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Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 14144

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniel Ferrández Vega

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Departamento de Tecnología de la Edificación, Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: construction materials; sustainability; building management; energy efficiency; building physics; waste management; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Alexander Martín Garín

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Plaza Oñati 2, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Interests: energy efficiency in buildings; energy monitoring of buildings; energy simulation of buildings; thermographic and air tightness analysis in buildings; diagnosis and energy optimisation of heritage buildings; development of instrumentation based on open source platforms (OSP) and the internet of things (IoT)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, the building sector evolved towards the development of new more sustainable and efficient construction systems. The development of new materials under the circular economy criteria that allow the recovery and revaluation of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) is one of the great challenges facing the European Union at present.

For this reason, this Special Issue aims to provide a space for building research committed to the sustainability and efficient management of natural resources, promoting the development of more efficient materials and construction systems with a lower carbon footprint and that allow progress towards net-zero-emission building (NZEB).

Dear Colleagues, we strongly encourage you to participate and promote research in Building Engineering via this Special Issue.

Some of the main topics that apply to this Special Issue are:

Management of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW);
Energy efficiency in building;
Development of new building systems and products;
Introduction of technological innovations in building construction;
Development of new monitoring and measuring equipment in building/construction;
Construction and building materials;
Composite materials for building engineering;
Development and energy efficiency in building facilities;
Hygrothermal comfort and indoor air quality.

Dr. Daniel Ferrández Vega
Dr. Alexander Martín Garín
Guest Editors

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Keywords

construction and building materials
construction and demolition waste
energy efficiency
comfort
new measuring equipment in building

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

35 pages, 5292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Envisaging a European Digital Building Renovation Logbook: Proposal of a Data Model

by Marta Gómez-Gil, Sara Karami, José-Paulo de Almeida, Alberto Cardoso, Almudena Espinosa-Fernández and Belinda López-Mesa

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8903; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198903 - 2 Oct 2024

Viewed by 734

Abstract

Europe has set a target to become a decarbonised continent by 2050. To achieve this, intervention in buildings is crucial, as they serve as significant energy consumers and greenhouse gas emitters. This intervention encompasses two essential pathways: renovation and digitalisation. The combination of these two aspects gives rise to elements such as the Digital Building Logbook (DBL), a digital data repository expected to enhance the pace and quality of renovation efforts. This paper introduces, for the first time, a European DBL data model with a specific focus on building renovation purposes—the DBrL. It outlines its initial requirements, constituent entities, relationships, and attributes. While acknowledging the need to address issues related to data protection, integration with existing data sources, and connections with Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in subsequent design phases, the study’s outcome represents a significant stride in defining this tool. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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32 pages, 11936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Space Efficiency of Tall Buildings in Singapore

by Özlem Nur Aslantamer and Hüseyin Emre Ilgın

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8397; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188397 - 18 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1185

Abstract

Space efficiency in Singaporean tall buildings results from a complex interplay of historical, architectural, engineering, technological, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. The city-state’s innovative and adaptive approach has enabled it to overcome the challenges associated with skyscraper construction, leading to the development of some of the most advanced and sustainable high-rise structures in the world. However, there is currently a lack of detailed analysis on space utilization in Singaporean high-rise buildings. This study addresses this gap by examining 63 cases. The main findings of this research: 1. Residential functions, central core layouts, and prismatic shapes are the most frequent. 2. Concrete material with a shear-walled frame system is the preferred structural choice. 3. Average spatial efficiency is 80%, and the core-to-GFA (Gross Floor Area) ratio averages 17%. These metrics vary from a minimum of 68% and 5% to a maximum of 91% and 32%, respectively. These insights offer valuable guidance for Singaporean construction professionals, particularly architects, helping them make informed design decisions for high-rise projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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20 pages, 5243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methodology for the Prediction of the Thermal Conductivity of Concrete by Using Neural Networks

by Ana Carolina Rosa, Youssef Elomari, Alejandro Calderón, Carles Mateu, Assed Haddad and Dieter Boer

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7598; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177598 - 28 Aug 2024

