Abstract:
The principles of the circular economy (CE) were well established long ago yet adapting them to the construction sector remains a complex and lengthy process due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders. This talk will examine current technologies and the barriers that hinder the implementation of CE in construction, while proposing practical solutions to overcome these challenges, particularly in relation to ongoing efforts to address embodied carbon in steel and composite construction. A key focus will be on the proposed improved design concept for circularity in construction, called Design for Deconstruction and Reuse (DfDR), which incorporates interlocking connections to facilitate direct reuse of structural elements. This approach aims to improve productivity in the construction industry through digital fabrication, rapid assembly, and disassembly techniques, while also fostering global knowledge exchange and business opportunities. To realise these ambitions, the main objectives of the DfDR framework include identifying reusable building components, developing rapid non-destructive testing methods for certification, and establishing standards and policies for reuse. Furthermore, the presentation will explore how advanced engineering, scenario-based supply chain strategies, and life-cycle assessment can be integrated to further promote circular economy principles within the construction industry.
Bio:
Professor Tak-Ming Chan is a Professor of Structural Engineering and the Acting Associate Head (Research) in the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Hong Kong. He is also a Council Member and Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers. Prof. Chan’s research focuses on innovative structural engineering topics including adaptive structures, circularity in construction and reduced carbon hybrid structures. He currently leads a 5-year (2023 – 2028) Research Impact Fund project funded by the Research Grants Council in Hong Kong on “Achieving the Circular Economy in Construction through Deconstruction and Reuse Technologies for Steel and Composite Structures”. In addition, he serves as the Editor for Thin-Walled Structures and co-chairs the International Institute of Welding Sub-Commission on Tubular Structures. His work has earned numerous awards including the Nishino Prize from the East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction in 2022 and a Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva in 2024. Professor Chan holds both an MSc and a PhD from Imperial College London.
Open to all. Attendees external to Imperial need to register by email.
Time: 10:30 am