Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RECONMATIC (Automated solutions for sustainable and circular construction and demolition waste management)
Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31
RECONMATIC is a European research and innovation project in the domain of the Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) management, focused on integrated decision making that would allow considering all aspects of CDW generation and involving all stakeholders within the construction industry in the whole life-cycle. The project focuses on one of the areas requiring increased attention in terms of improving the efficiency and sustainability of the construction industry and operation of existing built assets, followng objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU taxonomy requirements. The project proposes a suite of innovative tools, solutions and techniques to build bridges through "bottom-up" construction and demolition waste prevention or avoidance, management and handling to reach "top-down" European waste reduction goals. During the project implementation, the current practices in CDW management, from prevention and minimization of waste to its reuse, are evaluated and further developed to support the supply chains while circular economies are identified and integrated where it is possible end efficient. The aim is to develop, test and demonstrate a digital information management system for stakeholders' collaboration and waste traceability. It is envisaged that the CDW minimization will be achieved by empowering BIM and integrating waste management relevant data into the information models by product databank methodologies, waste predictors or BIM related data standard emphasizing recycling, reuse and management of CDW. Processes of converting different formats of construction information to the digital twins are going to be automated, as well as the decision-making system for repurposing, deconstruction and demolition. The project is furthermore going to employ automation for AI-assisted CDW classification and robotic segregation off-site. The methodology for CDW logistics with respect to the automatic and more efficient CDW sorting and distribution will be proposed, along with methodologies to provide new added-value uses to CDW seeking for higher valorization.
WP1:
- Evaluation of Current Practices and Policies in the EU and the UK (deliverable report)
- Digital Information Management System (deliverable report for methodology of DIMS)
WP2:
- Drafting framework of data fom material/product mapping incl. material and product lists
- Designing and specification of schema, implementation mechanism and process map for WASTEie data standard
- Development of smart order-delivery-logistics tool with focus on designing a web dashboard enhanced by blockchain
WP3:
- Development of algorithms for paper 2D drawings to digital (BIM) model with testing on real building examples. Improving the process by incorporating augmented reality information.
- Development of algorithms for automated generation of digital models (DM) from 3D scanning point clouds. Training of this approach on selected buildings for automated pre-demolition audit.
- Developing a joint flow map and data structure with identification of processes and classifications during the whole life cycle of a built asset project to be used in pre-demolition and pre-rehabilitations audits.
- Structuring the digital app linking digital twins with product/material data to automate pre-demolition audits
WP4:
- Identifiction of inherent inefficiencies in existing systems, leading us to develop a custom measurement line equipped with RGB cameras and various transducers, has been the cornerstone of our research, aiming to revolutionize CDW recycling through enhanced sorting accuracy.
- Fusion of data from different sensors, a critical step in improving classification performance and adapting these innovations for industrial-scale applications (scaling up of sensor network and enhancing machine learning models).
WP5:
- Sequential identification of technical parameters to enable better valorisation for 10 selected materials
- Initiation of NDT analyses used during the operational stage of buildings
- Collection of case studies for effective material recycling for identified types of waste materials
WP6:
- Analysis for circularity tool (to define how the guidance tool can complement decision-making processes).
- Literature analysis of reference documents and regulations to be considered in the tool's development and stakeholder interviews to determine the functional requirements.
- Definition of content and basic structure of the tool with 5 dimensions, incl. selection of relevant indicators.
- Evaluation of Current Practices and Policies in the EU and the UK (deliverable report)
- Digital Information Management System (deliverable report for methodology of DIMS)
WP2:
- Drafting framework of data fom material/product mapping incl. material and product lists
- Designing and specification of schema, implementation mechanism and process map for WASTEie data standard
- Development of smart order-delivery-logistics tool with focus on designing a web dashboard enhanced by blockchain
WP3:
- Development of algorithms for paper 2D drawings to digital (BIM) model with testing on real building examples. Improving the process by incorporating augmented reality information.
- Development of algorithms for automated generation of digital models (DM) from 3D scanning point clouds. Training of this approach on selected buildings for automated pre-demolition audit.
- Developing a joint flow map and data structure with identification of processes and classifications during the whole life cycle of a built asset project to be used in pre-demolition and pre-rehabilitations audits.
- Structuring the digital app linking digital twins with product/material data to automate pre-demolition audits
WP4:
- Identifiction of inherent inefficiencies in existing systems, leading us to develop a custom measurement line equipped with RGB cameras and various transducers, has been the cornerstone of our research, aiming to revolutionize CDW recycling through enhanced sorting accuracy.
- Fusion of data from different sensors, a critical step in improving classification performance and adapting these innovations for industrial-scale applications (scaling up of sensor network and enhancing machine learning models).
WP5:
- Sequential identification of technical parameters to enable better valorisation for 10 selected materials
- Initiation of NDT analyses used during the operational stage of buildings
- Collection of case studies for effective material recycling for identified types of waste materials
WP6:
- Analysis for circularity tool (to define how the guidance tool can complement decision-making processes).
- Literature analysis of reference documents and regulations to be considered in the tool's development and stakeholder interviews to determine the functional requirements.
- Definition of content and basic structure of the tool with 5 dimensions, incl. selection of relevant indicators.
Project results offer significant potential for impact in the realm of CDW management. For these innovations to achieve widespread uptake, several key needs have to be addressed:
• Further Research: Continued exploration and refinement of the developements in WP 2-5 to enhance efficiency and applicability.
• Demonstration: Real-world testing to showcase the practical benefits and scalability of the solutions especially dealing with digital twins, enhanced extensions to BIM emphasizing CDW management in particular phases of building/infrastructure life, automated sorting of waste. For the assessment tool it is intended to fill the gaps left by existing sustainable building certification schemes or green building rating systems and standards (currently under development by CEN) in relation to the specific sustainable and circular management of CDW.
• Commercialization: Strategies for transforming these technological advancements into viable commercial products. This is ongoing supported by dissemination activities, networking and clustering events which act as positive actions to achieve this objective.
• Expanding the reach of the developed technologies to global markets.
• Advocating for policies and standards that favor the adoption of such sustainable technologies.
• Further Research: Continued exploration and refinement of the developements in WP 2-5 to enhance efficiency and applicability.
• Demonstration: Real-world testing to showcase the practical benefits and scalability of the solutions especially dealing with digital twins, enhanced extensions to BIM emphasizing CDW management in particular phases of building/infrastructure life, automated sorting of waste. For the assessment tool it is intended to fill the gaps left by existing sustainable building certification schemes or green building rating systems and standards (currently under development by CEN) in relation to the specific sustainable and circular management of CDW.
• Commercialization: Strategies for transforming these technological advancements into viable commercial products. This is ongoing supported by dissemination activities, networking and clustering events which act as positive actions to achieve this objective.
• Expanding the reach of the developed technologies to global markets.
• Advocating for policies and standards that favor the adoption of such sustainable technologies.