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material-selection

Compare building materials against embodied carbon, fire rating, and cost criteria.

Updated Jun 16, 2026
Search Tags:#AEC#material-selection#architectural-materials#embodied-carbon#life-cycle-assessment#building-specifications
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/robikscube/SJ-skills-sandbox --skill material-selection-robikscube
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: material-selection
Source: https://github.com/robikscube/SJ-skills-sandbox/tree/main/Skill-List/skills-architects/material-selection
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/robikscube/SJ-skills-sandbox --skill material-selection-robikscube

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill eliminates the need for AEC professionals to manually cross-reference scattered technical documents, manufacturer datasheets, and code requirements to evaluate and specify appropriate building materials for design and construction projects.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Comprehensive Material Property Database: Access curated technical data for concrete, steel, timber, masonry, glass, metals, insulation, and composites including strength, thermal/acoustic performance, fire ratings, embodied carbon, and cost ranges.
  • Structured Decision Framework: Use the 8-criteria evaluation matrix to score and compare material options against project-specific priorities such as low-carbon targets, budget constraints, or durability requirements.
  • Specification and Compliance Support: Reference guidance on specification writing, testing standards, and jurisdictional requirements to ensure material selections meet local building codes and project briefs.
  • Use Case: For a low-carbon 8-storey office project, use this skill to compare CLT, low-carbon reinforced concrete, and steel composite floor systems against embodied carbon targets, REI 90 fire rating requirements, and 7.5 m span constraints to select the optimal structural material.

Quick Start

Ask the material-selection skill to compare the embodied carbon, fire performance, and cost of a 200 mm CLT floor system versus a 275 mm low-carbon reinforced concrete flat slab for a 7.5 m span office floor with a 5 kN/m² live load.

Frequently Asked Questions about material-selection

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I compare embodied carbon and fire ratings for different structural building materials?▼

Comparing embodied carbon and fire ratings for building materials requires centralized technical property data to eliminate manual cross-referencing. This Skill provides standardized performance metrics, embodied carbon benchmarks, and fire rating data to evaluate options like CLT versus reinforced concrete against project-specific constraints.

What is the best way to evaluate building material specifications for code compliance and sustainability targets?▼

Evaluating building material specifications for code compliance involves referencing standardized testing standards and jurisdictional requirements. This Skill delivers specification writing guidance and sustainability target validation to ensure material selections meet local building codes and project briefs across residential, commercial, and institutional projects.

Can I use a single database for life-cycle assessment and material selection across commercial and residential projects?▼

Using a single database for life-cycle assessment and material selection is possible with curated technical data for concrete, steel, timber, and composites. This Skill supports AEC professionals across residential, commercial, and institutional project types with standardized performance metrics and embodied carbon benchmarks.

How do I score and compare material options against budget constraints and low-carbon targets?▼

Scoring material options against budget constraints and low-carbon targets requires a structured decision framework. This Skill provides an 8-criteria evaluation matrix to compare building materials against project-specific priorities including durability requirements, thermal performance, and cost ranges.

Does this material selection approach support comparing CLT and low-carbon reinforced concrete floor systems for specific span and load constraints?▼

Comparing CLT and low-carbon reinforced concrete floor systems for span and load constraints is fully supported. This Skill can evaluate a 200 mm CLT floor versus a 275 mm reinforced concrete flat slab against a 7.5 m span, 5 kN/m² live load, REI 90 fire rating, and embodied carbon targets.

What building material property data do I need to eliminate manual cross-referencing of scattered manufacturer datasheets?▼

Eliminating manual cross-referencing of manufacturer datasheets requires comprehensive material property data including strength, thermal and acoustic performance, fire ratings, embodied carbon, and cost ranges. This Skill delivers curated technical data for concrete, steel, timber, masonry, glass, metals, insulation, and composites.

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