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Sustainable Composites, Construction, and Artificial Intelligence Optimization

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 17 October 2024 | Viewed by 12497

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Md. Saiful Islam

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, Bangladesh Army University of Engineering & Technology, Qadirabad, Natore 643, Bangladesh
Interests: biodegradable polymer composites; nanocomposites; biocomposites; green composites; natural fibers; hybrid composites; biomaterials; biofuels

Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman Sobuz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department Building Engineering and Construction Management, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Khulna 9203, Bangladesh
Interests: concrete sustainability and fiber-reinforced composite concrete; recycling of low-cost lightweight aggregate concrete; sustainable concrete production from waste materials; life-cycle and sustainability assessment of composites concrete; construction hazard assessment and waste optimization in reducing environmental impact; green building technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global environmental awareness and concern have sparked the creation of sustainable composites that are resource efficient and made from renewable sources. There has recently been considerable interest in creating materials that can replace synthetic materials, whose products typically cause environmental damage. As a result, there has been a growth in demand for biodegradable polymers or green composites made of natural fibers in many industrial sectors in recent years. Biopolymers and natural fibers are sustainable materials that are readily available in nature and have the advantages of low cost, light weight, renewability, biodegradability, and high specific properties. Thus, green composites are highly desirable as next-generation sustainable materials that are biodegradable and environmentally beneficial. The sustainability of these new composites has increased their use in a variety of manufacturing industries, such as automotive interior linings (roof, rear wall, and side panel linings), furniture, construction and buildings, packaging, and shipping pallets, among others. In contrast with traditional composites, green composite materials promote sustainability by including a variety of natural fibers and biopolymers, resins, and oils. However, the hydrophilic character of natural fibers has an impact on the interfacial interaction between the fibers and the polymer matrix. Therefore, one method to improve the interaction between the fibers and polymer matrix is to chemically modify the natural fibers appropriately. Some drawbacks of biodegradable materials include poor gas and water barrier properties, poor toughness, low glass transition temperatures, and their hydrophilic nature, which limit their use in commercial applications. This is avoided by combining biopolymers with a variety of natural fibers to enhance the material’s thermal, water barrier, mechanical, antibacterial, and degradability qualities. Additionally, adding natural fibers lowers the price of biopolymer products while also assisting in creating high-quality, competitively priced goods that are widely used in various industries.

Research involving the use of waste materials, eco-friendly materials, natural fibers, microscopy and microstructure, 3D concrete printing, structural health monitoring (SHM), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced digital twin technology must be directed toward their eventual field application due to the constantly increasing demand for sustainable construction materials. Thus, this Special Issue aims to provide a collection of articles pertaining to the valorization of material sustainability around the world into value-added sustainable construction products. We welcome case studies and research findings leading to the application of concrete materials' sustainability in construction products.

In recent years, the demand for supplementary cementitious materials has increased. Along with this concern, researchers’ attention to optimizing their design, manufacture, and use in construction is also growing. In addition to traditional numerical methods, advanced tools, including artificial intelligence, are increasingly being considered in engineering. Artificial intelligence is known for including powerful techniques and is now being used more frequently by civil engineers to solve a wide range of real problems related to cementitious materials and other real-world problems. It is now utilized to predict the mechanical properties of cement materials without additional equipment, materials, and labor costs. How can we optimize concrete’s composition by incorporating artificial intelligence and what level of accuracy in prediction would be expected? All of these advanced techniques are being protected by cyber security through the integration of blockchain and information security network systems to make them safer for real-field applications.

The primary aim of this Special Issue is to provide insights and a platform for researchers and industry experts to present their findings, case studies, short communications, and innovative solutions related to sustainable and durable construction materials and other engineering fields. By highlighting the life cycle assessment of these materials, we can include the environmental impacts, economic viability, and social aspects associated with their production, usage, and disposal. Considering the above, this Special Issue brings together the recent research, applications, and experiences of researchers in artificial intelligence for solving scientific problems in cementitious materials used in civil engineering and other engineering fields. Special focus will be placed on real-world applications.

