TU/e - Recreate

December 11, 2025

Introduction to the reports under WP2 of the ReCreate project:

Guidelines for a BIM-aided pre-deconstruction audit (D2.1). The full report is available here.
Real-life deconstruction pilots of the ReCreate project (D2.3). The full report is available here.
Best practice guidelines and recommendations for reuse-optimised deconstruction (D2.2). The full report is available here.

Authors: Marcel Vullings (TNO) and Simon Wijte (TU/e)

The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and three-dimensional (3D) modelling has become the most important tool and information medium of contemporary design and construction practice. The architect formalises his design with the aid of 3D BIM models, while the structural engineer appends the result of his calculations in a 3D model. This model is employed throughout the engineering process in order to manufacture structural elements, such as beams and columns, for the assembly of the building structure. The BIM process encompasses the formulation of the construction of the structure and detailing and also the budgets, the production and construction schedules and the development of construction sequences. The employment of supplementary applications has the potential to enhance functionality, thereby facilitating processes and streamlining specific domains, including logistics.

The reuse of harvested precast concrete elements in construction represents a recent development that contributes significantly to the transition from a linear to a circular economy. In order to expedite this process, it is imperative that the reutilisation of structural elements becomes an integral component of contemporary design and BIM methodologies in the construction industry.

Deconstruction pilot office building Prinsenhof, Arnhem (right the 3D BIM model)

The deconstruction (WP2) of a building constitutes one of the primary steps in the reuse of precast concrete elements. During the preparatory stage, pertinent information is collated pertaining to the building, its structural composition, and the precast concrete elements itself. In the Dutch pilot project, a 3D BIM model was generated as a constituent of the work process for the deconstruction of the Prinsenhof office building in Arnhem. A variety of information sources, ranging from paper drawings to digital point clouds, were integrated into the BIM model. The utilisation of BIM at this juncture confers numerous advantages, chief among them being the capacity to ascertain the veracity and thoroughness of the information.

The information can be used in assessing which elements are usable for reuse, determining the deconstruction sequence, and determining the dimensions and weights of the elements for lifting, transport, and storage of the harvested elements. In order to establish an unambiguous link between the collected data and each individual element, a unique code needs to be assigned to each element, which must be incorporated into the BIM model.

In the course of the deconstruction process, the first steps can be initiated in the design of a new edifice, incorporating reused components. The 3D BIM model is a pivotal tool in the preparation of the design and engineering. It is an established fact that, within the context of the design process, the final design of a building is arrived at through the undertaking of several iterations. The digital BIM environment facilitates these iterations. The development of tools such as ReCreate Studio (WP5) is identified as a key enabler of the design process for architects and engineers.

During deconstruction and the subsequent processes, a greater volume of information can be collected on the precast concrete elements. Because the structural integrity of the new structure is of importance, it is essential to verify material properties through testing. The test results are incorporated into the data of the elements in the BIM model. Furthermore, the evolution of innovative demountable connections and the findings of quality checks are of particular significance. The utilisation of BIM as a digital database is of paramount importance in establishing a linkage between digital data and physical precast concrete elements. The significance of this information is evident in the fact that structural reuse is rendered unfeasible without it, thereby precluding the possibility of circularity.

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success”. This statement by Alexander Graham Bell provides a concise description of the process by which the accumulation of information, meticulous preparations, and the execution of deconstruction are integrated to ensure the success of harvesting structural elements for reuse. This finding is consistent with the findings of the deconstruction of the ReCreate pilots in Finland, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. These were carried out independently of each other, and many aspects were recorded and shared as experiences of the deconstruction of prefab concrete structures. The amalgamation of this comprehensive information and experience, encompassing both positive and negative aspects, has been shaped into a Deconstruction Guideline, which is intended to serve as a framework for future deconstruction projects. The guideline has been updated to incorporate novel insights in areas such as process steps, disassembly, transport, storage, safety, tooling, and other related fields. These insights are intended to facilitate the reuse of structural elements in new constructions, thereby extending the life of structural building blocks.

