Proceedings pro014: Integrated Life-Cycle Design of Materials and Structures (ILCDES 2000) Helsinki, Finland (2000)

The design of materials and structures is a key factor in the development towards a sustainable building and civil engineering practice. We can claim, that a high life-cycle quality (including functionality, technical performance, economy, ecology, safety, health and aesthetics) can only be achieved through integrated life-cycle design.

The term "integrated" means the introduction of all requirements into design.

The term "life-cycle" means introduction of a time span over generations into all the calculations, evaluations and decisions.



Structural and material engineering is a profession where the scientific methods of mathematics and physics are effectively applied. In introducing the principles of life-cycle engineering into structural and materials design, the excellent tradition of scientific methods can be applied in praxis.

For this task we need include multiple calculation methods in which life-cycle principles are added to all viewpoints. Traditional economy is expanded into life-cycle monetary and environmental economy (ecology).



Controlled technical performance is expanded into life-cycle performance, including service life planning and optimization, durability design, optimal energy economy and design for recycling. Health, safety and comfort aspects are also related to design.

The magnitude of design aspects rise needs for development of decision-making procedure and related methods. We also have to rethink the entire design process. The methodology of integrated life-cycle design can be used in the design of individual buildings or other structural facilities, as well as in the development of new materials and structures or structural systems.