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Description
The project CircularBuild - Development and Validation of the Concept of Circularity Applied to Modular Prefabricated Construction aims to investigate alternative materials for panels – replacing those currently used – that enable the complete circularity of the modular panels production system, allowing a total reuse of waste generated by the "deconstruction" of houses as raw material for new panels/ new houses, without compromising the building’s performance in terms of energy efficiency, consequently contributing, directly and widely, to the new paradigm of "Zero Carbon Buildings".
Summary of project results
The project CircularBuild - Development and Validation of the Concept of Circularity Applied to Modular Prefabricated Construction aimed to investigate alternative materials for panels – replacing those currently used – that enable the complete circularity of the modular panels production system, allowing a total reuse of waste generated by the "deconstruction" of houses as raw material for new panels/ new houses, without compromising the building’s performance in terms of energy efficiency, consequently contributing, directly and widely, to the new paradigm of "Zero Carbon Buildings".
The project studied and selected alternative secondary materials that induce greater gains in energy efficiency. These alternative materials were used in panel samples which were subject to various tests and trials that allow its laboratory validation, for example in terms of thermal efficiency and resistance to earthquakes and fire.
Subsequently, the project did prototyping, a pilot installation and testing in real conditions of use of the CircularBuild solution.
The project included activities to promotion and broad dissemination and discussion of the results of the project and the EEA Grants program among the academic, technical, business community and civil society, nationally and internationally.
The energy efficiency of the CircularBuild construction solution (evaluated as the overall coefficient of thermal losses of the building) is 60% compared to the reference value of a new building, exceeding the 75% value initially established.
Absence of waste from the construction process.
Reduction of equivalent CO2 emissions by 77%, from 110.5 kgCO2/m2 to 25 kgCO2/m2).
The CircularBuild construction solution presents a 62% higher energy efficiency than traditional construction, resulting from the reduction of thermal bridges, which provides superior insulation to reference solutions.
The CircularBuild construction solution achieved a transversal improvement compared to the base solution, standing out in the sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly construction sector, namely due to:
- Integration of eco-friendly materials that, combined with the thermal characteristics of the solution, allow the construction of buildings with Energy Class A+ and NZEB20 energy performance;
- Structural performance of the CircularBuild construction solution, which exceeded all the most favorable expectations, having even been interrupted after a simulation in a real situation of an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, although the prototype showed no damage.
- The fire reaction tests, which obtained a B-s1,d0 classification inside the panel and outside the panel, and the fire resistance test with results in line with a fire resistance classification, REI30.
The main benefiviaries are the Technical Community in the constructio sector; Business Sector; Academic community; Public Bodies; Community / Civil Society.
Summary of bilateral results
The project contributed to bilateral relations with donor countries as it included the RISE partner. RISE collaborated especially in testing and functional validation - laboratory scope, in fire tests.The development and research of innovative solutions will continue with project partners, namely a by-product, maintaining alignment with the principles of the Environment Program, such as the optimization of natural resources and the circular economy.