Type and Duration
PhD-Thesis, since September 2021Coordinator
Institute of Architecture and PlanningMain Research
Sustainable Planning and ConstructionDescription
Transition from linear (take, make, dispose) towards circular economy (make, use, recycle) is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving a sustainable growth and limiting global warming. Digitalization and management of material flows play a central role in the circular economy. Construction and demolition waste is particularly important, as it is the largest waste stream in many developed countries - e.g. in the EU, USA, Australia, China and Switzerland. In the world of digital transformation, a BIM model is a digital representation of a physical asset. Such virtual material banks hold enormous potential for innovation in sustainable design, (de-)construction, finance and investment related to the built environment.Goal of the research is to apply and extend BIM work methodology to allow for an in-depth analysis and management of buildings as material banks. Through development and application of deconstruction relevant attributes the value and reuse potential of materials contained in BIM projects can be assessed. Data obtained through such process will be used to create a virtual material storage enabling companies to purchase material before it is extracted from the building.
