Engineering giant Thornton Tomasetti has launched Beacon, an open-source embodied carbon measurement tool poised to change the way structural engineers understand and manage embodied carbon optimization. The tool gives users the ability to measure embodied carbon, allowing for more informed decisions throughout the design process.
Beacon is being introduced after an intensive, three-year research and development process led by Thornton Tomasetti’s CORE studio, a firm-wide virtual incubator focused on innovation through computational modeling and research.
The tool is an Autodesk Revit plugin that generates a comprehensive data visualization of a project’s embodied carbon. Beacon provides data in a manner similar to the engineer’s thought process, providing a clear visualization of a project’s embodied carbon quantities by material type, building element and floor levels, allowing engineers to know exactly where embodied carbon can be minimized for optimization.
It also grades the model’s embodied carbon levels against the Carbon Leadership Forum’s database of models by building type using a red, yellow, and green rating system.
embodied carbon reseach
Beacon’s launch follows Thornton Tomasetti’s November 2019 release of results from its multi-year, project-based embodied carbon measurement study. The study focused on identifying the type of structures, materials and components with the highest carbon emissions.
“We decided to make Beacon an open-source and easy-to-use tool, so it can be shared at a global scale,” said Robert Otani, Principal and Chief Technology Officer at Thornton Tomasetti. “We hope this unique and comprehensive tool will push the industry forward into developing innovative strategies that result in more sustainable and efficient structures.”
“The built environment is estimated to be responsible for about 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions when building materials are factored in,” said Amy Seif Hattan, Corporate Responsibility Officer at Thornton Tomasetti. “It is up to us to help effect change. Beacon will help structural engineers address embodied carbon in new construction. It will also be extremely valuable to measure progress toward the Carbon Leadership Forum’s Structural Engineers 2050 Challenge’s primary goal of zero carbon buildings by 2050.”
Hattan added that this challenge was recently endorsed by the Structural Engineering Institute Board of Governors, showing strong industry support for the initiative.
Beacon is available for download at: https://core-studio.gitbook.io/beacon.
Related Stories
AEC Tech | Jun 8, 2021
FARO Expands Digital Twin Product Suite - Acquires HoloBuilder Inc.
FARO Technologies, a global leader of 3D measurement, imaging, and realization solutions for the 3D Metrology, AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction), and Public Safety Analytics markets, today announced the acquisition of HoloBuilder, Inc.
AEC Tech | May 27, 2021
New Work Zone Cam Pro Delivers 33% More Detail for Time-Lapse
Work Zone Cam, a leading provider of professional jobsite construction camera services, premiered its latest camera, which increases image resolution from 18 to 24 megapixels. The additional image detail helps track construction progress more accurately and results in higher resolution time-lapses for construction documentation.
Digital Twin | May 24, 2021
Digital twin’s value propositions for the built environment, explained
Ernst & Young’s white paper makes its cases for the technology’s myriad benefits.
AEC Tech | Apr 15, 2021
3 startups making their mark in 2021
Meet a trio of AEC tech firms that are making advances in the COVID-19 era.
Adaptive Reuse | Apr 15, 2021
The Weekly Show, Apr 15, 2021: The ins and outs of adaptive reuse, and sensors for real-time construction monitoring
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders from PBDW Architects and Wohlsen Construction about what makes adaptive reuse projects successful, and sensors for real-time monitoring of concrete construction.
AEC Tech | Apr 8, 2021
The Weekly Show, April 8, 2021: SPOT the autonomous robot, and Woods Bagot's in-house 'futurist'
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders from Procon Consulting, Virginia Tech, and Woods Bagot about SPOT, the autonomous robot for construction progress monitoring applications, and how Woods Bagot's new "futurist" is promoting innovation at the international design firm.
Coronavirus | Mar 11, 2021
The Weekly show, March 11, 2021: 5 building products for COVID-related conditions, and AI for MEP design
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about building products and systems that support COVID-related conditions, and an AI tool that automates the design of MEP systems.
AEC Tech | Mar 4, 2021
The Weekly show, March 4, 2021: Bringing AI to the masses, and Central Station Memphis hotel
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about the award-winning Central Station Memphis hotel reconstruction project, and how Autodesk aims to bring generative design and AI tools to the AEC masses.
AEC Tech | Jan 28, 2021
The Weekly show, Jan 28, 2021: Generative design tools for feasibility studies, and landscape design trends in the built environment
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders from Studio-MLA and TestFit about landscape design trends in the built environment, and how AEC teams and real estate developers can improve real estate feasibility studies with real-time generative design.
AEC Tech | Dec 21, 2020
GIS benefits are widely accepted, but measurements of importance vary among AEC firms
Future usage might boil down to competitive pressure, according to a Dodge Data & Analytics survey.