Sustainable Polymeric Materials in Building and Construction

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2024 | Viewed by 3949

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Assistant Research Officer, Durability and Service Life Prediction of Polymeric Materials, Construction Research Centre (CONST), National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
Interests: polymer durability; service life prediction of polymers; constructive polymers; eco-building; polymer composite; reinforcement
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Guest Editor
Construction Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Building M-24, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
Interests: buildings and building engineering; climate and climate modelling; simulation and numerical modelling; materials and materials technology; durability of materials and components; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With a growing emphasis in the construction industry on eco-friendly and environmentally responsible practices, this Special Issue, titled “Sustainable Polymeric Materials in Building and Construction”, aims to consolidate cutting-edge scientific and industrial research on sustainable polymeric materials. Contributions are requested and may cover a broad spectrum of subjects that span, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Resilience in building practice;
  • Green polymers in building and construction;
  • The real-world performance of polymeric building materials;
  • The life cycle assessment of polymeric building materials;
  • Durability and service life prediction of polymers in building construction;
  • The integration of polymers in sustainable building practices;
  • Recyclability and upcycling of polymeric building materials.

This Special Issue aims to significantly contribute to the ongoing global effort towards greener and more sustainable construction practices, serving as a platform for researchers, experts, and scholars whose research is focused on sustainable polymeric materials used in building and construction to share their recent findings. The editors of this Special Issue welcome contributions from a diverse range of topics on how polymeric materials are used in construction, including original research articles, review papers, communications, and theoretical discussions pertaining to the subject matter. We extend this invitation to all those whose research may offer an advantageous contribution to the literature in this field. We look forward to receiving your valuable contribution.

Dr. Elnaz Esmizadeh
Dr. Michael A. Lacasse
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • green polymers
  • resilient building
  • sustainable construction
  • durability prediction
  • life cycle assessment
  • recycling in building

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1289 KiB  
Article
Study on Basic Pavement Performance of High-Elasticity Asphalt Concrete
by Juan Wang, Taixu Huo, Dahui Wang and Peng Zhang
Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2156; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152156 - 29 Jul 2024
Viewed by 396
Abstract
In order to improve the basic pavement performance of high-elastic asphalt concrete filled in the expansion longitudinal joints of seamless bridges, rubber particles and polyester fibers were added to optimize the mix proportion of elastic asphalt concrete, and the optimal asphalt–aggregate ratio was [...] Read more.
In order to improve the basic pavement performance of high-elastic asphalt concrete filled in the expansion longitudinal joints of seamless bridges, rubber particles and polyester fibers were added to optimize the mix proportion of elastic asphalt concrete, and the optimal asphalt–aggregate ratio was determined. The influence of rubber particles and polyester fibers on the basic pavement performance of high-elastic asphalt concrete was studied. The results show that when the dosage of polyester fiber is not more than 0.6%, the optimal asphalt–aggregate ratio is 1:5, and when it exceeds 0.6%, the optimal asphalt–aggregate ratio is 1:4. The incorporation of rubber particles reduces the compressive strength of high-elastic asphalt concrete but enhances its high-temperature stability, fracture performance, and deformation recovery ability. The incorporation of polyester fibers improves its compressive strength, high-temperature stability, fracture performance, and deformation recovery ability. In addition, the incorporation of rubber granules and polyester fibers promotes the use of green building materials and provides strong support for sustainable building practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymeric Materials in Building and Construction)
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21 pages, 13103 KiB  
Article
Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Particle Size on the Performance of Engineered Cementitious Composites
by Shijia Chen, Runan Liu, Liuyi Liu, Xinying Huang and Jiaxiang Lin
Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2143; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152143 - 28 Jul 2024
Viewed by 413
Abstract
This study utilizes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aggregate of different particle sizes (21 μm, 107 μm, and 244 μm) to replace natural aggregate in the preparation of PET-modified engineered cementitious composite (P-ECC). The impact of PET aggregate particle size on the performance of P-ECC [...] Read more.
This study utilizes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aggregate of different particle sizes (21 μm, 107 μm, and 244 μm) to replace natural aggregate in the preparation of PET-modified engineered cementitious composite (P-ECC). The impact of PET aggregate particle size on the performance of P-ECC is examined herein from micro to macro levels. The focus is on the influence patterns and mechanisms of P-ECC’s workability, its basic mechanical properties, and its microstructure. Crack parameters are processed to quantitatively analyze crack development patterns. Using microscopic techniques, the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between different aggregates and the cement matrix is compared, and the failure mechanism of P-ECC is analyzed. The results show that the incorporation of PET aggregate can improve P-ECC’s workability and reduce its self-weight, but incorporation has a negative effect on compressive strength. Additionally, the particle size of PET aggregate significantly affects the uniaxial tensile performance of P-ECC. Compared to conventional ECC, the tensile strength of P-S (21 μm PET) increased the most markedly (18.1%), and the ultimate tensile strain of P-M (107 μm PET) increased the most markedly (66.0%), with both demonstrating good crack control and deformation energy dissipation capabilities. The uniaxial tensile performance of P-L (244 μm PET) was lower than that of the conventional ECC. Microscopic tests revealed that the increase in PET aggregate particle size enlarges the ITZ width and its surrounding pores. Appropriate pore enlargement is beneficial for enhancing tensile ductility, while excessive pores have a negative effect. The study results reveal the impact of PET aggregate particle size on the performance of P-ECC, providing new insights for the performance optimization of ECC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymeric Materials in Building and Construction)
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22 pages, 10603 KiB  
Article
Crack Length of Elastomeric Sealants and Their Service Life in Contrasting Canadian Climates: Effects of Climate Change
by Marzieh Riahinezhad, Elnaz Esmizadeh, Itzel Lopez-Carreon, Abhishek Gaur, Henry Lu and Michael A. Lacasse
Polymers 2024, 16(14), 2039; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16142039 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 467
Abstract
The longevity of polymer-based sealant and jointing products, including elastomers, significantly depends on the level of exposure to sunlight and joint movement. These factors are particularly crucial in the application of polymers in construction due to their susceptibility to degradation under environmental conditions. [...] Read more.
The longevity of polymer-based sealant and jointing products, including elastomers, significantly depends on the level of exposure to sunlight and joint movement. These factors are particularly crucial in the application of polymers in construction due to their susceptibility to degradation under environmental conditions. For instance, diurnal cycles of contraction and dilation, arising from daily temperature fluctuations, impose significant stress on sealants and joints, impacting their durability over time. The elastic nature of polymeric sealants enables them to endure these cyclic mechanical loads. Athough there is considerable information on sealant durability obtained from laboratory accelerated aging, there is limited knowledge about the effect of climatic factors using historical and projected weather data on the durability and expected service life of these products. This study employed the Shephard crack growth model to predict the performance of sealants in a Canadian context; the crack growth and time-to-failure of hypothetical silicone sealants were investigated across 564 locations, for which historical climate data were obtained from 1998 to 2017, including gridded reanalysis data for the period of 1836–2015. The historical climate data were classified into four climate categories, and crack growth was estimated based on historical climatic data within the valid range for the Shephard model, revealing that locations in colder climates with lower levels of precipitation typically exhibit higher cumulative crack growth. The impact of climatic variation and environmental stressors on the longevity of sealants in the context of climate change was also investigated using future projected data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymeric Materials in Building and Construction)
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Review

