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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2017) | Viewed by 77988

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Víctor Yepes

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Guest Editor

Construction Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: multi-objective optimization; structure optimization; lifecycle assessment; social sustainability of infrastructures; reliability-based maintenance optimization; optimization and decision making under uncertainty
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tatiana García-Segur

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Guest Editor

Concrete Science and Technology Institute (ICITECH), Department of Construction Engineering and Civil Engineering Projects, Universitat Politècnica de València Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: multi-objective optimization; durability; safety; sustainability; post-tensioned bridges; maintenance; blended cement; recycled concrete
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This "Sustainable Construction" Special Issue comprises selected papers for Sustainability. Construction is one of the main sectors generating greenhouse gases. This industry consumes large amounts of raw materials, such as stone, timber, water, etc. Additionally, infrastructure should provide service over many years without safety problems. Therefore, their correct design, construction, maintenance and dismantling are essential to reduce economic, environmental and societal consequences. That is why promoting sustainable construction is becoming extremely important nowadays. This Special Issue is seeking papers that explore new ways of reducing the environmental impacts caused by the construction sector, as well promoting social progress and economic growth. These objectives include, but are not limited to:

The use of sustainable materials in construction
The development of technologies and processes intended to improve sustainability in construction
The optimization of designs based on sustainable indicators
The reduction of the economic, environmental and social impact caused by production processes
The promotion of durable materials that reduce the future maintenance
The life-cycle assessment
Decision-making processes that integrate economic, social, and environmental aspects

Papers selected for this Special Issue are subject to a rigorous peer-review procedure with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments and applications.

Prof. Dr. Víctor Yepes
Dr. Tatiana García-Segura
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable materials
life-cycle assessment
sustainable and efficient technologies and processes
design optimization
durable materials
maintenance minimization
decision-making

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1967 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Life Cycle Cost Assessment of Preventive Strategies Applied to Prestressed Concrete Bridges Exposed to Chlorides

by Ignacio J. Navarro, Víctor Yepes and José V. Martí

Sustainability 2018, 10(3), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030845 - 16 Mar 2018

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 6106

Abstract

This paper applies Life Cycle Assessment methodology to aid in the decision making to select the preventive measure against chloride corrosion in concrete structures that works best for the socio-economic context of the structure. The assumed model combines the concepts of Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Social Life Cycle Analysis to assess the impacts on users derived from the maintenance activities associated with each alternative analyzed in terms of economic costs. The model has been applied to a prestressed concrete bridge to obtain a preventive measure that can reduce the total costs incurred over the period of analysis by up to 58.5% compared to the cost of the current solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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17 pages, 2747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Optimization-LCA of a Prestressed Concrete Precast Bridge

by Vicent Penadés-Plà, Tatiana García-Segura, José V. Martí and Víctor Yepes

Sustainability 2018, 10(3), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030685 - 02 Mar 2018

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 8137

Abstract

The construction sector is one of the most active sectors, with a high economic, environmental and social impact. For this reason, the sustainable design of structures and buildings is a trend that must be followed. Bridges are one of the most important structures in the construction sector, as their construction and maintenance are crucial to achieve and retain the best transport between different places. Nowadays, the choice of bridge design depends on the initial economic criterion but other criteria should be considered to assess the environmental and social aspects. Furthermore, for a correct choice, the influence of these criteria during the bridge life-cycle must be taken into account. This study aims to analyse the life-cycle environmental impact of efficient structures from the economic point of view. Life-cycle assessment process is used to obtain all the environmental information about bridges. In this paper, a prestressed concrete precast bridge is cost-optimized and afterwards, the life-cycle assessment is carried out to achieve the environmental information about the bridge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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19 pages, 1005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can the SDGs Provide a Basis for Supply Chain Decisions in the Construction Sector?

by Erica Russell, Jacquetta Lee and Roland Clift

Sustainability 2018, 10(3), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030629 - 28 Feb 2018

