The built environment is fundamental to our daily lives, yet it is a major contributor to resource consumption and environmental pollution. With increasing construction demands in the Netherlands, sustainable solutions are urgently needed. The Dutch government aims to be climate
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The built environment is fundamental to our daily lives, yet it is a major contributor to resource consumption and environmental pollution. With increasing construction demands in the Netherlands, sustainable solutions are urgently needed. The Dutch government aims to be climate neutral by 2050, with a 55% CO₂ reduction target by 2030. One strategy to support these goals is the reuse of structural elements from existing buildings, minimizing material demand and construction waste.
This research explores the feasibility of reusing cast-in-situ concrete elements in new building structures. Since these elements were not designed for disassembly, their reintegration poses structural and practical challenges, including cutting effects, transport, changes in support conditions, force distribution and reconnection detailing. A literature review and theoretical analysis were conducted to assess the structural implications of reuse. Additionally, two case studies were analyzed to validate theoretical challenges in real-world scenarios.
Several reconnection methods were designed and evaluated using a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), considering element modification, applicability of standard techniques, construction effort, overdimensioning and required precision during placement. The results demonstrate that both fixed and hinged connections, with reused elements or in combination with new ones, can be successfully implemented. However, for initial application, hinged connections combining reused and new elements are recommended as the most practical approach.
The study concludes that reusing cast-in-situ concrete elements is structurally viable, provided that reconnection detailing and structural adaptation are carefully considered. For large-scale implementation, further research is needed to develop standardized assessment methods, align with modern design codes, and validate reconnection performance through full-scale testing. Additionally, exploring digital tools for inventory management and adaptive design could further support reuse feasibility. Addressing these challenges will help establish structural reuse as a standard practice, strengthening its role in circular construction strategies.