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Buildings
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Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector
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Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 10137

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Angela Lee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of the Built Environment, University College of Estate Management, Reading RG1 4BS, UK
Interests: performance management; construction management; design management; process management; sustainability
Dr. Juan Ferriz-Papi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
Interests: waste management; construction and demolition waste; circular economy; construction management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid pace of urbanisation, globally, construction and demolition waste (CDW) accounts for approximately 36% (equating to between 2.5 and 3.5 billion tonnes) of the total solid waste received annually at landfill sites around the world. It is possible to classify the effects of construction and demolition waste (CDW) caused by the industry into two levels: the project level and national level. At the project level, CDW affects the profitability and reputation of stakeholders while significantly influencing project efficiency and performance. On a national scale, CDW has the potential to create environmental challenges, both domestically and globally, while also placing a financial burden on governments as they strive to address CDW-related issues. This Special Issue compiles the most recent research aimed at tackling solid CDW. It encompasses strategies for waste reduction and recovery, as well as the implementation of measures at either the project or broader levels. The overarching goal is to align the construction industry with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate the adoption of such practices in government policies and industry standards on a global scale.

Prof. Dr. Angela Lee
Dr. Juan Ferriz-Papi
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

  • solid construction waste
  • circular economy
  • construction and demolition waste (CDW)
  • sustainable construction
  • sustainable built environment
  • reuse
  • recycling

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 7491 KiB  
Article
Recycled Aggregate Concrete Incorporating GGBS and Polypropylene Fibers Using RSM and Machine Learning Techniques
by Anjali Jaglan and Rati Ram Singh
Buildings 2025, 15(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010066 - 28 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 737
Abstract
In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and machine learning models were used to predict the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) containing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and polypropylene fibers (PPFs). The investigation focused on compressive strength (CS) and split [...] Read more.
In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and machine learning models were used to predict the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) containing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and polypropylene fibers (PPFs). The investigation focused on compressive strength (CS) and split tensile strength (STS) tests at curing periods of 7, 28, 56, and 90 days, with variations in the percentages of GGBS (0–50%), recycled aggregate (RA) (0–100%), and PPF (0–1%). The RSM model showed high accuracy in predicting both CS and STS, with statistically significant results (p-value < 0.0001). Among the machine learning models, the Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) exhibited the highest performance, achieving an R2 value of 0.98961 during the training and testing phases for CS prediction. It also demonstrated strong results for STS prediction, with an MSE of 0.02773, MAPE of 2.69775, and R2 value of 0.99404 in the training phase, and an MSE of 0.14141, MAPE of 5.71691, and R2 value of 0.96947 during testing. The Stacked Ensemble Learning model performed similarly to GBM, with an R2 of 0.99251 during training for STS and 0.96619 during testing. However, GBM consistently outperformed the other models in terms of balancing low error rates and high R2 values across both datasets. The Distributed Random Forest model also provided strong performance but slightly higher error rates and lower R2 values than GBM. Overall, both GGBS and PPF significantly enhanced the mechanical properties and workability of the concrete, highlighting the importance of these additives in optimizing concrete performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector)
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13 pages, 2421 KiB  
Article
Environmental Benefits of Fluorogypsum Reuse in the Production of Construction Materials
by Bauyrzhan Rakhadilov, Aidar Kengesbekov, Manarbek Kylyshkanov, Lyaila Bayatanova, Abdulina Saule Amangeldyevna and Moldir Bayandinova
Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3618; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113618 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 752
Abstract
Fluorohypsum is a solid, large-tonnage waste generated during the production of hydrofluoric acid. The volume of accumulated waste in the world is hundreds of millions of tons, which makes its utilization an increasingly urgent task. This article presents the results of research aimed [...] Read more.
Fluorohypsum is a solid, large-tonnage waste generated during the production of hydrofluoric acid. The volume of accumulated waste in the world is hundreds of millions of tons, which makes its utilization an increasingly urgent task. This article presents the results of research aimed at the use of fluorohypsum as a component of building materials. On the basis of the obtained data, the technological scheme of manufacturing products based on anhydrite binder is developed. It was established that the introduction of specialized additives into gypsum–anhydrite mixtures significantly increases the bond strength with the base (up to four times). The mixture of gypsum and anhydrite with a 75/25 arrangement provides tensile strength of up to 4.3 MPa and bending strength of 1.8 MPa, which exceeds similar indicators for traditional building materials. An economic analysis has shown a 20–25% reduction in the cost of composite production compared to the use of natural gypsum, which provides cost savings and makes these materials competitive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector)
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19 pages, 1334 KiB  
Article
Designing for a Circular Economy in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: Insights from Italy
by Mahmoud Alhawamdeh, Angela Lee and Ali Saad
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1946; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071946 - 27 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3389
Abstract
Resource consumption in the construction industry is expected to increase globally in the coming years. Additionally, construction and demolition waste (CDW) remains a significant priority within numerous global policies due to its vast volume and the inefficiencies in its management. This situation results [...] Read more.
Resource consumption in the construction industry is expected to increase globally in the coming years. Additionally, construction and demolition waste (CDW) remains a significant priority within numerous global policies due to its vast volume and the inefficiencies in its management. This situation results in substantial environmental repercussions, primarily due to the low rates of material recovery in the manufacturing processes for new building materials. In response, the concept of the circular economy (CE) emerges as a promising solution across various sectors. CE promotes more resource- and energy-efficient practices, reducing waste generation and mitigating the environmental impacts associated with product life cycles while also unlocking potential economic opportunities. The primary aim of this study is to identify and assess the design practices influencing the adoption of CE principles within the Italian architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. The study’s main contribution lies in a survey of 77 Italian designers to explore the core strategies driving the development of comprehensive circular approaches. This investigation seeks to understand the constraints and opportunities for CE implementation. The findings will assist in decision-making, inform policy, promote literacy around the CE topic, enable new quality standards, and serve as a baseline reference for businesses regarding sustainability investment indexes and markets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector)
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Review

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20 pages, 1817 KiB  
Review
Examining the Challenges for Circular Economy Implementation in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Comprehensive Review Using Systematic Methods
by Juan Antonio Ferriz-Papi, Angela Lee and Mahmoud Alhawamdeh
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051237 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4394
Abstract
The construction industry accounts for approximately one-third of the total waste generation globally. With the United Nations projecting a population increase of 2 billion within the next three decades, there is a heightened demand for building stock, generating unprecedented volumes of construction and [...] Read more.
The construction industry accounts for approximately one-third of the total waste generation globally. With the United Nations projecting a population increase of 2 billion within the next three decades, there is a heightened demand for building stock, generating unprecedented volumes of construction and demolition waste (CDW). To combat this, circular economy strategies are purported to help alleviate the prevailing situation. But a number of challenges are jeopardizing their implementation in the construction industry and preventing from achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, net zero carbon and zero avoidable waste targets. This paper systematically analyzes 54 research articles, published in the past decade within major peer-reviewed English-language scholarly publications in the form of a systematic research review. In doing so, it aims to identify and classify the challenges that prevent improved CDW management by assimilating previous research results in support of a circular economy. The classification and analysis using a PESTLE model offers insights into gaps and differences between categories, as well as regions and countries. This initial step could contribute to a better understanding of these barriers, along with associated solutions, which could result in a significant reduction on the impact of construction activities, therefore facilitating the development of an effective circular economy in the sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector)
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