This course uses resiliency, energy efficiency, and low embodied carbon as a brief jumping-off point to frame a broader discussion of sustainability considerations in concrete masonry design. Participants will explore life-cycle environmental impacts beyond embodied carbon and review CMU manufacturing process choices that can reduce overall impacts.

The course also addresses CMU sourcing, extraction, and supply-chain considerations, including how availability, transportation, and procurement pathways can affect project outcomes.

Finally, it introduces assembly efficiency and circularity strategies that reduce resource extraction and jobsite waste while enabling higher-value reuse at end of life.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and review the three primary sustainability drivers - resiliency, energy efficiency, and low embodied carbon – while demonstrating how concrete masonry’s inherent qualities can be leveraged to support performance goals across all three drivers.
2. Analyze environmental impacts beyond embodied carbon and discuss CMU manufacturing processes that can reduce overall impacts.
3. Evaluate CMU sourcing, extraction, and supply-chain considerations, including how availability, transportation, and procurement pathways can affect project outcomes. 
4. Apply assembly efficiency and circularity strategies for CMU by understanding design approaches that reduce resource extraction and jobsite waste while identifying end-of-life pathways that enable higher-value reuse.

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