Disassembly Assessment Framework for Enhanced Reclamation of Façade Systems

Abstract

One of the major technological challenges in achieving circularity within the built environment is the disassembly of multi-material systems at the end of their useful life. This is especially true for façade systems, which have become more complex to improve operational performance. As efforts to reduce embodied carbon in façade systems intensify, circular economy principles, which integrate design, maintenance, and product reclamation to minimize waste and emissions, are crucial. A significant aspect of this is the emphasis on Design for Disassembly (DfD) strategies.

Yet, despite the critical importance of circular economy principles, there is a disconnect between the awareness of stakeholders in the façade industry and the evaluative methods used to assess the impact of DfD during the early design stages on the material reclamation potential at the end of a building product's lifecycle. Industry stakeholders emphasize the need for quantitative methods to determine how design choices affect reclamation potential. Thus, developing a disassembly assessment framework is essential to guide DfD efforts in façade systems and to predict outcomes at their end of life. This study seeks to address this issue by developing a framework that meets the façade industry's needs, emphasizing the evaluation of design choices on material reclamation.

By reviewing relevant literature, various factors that impact the highest reclamation potential for a façade systems were identified. These factors were organized into process maps, laying the groundwork for potential computational workflows. The factors were organized into modules that, when combined, facilitate a consistent assessment process. This research revealed that much of the necessary information is not readily processed by computational tools; it often exists in unstructured formats like text documents, and the key decision-making factors are often subjective and require human judgement. As a result, this framework proposes steps to creating databases which could improve the assessment process.

The framework's effectiveness is demonstrated through a case study of an aluminum curtain wall façade system. The assessment led to suggested design improvements that increase the potential for material recovery and reduce disassembly time at the end of life. This case study demonstrates the framework's utility and uncovers practical challenges and opportunities, serving as a model for adapting the framework to different façade typologies and building components.