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Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings

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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 (28 February 2026) | Viewed by 8614

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jizhuo Huang

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Guest Editor

College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
Interests: steel structures; new composite structures; curtain wall construction; structural identification and reinforcement; (prefabricated) buildings industrialization; smart build/digital build; BIM; engineering optimization decision and structure optimization

Dr. Jun Wang

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia
Interests: BIM; computer vision; construction automation; lean construction; blockchain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Gang Chen

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Guest Editor Assistant

School of Architecture and Urban-Rual Planning, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
Interests: structural identification and reinforcement; building restoration; smart build/digital build; BIM ; engineering optimization decision and structure optimization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban renewal, as an important strategy to promote sustainable urban development, not only refers to rejuvenating the urban appearance, but also involves the inheritance of historical context and the preservation of urban memory. Against this backdrop, the protection and restoration of existing buildings has become a key issue in the process of urban renewal. These buildings are not only witnesses to urban history, but also carriers of cultural heritage. With the needs of urban development and the accelerating pace of modernization, many existing buildings face issues such as functional degeneration, structural aging, and exterior damage. How to effectively protect and restore these buildings without destroying their historical value and cultural characteristics has become a significant challenge in urban renewal work.

Based on this, urban renewal projects are increasingly focusing on the protection and restoration of existing buildings, aiming to restore their original appearance through scientific reinforcement and modification techniques, enhance their functional use and safety, while retaining their historical information and cultural heritage value. This not only helps to strengthen their urban uniqueness and identity, but also promotes sustainable urban development, providing citizens and tourists with a richer and more diverse cultural experience and a more livable environment. Therefore, the protection and restoration of existing buildings are not only an important aspect of urban renewal, but also a crucial way to achieve mutual promotion between urban culture and economic development.

We especially encourage article topics that include, but are not limited to, the following:

Application of new technologies, new materials, and new processes in the reinforcement and renovation of existing buildings.
Green low-carbon transformation of existing buildings.
Digital protection and restoration of existing buildings.
Protection, restoration, and utilization of historical buildings and traditional residential buildings.

Prof. Dr. Jizhuo Huang
Dr. Jun Wang
Guest Editors

Dr. Gang Chen
Guest Editor Assistant

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Buildings 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 2600 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

existing buildings
protection techniques
restoration techniques
low-carbon transformation
new reinforcement material

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 20726 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Digital Restoration Method Driven by Mathematical Composition Rules and Their Application: A Case Study of Ming Dynasty Pavilion-Style Stone Pagodas in Fuzhou and the Restoration of the Luoxing Pagoda’s Finial

by Yuanyi Zhang, Lele Zhu, Jinhong Li and Gang Chen

Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091701 - 26 Apr 2026

Viewed by 185

Abstract

In the practice of historic building conservation and restoration, the authentic restoration of damaged components often faces challenges due to the lack of definitive design evidence. To address this issue, this paper proposes a restoration derivation method that integrates digital survey technologies, such as UAV oblique photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning, with the analysis of historical mathematical composition rules. Taking five Ming Dynasty pavilion-style stone pagodas in Fuzhou as subjects, this study first employed digital surveying and cross-verification with ancient texts to reveal their shared, precise proportional system: the eave–column ratio of the Ruiyun Pagoda approaches √2 (≈1.414), while the other four pagodas approach the golden ratio of 1.618. Furthermore, the pagoda silhouettes are governed by a √2 hierarchical system and a √3/2 visual correction mechanism. Based on these mathematical rules, a triple logical chain of “historical evidence verification–functional constraints–traditional adaptation” was constructed and applied to the quantitative restoration design of the damaged finial of the Luoxing Pagoda. This process ultimately derived the relationship between its total height and the first-story width as (L/2 + √2/2), with the finial height being 1/7 of the pagoda body’s total height. This case study validates the effectiveness of the proposed method in transforming profound historical wisdom into clear engineering parameters, offering a replicable and verifiable technical pathway for the digital conservation and scientific restoration of similar architectural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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22 pages, 6025 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interface Force Transfer Mechanism of Internal Prestressing and Section Enlargement Composite Reinforcement in PC Box Girder Bridges

by Qu Wang, Xiangyu Han, Ziming Fang, Qingxiong Wu, Qingwei Huang, Kangming Chen and Yi Xie

Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061159 - 16 Mar 2026

Viewed by 344

Abstract

To address issues such as web and bottom plate cracking and insufficient bending capacity in in-service prestressed concrete box girder bridges, this study proposes internal prestressing and section enlargement composite reinforcement. Firstly, taking a bridge of Shenhai Expressway as the background project, the combined reinforcement method is designed and the reinforcement effect is analyzed by MIDAS/Civil. Secondly, through numerical analysis, the influence of the bond shrinkage of self-compacting concrete with different mix ratios on the stress of the web of the original box girder is analyzed, and the interface between the new and old concrete is carried out. The analysis of the loss of the new prestress on the bonding surface of the new and old concrete is carried out by parameters such as the interface planting rate, the interface shear stiffness and the reinforcement structure. Furthermore, the theoretical calculation method of prestress loss rate of new and old concrete bonding interface is obtained. The results show that the flexural capacity of the normal section of the main beam is significantly improved after reinforcement, and the surplus coefficient is 1.18, which meets the requirements of the secondary safety level, and the mid-span deflection is improved by 34.28%, which verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the combined reinforcement method. When the content of fly ash is 54%, the bond shrinkage strain and shrinkage stress of self-compacting concrete are reduced to the lowest level, which has the least influence on the existing box girder structure. It is suggested that the reinforcement ratio between the new and old concrete interface is 0.6%, and the interface roughness is 0.9 mm, which can increase the shear resistance of the new and old concrete interface and effectively reduce the transfer loss of prestress at the interface. Error analysis shows that the proposed semi-empirical calculation method has high accuracy with a deviation of less than 10%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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26 pages, 6214 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation-Based Analysis of Flexural Performance and Comprehensive Benefits of Non-Destructive Strengthening for Existing Stone Beams

by Gang Chen, Zhengan Fang, Jizhuo Huang, Jianjun Yang, Wuxuan Wu, Xin Yu and Jinze Li

Buildings 2026, 16(5), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16050958 - 28 Feb 2026

Viewed by 230

Abstract

Considering the limitations of test samples for existing stone beams, the discreteness of stone constitutive relations, and the dimensional variability among test specimens, this study conducts a systematic investigation via finite element parametric analysis based on full-scale prototype tests. The research examines the effects of different reinforcement materials, reinforcement ratios (ρ), and reinforcement layer thicknesses (a_s) on the flexural performance and comprehensive benefits of non-destructive stone beam reinforcement. The results indicate that the type of reinforcement material significantly impacts the initial linear elastic stiffness, peak load, and residual load of the stone beams. The increase in peak load and the proportion of residual bearing capacity are more sensitive to the reinforcement ratio (ρ). Although increasing the reinforcement layer thickness (a_s) enhances the initial linear elastic stiffness, its influence on residual bearing capacity is complex. Among the specimens with reinforcement materials, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) mesh reinforcement exhibits superior performance in terms of both the energy dissipation evaluation indicator (T_E) and the comprehensive benefit evaluation indicator (R_TC). These findings provide a reliable basis for the design of stone beam strengthening and suggest that reinforcement materials, reinforcement ratios, and reinforcement layer thicknesses should be selected according to specific engineering requirements to achieve an optimal balance between reinforcement effectiveness and economic benefit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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20 pages, 3622 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Electromagnetic Wave Absorption in 3D-Printed Concrete with Superabsorbent Polymers for High Performance

by Xin Zhang, Xinglong Xu, Xianda Liu, Junbo Sun, Xiangyu Wang, Jing Xu, Zuxiang Lei and Chao Yang

Buildings 2026, 16(2), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020300 - 11 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 672

Abstract

The widespread application of concrete with specific functions has become indispensable in modern technology. However, the persistent issue of electromagnetic pollution poses a serious hazard to human health, electronic equipment, and military operations. Although various conventional electromagnetic absorbing materials have been incorporated, the achievable EMW-absorption performance is still restricted, with only a narrow effective absorption bandwidth. This study investigates the application of advanced 3D-printing technology to produce concrete with enhanced EMW-absorption properties with the incorporation of SAP (super-absorbent polymers). To achieve this, concrete samples with three SAP occupying the concrete volumes (0 vol.%, 20 vol.%, and 40 vol.%) and three methods (pretreatment-addition) were examined to provide an in-depth analysis of the properties and microstructures. The study reveals superior electromagnetic absorption in concrete enhanced with SAP compared to the untreated counterpart. Specifically, samples subjected to 40 vol.% Dry Treatment SAP exhibited exceptional performance, achieving 98.77% absorption at 7.53 GHz frequency with a peak reflectance of −19.12 dB, outperforming unmodified absorbing resin concrete by 25.44%. Moreover, microscopic analysis revealed irregular void distribution within the concrete, while the 3D-printing and -mixing processes led to SAP particle fractures, forming a complex 3D structure, thereby enhancing EMW-absorption performance. Ultimately, by selecting appropriate SAP pre-treatment and mixing methods based on the specific frequency range, this study provides crucial references and practical guidance for the application of EMW-absorbing concrete in military and technological contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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17 pages, 4625 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Interlayer Properties and Sustainability of 3D-Printed UHPC with Antimony Tailings

by Xiangyu Wang, Baidian Li, Fei Wu, Kan Gu, Yi Tan, Xiang Zhou, Hongyuan He and Yufa Zhang

