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Description
Integrate circularity metrics in the various stages of the life cycle of a construction project Create a Building information modeling (BIM) standard that will be used on a platform, CIRCULAR-BIM. In the demonstration phase, a methodology based on Material Flow Analysis will be applied to the construction project in order to enhance the closing of the materials cycle, identifying recycling destinations for all construction and demolition waste (RCD) produced along the life cycle of the building, with a zero waste perspective. Jobs created and innovative solutions for increased resource efficiency piloted.
Summary of project results
The CIRCULAR-BIM project aims to create a BIM standard type Product Data template, i.e., a data structure for BIM objects, and a set of applications that allow the calculation of building and component circularity passports, integration and development of product EPD and the calculation of LEVEL(S) system indicators for buildings from building models, thus contributing to the implementation of circularity practices in construction.The project had 3 pilot buildings: an old building in Lisbon (Marvila), a new house in Montemor-o-Novo and a house in the design phase in Grândola (Herdade do Pinheirinho).
The project contributed to increasing the application of Circular Economy principles in the construction sector by integrating circularity concepts into the growing BIM technology, which is on its way to becoming a common practice in the construction sector, which enhances the growth of the circular economy in this sector.
The CIRCULAR-BIM project was organized into five main activities:
Activity 1. CIRCULAR-BIM Platform Specifications. In this activity the conceptual and functional model of the CIRCULAR-BIM platform was developed, defining the use cases, the technological architecture and the test plan to be developed, which will involve the demonstration phase. Based on this conceptual model, the BIM object specifications were developed, namely the Product Data Templates, i.e. the data structure to be applied to the various types of BIM objects that allow the integration of circularity concepts. This work was done for the LCA by members of the consortium, from which will be enhanced already acquired knowledge. Specifications were also developed for the interface platform with BIM and for applications to be developed to achieve the circularity potential in the form of building circularity passports and indicators of the LEVEL(S) system (e.g. global warming potential life cycle indicator).
Activity 2. Development of CIRCULAR-BIM database. This activity consisted in the development and population of the BIM object database, in line with the specifications developed in Activity 1, which constitute the dynamic repository of information, that connected with the various modules and interfaces for circularity assessment. The database was loaded with BIM objects typically found in buildings (e.g., masonry, windows, doors). The parameterization involved detailed work with suppliers, material analysis laboratories, the construction sector itself and the waste management sector, which was crucial in assessing the potential for reuse and recycling of components and materials.
Activity 3. Platform Development. In this activity, the CIRCULAR-BIM Platform was developed, namely the interface of communication and BIM objects database management and the applications that will provide the potential for circularity in the form of building circularity passports and indicators of the LEVEL(S) system (e.g. potential global warming life cycle indicator) as well as EPD integration. The Circular Digital Twin module was be developed, a 3D interface for visualization of circularity indicators integrated with the proper visualization of building models.
Activity 4. Demonstration. In the first demonstrator, the project team worked with Potential Sketch, in Lisbon, to implement the demonstration component of the CIRCULAR-BIM tool, from the phase of digitization of the building to the calculation of the referred outputs (passport, indicators of the LEVEL(S) system, promotion of the use of EPD). In this demonstrator was also applied the Material Flow Analysis (MFA) methodology developed by 3drivers for construction in order to map material flows, in particular the RCD generated throughout the building''s life cycle. MFA enabled the identification of waste prevention opportunities and of valid recycling destinations for all generated materials from a zerowaste perspective. The results of these two actions of this activity were consolidated in a single report focused on demonstrating the environmental and economic added value of circularity practices in construction. The second demonstrator consisted on the application of the tool devolped in a project of Atelier dos Remédios, in Montemor-o-Novo, on which were made simulations and circularity assessments based on BIM.
Activity 5. Dissemination and exploitation. This activity aimed to disseminate the produced outputs, promoting stakeholder participation and subsequently the exploitation of specifications, databases and platforms as commercial products.
This project presented a high innovative character in the digitalization of the construction sector, on the one hand, and in the design of a tool with a project life cycle approach, including environmental and circularity indicators, on the other hand.
The project contributed to increasing the efficiency in the use of resources in the construction sector by developing a new generation of BIMs that incorporate information about the circularity potential of materials and components and, consequently, of the entire building. The Circular EcoBIM platform allows you to calculate aggregate circularity indicators and map opportunities for efficient resource management in the different phases of the building''s life cycle, promoting waste prevention and the incorporation of secondary raw materials in the sector itself or in other sectors.
In its operational activities, the following should be highlighted:
A relational database was developed, which contains the required information for the LCA plugin, the circularity plugin (programmed in C#), and the digital twin application. An additional effort was made to develop another circularity tool (programmed in Dynamo for Revit) to allow a wider uptake of circularity analysis of buildings.
Development of building archetypes with typical construction elements for the building sector in Portugal to populate the database for existing buildings from 1900 to the present.
Development and conduct of a survey to C&D Waste Management Operators in Portugal to identify specific material recycling efficiencies and develop the EoL treatments for the database.
The Circular EcoBIM platform comprises different circularity tools:
• One software plugin for the existing BIM software Revit that allows performing a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the construction and renovation of a project design corresponding to Levels 1 and 2 of the EU Level(s) framework.
• One software plugin for the existing BIM software Revit that allows analyzing the circularity potential for the construction and renovation of a project design corresponding to Levels 1 and 2 of the EU Level(s) framework.
• One software application using a digital twin that provides an interface to enable the visualization and interaction with the BIM model and the environmental performance in a digital environment. Information is synchronized between the BIM software and the database, which allows the building manager to access all project data.
In addition, the Circular EcoBIM platform consists of the following components:
• A database that collects information about the environmental performance and circularity potential of construction materials.
• A product data template (PDT) that allows organizing and directing the collection of data for the specific application of the remaining tools of Circular EcoBIM.
The goal is to have a practical and user-friendly software platform to support environmental circularity, during construction and building renovation.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner - NTNU - participated essentially as an advisor.NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology is a university of international reference with a scientific and technological profile. The consortium will was supported by a specialist in industrial ecology and built environment, and a specialist in BIM and sustainable buildings and infrastructures.