BIM Integrated LCA for Promoting Circular Economy towards Sustainable Construction: An Analytical Review

Abstract

Sustainable construction is widely regarded as one of the best decisions to reduce the environmental impact of the buildings. Numerous scientific efforts have been devoted to promoting sustainability by adopting different techniques such as life cycle assessment (LCA) and building information modeling (BIM). The recent circular economy (CE) agenda is prioritizing in different sectors including construction due to increasing concern on the materials efficiency and resources consumption. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the implications, considerations, contributions and challenges of BIM integrated LCA and the CE adoption in the industry by critically analyzing the recent literature. A scientometric analysis was applied to the selected studies to show the knowledge among BIM, LCA and CE relationships. With a comprehensive analysis of major challenges and opportunities of LCA and BIM for construction sustainability, key drivers for sustainable building design were identified and analyzed. A prospective integrated framework for CE adoption into BIM-based LCA of buildings and an evaluation method are proposed by analyzing the contemporary issues. It is believed that the analyzed critical issues, identified future research direction and proposed frameworks and this methodology should contribute to effective implementation of CE into the building for promoting sustainable construction.

Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework

“…Within the context of sustainable building design, BIM software and extension tools (add-ins) are used for analysing and optimising building performance (e.g., indoor climate, energy, daylighting, site) [164] and for the integration of life-cycle analysis (LCA) into the building design process [165]. Recent studies expand the capabilities of BIM towards early design considerations for slowing and closing resource loops.…”

BIM Visual Programming Tools Applications in Infrastructure Projects: A State-of-the-Art Review

“…The topics covered in the papers associated with the operation and construction of infrastructure projects were the development of inspection systems, for both bridges [99,131] and roads [96], and the evaluation of construction work scenarios [70,116]. Although these applications covered many scenarios, as expected from the operation of these infrastructures, they was not found in other VP applications such as: (1) automated estimation of operational road emissions using VP algorithms that transfer real information on traffic and the vehicle fleet; (2) measurement of control variables in bridge assembly using low-cost sensors with subsequent reading and updating of BIM models [132,133]; and (3) automated review and checking of infrastructure multi-models during proposal evaluation stages [134,135].…”

Towards an AEC-AI Industry Optimization Algorithmic Knowledge Mapping: An Adaptive Methodology for Macroscopic Conceptual Analysis

“…AEC industry is still engaging in incorporating and exploiting BIM, although the confrontation of the industry 4.0 and the challenges and benefits are on the horizon, decisive implementation across the industry is not spread [28]. Particular aspects of adopting BIM in the AEC have been reviewed, from ontological perspectives and enabling factors for adoption, to sustainable practices [27]- [31].…”

“…In particular, quantification of materials with different alternatives selection of sustainable materials in the early design phase can contribute to quick and accurate quantification and evaluation. However, reusability and recyclability of the materials and refurbishment and demolition process of a building are not comprehensively considered in LCA [27]. Although that holistic green BIM is still in early phases, the global challenges in sustainability and controlled reduction in CO 2 emission will hopefully incentive the use, as well as incorporation and development of methodologies to overcome the barriers for environmentally responsible developments [29].…”