An interactive and visual tool for sustainable use of materials in engineering design

Abstract

Sustainability in engineering is an abstract and complex issue entailing both material and energy flows, alongside societal and economic aspects. We describe how a software resource with a large dataset of material properties can be used in engineering teaching and industry to enable a rational and well informed response to eco challenges. The CES EduPack and its relative, CES Selector, can aid the selection of materials from comprehensive databases based, e.g., on mechanical performance manufacturability cost and eco properties, such as embodied energy or carbon footprint, using interactive visualization and selection tools. Life-cycle properties can be estimated already at the design stage using a so called Eco Audit which also delivers guidelines for improved environmental performance. Case studies and examples demonstrate the technical utility. The Sustainability database of CES EduPack is used to show how to support social and resource aspects in teaching and in Corporate Social Responsibility reporting.