Abstract
It is well understood that the main objective of infrastructure design code specifications is to protect the public’s welfare, health, and safety; none of which appear to be directly related to sustainability, which as a movement focuses attention on protecting the natural environment, conserving resources, and minimizing the toxicity of construction materials and processes. However, a number of jurisdictions have adopted language based on the United States Green Building Council to curtail the adverse effects of global warming gases and minimize environmental impact of new construction; in some cases to improve air quality in the community and to increase the long-term viability of local construction. In this chapter, we provide a survey of the available literature and review recent, and some pending, changes to design specifications found in building codes related to sustainability; particularly related to structural concrete, steel, timber, and other construction materials. These materials’ code writing entities have made a commitment to provide guidance to the design professionals regarding sustainability. Some of the groups are further along than others, but all have working groups (as of early 2011). Also, the International Code Council, Inc. has written a public version of the International Green Construction Code with the final version slated to be published in 2012; this is the first step towards making sustainability common place in all infrastructure design.
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Estrada, H., Borja, D.H., Lee, L. (2012). Sustainability in Infrastructure Design. In: Jain, R., Lee, L. (eds) Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites for Infrastructure Applications. Strategies for Sustainability. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2357-3_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2357-3_2
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