Guest editors:
Dr. Philipp Hagedorn, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, philipp.hagedorn-n6v@rub.de
Dr. Ekaterina Petrova, Eindhoven University of Technology, e.petrova@tue.nl
Introduction:
The construction sector is transitioning towards more circular and sustainable approaches, requiring new methods to manage materials, components, information, and decision-making across interconnected building lifecycles. At the same time, rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) create opportunities to analyse complex data, automate processes, support decisions, and connect heterogeneous information sources. However, many current applications remain fragmented and focus on individual tasks rather than integrated, lifecycle-spanning circular construction ecosystems. This Special Issue explores how AI can contribute to circular construction by combining emerging AI methods with digital infrastructures and domain-specific knowledge. It aims to advance interdisciplinary research integrating machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, reinforcement learning, foundation and multimodal models, generative AI, and intelligent agents with digital twins, data spaces, semantic technologies, linked building data, and simulation environments. Particular emphasis is placed on approaches that enable interoperable information exchange, circular material flows, and data-driven decision-making across the building lifecycle. Recent research demonstrates growing interest in AI-enabled circularity while identifying persistent gaps in integrated information infrastructures, lifecycle-wide assessment, and practical implementation. This Special Issue addresses these gaps by connecting advances in AI with the systemic requirements of circular construction. It seeks contributions that move beyond isolated applications towards integrated, intelligent, and data-driven ecosystems supporting circular material flows, informed decision-making, and sustainable built environments across the construction lifecycle. The Special Issue welcomes research addressing circularity across design, construction, operation, maintenance, deconstruction, and material and component reuse. Beyond individual AI applications, the Special Issue focuses on the integration of AI into broader digital ecosystems for the built environment where contributions addressing interoperability, data quality, explainability, trustworthiness, scalability, and validation under real-world conditions are particularly encouraged.
List of topic areas:
Machine and deep learning for material and component classification, condition assessment and reuse potential prediction.
Computer vision and foundation models for automated deconstruction planning and Digital Product Passport/Material Passport generation
Semantic Digital Twins and Linked Building Data for circular material tracking and tracing across building life cycles
(AI-enabled) data spaces and novel architectures for cross-stakeholder data exchange in circular construction
Neuro-symbolic AI and Large Language Models for semantic enrichment of building and infrastructure condition data
Intelligent agents and Reinforcement Learning for optimizing deconstruction, logistics and reuse decision-making
Simulations and predictive modeling of circular material flows and industrial processes in construction
Data quality, explainability and trustworthiness of AI methods applies in circular construction and logistics
Case studies and real-world validation of AI-supported circularity across design, construction, operation, end-of-life and reuse.
Submissions information:
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/aisbe
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emerald.com/journals/author-guidance/1632/ice-engineering-author-guidelines
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else while under review for this journal.
Key deadlines:
Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 01/11/2026
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 30/04/2027
