ConCIRCLE is developing, together with partners from research and construction practice, the scientific, digital and normative basis for returning entire reinforced concrete elements from existing buildings back into the circular economy.
We are developing a scientifically founded standpoint on the reuse of entire reinforced concrete components, taking into account ecological and economic aspects.
The reuse of reinforced concrete components is technically demanding. Four factors determine whether a group of components can be reused.
Insufficient concrete cover, particularly critical in structures built before 1988, leads to reinforcement corrosion and significantly impairs the remaining service life of the structural elements.
Until 1972, plain steel was predominantly used; its composite behaviour and yield strength differ from those of modern standard-grade steel. This has a significant impact on the assessment of its reusability.
Spacers containing asbestos were used between 1960 and 1993. A mandatory analysis for hazardous substances must be carried out before any reuse.
The depth of carbonation and chloride ingress determine the rate of corrosion of the reinforcement. The aim is to demonstrate a remaining service life of at least 50 years.
Four key points outline the project’s background, focus, results and objective.
Aufbau auf dem Vorgängerprojekt NaiS, methodische Kontinuität mit erweitertem Scope und industriellen Partnern.
Focus on the reuse of reinforced concrete in in-situ concrete construction, the predominant building method of the 20th century.
The results include AI systems for condition assessment, scientific publications and transferable tools.
Long-term objective: Integration into the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and the development of viable business models for the circular economy.
The consortium brings together complementary areas of expertise, ranging from AI-supported data processing and structural engineering standards to industrial construction practice. KIT is contributing three institutes, each with its own area of specialisation.
INDUSTRY · DIGITAL PLATFORM
Concular GmbH
Inventory recording, resale value and integration with planning tools.
RESEARCH · UNIVERSITY
Institute for Technology and Management in Construction Operations (KIT)
Consortium leadership, project management and the Lean Construction methodology throughout the entire project.
RESEARCH · UNIVERSITY
Institute for Solid Construction and Building Materials Technology (KIT)
Material diagnostics, concrete technology and the assessment of remaining service life in accordance with standards.
RESEARCH · UNIVERSITY
Karlsruhe Service Research Institute (KIT)
Digitalisation, AI-powered assistance systems and human-machine collaboration.
STANDARDS · TRADE ASSOCIATION
German Concrete and Construction Technology Association.
Ecological and economic assessment of construction products.
INDUSTRY · CONSTRUCTION GROUP
Ed. Züblin AG
Industry partner for dismantling, processing and integration of the evaluation results.
No single actor covers the entire spectrum from materials diagnostics, AI data processing and standardization to operational dismantling. This combination has been deliberately chosen: it creates a seamless chain from stock assessment to practical reuse.
KIT übernimmt Konsortialführung, Projektmanagement und wissenschaftliche Begleitung, mit probabilistischen Modellen, Materialdiagnostik und KI-Methoden, wissenschaftlich fundiert, nicht nur konzeptionell. Der DBV verankert die Ergebnisse direkt im Regelwerk und sichert den Transfer in die baurechtlich relevante Praxis.
Concular contributes real inventory data, digital platform expertise and market access. Züblin provides active deconstruction projects and practical construction know-how, from the initial component scan to reuse.
We look forward to dialogue, whether in the context of a research partnership, a pilot project or professional exchange.
