Advanced Sustainable Low-Carbon Building Materials

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 6071

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
Interests: low-carbon cement; geopolymers; coal ash; alkali-activated fly ash; building materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Building construction and operations are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse-gas emissions. As the world grapples with the challenge of climate change, it is essential to develop and adopt advanced sustainable low-carbon building materials. Such materials have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and mitigate the environmental impact of the construction sector.

Advanced sustainable low-carbon building materials are those that are manufactured with minimal carbon emissions, are highly energy efficient, and have a long service life. Examples of such materials include industrial byproducts, recycled concrete, and supplementary cementitious materials. These materials have numerous benefits, including lower greenhouse-gas emissions, improved energy efficiency, reduced waste, and lower costs over their lifetime.

This Special Issue is of great importance for environmentally friendly development in the construction industry, and I strongly look forward to receiving various research papers.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have about this Special Issue.

Dr. Dongho Jeon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • supplementary cementitious materials
  • carbon neutrality
  • sustainability
  • advanced materials
  • advanced material analysis techniques
  • CO2-reaction-hardening cement

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1296 KiB  
Article
Requirements of the Vapour Barrier in Wood-Frame Walls
by Søren Schaldemann Hansen, Martin Aagaard Thomsen, Martin Morelli and Torben Valdbjørn Rasmussen
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3186; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103186 - 7 Oct 2024
Viewed by 950
Abstract
This paper examines the water-vapour diffusion resistance (Z-value) of vapour versus wind barriers by determining their Z-value ratio in exterior wood-frame walls thermally insulated with six different materials to prevent mould growth. Using WUFI Pro, the water-vapour diffusion resistance requirements [...] Read more.
This paper examines the water-vapour diffusion resistance (Z-value) of vapour versus wind barriers by determining their Z-value ratio in exterior wood-frame walls thermally insulated with six different materials to prevent mould growth. Using WUFI Pro, the water-vapour diffusion resistance requirements were determined for thermal insulation using mineral wool and biogenic materials: wood fibre, straw, flax, grass, and hemp. Hygrothermal simulations determine the minimum Z-value ratio between these materials with vapour versus wind barriers in temperate and cold climates. Wind barriers with Z-values between 1 and 8 GPa s m2/kg were used in walls with U-values of 0.15 and 0.10 W/m2 K. The indoor moisture load was defined from classes of 1 to 5 with a U-value of 0.15 W/m2 K and classes of 2 and 3 were used for a U-value of 0.10 W/m2 K. The Z-value ratio depends on the Z-values of the wind barrier and thermal insulation material, moisture load class, and U-value. The required Z-value ratio declines with an increased wind-barrier Z-value. The vapour-barrier Z-value approaches a fixed threshold for wind-barrier Z-values approaching lower values (1 GPa s m2/kg) and those approaching higher values (8 GPa s m2/kg), depending on the thermal insulation material. This parameter study examines wind barriers with a Z-value ranging between 1 and 8 GPa s m2/kg, which characterises typical wind barriers used in Denmark For the water-vapour diffusion resistance requirement of the vapour barrier, the Z-value increases for increased moisture load classes and thermally insulated walls with lower U-values. The conversion between the Z-value, the Sd-value, and the water-vapour resistance factor µ can be found in DS/EN ISO 12572:2016. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Sustainable Low-Carbon Building Materials)
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25 pages, 10088 KiB  
Article
Adobe Blocks Reinforced with Vegetal Fibres: Mechanical and Thermal Characterisation
by Angelica Rocco, Romeu Vicente, Hugo Rodrigues and Victor Ferreira
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2582; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082582 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 797
Abstract
The present study is based on the characterisation of adobe blocks of the central region of Portugal. It is recognised that the safeguarding of the existing building stock of constructions in the traditional adobe construction technique, through different levels interventions, should also preserve [...] Read more.
The present study is based on the characterisation of adobe blocks of the central region of Portugal. It is recognised that the safeguarding of the existing building stock of constructions in the traditional adobe construction technique, through different levels interventions, should also preserve the historical and cultural identity of the area as well as the traditional construction techniques, starting from the ground itself. Soil, as a repository of valuable information on the history of the site, underpins the conservation and preservation process. However, the soil is a local expression of the site, and a precise knowledge of its characteristics is necessary to hypothesise building recovery strategies. For this reason, the characteristics of adobe blocks from old buildings in the village of Torres in Anadia, in a rural area that has not yet been the subject of scientific research, were evaluated. These adobe blocks were taken from the buildings to be used in the laboratory to determine the similar mixing rates for the new adobe mixtures by analysing the material’s chemical, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties, as well as its particle size distribution. In the study area, a wetland was identified characterised by a notable presence of vegetation, namely bunho and junco (Schoenoplectus lacustris L.). These fibres, which can be assimilated to Typha, are wild aquatic plants that can impair the biodiversity of wetlands but which, used as reinforcement for the production of adobe bricks, can stimulate new, more sustainable forms of economy in in the area, which is classified as rural. The fibres were divided into two groups of 10–30 mm and 30–60 mm in length, and compositions with an additional 1 to 3% of fibres were formulated. This experimental approach was useful for understanding how the length and quantity of these fibres influence the performance of the material, thus contributing to improving knowledge about the behaviour of adobe blocks in relation to the incorporation of vegetable fibre reinforcement. The research findings reveal that the length of the fibres and percentage of incorporation have a significant impact on the mechanical behavior of the material, particularly in relation to its compressive strength up to 50%. The tested formulations were also assessed with respect to capillarity, for which most of the formulations were classified as weakly capillary, with a capillary index (Cb) of less than 20. With respect to thermal conductivity, the incorporation of fibres led to a reduction of up to 20%. The characterisations demonstrate that the optimisation of adobe is the initial stage in attaining comprehensive insight into the heritage of traditional construction in the central region of Portugal, with a particular focus on the village of Torres and the ancient adobe construction technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Sustainable Low-Carbon Building Materials)
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17 pages, 3575 KiB  
Article
Effects of Mixture Proportions and Levels of Vibration on the Physical Characteristics and Durability of Concrete Used in Korean Pavements
by Woo Sung Yum, Ha Eun Bae, Hae-Won Park and Jin Hoon Jeong
Buildings 2023, 13(9), 2384; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092384 - 19 Sep 2023
Viewed by 867
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of mixture proportions and vibration levels on the physical properties, durability and performance of concrete used in Korean pavements. The strength and durability characteristics varied depending on the mixture proportions and level of vibration, and samples with fly [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of mixture proportions and vibration levels on the physical properties, durability and performance of concrete used in Korean pavements. The strength and durability characteristics varied depending on the mixture proportions and level of vibration, and samples with fly ash (i.e., F-CON) did not meet the strength and durability criteria when low levels of vibration were applied. Therefore, intermediate or higher levels of vibration should be applied to satisfy strength and durability criteria. Meanwhile, there was little difference in the performance tests (i.e., skid resistance, surface abrasion, and IRI) of concrete pavements depending on the mixture proportions and vibration levels. However, the sample with an intermediate level of vibration had a relatively higher performance than the other samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Sustainable Low-Carbon Building Materials)
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Review

