Using Network Analysis and BIM to Quantify the Impact of Design for Disassembly

François Denis,Camille Vandervaeren,Niels De Temmerman

doi:10.3390/buildings8080113

François Denis, Camille Vandervaeren + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings8080113

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Abstract

Design for Disassembly (DfD) is a promising design strategy to improve resource efficiency in buildings. To facilitate its application in design and construction practice, specific assessment tools are currently being developed. By reviewing the literature on DfD, including criteria and assessment methods, and with an explorative research approach on simple examples, we have developed a new method called Disassembly Network Analysis (DNA) to quantify the impact of DfD and link it to specific design improvements. The impact of DfD is measured in material flows generated during the disassembly of a building element. The DNA method uses network analysis and Building Information Modeling to deliver information about flows of recovered and lost materials and disassembly time. This paper presents the DNA method and two illustrative examples. Although DNA is still at a preliminary stage of development, it already shows the potential to compare assemblies and supports better-informed decisions during the design process by detecting potential points of improvements regarding waste generation and time needed to disassemble an element.

Highlights

Few buildings at present are designed for future adaptation and reuse of their elements, adaptable buildings are easier to maintain, transform, and upgrade [1]
The method quantifies the recovered and lost elements during a partial disassembly. Because it measures material flows and disassembly time, the information provided by the Disassembly Network Analysis (DNA) method can serve to refine material inventories for environmental and financial analyses
This paper presents the preliminary elaboration of a method to quantify the impact of Design for Disassembly, a strategy to promote an efficient use of materials in buildings and reduce construction and demolition waste

Summary

Introduction

Few buildings at present are designed for future adaptation and reuse of their elements, adaptable buildings are easier to maintain, transform, and upgrade [1]. Buildings and building elements are often demolished before the end of their technical lifespan because socio-economic trends and technical evolutions require unforeseen adaptations [2]. The financial and socio-cultural value contained in those materials is lost as along with energy involved in extracting and processing those materials into building elements (i.e., their embodied energy). A promising design strategy to facilitate adaptation and reuse is Design for Disassembly [2,4]. Design for Disassembly (DfD) first appeared as a product design based on Design for Assembly, a strategy to improve assembly sequences for mechanical and electronic products [4]

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