No abstract

No abstract

Given the predominant use of virgin materials and the creation of vast amounts of waste in the construction sector, increasing its resource efficiency could result in a large improvement in overall use of resources. Bridges are a logical target for increasing resource efficiency, not only because of the large amount of materials involved but especially because a considerable number of bridges are demolished because of changing functional demands rather than technical failure. Furthermore, climate change increases future uncertainty and the likelihood of functionally motivated demolitions, which potentially exacerbates the creation of waste. Currently, it is not possible to measure and quantify the resource efficiency of bridge designs. In this study, a framework is presented that combines four indicators based on the principles of the Circular Economy. The four indicators are: (1) Design Input, (2) Resource Availability, (3) Adaptability, and (4) Reusability. Each indicator is further broken down into multiple sub‐indicators. To test the usefulness of the proposed framework, it was applied to two real‐world Dutch case studies. In addition, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the robustness of the indicator to changes in the design parameters and the weighting method used. Validation of the framework has shown that this bridge‐specific circularity indicator is useful for determining the level of resource efficiency in terms of material use. This will allow clients to use resource efficiency, or circularity, as a selection criterion in the procurement process. This article met the requirements for a gold—gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.

No abstract

Due to the large use of resources and waste generation, the transition to a circular economy (CE) has become a major sustainability-related topic in construction. Intentions to achieve circularity are shared widely, but developments are slow in practice. This study identifies systemic barriers to the circularity transition from a social-technical systemic perspective. We used the Mission-oriented Innovation System (MIS) framework to provide insights into the problems and potential solutions underlying the circularity mission, the structure of the system and the system dynamics. Based on the analysis of a wide range of policy documents and twenty in-depth interviews with stakeholders in the Dutch infrastructure sector, three vicious cycles were identified that form persistent barriers to the transition: (1) the CE contestation cycle given the contested nature of the circularity mission; (2) the knowledge diffusion cycle given the need to adopt and diffuse knowledge; and (3) the innovation cycle when it comes to procuring and upscaling circular innovations. These barriers all relate to processual, organizational and institutional challenges rather than to technological ones. This indicates that construction managers, policymakers and researchers in the field of infrastructure circularity should shift their focus from specific circular solutions to creating appropriate conditions for changing current and introducing novel processes that facilitate circular ways of doing things.