Digital Enablers for Circular Construction: A Systematic Review of RFID and BIM Integration

This systematic literature review presents the integration of radio-frequency identification (RFID) and building information modeling (BIM) technologies to support circular economy (CE) practices in the construction industry. This review examines how these digital tools contribute to material traceability, life cycle monitoring, and the promotion of reuse and recovery strategies across the building life cycle. Following a structured protocol, 53 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed in terms of their objectives, CE focus areas, life cycle stage coverage, and the functional and technological roles of RFID and BIM. Findings reveal that most applications concentrate on the construction phase, with fewer studies addressing upstream interventions during design or downstream processes at end-of-life stages. RFID is primarily used for real-time tracking, identification, and logistics, while BIM supports information management, visualization, and coordination. However, fully integrated RFID-BIM workflows remain limited, and most implementations are still at experimental or conceptual stages. Key barriers include fragmented data flows, limited interoperability, and the lack of standardized frameworks for CE adoption. In response, this review proposes a conceptual framework mapping RFID-BIM integration to CE strategies and life cycle phases, providing a structured foundation for advancing research and practice. The findings underscore the potential of digital technologies to enable circularity in construction, while highlighting critical gaps that must be addressed to scale CE adoption in the built environment.