design
Currently, there hasn’t been much progress on optimizing structural design to minimize embodied carbon. Existing work often results in complex designs that are difficult to build. Schemmer’s research focuses on the portion of the life cycle that runs through construction, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of these structures.
Discrete Topology Optimization
Schemmer and his collaborator, Josephine V. Carstensen, have developed a discrete topology optimization algorithm that can minimize embodied carbon in bridges or other structures by up to 20%. This approach considers multiple materials, ease of procurement, proximity to the building site, and the carbon embodied in their manufacture and transport.
Hybrid Steel-Timber Truss Bridge
One example of Schemmer’s work is an optimized design for a late-19th century hybrid steel-timber truss bridge stretching over Big Cypress Bayou in East Texas. The algorithm replaced some of the steel with timber elements, reducing the carbon footprint while maintaining structural integrity.
The MAD Design Fellowship
The program provides yearlong fellowships to graduate students from all across the Institute, exposing them to new ideas and networks that can help incorporate design into their work. Schemmer’s experience has shown that looking at problems from an outside perspective can lead to innovative solutions.
A Holistic Approach to Structural Engineering
Schemmer believes that there should be a bridge between the most-perfect version of something and where we are now. His education and research aim to find this balance, merging knowledge about how things work with design principles to create more efficient and sustainable structures.
The Golden Gate Bridge as Inspiration
For Schemmer, the Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic example of engineering ingenuity. Built over 100 years ago, it showcases the power of human innovation and creativity. As he continues his doctoral degree at MIT, Schemmer aims to incorporate new ideas into his work, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in structural design.
Conclusion
Minimizing the carbon footprint of bridges and other structures requires a holistic approach that considers all aspects of the life cycle. Zane Schemmer’s research and the MAD Design Fellowship are taking steps towards creating more sustainable and efficient designs, inspiring a new generation of engineers to strive for excellence in their work.
