Paper on Environmental Impact of Bridges presented at SBE2016

 

Engr. Kevin Atienza (Right most) with his co-authors: M. Martinez, J. Joaquino, C. Gonzalez and Prof. Oreta

Last July 13-15, students, professionals, consultants, and members from the academe convened for the Sustainable Built Environment 2016 Conference held at the Acacia Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The symposium showcased and discussed technical papers submitted by students and professionals in the field of engineering, architecture, landscape design, and urban and regional planning.

Engr. Kevin Lawrence M. Atienza, a civil engineering alumnus from De La Salle University, presented a paper entitled “A proposed methodology for quantifying the environmental impacts of the structural elements of standard bridge designs.” The study was an undergraduate thesis authored by the presenter together with Engr. Carla Maria B. Gonzalez, Engr. Jorge Jason K. Joaquino, and Engr. Mitchel Krisia R. Martinez under the advisory of Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta.

The study discussed the integration of environmental impact assessment in engineering sustainable bridge designs. Using a Life Cycle Impact Assessment or LCIA, the authors were able to determine the potential environmental impacts produced by the extraction and manufacturing stages of a bridge. Ultimately, the study generated an Environmental Impact Score or EIS, a single-value index that indicates the environmental performance of a bridge.

The conference invited two keynote speakers, Dr. Yukio Tamura and Dr. Greg C. Foliente, for its master classes on wind engineering design and sustainable development. Hon. Mark A. Villar, secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, was also invited in the conference. Breakout sessions were also conducted, discussing topics on sustainable buildings, infrastructures, communities, and disaster risk management. 

- Reported by Kevin Atienza