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Uncertainty in Design for Environment

• Fitch, P., J.S. Cooper, “Life Cycle Modeling for Adaptive and Variant Design- Part 1 Methodology,” Research in Engineering Design, 15, 216-228 (2005)
• Fitch, P., J.S. Cooper, “Life Cycle Modeling for Adaptive and Variant Design- Part 2 Case Study,” Research in Engineering Design, 15, 229-241 (2005)
• Also see the poster, awarded "Best Student Poster" at the International Conference on Life Cycle Management, LCM 2001, Copenhagen, 27-29 August 2001

Life Cycle Modeling for Design (LCMD) facilitates the incorporation of life cycle modeling into conceptual product design by including consideration of uncertainty in a product’s final configuration.  The methodology combines Life Cycle Assessment with probabilistic design methods in a way that reduces information needs.  In this paper, LCMD is used to evaluate material substitution opportunities to cost effectively reduce resource consumption, reduce life cycle air emissions, and increase the recyclable mass for a Ford C-class sedan.  A scenario for this vehicle’s design is identified that offers modest improvements in carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and sulfur oxide emissions; and in natural gas and energy consumption.  However, this aluminum frame design provides these improvements at a higher expected vehicle cost.

For more information, please contact Joyce Cooper at cooperjs@u.washington.edu

Acknowledgement

This material is based upon work supported by the Ford Company.