Incorporating BIM Practices into Reuse Process of Timber - Propositions of a digital workflow and tool for reclaiming structural pieces of wood

Abstract

In the framework of a doctoral thesis, we investigate with a digital approach, methods, practices and tools that could support the reuse process of materials, specifically timber resources. We have structured this paper around the study of a digital workflow and tool. More than supplying the thesis working tools, their role is to achieve on-site assessment of wooden structural elements, to reintegrate them into new constructions projects as new timber products from the market. The context of our research is French AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) sector, where we lead interviews and take part in construction projects (case studies). However, we lean as well on the literature review of materials reuse and timber assessment.

Values of Reclaimed Timber

“…For reclaimed timber, a rebound effect of circularity is depicted by Ghyoot et al [1] with the example of TerraMai, who collects reclaimed wood from Asia to South America to sell it in the USA. Similar globalised circularity was identified through interviews with carpenters or resellers who mainly bought reclaimed wood from Poland [35]. In addition to the impact of transport, this wood can also be crafted, implying energy consumption.…”

“…Student works involved in the research show that an average of 30% of the material will be lost in reappropriating the reclaimed timber. One group had to build furniture out of floorboards, and another a micro-house (4m2) based on a batch of cut-offs from our case study [35]. Other researchers identified a loss of up to 46% of the volume that will be recycled or recovered [44].…”

“…To introduce our subject, part 2 emphasises that reuse is not an objective in itself but that it is more a solution to overcome a lack of durable uses. In a previous paper [11], we have exposed the fact that we should speak about 'resource' and 'deconstruction', instead of 'waste' and 'demolition'. Since architecture is about communication [12] we should be careful of the meaning of the terms we use.…”

Planning Reclamation, Diagnosis and Reuse in Norwegian Timber Construction with Circular Economy Investment and Operating Costs for Information

“…Although we found several publications discussing timber flows, integrating data from the sawmill to construction (e.g., [44,45]), the workflows integrating reclamation, diagnosis and reuse for structural purposes in construction were lacking. Some exceptions are a proposal by France-based researchers on incorporating BIM practices into reuse processes [14] or a proposal with 3D scanning in the United Kingdom [27].…”

“…One of the most promising materials in terms of carbon storage and other environmental, health and well-being effects is wood [10][11][12][13]. However, there are almost no case studies on the reclaiming and reuse of wood for timber construction (with exceptions in France [14] and the European InFutUReWood project [15]). In addition, and more importantly, there are almost no case studies on design enabling the future reuse of wood [16].…”