Fundamentals of Building Deconstruction as a Circular Economy Strategy for the Reuse of Construction Materials

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the most environmentally detrimental industries in the world, impacting directly the use of raw materials, their determination of use involving the whole lifecycle, as well as all their surrounding environment. However, within the building sector, the transition from a linear to a circular economy is still at an early stage. Business models need to be reconsidered to include new and improved methods and innovative services that could lead to a net reduction in the use of resources and minimizing the waste disposed on landfills. In this context, an important role in buildings’ circularity is “deconstruction”, which is understood as a well-considered selective dismantlement of building components, in prevision of a future reuse, repurposing, or recycling. It represents a sustainable alternative to common demolition, which tends to be an arbitrary and destructive process, and although faster and cheaper, it typically creates a substantial amount of waste. The purpose of this article is to analyze the deconstruction potential of buildings and the strategies to apply in order to keep the impacts on the urban environment low. The article aims to facilitate the implementation of circular economy strategies for buildings by proposing common principles for deconstruction as a sustainable alternative to demolition and defining the key points to be applied during the design and planning process regardless of the type of construction system or material used.

Optimization of Material Recovery Strategies in the Demolition Phase of Buildings – A Case Study

“…[5] The possibilities of End life of the buildings are classified as Refurbishment, Demolition, Deconstruction. [1] A. Refurbishment -"Process of restoring a structure to a former better condition or to revive it, including alterations such as remodeling and retrofitting, which can result in a completely different building." [1] B. Demolition -"Process of arbitrary disassembling or destroying a building to clear the construction site, using heavy construction machinery quickly."…”

“…[1] A. Refurbishment -"Process of restoring a structure to a former better condition or to revive it, including alterations such as remodeling and retrofitting, which can result in a completely different building." [1] B. Demolition -"Process of arbitrary disassembling or destroying a building to clear the construction site, using heavy construction machinery quickly." [1] C. Deconstruction -"Process of the selective dismantling of building components, part by part and avoiding damage, specifically for reuse, repurposing, and recycling."…”

“…[1] B. Demolition -"Process of arbitrary disassembling or destroying a building to clear the construction site, using heavy construction machinery quickly." [1] C. Deconstruction -"Process of the selective dismantling of building components, part by part and avoiding damage, specifically for reuse, repurposing, and recycling." [1] Demolition techniques vary based on the place to be destroyed, the amount of time required, the construction material to be demolished, the demolition's purpose, and how the rubble would be disposed of.…”

“…Around the same time, the construction industry is a significant waste source: houses use about 35 percent of the world's capital and 40 percent of total electricity, use 12 percent of the world's drinkable water, and emit almost 40 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. [1] For many developed nations, solid waste disposal is a significant concern. Solid waste production grows in parallel with urbanization and industrialization, wreaking havoc on the environment.…”

“…The building industry has undergone unprecedented growth over the last two decades. [1] Construction and demolition waste makes up a significant portion of destruction in developing countries, i.e., accounting for 55 percent of complete solid waste generated in India [2]. According to the BMPTC report, India produces one fifty-million-ton waste as construction and demolition waste in India, and less than one percent is recycled for energy recovery and material recovery.…”