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Towards circularity in brick masonry: knowledge gaps and future needs

Heidar, Lana LU (2025) In Degree Projects in Structural Engineering, Lund University VBKM01 20251
Division of Structural Engineering
Abstract
According to the UN Environment Programme, the construction sector is responsible for 37% of global energy and process-related CO₂ emissions. In Sweden, the latest data from Boverket – the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning – indicates that this sector accounts for 22.1% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. As part of national climate efforts, Fossilfritt Sverige (Fossil-Free Sweden) has set targets to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and 75% by 2040, with a strong emphasis on lowering energy consumption during the operational phase of buildings. Among the various construction materials, brick production stands out for its high energy demand, primarily due to the elevated temperatures required for firing.... (More)
According to the UN Environment Programme, the construction sector is responsible for 37% of global energy and process-related CO₂ emissions. In Sweden, the latest data from Boverket – the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning – indicates that this sector accounts for 22.1% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. As part of national climate efforts, Fossilfritt Sverige (Fossil-Free Sweden) has set targets to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and 75% by 2040, with a strong emphasis on lowering energy consumption during the operational phase of buildings. Among the various construction materials, brick production stands out for its high energy demand, primarily due to the elevated temperatures required for firing. Despite its energy-intensive production, brick masonry is widely used in Sweden and is valued not only for its durability and long-term performance but also for its significant cultural and architectural role. Approximately 40–50 million new bricks are used annually in Sweden, while about 10 million bricks are demolished. However, only around 2.5 million of these are currently reused, highlighting a substantial untapped potential for reuse. This thesis presents a literature review that evaluates available methods for promoting the circular management of bricks, with a focus on demolition, separation, and cleaning techniques. The aim is to highlight current challenges in the construction sector that limit the reuse of bricks and identify strategies to support more circular construction practices. In addition to material considerations, the study evaluates the potential energy savings associated with reusing bricks rather than producing new ones. While the reuse of intact bricks for façade applications is prioritized, the study also acknowledges opportunities to repurpose non-reusable bricks, those that are crushed, damaged, powdered, or otherwise unsuitable for façade, according to the 9R framework. These approaches contribute to reduced landfilling and decreased construction waste, thereby promoting more sustainable resource management in the built environment. (Less)
Popular Abstract (Swedish)
Enligt FN:s miljöprogram står byggsektorn för 37 % av den globala energianvändningen och de processrelaterade koldioxidutsläppen. I Sverige visar den senaste statistiken från Boverket att denna sektor står för 22,1 % av landets totala utsläpp av växthusgaser. Som en del av Sveriges klimatmål har Fossilfritt Sverige satt upp mål att minska utsläppen med 50 % till 2030 och 75 % till 2040, med starkt fokus på att minska energianvändning under byggnaders driftsfas. Bland de olika byggmaterialen utmärker sig tegelproduktionen för sitt höga energibehov, främst på grund av de höga temperaturer som krävs vid bränning. Trots detta används tegel i stor utsträckning i Sverige och uppskattas inte bara för sin hållbarhet och långa livslängd, utan även... (More)
Enligt FN:s miljöprogram står byggsektorn för 37 % av den globala energianvändningen och de processrelaterade koldioxidutsläppen. I Sverige visar den senaste statistiken från Boverket att denna sektor står för 22,1 % av landets totala utsläpp av växthusgaser. Som en del av Sveriges klimatmål har Fossilfritt Sverige satt upp mål att minska utsläppen med 50 % till 2030 och 75 % till 2040, med starkt fokus på att minska energianvändning under byggnaders driftsfas. Bland de olika byggmaterialen utmärker sig tegelproduktionen för sitt höga energibehov, främst på grund av de höga temperaturer som krävs vid bränning. Trots detta används tegel i stor utsträckning i Sverige och uppskattas inte bara för sin hållbarhet och långa livslängd, utan även för sin kulturella och arkitektoniska betydelse. Årligen används cirka 40–50 miljoner nya tegelstenar i Sverige, samtidigt som cirka 10 miljoner tegelstenar rivs. Endast omkring 2,5 miljoner av dessa återbrukas idag, vilket pekar på en betydande outnyttjad potential för återbruk. Detta examenarbete presenterar en litteraturöversikt som utvärderar tillgängliga metoder för att främja cirkulär hantering av tegel, med fokus på rivning, separation och rengöring. Syftet är att belysa aktuella utmaningar inom byggsektorn som begränsar återbruket av tegel och att identifiera strategier för att främja mer cirkulära byggpraxis. Utöver materialaspekter utvärderar studien den potentiella energibesparingen i samband med att återanvända tegelstenar istället för att producera nya. Även om återbruk av hela tegelstenar för fasadanvändning prioriteras, belyser studien även möjligheter att återanvända som är krossade, skadade, pulveriserade eller av andra skäl inte lämpar sig för fasad, enligt 9R-ramverket. Dessa åtgärder bidrar till att minska deponering och byggavfall, vilket främjar en mer hållbar resurshantering i den byggda miljön. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Heidar, Lana LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Mot cirkularitet i tegelmurverk: kunskapsluckor och framtida behov
course
VBKM01 20251
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
Recycling, reuse, brick, circular economy, demolition, 9R Framework
publication/series
Degree Projects in Structural Engineering, Lund University
report number
25/5310
ISSN
0349-4969
other publication id
LUTVDG/TVBK/25/5310
language
English
additional info
Examinator: Miklos Molnar
id
9197075
date added to LUP
2025-06-13 15:57:28
date last changed
2025-06-13 15:57:28
@misc{9197075,
  abstract     = {{According to the UN Environment Programme, the construction sector is responsible for 37% of global energy and process-related CO₂ emissions. In Sweden, the latest data from Boverket – the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning – indicates that this sector accounts for 22.1% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. As part of national climate efforts, Fossilfritt Sverige (Fossil-Free Sweden) has set targets to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and 75% by 2040, with a strong emphasis on lowering energy consumption during the operational phase of buildings. Among the various construction materials, brick production stands out for its high energy demand, primarily due to the elevated temperatures required for firing. Despite its energy-intensive production, brick masonry is widely used in Sweden and is valued not only for its durability and long-term performance but also for its significant cultural and architectural role. Approximately 40–50 million new bricks are used annually in Sweden, while about 10 million bricks are demolished. However, only around 2.5 million of these are currently reused, highlighting a substantial untapped potential for reuse. This thesis presents a literature review that evaluates available methods for promoting the circular management of bricks, with a focus on demolition, separation, and cleaning techniques. The aim is to highlight current challenges in the construction sector that limit the reuse of bricks and identify strategies to support more circular construction practices. In addition to material considerations, the study evaluates the potential energy savings associated with reusing bricks rather than producing new ones. While the reuse of intact bricks for façade applications is prioritized, the study also acknowledges opportunities to repurpose non-reusable bricks, those that are crushed, damaged, powdered, or otherwise unsuitable for façade, according to the 9R framework. These approaches contribute to reduced landfilling and decreased construction waste, thereby promoting more sustainable resource management in the built environment.}},
  author       = {{Heidar, Lana}},
  issn         = {{0349-4969}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Degree Projects in Structural Engineering, Lund University}},
  title        = {{Towards circularity in brick masonry: knowledge gaps and future needs}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}