The Deconstruction Guideline offers a comprehensive overview of the key aspects involved in the deconstruction process, presented in both textual and visual formats. It is evident that a proportion of these correspond to the process of constructing a new building, whilst others are very specific to the deconstruction process. Despite the rigorous preparatory measures undertaken, certain elements have undergone modification, for example, the tool for lifting the hollow core slabs. The tool developed was adapted during deconstruction to reduce the number of work steps and increase the work speed without compromising safety. The guideline also demonstrates that a few things went wrong during the deconstruction of the pilot projects. It is evident that the involved parties are still acquiring knowledge from each deconstruction project. They use mistakes to enhance and refine their processes with each new deconstruction project, of which there have been several. The overarching principles that govern this process are efficiency, speed, safety, and the protection of the prefabricated concrete elements.

by ReCreate project

August 2, 2024

Lagemaat at TU/e (in collaboration with the Dutch cluster)

As part of the international @ReCreate project, we are working closely with various partners, including the Dutch cluster. This month, the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) will conduct further research at our site to test concrete elements from the Prinsenhof pilot project. This research helps us understand the impact of weather conditions on the stored elements in Heerde. The materials from the Prinsenhof project will thus find a new purpose at the Circular Center in Heerde.

An important aspect of our collaboration with TU/e is testing various concrete elements for their reusability, enabling their circular application. In a recent vlog, Marcel Vullings (TNO) and Fred Mudge (TU/e student) share their findings from these tests. They investigate how concrete parts can be dismantled and what new applications are possible in future projects.

These tests are crucial for the progress towards a circular construction sector. By reusing concrete elements, we save on new raw materials and reduce tons of CO2 emissions. The collected data forms the basis for future projects.

Examples of projects that strongly focus on material reuse include the Zuiderstrandtheater in Scheveningen and the Ruijgoordweg 80 project in Amsterdam. Through this approach, we continue to innovate and contribute to a sustainable construction industry.

by ReCreate project

September 14, 2023

Using object-oriented programming to bridge the gap between architecture and structural engineering in a circular design.

Fred Mudge, Eindhoven University of Technology – 14 September 2023

Over the past several decades, the construction industry has been responsible for large portions of annual global CO₂ emissions and overall material usage. To counteract this, the ReCreate project aims to establish a circular value chain for precast concrete buildings – a switch which could offer massive improvements to the industry’s sustainability by keeping materials in use for longer, thereby preserving the value contained in the existing building stock and reducing the need for new materials. This requires research and development across the entire reuse process, from deconstruction, transport and logistics, quality control, design and planning of new buildings up to reassembly in a new location and for a new purpose.

As a doctoral researcher at TU Eindhoven, my work focuses on the topic of design within the above context and aims to assist architects and engineers to design circular buildings, by developing a software application which provides functionality specifically for this task.

In a traditional building design workflow, the architect normally produces a design based on relatively few constraints. A structural engineer reviews the design and presents reinforcements to ensure that the structure is sufficiently robust and stable. After all designs have been finalized, construction can commence and (for precast systems) elements are manufactured that match the designs. The design process for reused elements is fundamentally different because the geometric and structural attributes of the elements are already fixed at the start of the design process. The challenge for a designer is therefore to select and arrange elements into a spatially effective building structure considering their respective geometries. Each addition or change to this arrangement affects the distribution of forces through the structure. The forces exerted on each element should therefore be calculated continuously and compared to its relevant structural capacities (axial force, bending moment etc.) to ensure no element is loaded past a safe limit.

The design application addresses both challenges mentioned above. It includes a feature for browsing through a library (database) of previously used building components that are available for reuse. A user can then select and import desired elements directly into a 3D building information modelling (BIM) environment and place them in a new design assembly. Furthermore, automatic structural load calculation methods using finite element methods (FEM) are built into the application and can be performed on-demand, to identify any elements exerted past their capacities. Lastly, environmental benefit is quantified and enhanced by automatic embodied carbon calculation, considering factors such as the distance of an element from the construction site and the amount of CO₂ required to get it into its new position.

