Sustainability in the Built Environment: Advancements in Architecture and Construction 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 March 2024) | Viewed by 3003

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Energy, Construction and Environment, Coventry University, Priory St., Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Interests: construction materials; cement composites; cement alternatives; concrete technology; geopolymer concrete

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Guest Editor
1. School of Civil & Structural Engineering, Technological University Dublin, D01 K822 Dublin, Ireland
2. Department of Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
3. Institute of Advanced Study (Collegium Basilea), 4053 Basel, Switzerland
Interests: geomaterials; geochemistry; cement and concrete; resource efficiency; environmental protection

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil & Structural Engineering, Technological University Dublin, D01 K822 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: cement hydration modelling; thermodynamics; concrete durability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to announce a Special Issue on "Sustainability in the Built Environment: Advancements in Architecture and Construction Materials". As Guest Editors, we aim to create a platform for authors and readers to engage in meaningful discussions, share the latest research, and explore new ideas and directions in the pursuit of sustainability within the built environment.

The built environment plays a crucial role in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and resource depletion. This Special Issue seeks to highlight innovative approaches and advancements in sustainable architecture and construction materials that contribute to reducing environmental impacts, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices.

We invite submissions covering a wide range of topics, including;

  • Sustainable building design;
  • Green construction materials;
  • Energy-efficient systems;
  • Circular economy principles;
  • Renewable energy integration;
  • Sustainable urban development.

By bringing together high-quality research articles, case studies, and innovative solutions, this Special Issue aims to foster a community of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers dedicated to advancing sustainability in the built environment. The collected papers will be published on a dedicated page of the journal website, providing a comprehensive resource for the latest advancements in sustainable architecture and construction materials.

We encourage authors to submit their manuscripts and contribute to this important discourse. Together, let us strive for a sustainable built environment that aligns with the principles of environmental stewardship, social well-being, and economic viability.

Warm regards,

Dr. Morteza Khorami
Prof. Dr. Mark Tyrer
Dr. Niall Holmes
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. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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

  • sustainable building design
  • green construction materials
  • energy-efficient systems
  • circular economy principles
  • renewable energy integration
  • sustainable urban development

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4721 KiB  
Article
Performance of a Single Source of Low-Grade Clay in a Limestone Calcined Clay Cement Mortar
by Kwabena Boakye, Morteza Khorami, Messaoud Saidani, Eshmaiel Ganjian, Mark Tyrer and Andrew Dunster
Buildings 2024, 14(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010093 - 29 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1089
Abstract
The high kaolinite content of metakaolin makes it valuable to other industries, thereby affecting its availability and affordability for the production of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3). This work presents a study on the potential utilization of low-grade clay in place [...] Read more.
The high kaolinite content of metakaolin makes it valuable to other industries, thereby affecting its availability and affordability for the production of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3). This work presents a study on the potential utilization of low-grade clay in place of pure metakaolin in the preparation of LC3 for mortar formulations. CEM I was partially substituted with calcined clay and limestone by 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt.%. The weight ratio of calcined clay and limestone was maintained at 2:1 for all mixes and the water-to-binder ratio was 0.48. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and isothermal conduction calorimetry were used to study the hydration process and products after 28 days. Mechanical and durability assessments of the LC3 mortar specimens were conducted. LC3 specimens (marked LC20%, LC30%, LC40%, and LC50%) trailed the control sample by 1.2%, 4%, 9.8%, and 18%, respectively, at 28 days and 1.6%, 2.3%, 3.6%, and 5.5%, respectively, at 91 days. The optimum replacement of OPC clinker, calcined clay, and limestone was 20% (LC20%). Full article
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19 pages, 14227 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Polymer-Stabilized Raw Earth Composites with Plant Fibers Reinforcement for Historic Building Rehabilitation
by Souad Menadi, Yazid Hadidane, Mohammed Benzerara, Messaoud Saidani, Morteza Khorami, Redjem Belouettar, Fayçal Slimani, Nadia Gouider and Souhila Rehab-Bekkouche
Buildings 2023, 13(11), 2681; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13112681 - 24 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1393
Abstract
This research focuses on the optimization of formulation, characterization, and damage analysis of plant fiber-reinforced polyester resin composites (jute and date palm). To better understand the characteristics and mechanical behavior of these materials, this study investigates the influence of resin content and plant [...] Read more.
This research focuses on the optimization of formulation, characterization, and damage analysis of plant fiber-reinforced polyester resin composites (jute and date palm). To better understand the characteristics and mechanical behavior of these materials, this study investigates the influence of resin content and plant fibers on the physico-mechanical behavior of the resin composites. Resinous composites consisting of polyester resin and raw earth were studied using a novel formulation based on an empirical method that follows the principle of earth saturation with polyester resin. Saturation was achieved with a 28% content of polyester resin, which appeared to be an optimal blend for the earth–resin composite. Plant fibers were randomly incorporated as reinforcement in the composites at various percentages (1%, 2%, and 3%) and lengths (0.5 cm, 1 cm, and 1.5 cm). Mechanical tests including bending, compression, and indentation were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composites. Analysis of fracture morphology revealed that the deformation and rupture mechanisms in bending, compression, and indentation of these composites differ from those of traditional concrete and cement mortar. The obtained results indicate that the composites exhibit acceptable performance and could be favorably employed in the rehabilitation of historic buildings. Full article
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