Feasibility Study of Recycled Paver Block for Circular Economics Using System Dynamics Model

Abstract

The construction industry generates a lot of construction and demolition waste (CDW), which hinders the sustainable development goals (SDGs) targets. However, CDW materials have gained popularity in the construction sector to address the aggregate shortage. In this regard, the manufacturing of recycled paver blocks (RPB) and its usage in the construction industry has been trending all over the globe. However, the cost of RPB is still a crucial issue, as it varies with the time and demand of manufacturing recycled materials. Therefore, the study aims to estimate and forecast the cost of five different grades of RPB using the system dynamics (SD) approach. For this, the present study first shortlisted 25 cost components for manufacturing RPB using a literature review and expert judgments. Then, the cause-and-effect and stock-and-flow diagrams are created to explore the interdependency among these 25 components. After that, if-then-else function was used to compute the dynamic interaction mechanism between cost components. Finally, the model is validated by conducting the structure and behavior verification test. Thus, this study can help the use of RPB in construction projects and bring clients and contractors toward the circular economy (CE). Construction and demolition waste (CDW) management has gained remarkable growth due to rapid urbanization and redevelopment projects across the globe. The Recycling of CDW can be one of the aspects which an assist in achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) and circular economy goals. However, the quality of the recycled CDW materials along with their composition is still uncertain and also current debate of the development era. Further, considering the quality and achieving the life cycle performance of recycled products is also a questionable and a critical challenge. Existing laws, especially in developing nations like India, are not comprehensive enough to encourage recycled products. In many cases, the unknown composition such as cost and legal framework can downgrade the quality of recycled material. Further, it can lead to the hefty investment causing the legal issues such as product liability disputes, quality and performance disputes, contractual disputes, warranty and guarantee, and environmental regulations and compliances. Hence, this study advocates the widespread use of recycled products like paver blocks and assists decision-makers in controlling RPB manufacturing cost and quality. Accordingly, the RPB manufacturer can make decisions and manage the quality over a period of time and control the circular economy.