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Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures

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A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 5390

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Changjiang Liu

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 51000, China
Interests: steel and large-span spatial structures; new prefabricated components and structures; nano-modified concrete materials and structures; intelligent and special functional construction materials and structures

Prof. Dr. Chuntao Zhang

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School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621000, China
Interests: mechanical properties of building materials; structural dynamic response and reliability analysis; structural explosion proofing and disaster reduction
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Dr. Zhong Xu

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Guest Editor

College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Interests: building material; new green concrete; high-performance concrete; geopolymer cementing material; nanotechnology; building environment; BIM technology; human settlement environment

Dr. Dong Li

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College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: tower health monitoring; big data analytics; dynamic analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Weiju Song

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Interests: membrane structures; dynamic analysis; nonlinear vibration; structural prevention and mitigation; intelligent construction; structural wind engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the advancement of science and technology, human society has increasingly high building material and structural performance requirements. Furthermore, with the current background of global climate change, sustainable development, and global intelligence, building materials and structures must progress towards green, low-carbon, high-performance and intelligent alternatives.

This Special Issue aims to promote the exchange of academic research, industrial applications, and policymaking, share research results, explore future development directions, and jointly contribute to the realization of green, low-carbon, high-performance, and intelligent engineering construction. Review and research papers on areas including but not limited to the following are welcome:

Research and application of green and low-carbon building materials;
Conversion and utilization of building materials from urban solid waste;
The design of buildings based on green and low-carbon concepts;
Green, low-carbon, and high-performance steel and lightweight structures;
Nano-modified high-performance concrete materials and structures;
Green and low-carbon design of high-performance building structures;
Research and application of intelligent construction materials;
Building structure design based on artificial intelligence;
Application of intelligent and automated technologies in engineering construction and structural health monitoring.

Prof. Dr. Changjiang Liu
Prof. Dr. Chuntao Zhang
Dr. Zhong Xu
Dr. Dong Li
Dr. Weiju Song
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 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 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

green and low-carbon building materials
high-performance building materials
green and low-carbon building design
new high-performance structures
high-performance structural design
intelligent building materials
intelligent construction and operation
intelligent structural health monitoring

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

33 pages, 11892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Waste Steel Fiber Polypropylene (EPP) Concrete

by Yanyan Zhao, Xiaopeng Ren, Yongtao Gao, Youzhi Li and Mingshuai Li

Buildings 2025, 15(15), 2680; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152680 - 29 Jul 2025

Viewed by 200

Abstract

Polypropylene (EPP) concrete offers advantages such as low density and good thermal insulation properties, but its relatively low strength limits its engineering applications. Waste steel fibers (WSFs) obtained during the sorting and processing of machining residues can be incorporated into EPP concrete (EC) to enhance its strength and toughness. Using the volume fractions of EPP and WSF as variables, specimens of EPP concrete (EC) and waste steel fiber-reinforced EPP concrete (WSFREC) were prepared and subjected to cube compressive strength tests, splitting tensile strength tests, and four-point flexural strength tests. The results indicate that EPP particles significantly improve the toughness of concrete but inevitably lead to a considerable reduction in strength. The incorporation of WSF substantially enhanced the splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of EC, with increases of at least 37.7% and 34.5%, respectively, while the improvement in cube compressive strength was relatively lower at only 23.6%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and WSF surface morphology in WSFREC revealed that the addition of EPP particles introduces more defects in the concrete matrix. However, the inclusion of WSF promotes the formation of abundant hydration products on the fiber surface, mitigating matrix defects, improving the bond between WSF and the concrete matrix, effectively inhibiting crack propagation, and enhancing both the strength and toughness of the concrete. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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18 pages, 2807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Nonlinear Vibration Response of Umbrella-Shaped Membrane Structure Under Heavy Rainfall Loads

by Zhongwei Luo, Zhoulian Zheng, Rui Yang and Peng Zhang

Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2529; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142529 - 18 Jul 2025

Viewed by 173

Abstract

This paper investigates the vibration characteristics of tensioned umbrella-shaped membrane structures with complex curvature under heavy rainfall. To solve the geometrical problem of the complex curvature of a membrane surface, we set the rule of segmentation and simplify the shape by dividing it into multi-segment conical membranes. The generatrix becomes a polyline with a constant surface curvature in each segment, simplifying calculations. The equivalent uniform load of different rainfall intensity is determined by the theory of the stochastic process. The governing equations of the isotropic damped nonlinear forced vibration of membranes are established by using the theory of large deflection by von Karman and the principle of d’Alembert. The equations of the forced vibration of the membrane are solved by using Galerkin’s method and the small-parameter perturbation method, and the displacement function, vibration frequency, and acceleration of the membrane are obtained. At last, the influence of the height–span ratio, number of segments, pretension and load on membrane displacement, vibration frequency, and acceleration of the membrane surface are analyzed. Based on the above data, the general law of deformation of the umbrella-shaped membrane under heavy rainfall is obtained. Data and methods are provided for the design and construction of the membrane structure as a reference. Moreover, we propose methods to enhance calculation accuracy and streamline the computational process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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25 pages, 5206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compressive Behavior of Waste-Steel-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete-Filled Steel Tubes with External Steel Rib Rings

by Jianhua Gao, Xiaopeng Ren, Yongtao Gao, Youzhi Li and Mingshuai Li

Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2246; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132246 - 26 Jun 2025

