Causal Relationship Analysis of the Impact of Prefabrication on Construction Waste Reduction

Abstract

Prefabrication technology has been commonly taken an important new perspective in terms of its impact on environmental protections, one important aspect of which is its influence on construction waste reduction and subsequent waste handling activities such as waste sorting, reuse, recycle and disposal. Nevertheless, existing research with regard to this topic failed to take into account its dynamics innate character and integrate all essential waste handling activities. This paper thus attempts to propose a causal-loop model for qualitatively depict the interrelationships among the application of prefabricated technology and subsequent waste handling activities through employing system dynamics approach by a Vensim software package. First, a definition of material flow consisting of a series of material processing activities has been developed to facilitate the illustration of the prefabrication-adoption-to-waste-disposal process. A causal-loop diagram is then constructed based on the identified variables within the material flow. This study is of value in exploring interactional and interdependent relationships underlying the identified significant variables within the processes of policy implementation, prefabrication application and construction waste handling.