Structure for the classification of disassembly applied to BIM models

To consider disassembly from project inception is becoming an essential part of the design process. This approach enables the reuse and recycling of materials at the end of the life cycle of buildings, reducing the need for raw materials to produce new products whilst increasing a building's flexibility during any potential reconfiguration. Above all, disassembly contributes to sustainability within the sector. Little is known however about designing for future disassembly. In general, the design phase of construction projects tends to focus efforts on constructability, with the value of disassembly only becoming apparent during the decommissioning of a building. The construction sector is unfamiliar with the disassembly approach and the comprehensive information management process, linking design and decommissioning for over 60 years. Regarding this, advances in Building Information Modelling (BIM) research offer opportunities for further developing the field of design for disassembly (DfD) in construction projects. Addressing this knowledge gap, this research explores the structuring of DfD information enabled by BIM to support integrated design decision-making in construction. This applied research project is inherently exploratory and based on design science research. DfD principles were identified through a literature review. Primary data was collected through case-study research, informing the development of an integrated DfD information model for measuring disassembly levels, restricted to the most common materials and construction systems used in Brazil. This research presents both a contribution to practice, by developing an information model structure to support DfD and integrated design, also to DfD knowledge by proposing a disassembly classification system.