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20 pages, 5393 KiB  
Review
Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) for Concrete Structure Applications: A Review
by Dongho Jeon and Seyoon Yoon
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2654; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092654 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1166
Abstract
Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) is gaining recognition as an effective, affordable, and nondestructive tool for monitoring and imaging concrete structures. This paper discusses ERT’s applications, including crack detection, moisture ingress monitoring, steel reinforcement assessment, and chloride level profiling within concrete. Recent advancements, such [...] Read more.
Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) is gaining recognition as an effective, affordable, and nondestructive tool for monitoring and imaging concrete structures. This paper discusses ERT’s applications, including crack detection, moisture ingress monitoring, steel reinforcement assessment, and chloride level profiling within concrete. Recent advancements, such as time-lapse ERT and artificial intelligence (AI) integration, have enhanced image resolution and provided detailed data for infrastructure monitoring. However, challenges remain regarding the need for better spatial resolution, concrete-compatible electrodes, and integration with other nondestructive testing techniques. Addressing these issues will expand the applicability and reliability of the current ERT, making it an invaluable tool for infrastructure maintenance and monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Sustainable Low-Carbon Building Materials)
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24 pages, 4253 KiB  
Review
Optimal Replacement Ratio of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Balancing Mechanical Performance with Sustainability: A Review
by Linfeng Lu
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2204; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072204 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1418
Abstract
Significant construction and demolition waste (CDW) is produced by many useless concrete buildings, bridges, airports, highways, railways, industrial mining, etc. The rising need for new construction has increased the use of natural materials, impacting the ecosystem and incurring high costs from mining natural [...] Read more.
Significant construction and demolition waste (CDW) is produced by many useless concrete buildings, bridges, airports, highways, railways, industrial mining, etc. The rising need for new construction has increased the use of natural materials, impacting the ecosystem and incurring high costs from mining natural aggregates (NA) and processing CDW. The concept and implementation of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) offer a sustainable solution for the concrete industry. Crushed concrete, made from recycled concrete, can be used instead of natural aggregates in structural concrete. This sustainable byproduct, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), has the potential to replace natural aggregate. This paper examines the benefits of RAC from economic, social, environmental, and technological perspectives and discusses the replacement ratio (RR)—the weight percentage of natural aggregate replaced by recycled aggregate—which is crucial to RAC performance. A collection of used data on mechanical properties and economic performance, national specifications, standards, and guidelines is reviewed to determine the optimal replacement ratio for RCA, which was found to be 20%. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future of using RAC in structural concrete. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Sustainable Low-Carbon Building Materials)
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