Sustainable Building Materials

Abstract submission deadline

15 April 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

15 July 2025

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic aims to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable building materials, structures, and related research in the civil engineering industry, with a specific focus on sustainable rock and soil, concrete, and cementitious materials. It aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that connects materials science and structural engineering, inspiring further innovation and contributing to global efforts towards creating a more sustainable built environment. The scope of this Topic includes low-carbon cementitious materials, soil and concrete improvement and continuous regeneration, and the development and performance analysis of green geotechnical engineering and structural engineering. Additional areas of interest encompass the life cycle assessment, durability, and the adaptability of structures built with sustainable materials. By showcasing case studies, design strategies, and methodologies for integrating sustainable materials and structural systems, this Topic aims to highlight the potential benefits of sustainable construction materials and techniques, both for the environment and for material performance. The following areas of interest will be covered in this Topic:

(1) Development and performance analysis of sustainable concrete;

(2) Improvement and development of rock and soil mass and its impact on the sustainable building environment;

(3) Innovation of low-carbon cementitious materials, exploring the potential of new binders and auxiliary cementitious materials;

(4) Development and performance of recycled aggregate based on solid waste;

(5) Comparative assessment of the lifecycle of sustainable cementitious materials to confirm their impact on the environment, society, and the economy;

(6) Structural optimization and innovative design of low-carbon and environmentally friendly buildings;

(7) Sustainable application of improved soil and rock materials in tunnel and dam engineering;

(8) Sustainable development of dam performance and research and performance analysis of new impermeable materials and structures;

(9) Design strategies and tools for integrating recycled materials such as solid waste or waste into sustainable building construction;

(10) Assessment of the long-term durability and adaptability of structures constructed using sustainable materials under various environmental and climatic conditions;

(11) The selection and integration of sustainable materials and structural systems into architectural design and construction to minimize their impact on the environment.

Prof. Dr. Bingxiang Yuan
Prof. Dr. Waseim Ragab Azzam
Dr. Binbin Yang
Dr. Shiyuan Huang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Buildings buildings	3.1	3.4	2011	17.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	15.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Recycling recycling	4.6	6.8	2016	22.7 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	20 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Buildings Materials Recycling Sustainability

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13 pages, 7221 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Temperature and Horizontal Freezing Force of Loess in Three-Dimensional Freezing

by Yidan Yin, Fei Liu, Dongqi Tang, Longze Chen and Binbin Yang

Materials 2024, 17(18), 4614; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184614 - 20 Sep 2024

Abstract

Seasonal frozen soil has significant impacts on changes in soil mechanical properties, settlement, and damage to foundations. In order to study variations in the temperature and horizontal freezing force of loess during three-dimensional freezing, a three-dimensional freezing model test of loess was carried [...] Read more.

Seasonal frozen soil has significant impacts on changes in soil mechanical properties, settlement, and damage to foundations. In order to study variations in the temperature and horizontal freezing force of loess during three-dimensional freezing, a three-dimensional freezing model test of loess was carried out. This experiment analyzed and studied the soil temperature change distribution characteristics, horizontal freezing force distribution rules, and water migration phenomena caused by temperature. The research results show that the temperature change in soil samples exhibits a “ring-like” decrease from the outside to the inside. When the soil temperature reaches the supercooling point, the cooling curve jumps and rises, and this is accompanied by a stable section with constant temperature. In the late freezing period, the temperature rate drops slowly. Under the action of freezing, the horizontal freezing forces at different positions have similar change characteristics and can be divided into four change stages: stable stage, rapid freezing stage, “secondary” freezing stage, and freezing–shrinkage–rebound stable stage. At lower moisture contents, loess samples undergo freeze–thaw shrinkage during the freezing process. During the rapid freezing stage of soil samples, the water in the soil sample migrates and causes secondary freezing. After the rapid freezing stage, the soil temperature continues to decrease, and the horizontal freezing force no longer decreases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Building Materials)

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18 pages, 12388 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Factors Affecting the Physical Properties of Microbial Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) Enhanced Recycled Aggregates

by Jin Zhang, Cong Wang and Zhipeng Wang

Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2851; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092851 - 10 Sep 2024

Abstract

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) can enhance the physical properties of recycled aggregates. Compared to traditional technologies, MICP offers environmental benefits and produces no pollution. However, its mineralization efficacy is significantly influenced by the process parameters. To investigate this, an MICP mineralization test [...] Read more.

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) can enhance the physical properties of recycled aggregates. Compared to traditional technologies, MICP offers environmental benefits and produces no pollution. However, its mineralization efficacy is significantly influenced by the process parameters. To investigate this, an MICP mineralization test was conducted by manipulating various process parameters throughout the mineralization process. The water absorption rate, apparent density, and calcium carbonate content of the mineralized recycled aggregates were assessed to discern the impact of these parameters on the mineralization outcome. Further analysis using techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to elucidate the mineralization mechanism of the recycled aggregates at a micro-level. The findings indicated that the MICP treatment induced bacteria to precipitate CaCO₃, forming calcite crystalline CaCO₃ within the pores and microcracks. This led to a denser interfacial transition zone and, consequently, improved the physical properties of the recycled aggregates. Optimal mineralization was achieved when the bacterial solution concentration was 1.4, the temperature and pH were 35 °C and 9, respectively, and the urea concentration, Ca⁺ concentration, and mineralization time were 0.5 mol/L, 0.5 mol/L, and 7 days, respectively. Under these conditions, the mineralized recycled aggregate exhibited a 16.07% reduction in water absorption, a 1.07% increase in apparent density, and a 2.28% change in mass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Building Materials)