Considering the novelty of reusing concrete building components, the first step to developing the application was to create a so-called “object model” for creating and storing digital representations of physical building elements. This requires a sound understanding of the parameters that describe all relevant aspects (geometric, structural etc.) of the various types of elements (beams, columns, wall panels, slabs etc.). These parameters, element types and how they interact and relate to each other also help define the database schema for storing element information (i.e., the element library). A trial database was created and populated with element data from a recently completed deconstruction project – Prinsenhof A in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

A user can browse through a library of elements, import and position them in a Revit model to make up a new building design.

Subsequently, the focus shifted to developing algorithms for automatically connecting elements within the model, based on their relative locations, and for calculating structural forces and moments within all elements, based on expected floor loadings and the anticipated “load paths” that eventually take all forces down to the building’s foundations. Lastly, a framework for calculating the environmental impact resulting from using new and reused precast concrete building components will be developed and added to the application, to ensure that an environmental benefit is achieved for each reuse design, compared to a design consisting of newly manufactured elements.

Currently, the design application is developed as an add-on for Autodesk Revit. New building designs are therefore in the form of a Revit (.rvt) model, which can be easily converted to a more universal format such as Industry Foundation Class (.ifc). The design application is currently still under development, with a “proof of concept” prototype planned for the end of 2023.

by ReCreate project

May 22, 2023

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The ReCreate project consortium recently held a highly productive meeting in Eindhoven, organized by the Dutch country cluster leader, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The event spanned three days and brought together consortium members from various countries to share insights, discuss joint publications, and provide updates on the project’s progress.

ReCreate

The meeting commenced with a PhD workshop on the first day, where attendees had the opportunity to present their research and engage in fruitful discussions on potential collaborations for future publications. This workshop laid the foundation for knowledge exchange and collaboration among the participants.

On the second day, the main event took place. After a brief introduction by TU/e, a ReCreate consortium general meeting was held. During this session, each country cluster provided updates on their respective progress, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the project’s advancement. A project steering committee meeting followed, where strategic decisions and action plans were discussed to ensure smooth project management.

ReCreate

In a generous gesture, ReCreate country cluster leader TU/e organized a tour of their Structures laboratory, offering valuable insights into the scientific principles behind the ReCreate project. Attendees had the opportunity to witness firsthand the processes underpinning the project’s innovative approach. Additionally, TU/e showcased other intriguing projects being undertaken by their students, further enriching the participants’ knowledge.

Furthermore, the meeting included presentations by the ReCreate Work Package leaders, who shared updates on the progress within their specific areas. This allowed for cross-pollination of ideas and ensured that everyone was well-informed about the advancements across the project as a whole.

ReCreate

The third day of the meeting was dedicated to a visit to the Lagemaat storage yard. Here, consortium members had the unique opportunity to examine the elements extracted from the Prinsenhof donor building in Arnhem. Lagemaat and IMd, leading companies in the field, provided valuable insights into the business case of deconstructing buildings and delved deep into the structural engineering aspects of deconstruction. This visit offered a practical perspective on the project’s goals and highlighted the importance of sustainable building practices.

In conclusion, the ReCreate project consortium meeting in Eindhoven was a resounding success. It facilitated collaboration, knowledge sharing, and practical exploration of the project’s objectives. The event not only strengthened the bonds among consortium members but also contributed to the advancement of sustainable building practices through innovative research and engineering approaches.

ReCreate

TU/e - Recreate

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is also a framework for the reuse of precast concrete elements

Testing concrete elements: a step towards circular construction

BIM software for designing with reused concrete building components

ReCreate consortium meeting held in Eindhoven

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is also a framework for the reuse of precast concrete elements

ReCreate representatives gathers in Tampere for RP3 review meeting

Developing a Swedish Standard for the Reuse of Precast Concrete Elements

EU FUNDING

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