Mining the physical infrastructure: Opportunities, barriers and interventions in promoting structural components...

Area of Science:

• Sustainable Construction
• Circular Economy in Built Environment
• Resource Management

Background:

• Construction is the world's most resource-intensive industry, consuming significant global resources, energy, and generating vast waste.
• Material and carbon savings are critical regulatory targets in construction.
• Component reuse offers a pathway to conserve resources, embedded carbon, and foster new business models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze interventions promoting construction component reuse.
• To outline barriers and opportunities associated with construction component reuse based on global literature.
• To explore the role of smart technologies in facilitating reuse.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of existing interventions for construction component reuse.
• Identification of barriers and opportunities from global research.
• Exploration of smart technologies' potential impact on reuse systems.

Main Results:

• Incentives for component reuse and material recycling, coupled with specialized education and training, can revolutionize the construction sector.
• A typology system for construction components is needed for transparency and guidance in reuse.
• Smart technologies can enhance tracking, storage, archiving, and decision-making for reuse, optimizing environmental and economic benefits.

Conclusions:

• A combination of policy, education, and technological advancement is crucial for widespread adoption of construction component reuse.
• Developing a standardized component typology is essential for practical implementation.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the opportunities and constraints of smart technologies in construction reuse.