Viewed by 304

Abstract

In order to explore the axial compression performance of external steel rib ring restraint waste-steel-fiber-reinforced concrete-filled steel tubes (ERWCFSTs), 18 short-column axial compression tests were conducted. The effects of the number of rib rings, rib ring spacing, rib ring setting position, and waste steel fiber (WSF) content on the axial compression performance of the columns were analyzed. The results show that the concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) short columns with rib rings were strengthened, the specimens were mainly characterized by drum-shaped failure, and the buckling was concentrated between the rib rings. Without rib ring specimens, the steel tube is unable to resist the rapid increase in lateral expansion, leading to buckling initiation near the bottom of the specimens. The columns with rib rings exhibited a minimum increase of 32.5% and a maximum increase of 53.17% in load-bearing capacity compared to those without rib rings, with an average improvement of 37.78%. The columns achieved the best ductility when the rib ring spacing was 50 mm. When the rib ring spacing remained constant, columns with a number of rib rings no less than the height-to-diameter ratio (H/D) demonstrated more uniform stress distribution and optimal confinement effects. For a fixed number of rib rings, specimens with rib ring spacing between H/8 and H/4 showed significant improvements in both load-bearing capacity and ductility. The confinement effect was better when the rib rings were positioned in the middle of the column height rather than near the ends. The incorporation of WSF resulted in a minimum increase of 2.86% and a maximum increase of 10.49% in column load-bearing capacity, indicating limited enhancement. However, WSF improved the ductility performance of the columns by at least 10%. Combined with theoretical analysis and experimental data, a formula for calculating the bearing capacity of ERWCFSTs was established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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19 pages, 8363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Characteristic Analysis of Near-Fault Velocity Pulses Based on Simulation of Earthquake Ground Motion Fields

by Zelin Cao, Jia Wei, Zhiyu Sun and Weiju Song

Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1363; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081363 - 19 Apr 2025

Viewed by 360

Abstract

The spatial variation characteristics of near-fault velocity pulses lack in-depth understanding, and it is difficult to consider this feature in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and the ground motion input for structural seismic analysis. Based on ground motion simulation, this study performs spatial characteristic analysis of velocity pulses. The Mw 6.58 strike-slip Imperial Valley and the Mw 6.8 dip-slip Northridge earthquakes are adopted as the cases, and the simulation method is validated by comparing synthetics with observations. The multi-component broadband ground motion fields are simulated, and the pulse parameters and the pulse area are extracted using the multi-component pulse identification method. The spatial characteristics of various pulse parameters are analyzed. The results show that for a single earthquake, the pulse period is a spatial variable related to source-to-site geometry, the pulse amplification factor has great spatial variation, and the orientation of the maximum pulse component is controlled by the radiation pattern. Finally, the influence of slip distribution on pulse is explored based on two earthquakes, in which the uniform slip, the random slip, and the hybrid slip are combined with different rupture directions. This study contributes to a more reasonable consideration of pulse-like ground motion in seismic risk assessment and earthquake response analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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27 pages, 15097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Basic Mechanical Properties of Waste Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete After High-Temperature Exposure

by Dan Yang, Xiaopeng Ren, Yongtao Gao, Tao Fan, Mingshuai Li and Hui Lv

Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071025 - 23 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 473

Abstract

The increasing incidence of urban fires poses significant threats to structural integrity, underscoring the urgent need for concrete materials with enhanced mechanical properties post-fire. Incorporating recycled waste steel fibers (WSF) from industrial byproducts into concrete not only bolsters its crack resistance but also advances circular economy principles by transforming industrial waste into valuable resources. Although a large amount of research has focused on native steel fiber-reinforced concrete, there is still a lack of systematic exploration on the optimal dosage and effectiveness of waste steel fibers in slowing down the strength degradation of concrete after high-temperature action. In this study, two grades of concrete (C40 and C60) containing 0%, 1%, and 2% WSF by volume were subjected to heating cycles ranging from 200 °C to 800 °C. Post-cooling evaluations encompassed mass loss quantification, cube compressive strength testing (using 100 mm³ specimens), and splitting tensile tests conducted at a loading rate of 0.1 MPa/s. Results indicated that mass loss escalated to 11% at 800 °C, with C60 experiencing a 12% higher loss compared to C40. Compressive strength decreased by 15% for every 200 °C increment; however, the inclusion of 1% WSF significantly minimized this degradation, preserving 44.5% (for C40) and 37.8% (for C60) of the original strength at 800 °C. Notably, the splitting tensile strength of 1% WSF-reinforced C60 concrete exceeded that of plain concrete by 39.4% after exposure to 800 °C, demonstrating its superior crack-bridging capabilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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26 pages, 2418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Probabilistic Evaluation Method of Wind Resistance of Membrane Roofs Based on Aerodynamic Stability

by Weiju Song, Hongbo Liu and Heding Yu

Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3725; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123725 - 22 Nov 2024