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6827

Abstract

The Construction sector is characterised by complex supply networks delivering unique end products over short time scales. Sustainability has increased in importance but continues to be difficult to implement in this sector; thus, new approaches and practices are needed. This paper reports an empirical investigation into the value of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG12), when used as a framework for action by organisations to drive change towards sustainability in global supply networks. Through inductive research, two different and contrasting approaches to improving the sustainability of supply networks have been revealed. One approach focuses on the “bottom up” ethical approach typified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of timber products, and the other on “top-down” regulations exemplified by the UK Modern Slavery Act. In an industry noted for complex supply networks and characterised by adversarial relationships, the findings suggest that, in the long term, promoting shared values aligned with transparent, third-party monitoring will be more effective than imposing standards through legislation and regulation in supporting sustainable consumption and production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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16 pages, 6175 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Crack on Durability of RC Material under the Chloride Aggressive Environment

by Yongchun Cheng, Yuwei Zhang, Guojin Tan and Yubo Jiao

Sustainability 2018, 10(2), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020430 - 07 Feb 2018

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3950

Abstract

Exposed to aggressive environments, the rebar in reinforced concrete (RC) bridges will be corroded gradually. Durability of RC material mostly depends on the rebar corrosion behavior. In this research, influences of crack on rebar corrosion were investigated. Firstly, RC specimens with different crack number, width and spacing were prepared and the rebar corrosion was conducted through an accelerated chloride penetration method. Then, corrosion current densities of rebar were calculated from electrochemical test methods including liner polarization (LP), Tafel potentiodynamic polarization (TPP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Finally, the discussion was presented about a more reasonable electrochemical testing method for rebar corrosion in RC material. Besides, the significant influence factor among crack width, number and spacing was evaluated based on both One-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA) and Turkey’s honest significant difference (Turkey’s HSD) test. The results revealed that a more reasonable way to obtain corrosion current densities of rebar is combining EIS measurement with TPP measurement. Crack number shows the most significant effect on corrosion behavior of rebar, while crack spacing possesses the least one. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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19 pages, 976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Sustainability Evaluation of High-Speed Railway (HSR) Construction Projects Based on Unascertained Measure and Analytic Hierarchy Process

by Yongzhi Chang, Yang Yang and Suocheng Dong

Sustainability 2018, 10(2), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020408 - 05 Feb 2018

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5296

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the sustainability of high-speed railway (HSR) construction projects in a comprehensive manner. To this end, the author established an index system, involving 4 primary indices, 9 secondary indices, and 32 tertiary indices. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the unascertained measure were introduced to calculate the weights of these indices. Then, the index system was applied to evaluate the sustainability of the China’s Harbin-Dalian Passenger Dedicated Line (PDL). The results show that the Harbin-Dalian PDL project achieved good results in terms of process, economic benefit, impact, and sustainability, and will bring long-term benefits in the fields of tourism, economy, and transport capacity, as well as many other fields. In spite of its good overall sustainability, the project needs to further increase its economic benefits and reduce its negative environmental impact. For this purpose, it is necessary to adopt the management mode of “separation between network and transportation” and apply noise prevention measures like noise barriers, tunnels, and overhead viaducts. This research lays a solid basis for the sustainability evaluation of HSR construction projects, and simplifies the modelling process for designers of HSR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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16 pages, 3332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Analysis of CO₂ Emissions of Apartment Housing in the Construction Process

by Jonggeon Lee, Sungho Tae and Rakhyun Kim

Sustainability 2018, 10(2), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020365 - 31 Jan 2018