This Special Issue also aims to present new concepts and approaches for creating environmentally friendly and widely applicable sustainable composite materials. Additionally, we hope to receive unique and cutting-edge papers highlighting the most difficult aspects of sustainable composite production, such as biodegradable composites, green composites, and nano-composites. Tailored green composite materials will be highlighted in this Special Issue for their unique uses in sustainable development. We also encourage authors to provide nano-technological approaches related to creating and using sustainable composite materials.

For this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

The preparation and properties of sustainable composites;
Recent advances in green composites;
The physical, morphological, and thermal properties of composites;
Natural-fiber-based polymer composites for sustainable development;
Novel composite fabrication technology;
Biodegradable polymer composites and analysis of their properties;
Chemical modifications of natural-fiber-reinforced green composites;
The blending of polymers and biopolymers;
Sustainable composites for industrial applications;
Hybrid polymer composites;
Polymer-based concrete composites and their properties;
Nano-reinforcement polymer composites;
The recycling of polymers and composites;
Nanoparticles and nanocomposites;
Chitosan- and poly-lactic acid (PLA)-based composites;
Graphene-oxide-based concrete and composites;
The application of life cycle assessment (LCA) for fiber-reinforced concrete composites;
The strength and ductility of structural responses in RC structures;
Green building technology for sustainable construction practices;

Multi-functional materials for energy-efficient buildings;

Sustainable concrete production from waste materials;
Natural fiber-reinforced concrete and polymer-modified concrete;
Artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the properties of cementitious material-based concrete;
Concrete sustainability, durability, and non-destructive testing;
The utilization, treatment, and upcycling of various recycled materials for green concrete production;
The reuse of bio-waste and the construction or industrial wastes;
Advanced or functional concrete material;
Sustainable and eco-friendly high- and ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete;
The microscopy and microstructure of sustainable construction materials;
Decarbonized concrete and its properties;
Material sustainability in eco-friendly pavement construction;
The application of sustainable materials in 3D concrete printing;
The microstructure of sustainable 3D-printed concrete;
The rheology of sustainable concretes;
The microstructure of sustainable pavement materials;
Sustainable techniques in additive manufacturing and automation in construction;
Digital construction management for a sustainable approach;
Building information modelling (BIM);
Construction and sustainable project management;
Building sustainability, off-site construction, and construction waste optimization;
AI methods for structural health monitoring (SHM) optimization;
Advanced sensor implementation and applications;
Digital twins and cyber–physical systems in construction;
Robotics and drones' path and operation control in construction;
Transportation and city planning for sustainable development;
Green finance and digital payment and finance;
Behavioral finance for sustainability;
Financial inclusion and SDGs;
Sustainable industrial engineering and manufacturing;
IoT application in sustainable engineering;
Sustainable cybersecurity protocols in engineering application;
Blockchain and information security for network systems;
AI in health applications and HCI.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Md. Saiful Islam
Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman Sobuz
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

sustainability
biodegradable composite
green composites
natural fiber
biopolymer
nanocomposites
biocomposites
construction management
building sustainability
RC structural response
green building technology
cementitious materials
fiber-reinforced concrete
recycled aggregate concrete
structural health monitoring
artificial intelligence (AI)
microstructure
3D printing technology
building information modelling (BIM)
SDGs
IoT
digital twins

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 7562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties and Flexural Response of Palm Shell Aggregate Lightweight Reinforced Concrete Beam

by Md. Habibur Rahman Sobuz, Md. Saiful Islam, Abu Sayed Mohammad Akid, Shuvo Dip Datta, Turki S. Alahmari, Noor Md. Sadiqul Hasan, Md. Tareq Hossain Khondoker and Fahim Shahriyar Aditto

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15783; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215783 - 9 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1375

