A web-based Decision Support System for the optimal management of construction and demolition waste

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) Vol. 31; no. 12; pp. 2497 - 2502
• Main Authors: Banias, G., Achillas, Ch, Vlachokostas, Ch, Moussiopoulos, N., Papaioannou, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Construction; Construction and demolition waste; Construction Materials; Costs; Decision Support System; Decision support systems; Decision Support Techniques; DeconRCM; Exact sciences and technology; Greece; Internet; Management; Optimization; Other wastes and particular components of wastes; Pollution; Refuse Disposal - methods; Software; Streams; Waste Management - economics; Waste Management - methods; Waste Products - analysis; Wastes; Web-based application; World Wide Web; Greece; Greece, Kentriki Makedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic, Thessaloniki; Construction and demolition waste; Decision Support System; Web-based application; DeconRCM; Demolition waste; Pollution; Decision support system; Brick; Construction materials; Solid waste; Identification; Urban area; Apartment; Long term; Public building; Mathematical programming
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2011.07.018

► A web-based Decision Support System application (DeconRCM) has been developed. ► DeconRCM minimises end-of-life costs and maximises the recovered materials. ► Both technical and functional structure of DeconRCM addressed. ► DeconRCM provides an accurate estimation of the generated CDW quantities. ► DeconRCM provides the user with the optimal end-of-life management alternative. Wastes from construction activities constitute nowadays the largest by quantity fraction of solid wastes in urban areas. In addition, it is widely accepted that the particular waste stream contains hazardous materials, such as insulating materials, plastic frames of doors, windows, etc. Their uncontrolled disposal result to long-term pollution costs, resource overuse and wasted energy. Within the framework of the DEWAM project, a web-based Decision Support System (DSS) application – namely DeconRCM – has been developed, aiming towards the identification of the optimal construction and demolition waste (CDW) management strategy that minimises end-of-life costs and maximises the recovery of salvaged building materials. This paper addresses both technical and functional structure of the developed web-based application. The web-based DSS provides an accurate estimation of the generated CDW quantities of twenty-one different waste streams (e.g. concrete, bricks, glass, etc.) for four different types of buildings (residential, office, commercial and industrial). With the use of mathematical programming, the DeconRCM provides also the user with the optimal end-of-life management alternative, taking into consideration both economic and environmental criteria. The DSS’s capabilities are illustrated through a real world case study of a typical five floor apartment building in Thessaloniki, Greece.