Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ReCreate (Reusing precast concrete for a circular economy)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-04-01 al 2022-09-30
Concrete is the most significant construction material and C&D waste stream globally and in the EU. ReCreate aims at closing the loop for concrete at the highest level of utilization by demonstrating the deconstruction and reuse of precast structural components, which retains the secondary material at its highest value. Compared to virgin production, aggregate recycling and backfilling, reusing can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by 93-98%. The main objective is to pilot deconstruction and reuse towards maturity as a socio-technical system. The project develops the transition towards circular construction by investigating the systemic changes needed in the whole ecosystems of construction and demolition. Drawing from partnerships that cover the entire value chain, ReCreate will demonstrate deconstruction of intact precast components from condemned buildings and reuse thereof in new buildings in four real-life innovative pilots. The pilots examine the challenge of circularity against the feature of the industry being relatively local, taking into account differences in precasting technologies, building types, construction industry structures and regulatory environments in the different countries. To develop technology and integrate the value chain so that the businesses can become viable, the project advances smart pre-deconstruction audit and deconstruction methods; rapid low-cost quality assurance and standardization; logistics, traceability, and BIM and digital market place integration; and novel design practices and reassembly techniques. In addition ReCreate analyses the potential volume of the supply and demand for secondary concrete components in the EU; reviews how concrete reuse can help the EU to reach its ambitious energy and climate targets for 2030; investigates how secondary components can become socially acceptable for relevant stakeholders and citizens; and elaborates on the changes needed to the regulatory environment to support reuse.
WP1: Analysis of precast concrete systems
The work to (1) identify, map, order, and analyse precast concrete systems and components used in the EU historically and at present, (2) create a taxonomy of system, building, component and connection types, and (3) an open database for precast concrete components in the EU, has been started. Methods for data gathering and digitisation has been discussed. Data for the pilot countries have been preliminarily mapped.
WP2: Deconstruction
A BIM-aided pre-deconstruction audit has been developed and tested in pilots to determine the number, dimensions and other characteristics of the elements to be salvaged. Information was obtained from original design documents and from site inspections, and incorporated into BIM. Alternative deconstruction equipment and work practices have been considered in deconstruction planning. Deconstruction has been implemented in three pilots.
WP3: Logistics and processing
Creating protocols for data sharing has been started by charting digital workflows and alternative digital platforms. The project’s internal Common Data Environment has been set up. A survey of available technologies and products for the tagging of building elements with RFIDs or alternative smart tracing technologies has been made.
WP4: Quality management
The first process flow chart for a standardised quality management process has been made. Visual and non-destructive condition investigation has been inserted into the pre-deconstruction audit. The first draft of a visual investigation guideline to detect deterioration has been made.
WP5: Redesign and reassembly
The redesign and reassembly work is most advanced in the Swedish cluster, which built its reuse pilot for the H22 city fair (June 2022 in Helsingborg). This included drafting the pilot's architectural design, commissioning drawings from architects and engineers, and designing and commissioning new connections to connect elements.
WP6: Potential to reach energy and climate targets
A model for the flow of processes was developed and transferred into a template for the LCC and LCA of the deconstruction and reuse pilots. Data collection on deconstruction has been started in order to develop EPDs for reused elements.
WP7: Exploitation, business model development and business case
The analysis of what enables profitable and scalable business models for deconstruction and reuse has been started at the company level and at the system/value chain level by doing research interviews. Data analysis has been made to identify how construction and digital technologies and tools enable business-making in the circular value chain; what are the critical technologies; and how they contribute to economic value creation.
WP8: Policy support and social acceptability
Research on policy support and social acceptability has begun by (1) setting the protocols for research on humans and personal data processing, (2) making a fieldwork protocol for studying work processes, and (3) writing a guide for coalition building. Stakeholder mapping and data collection have been started. The review of the possibilities and barriers in the EU CPR regulation and national interpretation/national regulation has begun in collaboration with WP4.
WP9: Communication and dissemination
A communication and dissemination strategy, the project's visual identity, website and document templates, and a template for country-specific communications plans have been developed. Communication and dissemination target groups and stakeholders have been identified. Project partners are participating in C&D activities through press releases, news articles, conference presentations and discussions with stakeholders.
The work to (1) identify, map, order, and analyse precast concrete systems and components used in the EU historically and at present, (2) create a taxonomy of system, building, component and connection types, and (3) an open database for precast concrete components in the EU, has been started. Methods for data gathering and digitisation has been discussed. Data for the pilot countries have been preliminarily mapped.