Abstract

This work focuses on examining the mechanical characteristics and flexural response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams by incorporating oil palm shell (OPS) lightweight aggregate from oil palm shell waste. The OPS aggregates are replaced in various percentages, such as 0 to 50% of natural coarse aggregate (NCA). Mechanical properties of OPS concrete were conducted, and these properties were used to quantify the flexural performance of RC beams. Five RC beams with several gradations of OPS aggregates were cast and tested for this investigation. The first cracking, ultimate strength, load-deflection behavior, ductility index, and failure patterns of OPS aggregate beams were investigated as the corresponding behaviors to the NCA concrete beam. The fresh properties analysis demonstrated lessening the slump test by varied concentrations of OPS concrete. Furthermore, compressive strength was reduced by 44.73%, 50.83%, 53.33%, and 57.22% compared to 10%, 15%, 20%, and 50% OPC substitution at 28 days. Increasing OPS content in concrete mixes decreased splitting tensile strength, comparable to the compressive strength test. Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity experiments exhibited a similar trend toward reduction over the whole range of OPS concentrations (0–50%) in concrete. It was revealed that the flexural capacity of beams tends to decrease the strength with the increased proportion of OPS aggregate. Moreover, crack patterns and failure modes of beams are also emphasized in this paper for the variation of OPS replacement in the NCA. The OPS aggregate RC beam’s test results have great potential to be implemented in low-cost civil infrastructures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composites, Construction, and Artificial Intelligence Optimization)

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26 pages, 2313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring the Benefits and Barriers of the Implementation of BIM in Sustainable Practice in the Construction Industry of Saudi Arabia

by Abdullah Alghuried

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14323; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914323 - 28 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1761

Abstract

The construction industry of Saudi Arabia has witnessed notable innovation in sustainable practices in the form of building information modeling (BIM). Previously, a few studies dealt with either the benefits and barriers of BIM or sustainability. However, there is a limitation in these studies in terms of finding out the benefits and barriers of BIM in sustainable construction projects, especially in the context of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the determinants that impact the adoption of BIM in the construction industry of Saudi Arabia. A thorough examination of the existing literature was conducted in order to identify the various factors that contribute to the benefits and barriers of BIM. The research employed a questionnaire survey of 152 building engineering professionals from Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire’s results emphasize the key factors that are essential for the implementation of sustainable BIM. Initially, barriers and benefits were prioritized according to the relative importance index (RII). In addition, the study utilized statistical methods to identify the top five barriers that were deemed most significant. The Cronbach alpha test confirmed the presence of a statistically significant level of consistency in the responses provided by stakeholders. Moreover, the Spearman correlation test demonstrated that there was no statistically significant variance among the groups in their responses. The results indicated that among the 28 benefit factors, “improving design efficiency (RII = 0.788)”, “encouraging the use of energy-efficient clean technology (RII = 0.786)”, and “promoting green building design, construction, and management” were the top three benefits from BIM implementation in sustainable construction projects. On the other hand, “recurring demand for increased resources, together with high costs (RII = 0.720)”, “absence of a well-defined method for exchanging operational management data (RII = 0.713)”, and “lack of skilled personnel (RII = 0.708)” were the top five barriers to the incorporation of BIMs in the sustainable construction industry of Saudi Arabia. This study can provide valuable guidance for policymakers in developing countries who seek to successfully complete sustainable construction projects by encouraging factors that drive BIM implementation and enhancing project performance through the utilization of the benefits of BIM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composites, Construction, and Artificial Intelligence Optimization)

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17 pages, 1629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Transport Infrastructure Sustainability Performance: An Investigation of the Transportation Projects in Saudi Arabia

by Moahd Alghuson

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14174; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914174 - 25 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1457

Abstract

In the Saudi Arabian construction projects, the transport infrastructure sustainability assessment has become a priority in recent years. The purpose of this research is to assess the sustainability performance of transport infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. It specifically seeks to assess the effects of these initiatives on the environment, society, and economy, while highlighting their advantages and disadvantages as well as potential areas for development. A key objective of this evaluation is to provide thoughtful analysis and suggestions for improving Saudi Arabia’s transportation infrastructure development. The study was conducted using a Likert-scale questionnaire survey among 197 professionals in Saudi Arabia. The Cronbach’s alpha test was conducted to assess the validity of the survey. Moreover, statistical analysis using SPSS software 25 was used along with the Spearman correlation test to evaluate the respondent behavior of the survey. The investigation serves as a foundation for devising strategies and policies to promote sustainable transportation practices in Saudi Arabia. The study’s insights can guide effective planning and regulations that prioritize sustainability, environmental preservation, and public support. By focusing on these outcomes, transportation networks can be improved, environmental impacts reduced, construction methods enhanced, and safety ensured for workers and the public. A durable, effective, and environmentally conscious transportation infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s present and future generations could be achieved by embracing sustainable transportation infrastructure and giving priority to the determined results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composites, Construction, and Artificial Intelligence Optimization)

