Assessment of Potential Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Microstructure-Level Simulation for a Steel Component: An Exploratory Research

在这项探索性研究中，将开发一种涉及微观结构水平模拟和可持续性指标的综合方法，以评估模拟微观结构水平改进对试点钢部件的环境效益。这项工作代表了一项综合研究的第一阶段，该研究旨在确定微结构级模拟的潜在环境效益，并开发一种基于其生命周期环境性能的设计方法来优化钢构件的微结构。该项目可行性的关键是能够将可持续性指标转化为一种有用的决策支持工具，用于评估钢组件设计替代方案的环境影响，例如不同的钢微观结构及其相关的制造工艺和产品特性，以实现所需的产品性能。与卡特彼勒的合作将侧重于技术研究任务和本科生实习生的教育基础。

In this exploratory research, an integrated methodology involving microstructure-level simulations and sustainability metrics will be developed to evaluate the environmental benefits of simulated microstructure-level improvements for a pilot steel component. This work represents the first phase of a comprehensive research thrust to determine the potential environmental benefits of microstructure-level simulations and to develop a design methodology to optimize the microstructure of a steel component based on its life-cycle environmental performance. The key to the feasibility of this project is the ability to adapt sustainability metrics into a useful decision-support tool for evaluating environmental impacts of alternatives for the design of steel components, such as the different steel microstructures with their associated manufacturing processes and product characteristics for desired product performance. Collaboration with Caterpillar will focus on both the technical research tasks and the educational foundation for undergraduate student interns.