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21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 March 2023) | Viewed by 43226

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Dr. Manfredi Saeli

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture (D\'ARCH), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze bld 8-14, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: construction and building materials; waste-based and composite materials; sustainable construction; high-performance buildings; innovation in building construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. David Maria Tobaldi

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Guest Editor

CNR NANOTEC, Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecoteckne, Lecce, Italy
Interests: semiconductor; light; color; photocatalysis; photochromism; nano- and composite-materials; nanomaterials for light-to-energy and environmental applications; materials processing; advanced X-ray methods; surface functionalization of building materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed academic journal, indexed by the Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science), as well as by Scopus and other databases. Its impact factor is 2.075 (2017) and its five-year impact factor is 2.177 (2017).

This Special Issue is devoted to the topic of the challenges of the 21st century in construction, a quite obsolete industrial sector that is recently predicting an incredible rise in development. Indeed, it is generally acknowledged that the construction industry is many steps behind other industrial sectors, such as military or pharmaceutics, despite great economic and experimental activity. The high unsustainability associated with construction also generates many concerns for the massive non-renewable raw materials and energy consumption, along with generating enormous greenhouse gas and waste volumes. Research and development of innovative materials, components and systems is a priority for several scientific agendas with investments, both public and private, of several million dollars per year. Today, there are endless possibilities to choose among numerous products with advanced features, ranging from the first stages of design to the final stages of construction. Moreover, it affects the materials manufacturing, the subsequent design of single components or entire buildings and also the global way of thinking about the whole built environment.

Hence, there is an extraordinary need to develop alternative materials and cost-effective manufacturing processes that can reduce diffuse unsustainability and delays, especially in developing countries. The enormous production of waste and by-products may be recycled and valorised, limiting their treatment and disposal that pose several difficulties and concerns. A cost-effective way to transform, valorise and reuse these novel raw materials must be found, which is a compelling challenge, from the perspective of improving the Circular Economy and the global market.

How can the scientific world improve the features of construction materials without giving up sustainability? What methodologies and systems may be put in place to grant more efficient waste management? How can the professional world contribute towards sustainable construction with effective intelligent responses, energy efficiency and improved performance? Which maintenance strategies may be employed to award a competitive life-cycle assessment? How can marketing provide an active pulse to novel technologies diffusion and application?

These are the questions that, as researchers and technicians, we might pose and we should try to answer.

Dr. Manfredi Saeli
Dr. David Maria Tobaldi
Guest Editors

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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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Sustainable materials, methods, processes
Waste management and circular economy
Adaptable, intelligent and smart materials, responsive environments
Interactive structures and building skins
Energy and performance modelling, structural analysis
Maintenance and management strategies.

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesized Approach for Evaluating the Integral Suspension Pressure (ISP) Method and the Hydrometer in the Determination of Particle Size Distribution

by Maria Camila Olarte, Juan Carlos Ruge and Juan Félix Rodriguez-Rebolledo

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6847; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086847 - 19 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1774

Abstract

Different techniques have been developed in the 20th and 21st centuries to address the study of particle size distribution in fine materials. Most of these techniques are based on gravitational sedimentation processes. The modern method used in this research bases the measurement on the change in pressure of the aqueous medium caused by the progressive settling of fine particles. Different materials were evaluated within the study to compare the results of the integral suspension pressure (ISP) method with a traditional approach used worldwide, such as hydrometers. Although the ISP method is considered promising and reliable in measuring the particle size distribution of the fine fraction, current literature lacks comparisons with traditional methods. This aspect would help in the definitive validation of the technique and its use in practical engineering. The hydrometer recorded silt content was greater than ISP over the whole range of measurements, especially in yellow kaolin, in which the silt content is more than 40%. Compared to the hydrometer method, the ISP presented a tendency to misclassify the soil texture of bentonite due to the high clay content. The considerable differences, especially in clays with finer particles such as bentonite, demonstrate that the modern ISP technique can detect very fine projected materials within the particle size distribution compared to conventional methodologies. The study’s objective is mainly to compare both methods, given the important technological evolution that the ISP method presents in relation to the hydrometer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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14 pages, 2136 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Scenario Simulation of Material Substitution in the Cement Industry under the Carbon Neutral Strategy: A Case Study of Guangdong

by Xiaoquan Gao, Cuiping Liao, Xiaoling Qi and Yulong Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5736; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075736 - 24 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1946

