UTILIZING LIFE CYCLE ROBUST OPTIMIZATION TO ASSESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS FOR A CAR ENGINE

Abdulbaset  Alemam; Tasnem Showehdi

doi:10.66411/jer.v36i.49

Authors

Abdulbaset M. Alemam Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tripoli- Libya Author
Tasnem J. Showehdi Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tripoli- Libya Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66411/jer.v36i.49

Keywords:

Robust optimization, life cycle assessment, lightweight design, SolidWorks sustainability, uncertainty

Abstract

This paper explores the use of lightweight materials and discusses their potential for environmental impact reduction in the automotive industry. The research implements a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based optimization methodology to assess the environmental impacts of an aluminium-based automotive car engine. The assessment considered the usage and end of life cycle stages. The presented methodology applies robust optimization modelling technique to dealing with uncertainty in the life cycle inventory (LCI) database. The derived mathematical formulation simultaneously accounts for constraints and objective uncertainty. The developed LCA model serves as a design for environment (DFE) decision support tool by performing the analysis of the life cycle energy consumption and CO₂ emission. The LCA model applies a comprehensive car engine analysis to guide designers toward environmentally safe material selection for specific automotive components, namely the engine block and cylinder head. The research suggested two DFE improvement scenarios, specifically magnesium alloy and carbon fibres. The two materials are evaluated using the suggested methodology for developing green products. The results show that lightweight materials magnesium alloy and carbon fibres are promising materials in terms of reducing CO₂ emission and saving energy compared to aluminium the baseline engine. The proposed methodology provides valuable insights into the material selection process and displays the effect of different material choices on the environment

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