Viewed by 592

Abstract

The energy consumption of buildings presents a significant concern, which has led to a demand for materials with better thermal performance. Thermal conductivity (TC), among the most relevant thermal properties, is essential to address this demand. This study introduces a methodology integrating a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to predict the TC of concrete based on its mass composition and density. Three scenarios using experimental data from published papers and synthetic data are compared and reveal the model’s outstanding performance across training, validation, and test datasets. Notably, the MLP trained on the GAN-augmented dataset outperforms the one with the real dataset, demonstrating remarkable consistency between the model’s predictions and the actual values. Achieving an RMSE of 0.0244 and an R² of 0.9975, these outcomes can offer precise quantitative information and advance energy-efficient materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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12 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Cycle Carbon Assessment of Mortars with Carbonated and Non-Carbonated Recycled Aggregates

by Catarina Brazão Farinha, Cinthia Maia Pederneiras, Ricardo Infante Gomes, David Bastos and Rosário Veiga

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7442; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177442 - 23 Aug 2024

Viewed by 520

Abstract

Global warming is one of the most important issues that the world is currently facing. The cement industry accounts for around 7% of total global CO₂ emissions. According to the 13th United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, cement plants must become carbon neutral by 2050. This neutrality may be achieved by a reduction in CO₂ emissions complemented with carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies. In accordance with these sustainable goals, several approaches have been studied. This paper investigates life cycle carbon of mortars produced with carbonated recycled aggregates. In previous works, the carbon dioxide capture capacity of construction and demolition waste (CDW) was analysed, and mortars with CDW recycled aggregates submitted to high levels of CO₂ were evaluated in terms of their mechanical performance. This paper focus on the life cycle carbon impact assessment (LCCA) of industrial mortar formulations in a cradle-to-gate boundary. This assessment is carried out through a global warming potential environment impact assessment, since it represents the amount of CO₂ equivalent that is sent to the atmosphere and contributes to the “greenhouse effect”. This LCCA includes the impacts associated with the treatment and additional transportation routes of the recycled aggregates. With this work, it was found that mortars with carbonated recycled aggregates have a considerably lower global warming potential impact than mortars without recycled aggregates. The mortars with recycled aggregates presented lower CO₂ emissions of up to 6.31% for 100% incorporation of non-carbonated recycled aggregates. These values were incremented with the carbonation of the recycled aggregates, achieving a reduction of CO₂ emissions of up to 36.75% for 100% of incorporation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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11 pages, 4071 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Activated Carbon from Coconut Shells as a Modifier of Urea–Formaldehyde Resin in Particleboard Production

by Jakub Kawalerczyk, Dorota Dukarska, Petar Antov, Kinga Stuper-Szablewska, Dorota Dziurka and Radosław Mirski

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5627; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135627 - 27 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 905

Abstract

Various methods for the effective modification of urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesives, aimed at enhancing the performance of wood-based materials, have been continually explored worldwide. The aim of this work was to investigate and evaluate the effect of introducing small amounts (0.25–1.5%) of activated carbon from coconut shells (ACCS) in UF adhesive on the properties of particleboard. The performed investigations of the adhesive mixture’s properties showed an increase in both viscosity and reactivity. Moreover, the use of loadings of 0.75% and 1% had a positive effect on mechanical properties such as bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond. In these variants, a delay in the degradation of the adhesive bonds by water was also observed, as indicated by the lower thickness swelling values measured after 2 h. However, under long-term exposure to water, the modification had no considerable effect on the dimensional stability of the boards. Markedly, the addition of 1 and 1.5% of ACCS resulted in a reduction in formaldehyde content, which can be attributed to the excellent adsorption capacity of activated carbon. Overall, a loading of 1% was found to be optimal, resulting in improved strength, enhanced water resistance, and reduced formaldehyde content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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12 pages, 1732 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fast-Growing Bio-Based Construction Materials as an Approach to Accelerate United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

by Livia Cosentino, Jorge Fernandes and Ricardo Mateus

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4850; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114850 - 3 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3790

