Carbon reduction in construction with reused structural members from building demolition – a case study: school building construction from apartment structural members

Abstract

Currently, building demolition primarily relies on destructive methods, generating a substantial amount of construction and demolition waste that is typically landfilled. This practice not only wastes valuable resources but also causes environmental pollution. Therefore, efficient waste management through systematic material sorting and planned deconstruction is crucial. Reusing dismantled components in new construction projects can significantly reduce both resource consumption and environmental burdens. This research aims to investigate the mitigation of environmental impacts in building construction by reusing structural components from a deconstructed building. A case study was conducted on the deconstruction of a 4-story residential building (apartment) to construct a 2-story school building. The quantities of the existing structural members were evaluated using BIM-based quantity takeoff, and the load-bearing capacities of the original columns and beams were analyzed. These components were then modified and substituted into the new school building's structure based on appropriate lengths and structural strength requirements. The results revealed that 55.71% of the structural components from the residential building could be successfully reused in the new school building. Based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) from the material production phase to construction completion, carbon emissions were reduced by 39.35% compared to conventional construction methods. In terms of project management, the construction duration was shortened by 36.36%, and direct construction costs decreased by 23.07% compared to conventional construction methods. However, this study excluded the costs associated with the demolition and transportation of the reused structural members, which are variables that should be considered in future research.