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15 pages, 5334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Fibers (PVDF) in the Diffusion and Adsorption Processes of Atrazine in a Sandy Soil

by Gabriella Melo de Deus Vieira, Moisés Antônio da Costa Lemos, André Luís Brasil Cavalcante and Michéle Dal Toé Casagrande

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11729; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511729 - 29 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 627

Abstract

Sustainable solutions are increasingly being sought in the containment and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater, and the use of fibers is promising. In this context, polyvinylidene fluoride fibers (PVDF) have potential applications in various fields due to their mechanical and hydraulic properties, highlighting the sorption capacity due to their hydrophobic nature and large surface area. This study aimed to evaluate the sorption capacity, adsorption, and diffusion of atrazine by PVDF fibers with a concentration of 555.63 ppm in diffusion cells containing sandy soil and a composite of the fibers in blanket format at different contents (2% and 4%) relative to the dry mass of the soil. The diffusion and determination coefficients for each cell were calculated using Wolfram Mathematica software by means of a 3D model (Space × Time × c_w/c₀). The absorption results showed a mass gain, with and without prior drying of the fibers, of 70% and 60%, respectively, while the adapted adsorption tests showed retained amounts of atrazine of 0%, 11.4%, and 21.8%, respectively, for the samples without fiber, with 1.5 g of fiber, and with 4 g of fiber. And finally, the diffusion coefficients resulted in 6.25 × 10⁻¹³ m²/s, 6.03 × 10⁻¹³ m²/s, and 3.64 × 10⁻¹³ m²/s, respectively, for the sample without fibers, with 1.5% fiber, and with 4% fiber. This suggests that the use of PVDF fibers may be a viable solution for the containment of contaminated soil and groundwater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composites, Construction, and Artificial Intelligence Optimization)

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Review

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28 pages, 3660 KiB

Open AccessReview

Benefits and Barriers of Implementing Building Information Modeling Techniques for Sustainable Practices in the Construction Industry—A Comprehensive Review

by Shuvo Dip Datta, Bassam A. Tayeh, Ibrahim Y. Hakeem and Yazan I. Abu Aisheh

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12466; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612466 - 16 Aug 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4181

Abstract

The benefits and barriers of implementing building information modeling (BIM) and sustainability have all been the subject of numerous studies that have been performed both separately and in pairs. Despite this, there are presently no studies that include both of these ideas. This paper aims to integrate various technologies, methodologies, and concepts to close this gap specific to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors by outlining how concepts could coexist and support one another. To that goal, a thorough literature study was conducted to determine how recently academics had investigated the synergies between these fields. Results point to synergies, mostly the benefits and barriers of BIM in the sustainable construction sector. After the literature review, 46 identified factors associated with benefits and 21 factors associated with barriers were obtained. Among the factors, “Promoting carbon emission reduction” and “Enhancing material wastage reduction” are the top environmental benefits of implementing BIM in sustainable construction projects. The popular economic benefits were “Improving design efficiency”, “Reducing the overall project costs”, and “Promoting productivity” and the most important social benefit was “Enhancing project safety and health performance”. On the other hand, the lack of experts was the major barrier to BIM implementation in sustainable construction projects. Thus, the findings assist the BIM and sustainability integration’s benefits and barriers for a better and sustainable construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composites, Construction, and Artificial Intelligence Optimization)

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18 pages, 2928 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Composites: A Review with Critical Questions to Guide Future Initiatives

by Martin A. Hubbe

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11088; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411088 - 16 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2288

Abstract

Composites, which have become very common in mass-produced items, have the potential to outperform similar materials made from any one of their individual components. This tutorial review article considers published studies that shine a light on what is required for such structures to earn the name “sustainable”. The focus is on a series of questions that deal with such issues as the carbon footprint, other life-cycle impacts, durability, recyclability without major loss of value, reusability of major parts, and the practical likelihood of various end-of-life options. To achieve the needed broader impacts of limited research dollars, it is important that researchers choose their research topics carefully. Among a great many possible options for preparing truly eco-friendly composite materials, it will be important to focus attention on the much smaller subset of technologies that have a high probability of commercial success and large-scale implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composites, Construction, and Artificial Intelligence Optimization)

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