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) ensure future human well-being. However, they face challenges due to the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions, with nearly 40% originating from the construction sector. With the current global environmental and energy crisis, there is a pressing need to address building carbon emissions and prioritise investments in passive strategies for improving indoor thermal comfort. Exploring fast-growing bio-based materials like bamboo, straw, hemp, and flax directly addresses these concerns, fostering environmental sustainability. Material selection in construction is crucial for advancing the SDGs, for example, promoting sustainable cities and communities (SDG11) and responsible consumption and production (SDG12). This paper proposes a comparative analysis of conventional and bio-based construction materials, focusing on their production stages through life cycle analysis. Tools such as Building Emissions Accounting for Materials (BEAM) and the Methodology for Relative Assessment of Sustainability (MARS) enable a detailed comparison. The results highlight the benefits of bio-based materials in storing carbon more rapidly and their lower environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives. Moreover, bio-based materials contribute to indoor moisture regulation and a healthier indoor environment, underscoring their potential to accelerate progress towards the UN SDGs through informed material choices in design practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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21 pages, 5727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relevance of Surface Resistances on the Conductive Thermal Resistance of Lightweight Steel-Framed Walls: A Numerical Simulation Study

by Paulo Santos, David Abrantes, Paulo Lopes and Ligia Moga

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3748; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093748 - 27 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1551

Abstract

The accurate evaluation of the thermal performance of building envelope components (e.g., facade walls) is crucial for the reliable evaluation of their energy efficiency. There are several methods available to quantify their thermal resistance, such as analytical formulations (e.g., ISO 6946 simplified calculation method), numerical simulations (e.g., using finite element method), experimental measurements under lab-controlled conditions or in situ. Regarding measurements, when using the heat flow meter (HFM) method, very often, the measured value is based on surface conditions (e.g., temperature and heat flux), achieving in this way the so-called surface-to-surface or conductive thermal resistance (

R_{c o n d}

). When the building components are made of homogeneous layers, their

R_{c o n d}

values are constant, regardless of their internal and external surface boundary conditions. However, whenever this element is composed of inhomogeneous layers, such as in lightweight steel-framed (LSF) walls, their

R_{c o n d}

values are no longer constant, depending on their thermal surface resistance. In the literature, such systematic research into how these

R_{c o n d}

values vary is not available. In this study, the values of four LSF walls were computed, with different levels of thermal conductivity inhomogeneity, making use of four finite elements’ numerical simulation tools. Six external thermal surface resistances (

R_{s e}

) were modelled, ranging from 0.00 up to 0.20 m²·K/W. The average temperature of the partition LSF walls is 15 °C, while for the facade LSF walls it is 10 °C. It was found that the accuracy values of all evaluated numerical software are very high and similar, the

R_{c o n d}

values being nearly constant for walls with homogeneous layers, as expected. However, the variation in the

R_{c o n d}

value depends on the level of inhomogeneity in the LSF wall layers, increasing up to 8%, i.e., +0.123 m²·K/W, for the evaluated

R_{s e}

values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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15 pages, 8354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Potential of Sr²⁺ for Improving the Post-Hardening Strength and Durability Characteristics of Cement Paste Composites

by Byoung Hooi Cho

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14051841 - 23 Feb 2024

Viewed by 658

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of strontium ions on enhancing the post-hardening strength and durability characteristics of hydrated cement composites, exploring their potential use as a rehabilitation method for aging concrete structures. A 30% strontium nitrate solution served as the source of strontium ions. Cement paste specimens with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.5, cured for 28 days, were submerged in the 30% strontium nitrate solution to facilitate strontium ion penetration. Compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted on the specimens and compared to those cured in deionized water. Moreover, the durability performance, including surface abrasion resistance, water sorptivity, and porosity, was examined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analyses were also carried out to investigate the microscopic morphology and chemical characteristics of the specimens. Results indicated that the strontium-treated specimens exhibited notable enhancements in both compressive and flexural strengths, especially in flexural strength. The specimens also demonstrated improved surface abrasion resistance, decreased water absorption, and a marked reduction in porosity. SEM analysis revealed a densified microstructure in the strontium-treated cement paste specimens, and EDS and XRD analyses showed changes in their morphology and chemical compositions and structures, indicating the formation of new types of hydrates. Accordingly, this study suggests that the strontium ion treatment method has significant potential for the maintenance and restoration of aging cementitious materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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20 pages, 7318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Particle Size on Compressed Earth Blocks Properties and Strategies for Enhanced Performance

by Chiara Turco, Adilson Paula Junior, Cláudia Jacinto, Jorge Fernandes, Elisabete Teixeira and Ricardo Mateus

