SEU, a program provided by SE Solutions, LLC

Login

Evaluating Sustainable Materials and Structures (12:30pm – 2:00pm Eastern)

Speaker:
Dave K. Adams, SE
Date:
May 13, 2026
Session Details

1.5 PDHs / 0.2 IACET CEUs

Dave K. Adams, SE, F.ASCE
BWE

Structural engineers are in a unique position to maximize the sustainability of structures through decisions made during the design process. This SEU session provides a practical framework for evaluating sustainability in structural materials and systems across the full building lifecycle, and examines material-specific strategies for sustainability using concrete, steel, wood, and masonry, with a focus on real-world application.

During the session, speaker Dave Adams will introduce life cycle assessment (LCA) considerations, and will provide guidance for setting realistic sustainability goals while effectively engaging stakeholders. Attendees will learn to distinguish between mandatory and optional compliance language, identify sustainable attributes of common materials, assess retrofit feasibility, and develop practical approaches to sustainable structural design.

Learning Objectives:

  • Distinguish between mandatory and optional compliance.
  • Describe sustainable elements of common building materials.
  • Judge the suitability of retrofit goals for existing structures.
  • Illustrate life cycle assessment issues related to building materials.
  • Formulate realistic goals that maximize stakeholder involvement.

Current SE University subscribers can access the recording in their SEU Resource Center account. Please use the link below to view the session page in the SEU Session Library.

View in SEU Session Library