Life Cycle Structural Engineering: Enforcing LCT-based criteria from an early stage of the construction design to improve effective sustainability

The transition to a more sustainable construction sector is crucial for reducing environmental impacts and enhancing the resilience of the built environment. By integrating Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) principles from the early stages of design, structural engineers can significantly influence the sustainability of a structure. Life Cycle Structural Engineering (LCSE) can indeed foster the design and construction of buildings that are not only efficient and resilient but also minimize environmental, economic, and social impacts over their entire life cycle. This paper explores LCSE, outlining key principles for a sustainable and resilient construction sector and assessing compliance with global and European sustainability goals. Then, it discusses LCT-based design performance objectives, such as design for disassembly, adaptability, and durability. Technical choices, design targets and structural models/schemes aimed at translating the sustainable objectives into practice are finally introduced. Some best practice examples, in terms of innovative techniques and real applications, are also presented.