Abstract

The Chinese government promises to reach peak carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 2030 and strives to achieve carbon neutralization by 2060. Against this background, achieving emission reduction in the cement industry is in the spotlight. Material substitution is unmistakably an effective means of CO₂ emission reduction in cement production. In this paper, the three-scenario analysis approach is employed to forecast the production demand, technology development of raw meal replacement, and clinker substitution in the cement industry to try to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. This study established a model by which to simulate the carbon emissions in the cement industry during 2020–2060 to analyze the contribution of emission reduction. Through developing new cement admixtures and improving the pretreatment of alternative calcareous materials, by 2060, under the three carbon neutrality scenarios, the clinker-to-cement ratio (CCR) falls to 0.60, 0.575, and 0.56, respectively, and the percentage of clinker produced from low-carbon raw materials reaches 13%, 17%, and 20%. In addition, the CO₂ emission level is down by 57%, 61%, and 63 % in comparison to that of 2020. This study can render practical suggestions for the cement industry to achieve carbon neutrality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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17 pages, 3427 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recycling Mussel Shells as Secondary Sources in Green Construction Materials: A Preliminary Assessment

by Rosanna Leone, Adriana Calà, Marinélia N. Capela, Simona Colajanni, Tiziana Campisi and Manfredi Saeli

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3547; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043547 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8316

Abstract

This paper reports the development of novel green bio-composite mortars obtained by reusing mussel shells, a waste from the fish canning industry, as recycled aggregate, used for the first time in total substitution to the traditional sand. It suggests that this is a valid alternative to their usual disposal in landfills because the organic matter is potentially dangerous to humans and the environment. Different waste-based cementitious mixes were tested and compared to a traditional OPC mortar. The manufacturing process was performed at ambient conditions (20 °C, 65% RH) with highly sustainable results and consisted of simple operative steps reproducible in a real building site. The engineering performance was investigated to preliminarily assess the novel material potentials in construction. The main results showed that recycling mussel shells as aggregate while considerably decreasing the mechanical resistance (up to 60% in bending and 50% in compression), mixes could still find proper building applications (either structural, light partition, and plastering) according to the relevant standards. Moreover, the bulk density resulted up to 30% lower and the energy behavior was improved up to 40%, making the developed mortars highly suitable for promising energy-saving uses. Finally, the waste recycling about halves the materials cost and could also grant further financial saving for the fish industry. To conclude, the large amount of reused bio-waste not only represents a valid alternative to their usual disposal in landfills, but also makes the considered mortars suitable for building applications and promising candidates for the Minimum Environmental Criteria certification, in light of the EU Green Transition, and in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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13 pages, 2528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Sustainability Potential of Recycling 3D-Printed Nylon Composite Wastes

by Noura Al-Mazrouei, Ali H. Al-Marzouqi and Waleed Ahmed

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10458; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710458 - 23 Aug 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3290

Abstract

The revolution of 3D-printing technology has caused an additional source of plastic waste, especially the new generation of composite filaments that are linked with the commercial fused deposition modeling process, adding pressure to find a sustainable solution to tackle the emerging waste problem. This study aims to investigate the mechanical and thermal properties of a blended recycled composite material produced by mixing two different 3D-printed reinforced composite wastes, carbon fiber CF/nylon, and glass fiber GF/nylon filaments that were mixed at different percentages using a hot extrusion procedure, tested by a tensile testing machine, and processed with five different weight ratios to study the impact of blend ratios on the material characteristics of the recycled composites and to find the optimum weight ratios with the most preferred properties. The results revealed that the maximum tensile strength of the GF/nylon composite was achieved with 60 wt%. The highest elastic modulus value was recorded at 60 wt% GF/nylon. Moreover, it was noted that at 80 wt% of GF/nylon, the ductility is at the peak value among the composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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17 pages, 34374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance of High Rap Half-Warm Mix Asphalt

by Ana R. Pasandín, Ignacio Pérez and Breixo Gómez-Meijide

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10240; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410240 - 8 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2815