Buildings 2026, 16(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010053 - 23 Dec 2025

Viewed by 502

Abstract

This study investigates the interlayer properties and sustainability of 3D-printed ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) modified with antimony tailings (ATs). The different AT ratios considered were 2.7, 5.4, 8.1, 10.8, and 13.5 wt% additions. The mechanical experiments show the optimal concentration resulting in compressive and flexural strength of 11.2% and 17.2% enhancement at 28 days, respectively. SEM analysis revealed that AT enhances the interlayer strength of 3D-printed UHPC and influences the anisotropic behavior of the matrix around steel fibers. X-CT demonstrated that increasing the AT from the compared group to 13.5% reduced the pore volume from 2.02% to 0.30%. Furthermore, an environmental impact assessment of the 10.8 wt% AT exhibited a 32.5% reduction in key indicators including abiotic depletion (ADP), acidification potential (AP), global warming potential (GWP), and ozone depletion potential (ODP). Consequently, UHPC incorporating AT offers superior environmental sustainability in the practical construction of 3D-printed concrete. This research provides practical guidance in optimizing 3D-printed UHPC engineering, further facilitating the integrated design and manufacturing of multi-layer structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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21 pages, 6147 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Two-Stage Hybrid Modeling Strategy for Early-Age Concrete Temperature Prediction Using Decoupled Physical Processes

by Xiaoyi Hu, Min Gan, Liangliang Zhang, Zhou Yu and Xin Lin

Buildings 2025, 15(19), 3479; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15193479 - 26 Sep 2025

Viewed by 985

Abstract

Predicting early-age temperature evolution in mass concrete is crucial for controlling thermal cracks. This process involves two distinct physical stages: an initial, hydration-driven heating stage (Stage I) and a subsequent, environment-dominated cooling stage (Stage II). To address this challenge, we propose a novel two-stage hybrid modeling strategy that decouples the underlying physical processes. This approach was developed and validated using a 450-h on-site monitoring dataset. For the deterministic heating phase (Stage I), we employed polynomial regression. For the subsequent stochastic cooling phase (Stage II), a Random Forest algorithm was used to model the complex environmental interactions. The proposed hybrid model was benchmarked against several alternatives, including a physics-based finite element model (FEM) and a single Random Forest model. During the critical cooling stage, our approach demonstrated superior performance, achieving a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of

0.24 ° C

. This represents a 17.2% improvement over the best-performing single model. Furthermore, cumulative error analysis indicated that the hybrid model maintained a stable and unbiased prediction trend throughout the monitoring period. This addresses a key weakness in single-stage models, where underlying phase-specific errors can accumulate and lead to long-term drift. The proposed framework offers an accurate, robust, and transferable paradigm for modeling other complex engineering processes that exhibit distinct multi-stage characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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22 pages, 4091 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Deformation Laws of Adjacent Structures Induced by the Shield Construction Parameters

by Jinhua Wang, Nengzhong Lei, Xiaolin Tang and Yulin Wang

Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2426; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142426 - 10 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 774

Abstract

Taking the shield construction of Xiamen Metro Line 2 tunnel side-crossing the Tianzhushan overpass and under-crossing the Shen-Hai Expressway as the engineering background, FLAC3D 6.0 software was used to examine the deformation of adjacent structures based on shield construction parameters in upper-soft and lower-hard strata. The reliability of the numerical simulation results was verified by comparing measured and predicted deformations. The study results indicate that deformation of the pile will occur during the construction of the tunnel shield next to the pile foundation. The shape of the pile deformation curve in the horizontal direction is significantly influenced by the distance from the pile foundation to the adjacent tunnel’s centerline, as well as by soil bin pressure, grouting layer thickness, and stress release coefficient. During the tunnel shield construction beneath the expressway, increasing the soil bin pressure, the grouting layer thickness, and reducing the stress release coefficient can effectively minimize surface deformation and differential settlement on both sides of the deformation joints between the bridge and the roadbed. The practice shows that, by optimizing shield construction parameters in upper-soft and lower-hard strata, the deformation of nearby bridges and pavements can be kept within allowable limits. This is significant for reducing construction time and costs. The findings offer useful references for similar projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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23 pages, 3811 KB

