A BIM-based framework for designing sustainable structures through the reuse of precast concrete components

The widespread use of concrete within the global construction sector is primarily attributed to its inherent qualities of resilience, versatility, longevity, and facilitation of economic growth. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that this popular material is a significant contributor to the industry's greenhouse gas emissions, material depletion, and substantial waste production. Particularly in Europe, concrete constitutes the major component of demolition waste. Consequently, the practice of recycling and reemploying concrete components from pre-existing architectural structures harbours a considerable potential to attenuate the construction sector's ecological footprint substantially. This study presents a Building Information Modelling (BIM)-based reusability framework that aims to facilitate the reuse of precast concrete components in new sustainable structures, predicated on their performance and in line with specific matching criteria. This methodology involves utilising two distinct types of BIM models as input data. The first category, called 'Supply BIM', encapsulates data regarding existing components. In this category, the disassembly cost, the cost of each component, the disassembly durations, and the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of each component are calculated. Moreover, the load-bearing capacity of each component is analysed. The second category, termed 'Request' BIM, incorporates data necessary to reuse components during their subsequent lifecycle. The operational procedure relies on the BIM-based reusability model to aggregate matching concrete elements. Under the assumption that the Supply BIM possesses custom-built attributes equivalent to the Request BIM, the system will autonomously collect these components. This provides the foundation for a sustainable design for a new construction project. However, if the cost or LCA of the existing matching components exceeds that of the conventional new components, such components will be disregarded. This framework will underpin the development of a tool for designers that has the potential to reduce time and cost expenditures while minimising human error in sustainable design processes.