Can Digital Construction Verify Circularity? A Systematic Review of BIM- and LCA-Based Decision Frameworks

Digital construction technologies increasingly support circular-economy strategies in buildings by integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). However, digital assessment does not establish whether a circular strategy improves sustainability performance. This systematic literature review examines the use of BIM–LCA approaches to assess circular construction. A Scopus search identified 87 records for primary screening; 40 studies were retained after screening and eligibility assessment. Four themes emerged on review: digital integration and data interoperability; circularity measurement and sustainability verification; decision support for circular building strategies; and uncertainty, trade-offs, and measurement limitations. BIM–LCA integration can improve material traceability, environmental assessment, comparison of design alternatives, and life cycle-oriented decision support. Nevertheless, the benefits of reuse, recycling, substitution, and design for disassembly depend on data quality, system boundaries, impact indicators, recovery pathways, reuse rates, and future scenarios. Automated workflows may produce precise results without independently validating the underlying circularity claims. We therefore propose a verification-oriented approach that combines transparent assumptions, scenario and sensitivity analyses, and, where feasible, evidence from observed building and material flows.