Design strategies for reusable structural components in the built environment

Abstract

The technical solutions for deconstruction are reviewed and investigated in the building sector as this is an expected trend under the sustainability requirements set in the EU Commission´s “Green Deal” towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Two of the main research areas for efficient deconstruction strategies are; i) the behavior of multi-material structural components (hybrid structures) that combine the advantages of mechanical properties and architectural appearance of different construction materials, and ii) the techniques and mechanical properties of connections between structural components which allow deconstruction and reuse. However, there is a very limited number of studies and methods into specific demountable and hybrid structural systems, and even fewer focus on their practicability and feasibility. Since these systems have the potential to reduce construction waste, encourage resource efficiency and reduce embodied carbon impacts, it is expected that they will contribute immensely to a sustainable built environment. This paper focuses on technical solutions of the design strategies that currently have been developed for hybrid and steel reusable structural systems, and proposes an approach on implementing structural floor systems designed with the linear approach to a circular building environment.