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 1779; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14051779 - 22 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1107

Abstract

In the context of sustainable building development, Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs) have garnered increasing attention in recent years owing to their minimal environmental and economic impact. However, owing to the inherent diversity of raw soil and the production process’s reliance on expertise, the properties of these blocks are subjected to multifaceted influences. Among these, the significance of soil particle size variation often remains overlooked, leaving its impact ambiguous. This study endeavours to address this gap in existing research by delving into this aspect. Two distinct batches of CEBs were produced by adjusting the grain size curve of a single type of sieved soil with different maximum mesh openings: 2 mm for R1 CEBs and 12.5 mm for R2 CEBs. Experimental results reveal significant differences in thermophysical characteristics: on average, R1 blocks show superior thermal performance, boasting a 23% reduction in thermal conductivity compared to R2 blocks, and are lighter, with an 8% decrease in dry bulk density. Although no significant changes in mechanical parameters were observed, finer-structured R1 blocks showed a 25% greater tendency to absorb water due to changes in their porous structure. This study sheds light on the sensitivity of thermal parameters to changes in soil particle size and shows that blocks with finer particles exhibit poorer heat conduction and heat diffusion. Besides providing new insights into the literature, this research also provides a strategic approach to optimise the thermophysical properties of CEBs. By understanding the influence of particle size, researchers and practitioners can now develop strategies to enhance these properties and improve the overall performance of CEBs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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17 pages, 2177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Key Issues and Solutions in the Study of Quantitative Mechanisms for Tropical Islands Zero Carbon Buildings

by Qiankun Wang, Ke Zhu, Peiwen Guo, Jiaji Zhang and Zhihua Xiong

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14041659 - 19 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 976

Abstract

Faced with the challenges of global climate change, zero-carbon buildings (ZCB) serve as a crucial means to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, particularly in the development of tropical island regions. This study aims to establish a ZCB technology system suitable for the unique climatic conditions of tropical islands. By employing methods such as energy flow boundaries, parametric design, and data-driven optimization algorithms, the research systematically analyzes the integrated mechanisms and optimization solutions for energy utilization, energy conservation, energy production, and intelligent systems. The study identifies and addresses key technical challenges faced by ZCB in tropical island regions, including the accurate identification of system design parameters, the precise quantification of the relationship between design parameters and building performance, and the comprehensive optimization of technical and economic goals for zero-carbon operational design solutions. The research results not only provide a comprehensive theoretical framework, promoting the development of architectural design theory, but also establish a practical framework for technology and methods, advancing the integration and application of ZCB technology. The study holds significant practical implications for the green transformation of the tropical island construction industry and the realization of national dual-carbon strategic goals. Future research should further explore the applicability of the technology system and the economic feasibility of optimized design solutions, promoting continuous innovation and development in ZCB technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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16 pages, 4882 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Initiative to Increase the Circularity of HDPE Waste in the Construction Industry: A Physico-Mechanical Characterization of New Sustainable Gypsum Products

by Manuel Álvarez, Daniel Ferrández, Alicia Zaragoza-Benzal and Bryan Colorado-Pastor

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(2), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14020478 - 5 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1114

Abstract

The annual production of plastic waste worldwide has doubled in just two decades, with approximately 390 million tonnes of plastic waste now being generated. In this context, the construction industry must move towards the development of new, more sustainable materials made under circular economy criteria. In this work, a physico-mechanical characterisation of gypsum composites with the incorporation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste, replacing 2–4–6–8–10% by volume of the original raw material, has been conducted. The results show how the incorporation of these plastic wastes improves the water resistance of the gypsum material without additions, as well as producing a decrease in thermal conductivity and greater resistance to impact. On the other hand, it has been found that, as the percentage of recycled raw material added increases, the mechanical resistance to bending and compression decreases, leading to fracture due to a lack of cohesion between the matrix and the waste. Nevertheless, in all the cases studied, mechanical strengths higher than those established by the EN 13279-2 standard were obtained. Thus, the results confirm the viability of these secondary raw materials to be used in the development of new products for sustainable building, especially in the design of prefabricated panels for false ceilings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges for Sustainable Building: Innovation, Development and Characterisation of New Material Products and Systems)

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