Konstantinos Grigoriadis

Bio: Konstantinos Grigoriadis is an academic researcher from Queen's University Belfast. The author has contributed to research in topics: Reuse & Waste framework directive. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 9 citations.

Novel construction and demolition waste (CDW) treatment and uses to maximize reuse and recycling

Abstract: The EU Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC states that all member states should take all necessary measures in order to achieve at least 70% re-use, recycling or other recovery of non-haza...

Digitally Enabled Modular Construction for Promoting Modular Components Reuse: A UK View

Abstract: The UK construction sector is facing multiple challenges associated with low productivity, unreliable project delivery, poor performance, skilled labour shortages, and resource inefficiency. To address these challenges the UK Government and the construction industry have been promoting modular construction; a method that can improve efficiency and productivity in the construction sector via the prefabrication of volumetric elements or structural components of a building off-site and their assembly on-site. In this study we highlight that while modular construction can help deliver sustainability credentials in the entire construction value chain, at present the sector's activities are concentrated on using modular construction to improve resource efficiency upstream of the construction value chain, i.e. at the design, manufacture and construction. This appears to be divorced from the need to promote resource efficiency and productivity at the stages occurring downstream (i.e., disassembly and end-of-life management) of the construction value chain. Such divergence could hamper construction industry's efforts to reduce its environmental and economic impacts in the future, and points to the need of an integrated, holistic approach to improving the sustainability of the sector. To support our argument, we provide an overview of the current state of modular construction in the UK, and outline key obstacles in rolling out modular construction's mainstream use. We posit that modular construction presents an opportunity to integrate upstream with downstream construction practices and achieve sustainability in the entire construction sector, and suggest that the development of a digitally enabled modular construction, whereby smart technologies are combined with modular construction, could be instrumental in supporting this vision. A smart, modular construction regime can operationalise the collection and storage of components' lifecycle information, and help the sector build the capabilities needed to support the maintenance, recovery and reuse of modular components, and reduction of waste. For this to take precedence it is imperative to think of the ‘end’ right at the beginning of the design stage, and foster an improved collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the construction value chain.

Waste or valuable resource – a critical European review on re-using and managing tunnel excavation material

Abstract: Re-use of excavated rock and soil from subsurface tunnelling has become an essential legal and technical factor in underground construction projects. European Union initiatives have caused an emergence of legal documents and technical guidelines for re-using excavated material. An improving situation towards a homogeneous European legislation is missing and site-specific re-use solutions are still favoured within the framework of national legislation. In this paper, we present a detailed review of legislation and technical concepts within the scope of re-using excavated rock and soil across Europe focusing on the Alpine countries. Austria, Switzerland and France prove to be role models in re-using excavating material whereas Italy is providing a limited amount of national solutions. Excavated rock and soil are still considered waste, which hampers legislation procedures and efficient technical re-use as a potential resource. National guidelines and recommendations bear huge potential to serve as a basis for a homogenisation of European legislation. Technical limitations imply physical and chemical characterisation of excavated rock and soil as well as their positioning in relation to inert waste thresholds, which requires a sophisticated material flow analysis. We introduce a material flow analysis concept installed on a tunnel boring machine managing on-line analyses, conditioning, separation and transport to consumers of excavated material resource-efficiently within a mutual European legal framework. A dedicated European authority is suggested to undertake responsibility for the material management and governing a technical database obliged to aim for maximum, efficient re-use and public awareness.

Construction and Demolition Waste Management Research: A Science Mapping Analysis

Abstract: Construction and demolition waste treatment has become an increasingly pressing economic, social, and environmental concern across the world. This study employs a science mapping approach to provide a thorough and systematic examination of the literature on waste management research. This study identifies the most significant journals, authors, publications, keywords, and active countries using bibliometric and scientometric analysis. The search retrieved 895 publications from the Scopus database between 2001 and 2021. The findings reveal that the annual number of publications has risen from less than 15 in 2006 to more than 100 in 2020 and 2021. The results declare that the papers originated in 80 countries and were published in 213 journals. Review, urbanization, resource recovery, waste recycling, and environmental assessment are the top five keywords. Estimation and quantification, comprehensive analysis and assessment, environmental impacts, performance and behavior tests, management plan, diversion practices, and emerging technologies are the key emerging research topics. To identify research gaps and propose a framework for future research studies, an in-depth qualitative analysis is performed. This study serves as a multi-disciplinary reference for researchers and practitioners to relate current study areas to future trends by presenting a broad picture of the latest research in this field.

The effects of suitability and acceptability of lean principles in the flow of waste management on construction project performance

Abstract: Poor project performance in Malaysian construction industry resulting from poor cost management, time overrun, and inadequate quality has encouraged scholars to investigate the feasibility, suitabi...

Downcycling and Upcycling in Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse of Pre-Existing Buildings: Re-Designing Technological Performances in an Environmental Perspective

Abstract: The abandonment of the built heritage, as a result of functional or technological obsolescence or as a consequence of cultural, social, and economic trends, is steadily increasing. This great number of buildings, worldwide spread, offers a huge opportunity to reduce the environmental impacts related to the construction industry. Nonetheless, the recovery and reuse interventions that require the implementation of residual technological performance, to accommodate new uses, are not always environmentally neutral. Therefore, a new design approach needs to be developed so as to improve the buildings’ technological performance and enhance resources and energy already incorporated in buildings. The circular economy principles in the building sector, performance-based building design together with downcycling and upcycling theories are applied to develop a methodology aiming to reduce the environmental impacts within the rehabilitation and refurbishment design process. Starting from the building analysis phase (historical, material, construction) residual performance is evaluated; then the design phase demonstrates that, according to downcycling and upcycling design strategies applied on building components and materials, it is possible improving the building to the required new uses while minimizing transformations and effectively reducing related environmental impacts. The reduction of environmental impacts depends on a careful assessment of the residual technological and structural performance that the building still provides, by involving limited performance implementations to balance rehabilitation needs and environmental protection goals.