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Life Cycle Assessment for Enabling Circular Economy Transition in Buildings...
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Life Cycle Assessment for Enabling Circular Economy Transition in Buildings and Construction

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 16589

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rosa Agliata

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Engineering, University of Campania “Vanvitelli”, Via Roma 9, 81031 Aversa, CE, Italy
2. Department of Engineering and Sciences, Universitas Mercatorum, Rome, Italy
Interests: LCA /circularity assessment; optical fibre sensing technology for civil applications; BIM methodologies and tools; vulnerability assessment of built environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Muhammad Jamal Thaheem

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture & Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
Interests: risk management; sustainability; decision making; public–private partnerships
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Qi Han

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Interests: urban sustainable transition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Nouman Khadim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Engineering, University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
Interests: circular construction; life cycle assessment; circularity assessment in buildings and construction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Circular Economy (CE) has emerged as a new paradigm in the building and construction industry that can help reduce the demand for new resources and eliminate untreated waste at end of life by promoting the closed-loop philosophy through reuse and recycling, thus reducing the overall environmental footprints of buildings. In order to implement CE in construction, various solutions in the form of reusable/recycled materials, innovative building components, design strategies (deconstruction, disassembly, adaptability, etc.), business models, and assessment tools have been proposed. The implementation of CE-based interventions has shown remarkable improvements in the overall construction process in terms of circularity and, to some extent, sustainability. Circularity is termed as a ‘subset’ or a ‘toolbox’ to implement sustainability by various researchers. However, the extant literature highlights that there is a vague boundary between circularity and sustainability. Further, it has been identified that some circular solutions may produce more environmental impacts when compared with their traditional counterparts. Therefore, it is important to study circularity from an environmental perspective in order to select the best alternatives at the early design stage of building projects. In this regard, life cycle assessment (LCA) can be very helpful in the estimation and comparison of the environmental performance of CE-based solutions to keep this circularity transition on track. However, implementing LCA that incorporates CE can be complex, and requires further attention.

This Special Issue aims to explore the potential of LCA in enabling CE-based operations in the building and construction industry. The topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Circular construction;
  • Circular materials;
  • Construction waste treatment;
  • Sustainability and circularity;
  • LCA for circular economy;
  • Application of LCA concerning circular materials and components;
  • Methodologies for CE-based LCA;
  • Building information modelling (BIM) for CE;
  • LCA and circularity indicators;
  • LCA models for CE;
  • Multicycle LCA.

Dr. Rosa Agliata
Dr. Muhammad Jamal Thaheem
Dr. Qi Han
Guest Editors

Nouman Khadim
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • circular economy
  • circular construction
  • life cycle assessment
  • CE LCA
  • sustainable construction
  • multicycle LCA
  • assessment methods

