Page 13 - BENTLEY SYSTEMS PR REPORT - DECEMBER 2024

Addressing carbon emissions is a crucial step in combating climate change. However, while operational
carbon emissions are expected to be reduced over time (due to the replacement of fossil-fuel energy by
renewable sources), embodied carbon (from materials manufacturing, transport to construction site,
and construction and installation process - such as terracing and earthwork activities) is more difficult
to abate. Predictions show that embodied carbon from new infrastructure is expected to be responsible
for half the global carbon footprint between now and 2050.
Efficient embodied carbon analysis capabilities trigger a major shift in how projects are designed and
evaluated.
Companies, such as the Canadian consulting firm WSP, have faced challenges compiling carbon data due
to the inconsistent methodologies used to calculate embodied carbon, including emissions from material
sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, construction, demolition activities, and waste processing. The process
of translating every detail into a comprehensive carbon evaluation is a significantly time-consuming and
complex one.
Solutions like Bentley Systems’ new Carbon Analysis feature help users reduce the embodied carbon
footprint of their infrastructure designs and engineering projects. These capabilities empower
infrastructure engineers to easily streamline carbon reporting, visualise embodied carbon, and rapidly
explore design alternatives.
By adopting these solutions, organisations can seamlessly integrate sustainability into the infrastructure
design process. Early adopters have reported significant time savings, reducing the time required to
calculate embodied carbon in infrastructure projects from six months to mere minutes. These advanced
capabilities enable easy calculation of emissions from material sourcing and manufacturing, both of
which account for 65 per cent to 85 per cent of total embodied carbon emissions, with the remainder
embodied carbon belonging to transportation of materials to the construction site, and the
installation/construction process.
By enabling repeatable calculation of embodied carbon during the design phase, architects, engineers,
material suppliers, sustainability experts, and other stakeholders can collaborate effectively and make
timely changes to the design, starting earlier in incorporating carbon in the decision-making process, as
well as making it easier to work toward a project’s net-zero emissions.
Studies indicate that simply specifying and substituting material alternatives during the design and
specification process can lead to a significant reduction of 20 per cent to 50 per cent in upfront
embodied carbon. Kelvin Saldanha, highway engineer at WSP, states: “This proposition from Bentley
truly represents a paradigm shift in the way we calculate carbon, enabling a more consistent and rapid
approach that allows us to make timely decisions and positively impact project outcomes.”
Addressing embodied carbon with solutions: a real-life example.
The new ENI headquarters in Milan, Italy, is set to be a global beacon of sustainable innovation. This
iconic complex, featuring three interconnected office buildings and a landmark skybridge, boasts 11,684
sq m of total green surface area.
Webuild, the project’s contractor, encountered the challenge of delivering this ambitious project within
a tight deadline and a limited footprint. The critical node of the project, the large steel sky bridge,
presented a particularly complex assembly. To ensure timely completion and maintain safety standards,
Webuild turned to a collaborative digital construction simulation solution.
Webuild leveraged Synchro to create a dynamic, virtual construction environment and a digital twin for
better planning and scheduling. This enabled the team to evaluate multiple scenarios, perform clash
detection, and determine a construction plan for safety and efficiency while reducing social and
environmental impact. By utilising Bentley’s 4D scheduling, simulations and construction modelling
technology, Webuild achieved a 90 per cent reduction in rework and compressed the construction
schedule from 85 days to just four days.
Working with a connected digital platform optimised site layout, leading to a 30 per cent reduction in
the project’s carbon footprint. In addition, the project adopted sustainable material provision, with iron
and concrete sourced from within a 200-km radius of the site, with iron containing over 90 per cent
recycled content, while concrete with more than five per cent recycled material. The platform also
provided invaluable insights into all construction processes, achieving zero on-site accidents.

https://gulfconstructiononline.com/Article/1628730/Digital_route_to_sustainable_construction