KRAISBAU - Development of AI tools for a transformation to a circular economy along the life cycle of buildings

Initial situation/motivation

The construction industry is responsible for 35% of global resource consumption and 40% of global emissions. Given this environmental impact, a transformative shift towards circular construction is essential to achieve climate targets. This requires drastically extending the lifespan of buildings, carrying out effective renovations, flexibly repurposing existing buildings and optimizing the reuse of building elements. Artificial intelligence and digitalization play a decisive role in standardizing processes and closing data gaps. This is precisely where the BMK lead project KRAISBAU comes in, with the aim of initiating the building turnaround in Austria and helping to build the associated ecosystem.

Contents and goals

KRAISBAU strives for systemic innovations in building construction. The project analyzes and adapts legal and fiscal framework conditions, thus facilitating circular construction methods. The availability of secondary building products is increased through networking with building material databases. The use phase of buildings is optimized through the integration of biological cycles and innovative services.

The project includes fact-finding and proof-of-concepts (PoCs) based on around 25 real buildings that are being demolished, renovated or newly built. Another focus is the development of a broad stakeholder base and cooperation with relevant projects, thus creating a strong community for the building transition.

Various AI innovations play a central role in the project. These include imaging methods and technologies such as infrared and ground penetrating radar for element detection and recognition as well as spatial data derivation through machine/deep learning for data completion. BIM modeling from point clouds, laser scan data and thermal images is also used.

Other AI-based measures include the identification and automated planning of flexibility parameters, which increases flexibility of use and enables renovation proposals. Efficiency increases in the recycling of building materials are achieved by matching construction waste with suitable processing plants. Energy models are created, driving optimization and decarbonization. AI-supported recording and matching of components enables the reuse of secondary components.
In addition, geodata is used to identify storage areas and potential for redensification. The networking of recycling routes with potential buyers optimizes logistics. Preventive maintenance measures are defined and tested, buildings are evaluated, enabling a reliable assessment of measures and ESG criteria.

Methodological approach

The KRAISBAU approach focuses on the creation and implementation of standards for a circular construction industry. Data availability is ensured by collecting and modeling data on existing buildings using satellite and geodata. The flexibility of use of existing buildings is improved through automation support for variant planning for conversion and refurbishment based on comprehensive inventory analyses.

A central aspect of the project is the optimization of the reuse of building elements, in which data on building material degradation is collected and AI technologies are used. Artificial intelligence plays a key role by analyzing the best recycling methods for building materials and developing new fields of application. Life cycle assessment includes the evaluation of the life cycle assessment of buildings and the implementation of preventive maintenance measures, which are also supported by AI.

The analysis of regulations and legal frameworks reveals levers as well as barriers for the circular economy. Finally, circular solutions are implemented in real demonstrators and evaluated in terms of their practical suitability. AI supports this process by automating data collection and processing, modelling and simulation as well as the optimization of construction and recycling processes.

Expected results

KRAISBAU connects the Austrian construction community, driving forward the circular construction revolution in Austria. The further development of artificial intelligence and digital tools enables circularity, increases efficiency and identifies potential savings.

The project develops optimization potentials of building elements as well as raw and building materials with regard to their dismantlability and recyclability, which should increase their service life. The entire life cycle of buildings and their resources is recorded and corresponding optimization measures are implemented.

KRAISBAU contributes to standardized, automated data collection and data flows in the construction industry. Measures for the transformation towards a circular economy in the construction industry are identified and thus accelerated.

Finally, KRAISBAU makes the results and findings of the project accessible to the entire industry through factsheets and training courses, thus promoting the dissemination of knowledge and supporting the implementation of the solutions developed.

Project manager

FH-Prof. DI Dr.techn. Anna-Vera Deinhammer
Circular Economy Forum Austria
Eschenbach Palace
Eschenbachgasse 11, 1010 Vienna
E-mail: dea@kraisbau.at
Web: www.kraisbau.at

Project and cooperation partners

• alchemia-nova research & innovation gemGmbH
• Architekten Tillner & Willinger ZT GmbH
• KRW Kreative Räume GmbH
• Cloud NYNE GmbH
• Delta Managing & Consulting Engineers GmbH
• Digital Findet Stadt GmbH
• Drees & Sommer Projektmanagement und bautechnische Beratung GmbH
• ecoplus.Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH
• einszueins architektur ZT GMBH
• Fraunhofer Austria Research Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
• GeoVille Informationssysteme und Datenverarbeitung GmbH
• GrünStattGrau Forschungs- und Innovations-GmbH
• Impact Hub Vienna GmbH
• Inndata Datentechnik GmbH
• Innovation Salzburg GmbH
• Institut für Industrielle Ökologie
• JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH
• Kärntner Betriebsansiedlungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
• Madaster Austria GmbH
• Murexin GmbH
• Optimuse GmbH
• Paraloq Analytics GmbH
• RENOWAVE.AT eG
• Saubermacher Dienstleistungs-Aktiengesellschaft
• Technische Universität Graz Institut für Tragwerksentwurf
• Technische Universität Wien Institut für Verfahrenstechnik, Umwelttechnik und technische Biowissenschaften
• TPA Steuerberatung GmbH
• Universität für Bodenkultur Wien Institut für Hochbau, Holzbau und kreislaufgerechtes Bauen
• W.CREATE Real Estates GmbH
• Women in Artificial Intelligence Austria (Frauen in Künstlicher Intelligenz Österreich)
• Wopfinger Transportbeton Ges.m.b.H.

Project duration

01.04.2024 - 31.03.2028