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The Material Indices Method in the Sustainable Engineering Design Process: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Bogdan Branowski

    (Faculty of Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, ul. Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznań, Poland)

  • Marek Zabłocki

    (Faculty of Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, ul. Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznań, Poland)

  • Maciej Sydor

    (Faculty of Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, ul. Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

Abstract

The material indices method has its application in both the design of construction materials and products. The method has evolved since the 1960s and has been described in German, Russian, Polish, and English scientific literature. In the 1990s, the method was adapted to Design for the Environment with the inclusion of specific energy consumption indicators for various construction materials. The article cites six principles of Design for the Environment and presents specific energy consumption indicators according to various authors. This data was then used in two sample applications of the material indices method to determine the specific energy consumption of product manufacture: of a support structure of the standing frame and a compression spring design. In the conclusions, the significant limitations of the material indices method are emphasized, which are not extensively discussed in the literature on the subject, such as its high sensitivity to the accuracy of the adopted energy consumption indicators for materials in view of the actual production process; not taking into consideration all the negative aspects of the materials’ impact on the environment, or the difficulties associated with predicting the impact of material production technology on the material indices. On the other hand, their simple functional form makes them ideal for incorporation into modern CAD software and in product optimization at the initial stage of concept design.

Suggested Citation

  • Bogdan Branowski & Marek Zabłocki & Maciej Sydor, 2019. "The Material Indices Method in the Sustainable Engineering Design Process: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5465-:d:272942
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Lewandowska & Bogdan Branowski & Katarzyna Joachimiak-Lechman & Przemyslaw Kurczewski & Jaroslaw Selech & Marek Zablocki, 2017. "Sustainable Design: A Case of Environmental and Cost Life Cycle Assessment of a Kitchen Designed for Seniors and Disabled People," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-20, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sasha Shahbazi & Kerstin Johansen & Erik Sundin, 2021. "Product Design for Automated Remanufacturing—A Case Study of Electric and Electronic Equipment in Sweden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Isabel García Gutiérrez & Daniel Elduque & Carmelo Pina & Rafael Tobajas & Carlos Javierre, 2020. "Influence of the Composition on the Environmental Impact of a Casting Magnesium Alloy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Julie Kamp Albæk & Sasha Shahbazi & Tim C. McAloone & Daniela C. A. Pigosso, 2020. "Circularity Evaluation of Alternative Concepts During Early Product Design and Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-25, November.
    4. Jarosław Gabryelski & Przemysław Kurczewski & Maciej Sydor & Agnieszka Szperling & Dariusz Torzyński & Marek Zabłocki, 2021. "Development of Transport for Disabled People on the Example of Wheelchair Propulsion with Cam-Thread Drive," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Sasha Shahbazi & Anna Karin Jönbrink, 2020. "Design Guidelines to Develop Circular Products: Action Research on Nordic Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-14, May.

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