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Scientific Article details

Title Reuse of concrete components in new construction projects: Critical review of 77 circular precedents
ID_Doc 25275
Authors Küpfer, C; Bastien-Masse, M; Fivet, C
Title Reuse of concrete components in new construction projects: Critical review of 77 circular precedents
Year 2023
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135235
Abstract Extracting pieces of concrete from obsolete buildings and reusing them, as is, in new assemblies is today rarely considered a strategy for improving the sustainability of the construction sector. By delaying the crushing of concrete into aggregates and avoiding the need for fresh cement in new buildings, the circular strategy is however expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and threats to natural ecosystems. In reaction, the authors postulate that (1) built precedents of Piecewise Reuse of Extracted Concrete in new Structures (PRECS) have existed for several decades, (2) a large diversity of proven implementation techniques is readily available but knowledge is fragmented, (3) barriers to a broader adoption can be inferred from the existing documentation and are largely transitional. To support these postulates, this study first builds an original collection of 77 PRECS projects designed between 1967 and 2022 in Europe and the U.S.A. Next, a diachronic analysis determines seven historical trends and three periods since 1967, shedding new light on the development of PRECS and its design possibilities. Supporting and limiting forces for a broader adoption of PRECS are then identified through a synchronic analysis. Recommendations for future research directions are also given. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates that the reuse of concrete components is a practice with already a long history and several suc-cessful operations in terms of environmental impact and cost, which hence supports the potential of PRECS to become a more widespread strategy of cleaner construction.
Author Keywords Circular economy; Concrete; Reuse; Structural design; Architecture history; Sustainable construction
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000913010300001
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135235
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