Carbon footprint analysis tool for structures

Abstract

An apparatus configured to calculate the amount of carbon generated during the life span of a structure by displaying a graphical user interface which is configured to gather structural information pertaining of the structure, receiving structural information pertaining to the size, types of material used in the structure and structural aspects of the structure, generating an estimated amount of carbon generated from the use of each type of material to construct the structure and the labor used to construct the structure based on the structural information, the types, and amounts of material and labor required to repair the structure after a destructive event occurs based on a calculated probability and magnitude of a destructive event occurring, generating and output an estimated amount of carbon emitted as a result of the materials used and the labor required to repair the structure after the destructive event occurs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A building estimation apparatus including a memory and a processor running a program configured to cause the apparatus to perform a method of calculating a total amount of materials used during a life span of a structure, the method including the steps of:
 inputting, a plurality of data indicative of the amount of materials used to construct a model structure of a specific size and subject to an environmental factor;   storing into a structural component database, in the memory, the plurality of data;   querying the structural component database for data points associated with an inputted environmental factor and a specific structure size;   returning from the structural component database, an approximated slope and a material intercept of a line containing the inputted environmental factors and loading based on the structure;   calculating the total amount of material for each material that is used in construction of the structure, wherein the total amount material for each type of material used in the structure is calculated based on the slope of the line containing the environmental values for each type of material used, the specific size of the structure, and the line intercept for each type of material used in the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the environmental factor is a wind loading factor and a seismic loading factor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the calculating of the total amount of materials for each type of material is Qj=Mi*Nst=Bi where Mi equals the slope of the line containing the environmental loading value, Nst equals the number of stories in the structure and Bi equals the line intercept for each type of material used. 
     
     
         4 . A building estimation apparatus including a memory and a processor running a program configured to perform a method of calculating a cost-benefit analysis to assess the initial cost to reduction of losses over a structures service life by installing a seismic-force resisting system (SFRS), the method including the steps of:
 displaying, on a display unit, a graphical user interface stored in the memory of the apparatus which is configured to gather information pertaining to the structure;   receiving, by the processor, structural information from the graphical user interface into the memory of the apparatus which includes information pertaining to the size and types of material used in the structure; and   displaying, on the display unit, a cost associated with the building and the SFRS.   
     
     
         5 . The building estimation apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the displayed cost is one of the following: an annual return on investment over the structure service life or a reduction in losses due to a periodic seismic event. 
     
     
         6 . The building estimation apparatus of  claim 5  where the periodic seismic event is a 100 year event. 
     
     
         7 . The building estimation apparatus of  claim 5  where the periodic seismic event is a 1000 year event. 
     
     
         8 . The building estimation apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the displayed cost is at least one of the following: a cost of building component losses; a cost of structural component loses; a cost of non-structural components; a cost of business interruption; a net expected benefit; and a net additional first cost.