7-8 May 2025
Alper will give a two-part live-streamed training on strategies (organized by Australian Steel Institute) to reduce embodied carbon in steel construction systems. Sessions run Wednesday 7 May and Thursday 8 May 2025, 4–6 pm AEST. Participants will learn how to calculate embodied carbon at the conceptual design stage and analyse case studies of steel structures. The training will also explore global, European, and Australian low-carbon design regulations, along with advanced techniques like high-strength steel and hybrid construction.
The training addresses one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary structural engineering: quantifying and minimizing the environmental impact of construction materials at the earliest stages of design. Participants will learn how to calculate embodied carbon at the conceptual design stage using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, allowing engineers and architects to make informed material and system choices before detailed design begins. The sessions will include analysis of real-world case studies of steel structures, demonstrating how different design decisions (from member sizing and connection detailing to material sourcing and fabrication methods) influence the overall carbon footprint of a building.
The training will also provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving regulatory landscape for low-carbon design, covering global frameworks, European directives, and Australian-specific requirements. Participants will gain insight into how these regulations are shaping procurement, specification, and certification practices across the steel construction industry.
Beyond regulatory compliance, the course will explore advanced techniques for carbon reduction, including the use of high-strength steel grades that enable lighter structures with less material, hybrid construction systems that combine steel with timber or other low-carbon materials, and design-for-disassembly strategies that facilitate future reuse of structural components. These approaches align with broader life-cycle driven design principles that consider not only initial construction but also maintenance, adaptation, and end-of-life scenarios.
Alper Kanyilmaz is Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, where his research focuses on life cycle analysis and sustainability of steel construction. He serves as Expert Advisor for the European Commission and the World Steel Association on sustainable steel applications.
