Wöhler, Anna

Diploma Thesis:
1869

Topic:
Sustainability assessment of 3D printed cellulose elements

Editor:
Anna Wöhler

University Professor Responsible:
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. Jens Otto

Supervisor:
University Supervisor: Dipl.-Ing. Patrick Maiwald

Editing Period:
29.09.2021 until 19.03.2022

Abstract:
Additive manufacturing is considered a forward-looking technology that is also increasingly being used in the construction industry. Innovative materials are increasingly being developed for this purpose, such as 3D printable composite materials based on cellulose and plastics.
The aim of the diploma thesis is an ecological sustainability analysis of such a biocomposite material made of wood fibres and polypropylene for use in the building industry. At the beginning, the material and the additive manufacturing are qualitatively examined with the help of ecological
assessment criteria. In a second step, the environmental impacts occurring over the life cycle are quantitatively calculated by means of a life cycle assessment at material and component level. The first step is to identify those processes that have the greatest influence on the ecological sustainability of the biocomposite material. Based on this analysis, scenarios are created to identify existing optimisation potentials. By comparing the environmental impact of a wall construction made of biocomposite elements with conventional timber constructions, it is also made clear where the weaknesses of the material under consideration lie. The two-stage life cycle assessment focuses not only on emissions but also on energy and resource consumption. The evaluation shows that material reuse in the sense of a circular economy can significantly reduce the ecological footprint of the biocomposite material.