Open AccessArticle

AI-Based Variable Importance Analysis of Mechanical and ASR Properties in Activated Waste Glass Mortar

by Fei Wu, Xin Zhang, Yanan Zhang, Dong Wang, Hua Tian, Jing Xu, Wei Luo and Yuzhuo Zhang

Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1866; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111866 - 28 May 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 948

Abstract

Waste glass powder (WGP) faces challenges in recycling and regeneration, which is used as a partial substitute for concrete components, with its macro-mechanical properties being investigated. This study aims to elucidate the extent to which various variables affect the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and alkali–silica reactivity (ASR) of waste glass incorporated concrete. Initially, in the experimental procedure, 291 data points for the UCS and 485 data points for the ASR were obtained from laboratory tests. Subsequently, four machine learning models were introduced, including Gradient Boosting Regressor, Random Forest, Hist Gradient Boosting Regressor, and XGBoost. Their performance was analyzed and compared based on evaluation indexes. The findings reveal that Gradient Boosting Regressor accurately models the actual data distribution, generating reliable synthetic data. Partial dependence plots (PDPs) were used to understand the impact of individual features on glass concrete UCS and ASR, and Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) values were used to analyze the predictive output influenced by the contribution of each feature. The feature interaction effects analyzed through PDP indicate that UCS is highest when WGP is 202.5 kg/m³, and ASR is maximized when WGP is 708.75 kg/m³. The SHAP value analysis results reveal that the “alkali” feature exerts the most pronounced influence on the UCS model predictions. Conversely, in the case of the ASR model, the “curing duration” feature emerges as the primary driver of its predictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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18 pages, 7293 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on BIM-Based Visualization, Simulation, and Early Warning System for Shield Tunnel Construction

by Qian Cheng, Xiangyu Wang, Junbo Sun, Hongyu Zhao and Xianda Liu

Buildings 2025, 15(5), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050746 - 25 Feb 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2300

Abstract

This study aims to facilitate a comparison between construction monitoring data and simulation results, focusing on the dynamic adjustment of safety monitoring parameters in shield construction. First, a finite element simulation was performed to define a reasonable range for shield parameters based on settlement control values, thereby determining the theoretical settlement value. An early warning system was then developed integrating two key factors: theoretical and control settlement values. Finally, Dynamo was used to merge the digital and analog data, enhancing the visual representation of the monitoring information. The findings show that combining simulations with an early warning system effectively addresses the dynamic control challenges of shield construction parameters. Furthermore, integrating digital and analog monitoring significantly improves the efficiency of real-time visualization in monitoring data. This research provides a novel and effective methodology for enhancing shield tunnel construction safety, precision, and efficiency, offering critical insights for large-scale infrastructure projects and contributing to more reliable monitoring systems in complex construction environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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26 pages, 5765 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Electromagnetic Wave Dehumidification Technology: A Non-Destructive Approach to Moisture Removal in Historic Buildings

by Shuai Cheng, Chenjun Guo, Shan Liu and Yili Zhao

Buildings 2026, 16(3), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030572 - 29 Jan 2026

Viewed by 628

Abstract

Moisture damage severely compromises the material properties, structural integrity, and decorative layer integrity of historic buildings, presenting a critical technical challenge in architectural heritage conservation. Electromagnetic wave dehumidification technology has garnered attention for its minimal intervention, low cost, and high efficiency, yet its practical engineering applications remain limited. This paper categorizes electromagnetic wave dehumidification devices into two main types based on their active moisture removal capability: “water-blocking type” and “dewatering type”. Research indicates that electromagnetic wave dehumidification devices utilizing electroosmosis principles require precise control of electric field strength (≥40 V/m) and Joule effect, making them more suitable for historic buildings where the material surface carries a net negative charge and low salt content. Among moisture-blocking devices, those neutralizing water molecules perform best during humidity maintenance phases. Devices that primarily alter the structure of water molecules struggle to meet heritage dehumidification requirements. Experimental analysis indicates that external factors like moisture sources and seasonal environments significantly influence technical evaluations. This paper recommends that future research should optimize experimental design, strengthen comparative studies, and explore composite mechanisms to enhance the systematic reliability of electromagnetic wave dehumidification technology in architectural heritage conservation. This research helps to clarify some of the conceptual uncertainties associated with the use of electromagnetic wave dehumidification technology. Furthermore, it proposes a principle-based experimental framework that can be used to guide future experimental designs and the application of this technology in the field of cultural heritage preservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Renewal: Protection and Restoration of Existing Buildings)

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