Enabling circularity in Turkish construction: a case of BIM-based material management utilizing material passports

Abstract

PurposeThe Turkish construction sector, facing mounting environmental pressures, needs to rapidly adopt circular economy (CE) principles. However, a critical barrier is the lack of accessible and comprehensive material information. This paper investigates how building information modeling (BIM) can facilitate the adoption of material passports (MPs) to overcome this challenge and helps enabling circularity in Turkish construction.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach is adopted, focusing on the New Istanbul Esenler Arena, a major sports facility designed with BIM. An in-depth analysis of the project's BIM model and material data was conducted to develop a practical framework for integrating MPs into BIM workflows. The framework outlines a comprehensive MP data structure, addresses technical integration strategies and highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration.FindingsThe research demonstrates that integrating MPs with BIM has the potential to significantly enhance material tracking throughout the building lifecycle, leading to more informed decision-making regarding material selection, reuse and recycling. This approach can improve material recovery rates, reduce construction waste and minimize the environmental impact of construction projects. The study also identifies key challenges to MP implementation, such as ensuring data accuracy and interoperability, and proposes strategies to overcome these hurdles.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the limited but growing body of knowledge on the practical implementation of BIM and MPs for circular construction, particularly in the Turkish context. The proposed framework, informed by a real-world case study, provides valuable guidance for construction professionals, policymakers and researchers seeking to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the built environment.