A BIM-Based Framework and Databank for Reusing Load-Bearing Structural Elements

Ingrid Bertin, Romain Mesnil, Jean-Marc Jaeger, Adélaïde Feraille and Robert Le Roy
Additional contact information
Ingrid Bertin: Navier Laboratory, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, University Gustave Eiffel, CNRS, 77455 Marne-la-Vallée, France
Romain Mesnil: Navier Laboratory, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, University Gustave Eiffel, CNRS, 77455 Marne-la-Vallée, France
Jean-Marc Jaeger: Setec tpi, 75012 Paris, France
Adélaïde Feraille: Navier Laboratory, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, University Gustave Eiffel, CNRS, 77455 Marne-la-Vallée, France
Robert Le Roy: Navier Laboratory, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, University Gustave Eiffel, CNRS, 77455 Marne-la-Vallée, France

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-24

Abstract: In a context of intense environmental pressure where the construction sector has the greatest impact on several indicators, the reuse of load-bearing elements is the most promising by avoiding the production of waste, preserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing embodied energy. This study proposes a methodology based on a chain of tools to enable structural engineers to anticipate future reuse. This methodology describes the design of reversible assemblies, the addition of complementary information in the building information modeling (BIM), reinforced traceability, and the development of a material bank. At the same time, controlling the environmental impacts of reuse is planned by carrying out a life cycle assessment (LCA) at all stages of the project. Two scenarios for reuse design are applied with the toolchain proposed. A. “design from a stock” scenario, which leads to 100% of elements being reused, using only elements from stock. B. “design with a stock” scenario, which seeks to integrate as many reused elements available in the stock as possible. The case study of a high-rise building deconstructed to rebuild a medium-rise building demonstrated that the developed toolchain allowed the inclusion of all reuse elements in a new structural calculation model.

Keywords: reuse of materials; life cycle assessment (LCA); building circular economy; building information modeling (BIM); design for reuse; sustainable construction; embodied energy; greenhouse gas emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/8/3147/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/8/3147/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3147-:d:345316

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().