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13 pages, 9941 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Non-Destructive Monitoring of Hydration Characteristics in Alternative Materials and Seawater-Based Cementitious Pastes Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

by Fangsheng Gao, Lei Cheng, Jun Liu and Jihua Zhu

Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7368; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177368 - 27 Aug 2024

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Abstract

This study investigates the hydration behavior of cementitious materials incorporating fly ash, limestone and calcined clay (LC2), and seawater, aiming to understand the individual and synergistic effects of these components on hydration kinetics. The motivation behind this research lies in the growing interest [...] Read more.

This study investigates the hydration behavior of cementitious materials incorporating fly ash, limestone and calcined clay (LC2), and seawater, aiming to understand the individual and synergistic effects of these components on hydration kinetics. The motivation behind this research lies in the growing interest in enhancing the performance and sustainability of cement-based materials by incorporating supplementary materials and utilizing seawater. To achieve this, the hydration process was meticulously examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). An innovative equivalent circuit model was developed to analyze the results. The experimental data indicated that, with ongoing hydration, the diameter of the impedance arc in the high-frequency range gradually increases. A noteworthy observation is that increasing the proportion of fly ash and LC2 in the cement paste leads to a corresponding enlargement of the high-frequency arc, indicating a significant influence of these supplementary materials on the hydration process. Additionally, LC2 was found to be more effective in accelerating the hydration process compared to fly ash. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Building Materials)

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17 pages, 13539 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Impact of Geotextile Incorporation on the Mechanical Properties of Geopolymer

by Wei Zhou, Xiujie Zhang, Hongzhong Li, Rongtao Yan, Xianlun Huang, Jianjun Gan, Jinping Zhang, Xiaoyong Cheng, Junhong Yuan and Bingxiang Yuan

Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2595; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092595 - 23 Aug 2024

Viewed by 343

Abstract

Geopolymers assume an irreplaceable position in the engineering field on account of their numerous merits, such as durability and high temperature resistance. Nevertheless, geopolymers also demonstrate brittleness. In this study, geotextiles with different layers were added to geopolymer to study its compressive strength [...] Read more.

Geopolymers assume an irreplaceable position in the engineering field on account of their numerous merits, such as durability and high temperature resistance. Nevertheless, geopolymers also demonstrate brittleness. In this study, geotextiles with different layers were added to geopolymer to study its compressive strength and stability. Laboratory materials such as alkali activators, geotextiles and granite residual soil (GRS) were utilized. The samples were characterized via XRD, TG-DTG, SEM-EDS and FT-IR. The results indicate that the toughness of geopolymer is significantly enhanced by adding geotextiles, and the strength increase is most obvious when adding one layer of geotextile: the strength increased from 2.57 Mpa to 3.26 Mpa on the 14th day, an increase of 27%. Additionally, the D-W cycle has a great influence on geotextile polymers. On the 14th day, the average strength of the D-W cyclic sample (1.935 Mpa) was 1.305 Mpa smaller than that of the naturally cured sample (3.24 Mpa), and the strength decreased by 40%. These discoveries offer a novel approach for further promoting the application of geopolymers, especially in the field of foundation reinforcement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Building Materials)

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16 pages, 8344 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Deformation Effects of Deep Foundation Pit Excavation on Retaining Structures and Adjacent Subway Stations

by Zhijian Jiang, Shu Zhu, Xiangcheng Que and Xinliang Ge

Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2521; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082521 - 15 Aug 2024

Viewed by 424

Abstract

In complex underground conditions, the excavation of deep foundation pits has a significant impact on the deformation of retaining structures and nearby subway stations. To investigate the influence of deep excavation on the deformation of adjacent structures, a three-dimensional numerical model of the [...] Read more.

In complex underground conditions, the excavation of deep foundation pits has a significant impact on the deformation of retaining structures and nearby subway stations. To investigate the influence of deep excavation on the deformation of adjacent structures, a three-dimensional numerical model of the foundation pit, existing subway station, and tunnel structure was established using FLAC 3D software, based on the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters C Tower foundation pit project. The study analyzed the deformation characteristics of retaining structures, adjacent subway stations, and tunnels during different stages of deep excavation, and the accuracy of the numerical simulation results was validated through field monitoring data. The results indicate that during the excavation process of the foundation pit, the lateral horizontal displacement of the retaining structure is generally small, with a typical “concave inward” lateral deformation curve; the horizontal displacement value of the contiguous wall section is less than that of the interlocking pile section. The bending moments of the retaining structure show a distribution pattern with larger values in the middle and smaller values at the top and bottom of the pit, with a relatively uniform distribution of internal support forces. The maximum displacement of the nearby subway station is 8.75 mm, and the maximum displacement of the subway tunnel is 2.29 mm. The research findings can provide references for evaluating the impact of newly built foundation pits near subway stations and contribute to the rational design and safe construction of new projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Building Materials)

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