Assessment of alternatives

Assessment of alternatives, also known as alternatives analysis, is a method of problem resolution used in
environmental technology, policy, and design. It seeks to reduce environmental impact by evaluating
numerous viable solutions in the context of a given problem. It is meant to help decision-makers in
circumstances when there are several viable actions, a large range of factors to consider, and considerable
degrees of uncertainty. Alternatives assessment was initially designed as a strong method of guiding
preventive action and avoiding analysis paralysis. In general, alternatives evaluation entails analyzing a
variety of viable options to attain a certain goal and conducting a rigorous comparative study. Typically,
the goal is to enhance the performance or the safety of a particular product, material, process, or other
activity. Alternatives explored in the study may include various chemical compounds, technologies,
materials, methods, or even major redesign to enable new ways of attaining the goal while avoiding the
problem.

In our study we conducted a study to be used on four different materials, we conducted the physical,
chemical, and mechanical properties of each material and the cost of each one to achieve the goal of the
project. Then we came up with the best material to be used in the prototype to ensure the best results that
suites all aspects of the usage.

1- Structural Steel:

Structural steel, another commonly utilized building material in the construction sector, is also one of the
most researched and well-understood. It has predictable behavior and is subject to different standards and
norms created by big organizations. precise form, chemical composition, cross-section and mechanical
qualities..

Steel's principal use in the construction business is to provide a skeleton that binds everything together.
Structural steel is primarily utilized as a reinforcing material to compensate for the poor ductility and
tensile strength of concrete. The ductility of structural steel is an essential feature. It enables stress
redistribution in continuous members as well as in places of significant local stresses, like holes or other
interruptions. Although structural steel is usually utilized below its yield point (in the elastic area),
ductility is a significant attribute since it gives a clear warning before failure, reducing the severity of the
failure.
Structural Steel Material property S235, S275, S355, S420, S450, S460 according to EN1993-1-1:

2- Carbon Steel:

Carbon steel is a form of steel typically an iron-carbon alloy. Compared with stainless steel, it has higher
carbon content, lower melting point and higher strength.

Carbon steel is one of the most popular engineering and construction materials for large-scale industrial
applications such as marine construction, transportation, power plants, chemical processing, mining and
oil refining. Carbon steel has a high tensile strengths, but it is far more subject to corrosion.

Carbon contents in carbon steel can range from 0.01 percent to 1.5 percent in a specific alloy. As a result
of this diversity, there are several varieties of carbon steel:

- 0.25 percent carbon content in lower carbon or mild steel.

- Intermediate carbon steel has a carbon percentage ranging from 0.25 percent to 0.70 percent.

- Higher carbon steel: carbon percentage ranging from 0.7 to 1.5 percent.

 Material Properties:

Type AISI/ASTM Carbon Tensile Yield strength Ductility

name content (wt.%) strength (MPa) (MPa)

Low 1020 0.20 380 205 25

Medium 1030 0.27 – 0.34 460 325 12

High 1080 0.75 – 0.88 924 440 12

3- Stainless Steel:

Stainless steel refers to a group of iron-based alloys that are noted for its corrosive and thermal resistance.
One of the most important qualities of stainless is its minimal chromium concentration of 10.5 percent,
which offers it exceptional corrosion resistance when compared to other forms of steels. Stainless steel,
like other steels, is largely made of iron and carbon, with the additions of several additional alloying, the
most important of which is chromium. Magnesium, Nickel, nitrogen, and molybdenum are also typical
alloys found in stainless steel.

Stainless steel has numerous desirable qualities that contribute significantly to its extensive use in the
manufacture of products and materials across a broad range of industrial industries. Above all, due of its
chromium composition, it is exceptionally corrosion resistant.

Strength of annealing stainless steel of related species:

4- Brass:

Brass is a nonferrous, red metal that is an alloy of zinc and copper. The amounts of zinc and copper can
be changed to obtain various mechanical and electrical qualities. Brass is a substitution alloy because it
comprises atoms of the two component products that may substitute each other inside a same crystalline
structure. Lead is routinely added to brass to improve formability, including other specific components
used into the various brass alloys.

Brass is a good heat conductor with such a low melting temperature. It is a metallic element that is
commonly utilized in situations where there is a little risk of sparks forming when the metal is hit.

Material Properties:

Property Value

Tensile Strength, Ultimate 338 - 469 MPa

Tensile Strength, Yield 124 - 310 MPa

Modulus of Elasticity 97 GPa

Poisson's Ratio 0.31

Shear Modulus 37 GPa