Determining the optimal partition system of a modular building from a circular economy perspective: A multicriteria decision-making process

Abstract

To evaluate the impact potentials of materials, products, or systems, the existing approach has been to assess their environmental, economic, or social implications to influence decision-making. This has led the construction industry to an eco-efficient range of doing more with less. The current approach, though efficient, is not effective in causing the construction industry to achieve sustainable development. To attain sustainable development, there is the need for intentional design and detailed assessments of the impact potentials of things from the beginning-of-life/design stage of product development. This comprehensive iterative process termed systemic circularity, has been adopted in this study to determine the optimal partition systems for a modular building from a circular economy perspective. The predictive building systemic circularity indicator, complex cost method and life cycle assessment were used to assess the different partition systems' recovery, cost, and impact potentials. A cradle-to-cradle system boundary was adopted, and an end-of-life allocation approach was implemented to help share the benefits/burdens of the processes beyond the system boundary. The VIKOR method was adopted to enhance the selection of the optimal partition. The chosen optimal partition for the case building had 95.83% of mass recyclable, 26.93 kg CO2/m2 in global warming, and cost 4293 RMB/t. Although the selected partition was optimal among the alternatives, its propensity to be the prototype for systemic circularity still needs improvement. Therefore, a best practice model for achieving systemic circularity was proposed, which could lead the construction industry towards sustainable development when adopted.