This paper presents a method of performing Life Cycle Energy Analysis (LCEA) for the purpose of material selection. The method applies product analysis methods to the evaluation of material options for automotive components. Specifically, LCEA is used to compare material options for a bumper-reinforcing beam on a 1030 kg vehicle. In this analysis, glass fiber composites and high-strength steel beams result in the lowest life cycle energy consumption. This paper also presents a set of life cycle energy terms designed to clearly distinguish between energy consumption occurring during different phases of a product’s life cycle. In addition, this paper compares the results of the LCEA method to those of other energy analyses and demonstrates how different methods of varying thoroughness can result in different material selections. Finally, opportunities are identified for extending this type of analysis beyond both automotive components and energy consumption. In particular, this paper identifies the need to develop similar methods for other environmental indicators.
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e-mail: peder@u.washington.edu
e-mail: cooperjs@u.washington.edu
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September 2004
Technical Papers
Life Cycle Energy Analysis as a Method for Material Selection
Peder E. Fitch,
e-mail: peder@u.washington.edu
Peder E. Fitch
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2600
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Joyce Smith Cooper
e-mail: cooperjs@u.washington.edu
Joyce Smith Cooper
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2600
Search for other works by this author on:
Peder E. Fitch
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2600
e-mail: peder@u.washington.edu
Joyce Smith Cooper
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2600
e-mail: cooperjs@u.washington.edu
Contributed by the Design for Manufacturing Committee for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received Oct. 2003; revised Feb. 2004. Associate Editor: D. Kazmer.
J. Mech. Des. Sep 2004, 126(5): 798-804 (7 pages)
Published Online: October 28, 2004
Article history
Received:
October 1, 2003
Revised:
February 1, 2004
Online:
October 28, 2004
Citation
Fitch, P. E., and Smith Cooper, J. (October 28, 2004). "Life Cycle Energy Analysis as a Method for Material Selection ." ASME. J. Mech. Des. September 2004; 126(5): 798–804. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1767821
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