Environmental design methods in materials and structural engineering: Progress Report of RILEM TC 172-EDM/CIB TG 22

When incorporating an environmental viewpoint into the design of materials and structures, the entire context of the design process must be reconsidered in order to integrate environmental aspects into a set of other design aspects. This kind of process is known as “Integrated Life Cycle Design” and its aim consists of assimilating, in a practical manner, the multiple requirements of functionality, economy, performance, resistance, aesthetics and ecology all into the technical specifications and detailed designs of materials and structures. This extended concept of design must also incorporate a variety of calculation methods, which encompass calculations of life-cycle “financial” economics along with those of life-cycle “natural” economics, or in other words “ecology”. Controlled technical performance and serviceability over the design service life are guaranteed by means of mechanical (static, dynamic and
fatigue) design, modular service life optimisation, durability design and hygrothermal design. Health considerations are taken into account through the methods of building physics, including hygrothermal physical, chemical and biological aspects. Design for recycling is a special field with its own set of topics and methods. The selection of final solutions from alternative structural systems, materials and products is to be performed by applying the methods of multiple requirement optimisation and decision-making. Modular product and performance systemic analyses can be applied at several stages of the design process. The methodology associated with integrated life cycle design can be utilised in the design of individual buildings or other structural facilities, as well as in the development of new materials and structures or systems of structures.