Abstract

The current global situation regarding climate change makes it necessary to promote the circular economy and the use of more environmentally friendly technologies in the construction sector. To that end, it is of interest to deepen our understanding of the performance of half-warm mix asphalt (HWMA) manufactured with high proportions of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Thus, in the present study, a laboratory analysis was carried out in which the behavior of HWMA manufactured with 100% RAP and without rejuvenators was compared with that of a control mix, i.e., an HWMA manufactured with 0% RAP. In particular, we analyzed the compaction energy with a gyratory compactor, mixing time and temperature, volumetric properties, moisture damage resistance through indirect tensile tests after immersion (ITS), stiffness based on the resilient modulus, resistance to permanent deformation using wheel tracking tests, and fatigue resistance through indirect tensile fatigue tests (ITFT). Both mixtures displayed adequate volumetric and mechanical properties, but the performance of the high-RAP HWMA was better than that of the control mixture in terms of resistance to permanent deformation in hot areas. In addition, the high-RAP HWMA without rejuvenators could provide energy and material savings, thus promoting sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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17 pages, 1031 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selection of Novel Geopolymeric Mortars for Sustainable Construction Applications Using Fuzzy Topsis Approach

by Manfredi Saeli, Rosa Micale, Maria Paula Seabra, João A. Labrincha and Giada La Scalia

Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 5987; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12155987 - 24 Jul 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2455

Abstract

Construction is recognized as one of the most polluting and energy consuming industries worldwide, especially in developing countries. Therefore, Research and Development (R&D) of novel manufacturing technologies and green construction materials is becoming extremely compelling. This study aims at evaluating the reuse of various wastes, originated in the Kraft pulp-paper industry, as raw materials in the manufacture of novel geopolymeric (GP) mortars whose properties fundamentally depend on the target application (e.g., insulating panel, partition wall, structural element, furnishing, etc.). Five different wastes were reused as filler: Two typologies of Biomass Fly Ash, calcareous sludge, grits, and dregs. The produced samples were characterized and a multi criteria analysis, able to take into account not only the engineering properties, but also the environmental and economic aspects, has been implemented. The criteria weights were evaluated using the Delphi methodology. The fuzzy Topsis approach has been used to consider the intrinsic uncertainty related to unconventional materials, as the produced GP-mortars. The computational analysis showed that adding the considered industrial wastes as filler is strongly recommended to improve the performance of materials intended for structural applications in construction. The results revealed that the formulations containing 5 wt.% of calcareous sludge, grits, and dregs and the one containing 7.5 wt.% of calcareous sludge, grits, dregs, and Biomass Fly Ash-1 have emerged as the best alternatives. Furthermore, it resulted that the Biomass Fly Ash-2 negatively influences the structural performance and relative rank of the material. Finally, this case study clearly shows that the fuzzy Topsis multi-criteria analysis represents a valuable and easy tool to investigate construction materials (either traditional and unconventional) when an intrinsic uncertainty is related to the measurement of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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14 pages, 9707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perspectives of Using Lignin as Additive to Improve the Permeability of In-Situ Soils for Barrier Materials in Landfills

by Lucio Di Matteo, Lorenzo Bulletti, Eliana Capecchi, Antonio La Viola, Davide Piccinino and Vincenzo Piscopo

Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 5197; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12125197 - 25 Jun 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2957

Abstract

Very often, in-situ soil does not meet the requirements for landfill barriers; therefore, it is necessary to purchase the material from quarries. An increasing number of by-products have been proposed as alternative landfill barrier materials. The present study investigated the performance of two soils of Central Italy (alluvial and volcanic soils) with an organosolv lignin (sulfur-free lignin (SFL)), a widespread by-product in the world. Laboratory investigations indicated that the volcanic soil mixed with 10% in weight of lignin did not reach the permeability value required for landfill bottom liners, also showing high compressibility. On the contrary, the addition of 20% to 30% lignin to the alluvial soil reached the permeability value recommended for the top-sealing layer of landfills: scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that the improvement was due mainly to the physical binding. Large-scale investigations should be carried out to evaluate the long-term performance of the mixtures. The increasing production of organosolv lignin worldwide gives this by-product the opportunity to be used as an additive for the realization of the top-sealing layer. The approach can save the consumption of raw materials (clayey soils from quarries), giving lignin a potential new field of application and recovering in-situ soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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14 pages, 2358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding Construction Stakeholders’ Experience and Attitudes toward Use of the Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) in New Zealand

by Jeremy Harris, Serdar Durdyev, Serik Tokbolat, Syuhaida Ismail, Nurmurat Kandymov and Saeed Reza Mohandes

Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5458; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195458 - 1 Oct 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4220

Abstract

New Zealand faces a housing shortage with construction struggling to meet demand. Structurally insulated panels (SIPs) have been demonstrated internationally as a method of construction which could reduce construction time frames, improve the standard insulation in housing, as well as reduce the amount of waste generated on construction sites. However, anecdotal evidence shows that the SIPs’ adoption is lacking, which is, perhaps, attributed to its industry-wide acceptance level. Thus, in this study, the construction stakeholders, such as architects/designers, builders, territorial authorities and homeowners were targeted to shed light on current status of SIPs use, benefits offered and any barriers inhibiting its industry-wide implementation. This was done through a survey, which was designed to understand the construction stakeholders’ experience levels regarding SIPs use in New Zealand as well as their opinions about any problems associated with the SIPs adoption. Although the stakeholders were happy with the thermal performance offered by SIPs, the results indicate that lack of familiarity and understanding are one of the main barriers to the widespread use of SIPs in New Zealand. Moreover, proper training and clear design information are reported to be crucial to make the building and consenting processes efficient, which will ultimately improve the cost-effectiveness. Despite the barriers (to SIPs adoption) documented by stakeholders, the common belief is that SIPs offer wide-range of benefits to improve performance of the built environment; hence, the stakeholders expressed their willingness to design/build/recommend SIP homes. It is hoped that the findings of this study will guide the industry practitioners in investing their efforts in wider adoption of SIPs in New Zealand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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23 pages, 6424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Sustainable Oil Shale Waste Powder Treated with Silane Coupling Agent for Enriching the Performance of Asphalt and Asphalt Mixture

by Xuedong Guo, Xing Chen, Yingsong Li, Zhun Li and Wei Guo

Sustainability 2019, 11(18), 4857; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11184857 - 5 Sep 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3167

Abstract

The increase in cost of bitumen and polymer modifiers and the importance of silicon waste material management have encouraged pavement researchers to use reusable sustainable sources. Oil shale waste powder (OSP) is considered a silicon waste material, and when used in pavement prevents leaching. However, OSP, as an acidic inorganic material, has compatibility issues with asphalt, and its use with ashpalt should be considered carefully. This paper investigates the pavement performance and modification mechanism of OSP and silane coupling agent (SCA) composite modified asphalt and asphalt mixture according to conventional physical property tests: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a pavement performance test. The test results showed that the incorporation of OSP and SCA improved the overall properties of asphalt and asphalt mixture and the direct mixing method is more effective than the surface pretreatment method for the modification of composite modification of asphalt. Moreover, the FTIR test and DSC test indicated that the incorporation of OSP and SCA creates new chemical bonds and changes the form and quantity of the crystalline component and the transformation of components in the bitumen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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Review

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16 pages, 1040 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Pulp and Paper Mill Fly Ash: A Review

by Chinchu Cherian and Sumi Siddiqua

Sustainability 2019, 11(16), 4394; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11164394 - 14 Aug 2019

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 10503

Abstract

The continual growth of pulp and paper industry has led to the generation of tremendous volumes of fly ash as byproducts of biomass combustion processes. Commonly, a major part of it is landfilled; however, updated environmental regulations have tended to restrict the landfilling of fly ash due to rising disposal costs and the scarcity of suitable land. The pulp and paper industries are therefore urgently seeking energy-efficient mechanisms and management for the beneficial use of fly ash in an ecological and economical manner. This paper offers a comprehensive review of existing knowledge on the major physicochemical and toxicological properties of pulp and paper mill fly ash to assess its suitability for various bound and unbound applications. The current state of various methods used for the valorization of pulp and paper mill fly ash into more sustainable geomaterials is briefly discussed. This paper also presents promising and innovative applications for pulp and paper mill fly ash, with particular reference to agriculture and forestry, the construction and geotechnical industries, and the immobilization of contaminants. It was identified from a literature review that modified pulp and paper mill fly ash can be environmentally and economically advantageous over commercial coal-based fly ash in various sustainable applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 21st Century Challenges in Construction: Functional Materials and Waste Recycle)

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