Assessment of Material Reusability for Existing Buildings to Achieve Circular Economy in Construction
Fundamental Fund (FF) 2026
Assessment of Material Reusability for Existing Buildings to Achieve Circular Economy in Construction
The Thai construction industry's reliance on a linear "take, make, dispose" model drives significant resource depletion and waste. Transitioning to Circular Economy (CE) by reusing and upcycling building materials is essential to meet global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 8.4, 12.2, 12.5). However, widespread material reuse is hindered by technical, economic, and regulatory barriers, including high deconstruction costs, lack of certification standards, and uncertain cost-benefit outcomes. Furthermore, current research primarily focuses on downcycling (e.g., crushing concrete) rather than systematically assessing the pre-deconstruction reusability of structural components. To address this gap, this study develops a comprehensive framework to assess building material reusability prior to demolition. By analyzing material quality, extraction methods, and insights from expert interviews, this research provides actionable guidelines to optimize resource efficiency and accelerate CE adoption in Thailand.
