Reusable rate of wooden structural members and its optimization determined by application programming interface (API)

Carbon is stored within the structure of wood; however, burnt or landfilled wooden components releases carbon back into the atmosphere. Increasing the reusability rate of wooden components potentially prolongs carbon storage in wood. This study investigated the reusability rate of wooden brace members from a high-rise wooden building by using an application programming interface (API) integrated with Revit. This study demonstrated a method for improving the reusability rate by optimizing the brace cross-sections. The API assists designers in determining the reusability rate early in the design process by computing and representing reusability rates based on the designated converted members. Optimization enhanced the reusability of specific sections, with a reusability rate of approximately 80% achieved for the optimized cross-section area of 28.0 × 51.6 cm2 compared with 62% for the benchmark cross-section area of 38 × 38 cm2. Additionally, a preliminary structural assessment of the optimized wooden brace sections was conducted, which confirmed that the optimization did not affect the structural integrity. Consequently, selecting optimized wooden brace sections with high reusability rates by using the API extends the service life of wood and prolongs carbon sequestration, thereby mitigating carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere.