Cloud-BIM Enabled Cyber-Physical Data and Service Platforms for Building Component Reuse

Abstract

While the Circular Economy in the built environment is often viewed in terms of recycling, more value can be obtained from buildings and physical components by their reuse, aided by stewardship and remanufacture, to ensure optimum performance capability. The use of cyber-physical information for online identification, examination and exchange of reusable components may improve their life-cycle management and circularity. To this end, a bi-directional data exchange system is established between physical building components and their virtual Building Information Modeling (BIM) counterparts, so that their life-cycle information—including history of ownership, maintenance record, technical specifications and physical condition—can be tracked, monitored and managed. The resultant prototype Cloud-based BIM platform is then adapted to support an ongoing product-service relationship between suppliers/providers and users/clients. A case study from a major new hospital, focusing upon an example of internal framed glazed systems, is presented for ”proof of concept” and to demonstrate the application of the proposed method. The result of the case study shows that, informed by the life-cycle data from the Cloud-BIM platform, a “lease with reuse” service option is able to deliver a lower total cost and less carbon intensity for each unit of frame-glazed module. This leads to a higher level of eco-efficiency, coupled with decreased consumption of material resources and reduced generation of waste. The research is expected to serve as a step forward in the era of Industry 4.0 and illuminate a more sophisticated way to manage building assets.