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5189

Abstract

Recent research in the construction industry has focused on the reduction of CO₂ emission using quantitative assessment of building life. However, most of this research has focused on the operational stage of a building’s life cycle. Few comprehensive studies of CO₂ emissions during building construction have been performed. The purpose of this study is to analyze the CO₂ emissions of an apartment housing during the construction process. The quantity of CO₂ emissions associated with the utilization of selected building materials and construction equipment were used to estimate the CO₂ emissions related to the apartment housing life cycle. In order to set the system boundary for the construction materials, equipment, and transportation used, 13 types of construction work were identified; then the CO₂ emissions produced by the identified materials were calculated for each type of construction work. The comprehensive results showed that construction work involving reinforced concrete accounted for more than 73% of the total CO₂ emissions. The CO₂ emissions related to reinforced concrete work was mainly due to transportation from the supplier to the construction site. Therefore, at the time that reinforced concrete is being supplied, shipping distance and fuel economy management of concrete transportation vehicles should be considered thoroughly for significant reduction of CO₂ emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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25 pages, 6089 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bio-Inspired Sustainability Assessment for Building Product Development—Concept and Case Study

by Rafael Horn, Hanaa Dahy, Johannes Gantner, Olga Speck and Philip Leistner

Sustainability 2018, 10(1), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010130 - 08 Jan 2018

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 8436

Abstract

Technological advancement culminating in a globalized economy has brought tremendous improvements for mankind in manifold respects but comes at the cost of alienation from nature. Human activities nowadays are unsustainable and cause severe damage especially in terms of global depletion and destabilization of natural systems but also harm its own social resources. In this paper, a sustainability assessment method is developed based on a bio-inspired sustainability framework that has been developed in the project TRR 141-C01 “The biomimetic promise.” It is aims at regaining the advantages of societal embeddedness in its environment through biological inspiration. The method is developed using a structured approach including requirement specification, description of the inventory models on bio-inspiration and sustainability assessment, creation of a bio-inspired sustainability assessment model and its validation. It is defined as an accompanying assessment for decision support, using a six-fold two-dimensional structure of social, economic and environmental functions and burdens. The method is applied and validated in 6 projects of TRR 141 and its applicability is exemplarily shown by the assessment of “Bio-flexi”, a biobased and biodegradable natural fiber reinforced plastic composite for indoor cladding applications. Based on the findings of the application the assessment method itself is proposed to be advanced towards an adaptive structure and a consequent outlook is provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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2544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnosis of Sustainable Business Strategies Implemented by Chilean Construction Companies

by Carlos Giannoni, Luis Fernando Alarcón and Sergio Vera

Sustainability 2018, 10(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010082 - 30 Dec 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5723

Abstract

Construction companies need to formulate sustainable construction business strategies to create a competitive advantage and remain in the market. This requires that construction firms incorporate sustainability into their business model. However, the current situation of the firm must be known before following the path to be a sustainable construction firm. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify sustainable business strategies and their level of implementation in Chilean construction companies. A survey was designed and applied to 245 construction firms to provide statistically valid and reliable information, thus supporting both the senior managers’ decision-making process and the companies’ strategic planning. The main results show that the companies do not pursue business strategies that promote profound organizational changes; instead, they focus their short-term efforts on urgent market demands. This is evidenced by the lack of the function of sustainability management as a permanent role in the organization. Also, this study found that only 32% of Chilean construction companies implement business strategies towards sustainability. Construction firms with higher turnover and subjected to stricter regulations, such as construction companies working in the mining sector, incorporate more sustainable business strategies across their organizations. The lack of a sustainability-oriented vision can affect the transformation of strategy into a competitive advantage, a step that is necessary to support both the company’s permanence in the market and its long-term sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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5554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Evaluation and Life Cycle Cost Analysis Model of a Gondola-Type Exterior Wall Painting Robot

by Dong-Jun Yeom, Eun-Ji Na, Mi-Young Lee, Yoo-Jun Kim, Young Suk Kim and Chung-Suk Cho

Sustainability 2017, 9(10), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101809 - 08 Oct 2017

