The Shanghai Tower in China was designed entirely in a BIM (building information modeling) environment. © Getty Images/Jackal Pan During the operational phase of a building, the twin can be used to carry out energy simulations, or even control remote actions. Finally, in the deconstruction phase, the digital twin can help planners choose the most suitable solution for the recovery, reuse or recycling of materials. In essence, BIM and digital twins are driving construction toward a low-carbon economy and a philosophy of circularity. By looking at the entire life cycle of a product, these new tools free us from the old linear model. Through their multiple models, they are also opening up the field of sustainable construction, which aims to limit the consumption of virgin materials and fossil fuels. The different scenarios developed by BIM and digital twins make it possible to investigate all manner of areas. That includes the origin of materials and their possible substitution with products with significant levels of recycled or renewable content. It also incorporates the lifespanof products, the replacement of materials with lighter alternatives with comparable performance, recovery and recyclability at the end of life, and much more. This is called ’design for circularity’. Eco structures that are resource-efficient throughout their life cycle, can be repurposed, and incorporate the circularity of materials into their design. Calculations and standards Driven by new technologies, this circular approach is also favored by certification bodies (for product labels or buildings) and legislators. Environmental impact assessment methodologies, including looking at the carbon footprint, and standardized reporting formats such as environmental product declarations (EPD) are becoming widespread. This transparency on the environmental impact of materials and buildings is laying the foundations for more sustainable construction. In the United States, the EC3 embodied carbon in construction calculator compares the different materials selected for a project and calculates its embodied carbon and CO2 emissions. Free to use and accessible to all, this tool allows professionals to make informed decisions by guiding them to the best solution. Other tools exist, such as the Epique calculator, which facilitates early analysis of the carbon generated throughout the life cycle of a building. Options also include SimaPro and GaBi – software that create fully customizable models for the life cycle analysis of materials, products or systems. All these tools have been proven to work. What needs to be done now is to familiarize all the stakeholders in the construction industry with these new technologies. This upskilling will involve training teams and will profoundly transform the sector, which must now rely on digital technology to meet the challenge of decarbonization. 57 CONSTRUCTING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
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