Al-Qazzaz, I; Osorio-Sandoval, C A; Tokbolat, S and Thermou, G (2025) Integration of building information modeling into building circularity assessment: A systematic review. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 15(3), pp. 574-593. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: Despite several attempts to integrate building information modeling (BIM) with building circularity assessment (BCA), no systematic review has yet been carried out on this topic to the best knowledge of the authors. The objective of this review is to fill this gap by reviewing the current attempts, identifying the tools and exploring the state-of-the-art in BIM and BCA. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review (SLR) methodology was employed. A total of 30 documents published between 2015 and 2023 were selected and analyzed across the concept, methodology and value dimensions. Findings: There has been an increase in the development of BIM-based BCA tools in recent years, with the Netherlands taking the lead. Most tools developed were based on the material circularity indicator (MCI) and by using Autodesk Revit as BIM software. Three integration approaches for BIM with BCA were identified: (1) using an external platform; (2) linking an external database to BIM and (3) within the BIM environment. The review has revealed that still there is no standard for BCA, and interoperability and lack of circularity databases are the major challenges. Research limitations/implications: Although the paper has made contributions, it is important to recognize certain limitations. One of these is the inability to explore all the tools in depth as some of them are not available or accessible. Another limitation is the relatively small number of studies that were reviewed, primarily because there is a lack of research in this area due to the BIM-based BCA is still in its infancy compared to the BIM-based LCA. Originality/value: This study contributes to providing a comprehensive up-to-date overview of recent advancements in BIM–BCA integration, as well as a framework for understanding its concept, methodology and value dimensions. It also highlights significant areas where practitioners and researchers can identify knowledge gaps and future research directions.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modeling; circular economy; circularity assessment; circularity indicators; life cycle assessment; materials passport; sustainability |
| Index terms: | interoperability, documents, materials passport, life cycle assessment, Netherlands, database, methodology, integration, systematic literature review, dimension, building information modelling, circular economy, circularity, state of the art, platform, practitioner |
| Subjects: | Geography, material science and engineering, sustainable design, professional development, sustainable materials, systems and processes, practitioner, research methods, research dissemination and communication, research evaluation and metrics, organizational analysis, information systems, data management, digital design, environmental impact, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Construction Materials, Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Information Management, Sustainability, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here