Waste minimisation through deconstruction: A BIM based Deconstructability Assessment Score (BIM-DAS)

The overall aim of this study is to develop a Building Information Modelling based Deconstructability Assessment Score (BIM-DAS) for determining the extent to which a building could be deconstructed right from the design stage. To achieve this, a review of extant literature was carried out to identify critical design principles influencing effectual building deconstruction and key features for assessing the performance of Design for Deconstruction (DfD). Thereafter, these key features were used to develop BIM-DAS using mathematical modelling approach based on efficient material requirement planning. BIM-DAS was later tested using case study design and the results show that the major contributing factors to DfD are use of prefabricated assemblies and demountable connections. The results of the evaluation demonstrate the practicality of BIM-DAS as an indicator to measure the deconstructability of building designs. This could provide a design requirement benchmark for effective building deconstruction. This research work will benefit all stakeholders in the construction industry especially those interested in designing for deconstruction. The eventual incorporation of BIM-DAS into existing BIM software will provide a basis for the comparison of deconstructability of building models during design.