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4603

Abstract

The amount and market size of apartment complex exterior wall painting work continues to increase each year in South Korea. Nevertheless, there are difficulties with the supply and demand of human resources due to the high risks associated with conventional painting work. To resolve these issues, research and development has recently been conducted on a Gondola-type Exterior Wall Painting robot (GEWPro). The aims of this study were to develop a performance evaluation and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis model for a GEWPro and deduce its performance and economic efficiency through a case study. According to the results, the performance of the automated method was 16.8% higher than that of the conventional method, and the economic efficiency was also superior (benefit/cost ratio 6.39). These results show that the proposed performance evaluation and LCC analysis model can predict the productivity and economic efficiency of automated methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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3254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Behaviour of a Sustainable Concrete in Acidic Environment

by Salim Barbhuiya and Davin Kumala

Sustainability 2017, 9(9), 1556; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091556 - 01 Sep 2017

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 10187

Abstract

Sustainability has become one of the most important considerations in building design and construction in recent years. Concrete is susceptible to acid attack because of its alkaline nature. The socioeconomic losses associated with infrastructure deterioration due to acid attack exceed billions of dollars all around the world. An experimental investigation was carried out to study the behaviour of sustainable concrete in 3% sulphuric acid and 1.5% nitric acid environment in which cement was replaced by a combination of fly ash and ultra fine fly ash. It was found that the compressive strength loss of concrete in these acid environments was the minimum in which cement was replaced by 30% fly ash and 10% ultra fine fly ash. This mix also showed the lowest mass loss when exposed to these acids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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3679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Remote Sensing Techniques for Urban Heating Analysis: A Case Study of Sustainable Construction at District Level

by Stefania Bonafoni, Giorgio Baldinelli, Paolo Verducci and Andrea Presciutti

Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1308; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081308 - 26 Jul 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4582

Abstract

In recent years, many new districts in urban centres have been planned and constructed to reshape the structure and functions of specific areas. Urban regeneration strategies, planning and design principles have to take into account both socioeconomic perspectives and environmental sustainability. A district located in the historical city centre of Terni (Italy), Corso del Popolo, was analysed to assess the construction effects in terms of surface urban heat island (SUHI) mitigation. This district is an example of urban texture modification planned in the framework of the regeneration of the ancient part of the town. The changes were realised starting from 2006; the new area was completed on June 2014. The analysis was carried out by processing Landsat 7 ETM+ images before and after the interventions, retrieving land surface temperature (LST) and albedo maps. The map analysis proved the SUHI reduction of the new area after the interventions: as confirmed by the literature, such SUHI mitigation can be ascribed to the presence of green areas, the underground parking, the partial covering of the local roadway and the shadow effect of new multi-storey buildings. Moreover, an analysis of other parameters linked to the impervious surfaces (albedo, heat transfer and air circulation) driving LST variations is provided to better understand SUHI behaviour at the district level. The district regeneration shows that wisely planned and developed projects in the construction sector can improve urban areas not only economically and socially, but can also enhance the environmental impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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5132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainable Graphene Based Cement Composite

by Sardar Kashif Ur Rehman, Zainah Ibrahim, Shazim Ali Memon, Muhammad Faisal Javed and Rao Arsalan Khushnood

Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071229 - 13 Jul 2017

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 6860

Abstract

The rheological properties of fresh cement paste with different content of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), different shear rate cycles and resting time was investigated. The rheological data were fitted by the Bingham model, Modified Bingham model, Herschel–Bulkley model and Casson model to estimate the yield stress and plastic viscosity, and to see trend of the flow curves. The effectiveness of these rheological models was expressed by the standard error. Test results showed that yield stress and plastic viscosity increased with the increase in the content of graphene in the cement based composite and resting time while the values of these parameters decreased for higher shear rate cycle. In comparison to control sample, the GNP cement based composite showed 30% increase in load carrying capacity and 73% increase in overall failure strain. Piezo-resistive characteristics of GNP were employed to evaluate the self-sensing composite material. It was found that, at maximum compressive load, the electrical resistivity value reduced by 42% and hence GNP cement based composite can be used to detect the damages in concrete. Finally, the practical application of this composite material was evaluated by testing full length reinforced concrete beam. It was found that graphene–cement composite specimen successfully predicted the response against cracks propagation and hence can be used as self-sensing composite material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction)

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