The goal of the WBLCA is to reduce the embodied impacts of a building by quantifying the environmental impacts of structure and enclosure. This course provides an overview of embodied carbon, the role that structural engineers play in the sustainable design process, how design teams can measure and minimize carbon impacts in building systems, and an understanding of how sustainable structural design integrates with other building systems to reduce overall impact. We will also review Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment and LEED v4 through a recent case study.

Composite materials have been used for thousands of years and new applications are identified each year. As one of the first modern composite materials, fiberglass is at the forefront of this innovation. The resiliency and durability of fiberglass are well-established in many diverse industries and for numerous manufacturing purposes. This course will familiarize you with the basic aspects of fiberglass composites, specifically pultruded fiberglass, and target their usefulness and environmental advantages in the window and door industry.