WP2: Deconstruction
A BIM-aided pre-deconstruction audit has been developed and tested in pilots to determine the number, dimensions and other characteristics of the elements to be salvaged. Information was obtained from original design documents and from site inspections, and incorporated into BIM. Alternative deconstruction equipment and work practices have been considered in deconstruction planning. Deconstruction has been implemented in three pilots.
WP3: Logistics and processing
Creating protocols for data sharing has been started by charting digital workflows and alternative digital platforms. The project’s internal Common Data Environment has been set up. A survey of available technologies and products for the tagging of building elements with RFIDs or alternative smart tracing technologies has been made.
WP4: Quality management
The first process flow chart for a standardised quality management process has been made. Visual and non-destructive condition investigation has been inserted into the pre-deconstruction audit. The first draft of a visual investigation guideline to detect deterioration has been made.
WP5: Redesign and reassembly
The redesign and reassembly work is most advanced in the Swedish cluster, which built its reuse pilot for the H22 city fair (June 2022 in Helsingborg). This included drafting the pilot's architectural design, commissioning drawings from architects and engineers, and designing and commissioning new connections to connect elements.
WP6: Potential to reach energy and climate targets
A model for the flow of processes was developed and transferred into a template for the LCC and LCA of the deconstruction and reuse pilots. Data collection on deconstruction has been started in order to develop EPDs for reused elements.
WP7: Exploitation, business model development and business case
The analysis of what enables profitable and scalable business models for deconstruction and reuse has been started at the company level and at the system/value chain level by doing research interviews. Data analysis has been made to identify how construction and digital technologies and tools enable business-making in the circular value chain; what are the critical technologies; and how they contribute to economic value creation.
WP8: Policy support and social acceptability
Research on policy support and social acceptability has begun by (1) setting the protocols for research on humans and personal data processing, (2) making a fieldwork protocol for studying work processes, and (3) writing a guide for coalition building. Stakeholder mapping and data collection have been started. The review of the possibilities and barriers in the EU CPR regulation and national interpretation/national regulation has begun in collaboration with WP4.
WP9: Communication and dissemination
A communication and dissemination strategy, the project's visual identity, website and document templates, and a template for country-specific communications plans have been developed. Communication and dissemination target groups and stakeholders have been identified. Project partners are participating in C&D activities through press releases, news articles, conference presentations and discussions with stakeholders.
The ground-breaking objective beyond the state of the art is to explore how the socio-technical process of deconstruction and reuse can be matured, integrated and turned into a profitable business in different EU contexts.
Expected results until the end of the project: four real-life innovative pilots; business models and processes enabling economic value; profitability analyses; smart pre-demolition audit; building information model (BIM) and marketplace integration; novel deconstruction equipment; new dismantling, design and construction practices; novel safe deconstruction methods; novel quality-control methods; proposal to standardisation committees on quality assurance and product certification; precast concrete reusability handbook; supply and demand analysis; life-cycle analysis (LCA) over the value chain; roadmap to actions inducing and sustaining a reuse market; Open Data Access; proposal for RMIS supplementation; joint public-private articles in high-impact journals; scientific & professional conference presentations; and new learning contents.
Potential impacts: unlock un- or underexploited raw materials and improve circularity, closing material cycles; improving economic viability, market potential and value creation of deconstruction and reuse; improving health, safety and environmental performance; improve material and value recovery rate via wider application of smart deconstruction techniques and procedures; and pushing EU to the forefront of circular construction technology though generated know-how.
Expected results until the end of the project: four real-life innovative pilots; business models and processes enabling economic value; profitability analyses; smart pre-demolition audit; building information model (BIM) and marketplace integration; novel deconstruction equipment; new dismantling, design and construction practices; novel safe deconstruction methods; novel quality-control methods; proposal to standardisation committees on quality assurance and product certification; precast concrete reusability handbook; supply and demand analysis; life-cycle analysis (LCA) over the value chain; roadmap to actions inducing and sustaining a reuse market; Open Data Access; proposal for RMIS supplementation; joint public-private articles in high-impact journals; scientific & professional conference presentations; and new learning contents.
Potential impacts: unlock un- or underexploited raw materials and improve circularity, closing material cycles; improving economic viability, market potential and value creation of deconstruction and reuse; improving health, safety and environmental performance; improve material and value recovery rate via wider application of smart deconstruction techniques and procedures; and pushing EU to the forefront of circular construction technology though generated know-how.