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39 pages, 4897 KiB  
Review
Chemical Recycling of Silicones—Current State of Play (Building and Construction Focus)
by Andreas T. Wolf and Andreas Stammer
Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2220; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152220 - 4 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1014
Abstract
As the demand for silicone polymers continues to grow across various industries, the need for effective recycling methods has become increasingly important, because recycling silicone products reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and uses less energy. Chemical recycling involves the depolymerization of silicone waste [...] Read more.
As the demand for silicone polymers continues to grow across various industries, the need for effective recycling methods has become increasingly important, because recycling silicone products reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and uses less energy. Chemical recycling involves the depolymerization of silicone waste into oligomers, which can then be used to produce virgin-grade silicone. While this sector of the recycling industry is still in its infancy—we estimate that 35,000 to 45,000 metric tons of silicone waste will be chemically recycled worldwide in 2024—an increasing number of companies are beginning to explore the implementation of closed-loop systems to recycle silicones. This article examines the technical options and challenges for recycling silicone polymers, the major degradation chemistries available for depolymerizing silicones, and the current industrial reality of chemical recycling of silicones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymeric Materials in Building and Construction)
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26 pages, 3185 KiB  
Review
Review and Assessment of Material, Method, and Predictive Modeling for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Partially Confined Concrete Columns
by Muhammad Usman Ghani, Nauman Ahmad, Kahsay Gebresilassie Abraha, Rana Zafar Abbas Manj, Muhammad Haroon Sharif and Li Wei
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1367; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101367 - 10 May 2024
Viewed by 946
Abstract
The repairing and strengthening of concrete structures using external and internal partial confinements are inevitable in the construction industry due to the new standards and rapid developments. The conventional materials and methods of confinement are unable to meet modern safety and functional standards. [...] Read more.
The repairing and strengthening of concrete structures using external and internal partial confinements are inevitable in the construction industry due to the new standards and rapid developments. The conventional materials and methods of confinement are unable to meet modern safety and functional standards. The fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) enhances the strength and ductility of deteriorating and new concrete columns by reducing lateral confinement pressure and resistance against seismic shocks. The precise methods of partial confinement are inevitable for effective FRP-concrete bonding, durability, and cost-effectiveness under different loading conditions and to cope with external environmental factors. Predictive modeling and simulation techniques are pivotal for the optimization of confinement materials and methods by investigating the FRP-concrete novel confinement configurations, stress–strain responses, and failure modes. The novel materials and methods for concrete columns’ partial confinement lack high compressive strength, ductility, chemical attack resistivity, and different fiber orientation impacts. This review provides an overview of recent confinement materials, novel methods, and advanced modeling and simulation techniques with a critical analysis of the research gaps for partial FRP confinement of concrete columns. The current challenges and future prospects are also presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Polymeric Materials in Building and Construction)
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