Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
09:06
The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties
Published on: June 7, 2020
8.6K
A system dynamics-based environmental performance simulation of construction waste reduction management in China
Zhikun Ding1, Guizhen Yi1, Vivian W Y Tam2
1Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|March 13, 2016
Summary
Effective construction waste management is crucial for sustainable development. Source reduction strategies can significantly cut total waste generation, proving more impactful than sorting behaviors alone for environmental benefits.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Sustainable Development
- Construction Management
Background:
- Increasing construction activities generate substantial waste, posing environmental risks.
- Effective construction waste management is vital for sustainable development.
- Existing waste management strategies require optimization for environmental benefit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a system dynamics model for construction waste reduction management.
- To simulate and quantify the environmental benefits of waste reduction strategies.
- To provide insights for improving construction waste management practices.
Main Methods:
- Development of a system dynamics model based on the theory of planned behaviors.
- Simulation and analysis using Vensim software.
- Case study application in Shenzhen, China.
Main Results:
- Source reduction can decrease total waste generation by 27.05%.
- Sorting behaviors are essential for recycling and reuse, accounting for 15.49% of waste management.
- Source reduction yields greater environmental benefits than sorting behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Prioritizing source reduction, including low-waste technologies and on-site management, enhances environmental performance.
- Encouraging sorting behaviors through awareness, regulation, and supervision is also important.
- A combined approach focusing on source reduction and improved sorting is recommended for optimal construction waste management.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Design Example: Sustainability in Concrete Building
464
As the construction industry moves towards more eco-friendly practices, concrete's adaptability and its ability to incorporate sustainable features make it a key material in the drive towards greener building solutions.
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground...
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground...
464
01:25Modeling with Differential Equations
162
Population dynamics can be described mathematically by considering the population size P(t) as a function of time. The rate of change of the population is then represented by the derivative of P(t). A simple assumption is that the rate of growth is proportional to the size of the population itself. This leads to an exponential growth model, where the population increases rapidly without bound. While this is a useful first approximation, it does not reflect realistic long-term...
162
01:14Design Example: Managing Concrete Workability
329
This example deals with managing the workability of concrete for a raft foundation project under hot weather conditions. Workability is crucial for ensuring the concrete is easy to place, compact, and finish. In this scenario, a slump test — a common method to measure the workability of fresh concrete — initially indicated low workability. This was attributed to the rapid water loss from the concrete mix, exacerbated by the high temperatures causing the course aggregates to heat up.
329