Viewed by 666

Abstract

The membrane structure or membrane roofing system is lightweight and flexible, with wind being the primary cause of structural and membrane material failure. To evaluate the disaster prevention and mitigation capacity of the membrane roofing system and enhance the wind disaster risk management capabilities, this paper studies the exceedance probability evaluation method for different wind resistance requirements of membrane roofs. Taking Hangzhou in China as an example, the design wind speed risk curve fitted by polynomial is obtained by referring to the PEER performance-based seismic design method and considering the randomness of the wind field. A polynomial fitting method is employed to obtain the design wind speed hazard curve. Considering the nonlinear characteristics of the membrane roof structure, the relationship between the roof’s wind resistance requirements (vertical displacement limits) and wind speed spectrum values is approximated using a power function. An annual average exceedance probability expression is derived for different normal deformation demand values of the membrane roofs under wind load. Based on this, a wind resistance probability evaluation method for membrane roofs considering aerodynamic stability is proposed, along with specific steps and related analytical formulas. The results indicate that polynomial fitting provides an effective simplification for deriving the annual average exceedance probability expression for the wind resistance demand of membrane roofs. The performance-based wind resistance probability evaluation method allows for obtaining exceedance probability values for different displacement requirements with minimal structural analysis, which enriches the wind resistance design theory of membrane roofs and further ensures the structural safety of tension membrane roofs under wind load. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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24 pages, 13038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Macro Performances and Microstructures of Graphene Oxide-Modified Cement Mortar Under Steam Curing Conditions

by Zhongwei Luo, Weicheng Su, Yaojun Deng, Weihua Ye, Hang Su and Zhuoyu Chen

Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3506; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113506 - 1 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1168

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of incorporating polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) and graphene oxide (GO) into cement mortar. The mechanical properties and durability of PCE-GO-modified cement mortar were compared under standard curing conditions and steam curing conditions. The results indicate that the optimal performance was achieved with a GO content of 0.04 wt% in a dosage of 0 to 0.06 wt%. Comparing the mortar’s performance under standard and steam curing conditions after 28 days revealed that the mechanical properties of the specimens cured under steam conditions were significantly lower than those cured under standard conditions. However, when 0.12 wt% PCE and 0.04 wt% GO were added, the filler effect of GO led to a 31.8% increase in flexural strength and a 28.4% increase in compressive strength for the specimens cured under steam conditions on the 28th day, effectively compensating for the strength loss caused by steam curing. The chloride ion penetration test and sulfate erosion test confirmed the optimal performance of the cement mortar specimens at 0.04 wt% GO, with corrosion resistance coefficients for flexural and compressive strength increasing by 68% and 70%, respectively, after 90 days of steam curing. Furthermore, SEM observations were conducted on the cement mortar specimens, revealing that GO not only fills the internal voids of the matrix but also organizes the hydration products of cement, resulting in a more compact matrix structure. This study enables PCE-GO-modified cement mortar to meet the requirements of early strength development without compromising the later-stage performance of the cement mortar due to steam curing-induced damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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20 pages, 8272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Application of a Swift-Assembled Support Method with Prefabricated Corrugated Steel for Vertical Shaft Excavation in a Metro Station

by Xingkuo Wang, Maohui Zhang, Shiqian Wu, Yanjun Lin, Peng Song, Wei Fan, Huanwei Wei and Xiao Zheng

Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3487; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113487 - 31 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1051

Abstract

For the construction of a subway station, temporary vertical shafts were commonly used to facilitate machine operation. In densely urban areas, the requirement of settlement control and environmental impact called for a novel construction method of vertical shafts. In this paper, a novel swift-assembled support (SAS) structure and construction method for vertical shafts of a metro station was proposed, using prefabricated steel components. A comprehensive scheme of full-time monitoring was conducted to evaluate the performance of this novel support structure and ground response. Field monitoring results indicated that the SAS method was able to control the settlement of ground and adjacent buildings. Based on the field measurements, the calculation theory for design parameters were discussed. The active earth pressure yield from the method considering wall movement was closer to the field measurements. All of the local buckling values were both overestimated based on the technical standards’ methods. The calculation methods were thereby adopted carefully to determine the designed loading share ratio of structure components. The advantage of the SAS method, including rapid construction, safety, and lower environmental impacts, were obviously clear. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green, Low-Carbon, High-Performance, and Intelligent Building Materials and Structures)

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