Sustainable Construction Materials’ Contribution to a Zero-Waste Future

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811). This special issue belongs to the section "Infrastructures Materials and Constructions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 680

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of the Built Environment, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117566, Singapore
Interests: sustainable construction materials; waste management; concrete technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Girne American University, Via Mersin 10, Girne, Turkey
Interests: concrete technology; structural engineering; life cycle assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable construction materials are revolutionizing the building industry, steering it towards a zero-waste future. As the world grapples with the dual challenges of environmental degradation and resource depletion, the construction sector, known for its significant ecological footprint, is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. Traditional construction methods often rely heavily on non-renewable resources and generate substantial waste, contributing to pollution and landfill overloads. In contrast, sustainable construction materials are designed to minimize environmental impact, reduce waste, and promote the efficient use of resources throughout a building's lifecycle. One of the key principles of sustainable construction is the utilization of renewable and recycled materials. For instance, bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource, is gaining popularity due to its strength, versatility, and low environmental impact. Similarly, recycled steel and reclaimed wood offer durable and eco-friendly alternatives to virgin materials. Innovations such as the development of bio-based materials, like mycelium-based composites and hempcrete, are also paving the way for greener construction solutions.

Another critical aspect is the implementation of circular economy principles, which emphasize the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of building materials. By designing for disassembly and material recovery, buildings can become repositories of resources rather than sources of waste. Advanced construction techniques, such as 3D printing, enable precise material usage, reducing excess and waste during the building process. Incorporating sustainable construction materials not only benefits the environment but also enhances the health and well-being of occupants by improving indoor air quality and reducing exposure to harmful substances. As the construction industry evolves, embracing these sustainable materials and practices is essential for achieving a zero-waste future, fostering a more resilient, eco-friendly, and resource-efficient built environment.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews related to sustainable construction materials, construction waste management, low-carbon materials, green construction, built environment and circular economy for building materials are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Industrial and agriculture wastes recycling technology and its application;
  2. Geopolymers, synthesis and design for large-scale industrial application;
  3. Low-carbon materials;
  4. Circular economy for building materials and life cycle assessment.

Dr. Ghasan Fahim Huseien
Dr. Iman Faridmehr
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • recycled materials
  • geopolymers
  • natural and recycled fibres
  • low cement concrete
  • renewable resources
  • eco-friendly binders
  • non-toxic materials
  • circular economy
  • cradle to cradle
  • carbon footprint
  • low-carbon concrete
  • sustainable timber
  • green roofs
  • energy-efficient windows

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

27 pages, 7336 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation and Optimization of Binder-Toner and Mixing Efficiency Ratios in an E-Waste Toner-Modified Composite Mixture Using Response Surface Methodology
by Syyed Adnan Raheel Shah, Sabahat Hussan, Nabil Ben Kahla, Muhammad Kashif Anwar, Mansoor Ahmad Baluch and Ahsan Nawaz
Infrastructures 2024, 9(11), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9110200 - 10 Nov 2024
Viewed by 369
Abstract
E-waste toner (EWT), which is produced in large quantities by modern industries, has the potential to be utilized as a bitumen modifier to improve engineering properties and save costs. The current study focuses on exploring the optimization of EWT content to identify the [...] Read more.
E-waste toner (EWT), which is produced in large quantities by modern industries, has the potential to be utilized as a bitumen modifier to improve engineering properties and save costs. The current study focuses on exploring the optimization of EWT content to identify the most optimal proportions for achieving desirable levels of mechanical properties. This study also examined the effects of E-waste toner contents ranging from 0% to 30% on the fresh consistency of toner-modified and unmodified binder. The study utilized a central composite design (CCD) together with the response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the mix design variables, specifically the binder-toner ratio (BT) and mixing efficiency ratio (MER). The objective of this study was to examine the combined effects of these variables on the mechanical characteristics of EWT-modified asphalt mixtures. The mechanical responses were obtained through the performance of four responses such as Marshall stability (MS), Marshall flow (MF), indirect tensile strength (ITS), and stiffness tests. The findings suggest that the combined interaction of BT and MER ratios has an impact on their mechanical characteristics. However, the BT ratios had a significant impact on the volumetric attributes compared to MER. The RSM-based prediction models had an R-square over 0.86 across each response. This demonstrates that the inclusion of BT and MER ratios were accountable for a minimum of 86% of the alterations in the mechanical characteristics of EWT-modified asphalt. The multi-objective optimization analysis determined that the optimal proportions for the EWT-modified asphalt, in order to obtain the ideal consistency, were 0.249 ratio of BT and 1.63 ratio of MER with a desirability value of 0.97. Overall, it was found that RSM is a reliable technique for precisely forecasting the mechanical properties of EWT-modified asphalt, including BT and MER ratios. Full article
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