Framework for Building Design Recyclability

Abstract

Recycling of building materials is an important aspect of sustainable construction, while sustainable construction is a critical issue to fulfill overall sustainable development. Researchers have proved that building materials recycling is technically feasible and facilities for recycling are available, too. They have identified many obstacles of building materials recycling, but most of them are derived from experience. Researchers suggested many ways to maximize building materials recycling, but they are not powerful enough. This thesis will summarize the obstacles and put them into categories. After that, a case study will be used to testify that these are real obstacles. This thesis will focus on developing the concept of building design recyclability by giving the definition of design recyclability, describing the principles that make a design recyclable, generating drives of design recyclability, and testifying these drives. At the end, some suggestions will be given for future research directions.