Optimising Embodied Carbon in Axial Tension Piles: A Comparative Study of Concrete, Steel, and Timber Piles Using a Hybrid Genetic Approach

The construction industry is a major contributor to the global climate crisis, prompting increasing interest in minimising the embodied carbon of structures, whether through material production regulations or the optimisation of structural elements. While a wide body of literature addresses the reduction of embodied carbon in superstructures, limited attention has been devoted to the optimisation of foundations, particularly piles. This research introduces a hybrid genetic algorithm optimisation tool designed to minimise the embodied carbon of tension piles in different soil conditions. Six different pile types are analysed: solid and hollow concrete piles, steel pipes, UC sections, and timber piles in both square and round forms. The optimal design parameters for each pile type are presented and compared for undrained clay and loose sand. The results demonstrate the potential for reducing the embodied carbon of piles when utilising optimised designs. Finally, a case study involving an 8-metre-high crossroad signpost is presented, illustrating the practical application of the proposed optimisation algorithm in reducing embodied carbon for future designs.