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4848 KiB  
Article
Integrating BIM Processes with LEED Certification: A Comprehensive Framework for Sustainable Building Design
by Federico Di Gaetano, Stefano Cascone and Rosa Caponetto
Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2642; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102642 - 19 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4487
Abstract
In response to the pressing demand for sustainable building practices within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, this study investigates the integration of building information modeling (BIM) processes with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system, with a primary [...] Read more.
In response to the pressing demand for sustainable building practices within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, this study investigates the integration of building information modeling (BIM) processes with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system, with a primary focus on enhancing sustainable design strategies. The objectives are twofold: firstly, to comprehensively understand the existing synergies between BIM and LEED, and secondly, to develop innovative methods that facilitate a seamless integration of these two crucial components. The study is structured into four distinct phases, each contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the synergistic relationship between BIM and LEED. In Phase 1, the “LEED-BIM Worksheets” is introduced, versatile tools designed to facilitate sustainable strategy formulation. These worksheets transparently identify roles, assess competencies, estimate certification levels, and enhance communication among stakeholders. Phase 2 highlights the “BIM Uses for Project Phase” diagram, emphasizing interdependencies between BIM uses and processes. This diagram provides insights into collaborative synergies among BIM uses and streamlines process mapping. Phase 3 introduces the “Liv1 Process Map”, a transformative visual representation of the building process. Integrated within building execution plans (BEPs), this map intricately weaves together responsible parties and BIM uses, fostering cohesive collaboration. Phase 4 extends the research with the introduction of the “Liv.2 Process Map”. This extension integrates selected BIM uses from the LEED Pilot Credits Library, emphasizing alignment between BIM processes and LEED credit criteria. Collectively, this research illuminates the potential for streamlining sustainable practices within the AEC sector. The findings offer valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers, empowering them to navigate the integration of BIM technology with LEED certification. By harmonizing digital transformation with ecological consciousness, this research significantly contributes to advancing sustainable building practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment for Enabling Circular Economy Transition in Buildings and Construction)
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30 pages, 7960 KiB  
Article
Simplified Multi-Life Cycle Assessment at the Urban Block Scale: GIS-Based Comparative Methodology for Evaluating Energy Efficiency Solutions
by Carlo Costantino, Anna Chiara Benedetti and Riccardo Gulli
Buildings 2023, 13(9), 2355; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092355 - 15 Sep 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2121
Abstract
The Italian residential building stock consists of 12.2 million buildings, with 7.2 constructed post-World War II during the economic boom. These structures were designed without specific regulations for seismic safety, fire resistance, and energy efficiency, and today lies the current state of strong [...] Read more.
The Italian residential building stock consists of 12.2 million buildings, with 7.2 constructed post-World War II during the economic boom. These structures were designed without specific regulations for seismic safety, fire resistance, and energy efficiency, and today lies the current state of strong obsolescence. Therefore, energy refurbishment may not always be the best cost/benefit solution due to these intrinsic issues. Consequently, the transition to construction systems based on circular economy principles brings new opportunities and becomes key to proposing replacement interventions for this heritage. This paper presents a comparative GIS-based bottom-up approach to evaluate the lifecycle impact of residential building blocks, encompassing energy, environmental, and economic aspects. Two tools are introduced: one for measuring energy consumption and the other for quantifying the quantities of materials stored in buildings. This methodology permits comparing the new circular buildings and different refurbishment scenarios to identify the most suitable solution from an environmental impact and financial point of view. The application of a case study, a residential urban block in Bologna, built in 1945–1965, highlights how the demolition and reconstruction scenario based on circular economy principles presents the lowest environmental impacts and is economically competitive compared to standard deep renovation techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment for Enabling Circular Economy Transition in Buildings and Construction)
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22 pages, 13585 KiB  
Article
The Analysis of the Maintained/Disowned Relationship among Firmitas, Utilitas, and Venustas to Preserve the Cultural Heritage: An H-BIM Approach for the Management of Historic Buildings
by Alessandra Cernaro, Ornella Fiandaca, Raffaella Lione and Fabio Minutoli
Buildings 2023, 13(4), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13041045 - 16 Apr 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2986
Abstract
Understanding the transformations of a historic building is a complex but necessary operation to plan future, more aware maintenance works that preserve the architectural quality. This study proposed to analyze the changes undergone by an edifice over time by virtue of the Vitruvian [...] Read more.
Understanding the transformations of a historic building is a complex but necessary operation to plan future, more aware maintenance works that preserve the architectural quality. This study proposed to analyze the changes undergone by an edifice over time by virtue of the Vitruvian triad, namely the criteria formalised by Vitruvius to judge architecture: firmitas (construction system), utilitas (utility), and venustas (aesthetics). These criteria depend on the designer’s mindset but also the influence of historical, cultural, or local factors. The theme required a prior reflection on the mutations of the Vitruvian triad over time. Based upon these relationships, the analysis of the architectural heritage of Messina was started because it is emblematic due to historical events: buildings constructed after the earthquake of 1908, subject to war damage repairs, and then maintenance. Their firmitas, utilitas, and venustas changed for historical, cultural, social, and normative reasons. In this regard, the former Fascist House has significant features: the repeated changes in intended use that produced planimetric variations, technical-constructive modifications sometimes connected to formal choices, and to the abolition, albeit partial, of fascist symbols. The current appeal to experiment with digital technologies has led to examination of the opportunities of the BIM methodology, finding in the model historicisation a way to document and record the triad variations of an existing building in the virtual environment. The research topic proposes an operative approach for more incisive analysis and digitalisation of historical buildings, trying to make a contribution to Target 4 of Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard cultural heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment for Enabling Circular Economy Transition in Buildings and Construction)
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Review

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22 pages, 1037 KiB  
Review
Implementing Circular Economy throughout the Construction Project Life Cycle: A Review on Potential Practices and Relationships
by Iresha Gamage, Sepani Senaratne, Srinath Perera and Xiaohua Jin
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030653 - 1 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5733
Abstract
The linear economy model that is generally practised in the construction industry is one of the main reasons hindering the achievement of sustainability in construction. Alternatively, the Circular Economy (CE) model is becoming a promising approach to achieve sustainable construction, in which materials [...] Read more.
The linear economy model that is generally practised in the construction industry is one of the main reasons hindering the achievement of sustainability in construction. Alternatively, the Circular Economy (CE) model is becoming a promising approach to achieve sustainable construction, in which materials and products are circulated at their highest economic value and, thereby, contribute towards mitigating the negative economic, social, and environmental impacts of the construction industry. For a successful transition towards CE in the construction industry, it is important not only to understand CE practices that could be implemented across different stages of the life cycle of construction projects, but also to understand how a particular practice relates to another at those stages. Having limited studies identifying such relationships, this study aims to improve the successful implementation of CE practices in the construction industry by comprehending the practices, along with their relationships, throughout the project life cycle. A qualitative research method consisting of a systematic literature review was adopted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to identify CE practices. Amongst the identified highly cited CE practices applicable to construction projects, design for disassembly, design for adaptability and flexibility, and design for manufacture and assembly ended up being the most significant ones. Consequently, a relationship matrix was developed, highlighting the relationships among the highly cited practices. The matrix emphasises that practices applied in the design stage relate frequently to ones at the following stages, necessitating projects to start with proper planning. This study ultimately assists construction industry stakeholders in successfully and rationally implementing CE practices throughout the project life cycle while enhancing the value addition on the economy, society, and environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life Cycle Assessment for Enabling Circular Economy Transition in Buildings and Construction)
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