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Advanced Materials for Modern Methods of Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and...
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Advanced Materials for Modern Methods of Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Sustainable Building Applications

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1046

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mehran Khan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Interests: modern methods of construction (MMC); sustainable and low-carbon construction materials; engineered cementitious composites (ECC); 3D printing of concrete; AI models for prediction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tonghao Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Thornton Tomasetti, New York, NY 10271, USA
Interests: non-destructive evaluation; concrete; finite element analysis
Dr. Chaopeng Xie

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China
Interests: high-performance and sustainable cement-based materials; fracture mechanics; durability of concrete under harsh conditions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mizan Ahmed

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Interests: steel–concrete composite structures; steel structures; concrete structures; artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Abasal Hussain

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Interests: ultra-high-performance and fiber-reinforced concrete; multifunctional composites; durability; AI-driven property prediction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern methods of construction (MMC) are reshaping the building industry by emphasizing speed, sustainability, and enhanced performance. Key enablers of these advancements are development and integration of advanced materials, including ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), engineered cementitious composites (ECC), low-carbon cementitious systems, 3D-printed concrete, and fiber-reinforced concrete. These materials offer superior mechanical strength, durability, ductility, and environmental performance compared to conventional alternatives.

This Special Issue seeks to bring together cutting-edge research focused on the design, optimization, and implementation of advanced materials for MMC. Emphasis will be placed on innovations that support sustainability, structural health monitoring, and smart design approaches, including the use of machine learning, digital fabrication techniques like 3D-printed concrete (3DPC), and computational modeling.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advanced material development (UHPC, ECC, and low-carbon binders);
  • Mechanical and durability performances;
  • Fracture and failure mechanics;
  • Machine learning and AI-driven material optimization;
  • Structural health-monitoring systems;
  • Sustainable applications and environmental impacts;
  • Digital construction and 3D printing in MMC;
  • Case studies and field implementations.

Original research papers, review articles, and case studies are invited to highlight the potential of advanced materials in revolutionizing sustainable construction.

We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Mehran Khan
Dr. Tonghao Zhang
Dr. Chaopeng Xie
Dr. Mizan Ahmed
Dr. Abasal Hussain
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

  • modern methods of construction (MMC)
  • ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
  • engineered cementitious composites (ECC)
  • low-carbon cement
  • 3D-printed concrete
  • fiber-reinforced concrete
  • machine learning in construction
  • structural health monitoring
  • digital construction
  • sustainable building materials

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 4180 KiB  
Article
Development of Ultra High-Performance Concrete with Artificial Aggregates from Sesame Ash and Waste Glass: A Study on Mechanical Strength and Durability
by Aïssa Rezzoug, Ali H. AlAteah, Muwaffaq Alqurashi and Sahar A. Mostafa
Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1942; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111942 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 248
Abstract
This study demonstrates the conversion of agricultural and industrial waste into construction materials by developing ultra-high-performance concrete using cold-bonded sesame ash and waste glass aggregates. The primary focus of this study was sustainability and waste valorization in self-curing concrete systems. This study focuses [...] Read more.
This study demonstrates the conversion of agricultural and industrial waste into construction materials by developing ultra-high-performance concrete using cold-bonded sesame ash and waste glass aggregates. The primary focus of this study was sustainability and waste valorization in self-curing concrete systems. This study focuses on many aspects of producing cementless concrete with superior short- and long-term properties, incorporating an innovative artificial aggregate premanufactured using sesame ash and waste glass. Prepacking technology of casting was used. A self-curing additive is used to reduce the energy required for curing. In cold-bonded aggregates (CBAs), the aggregate content ranged from 10 to 50% of the total sand volume. Polyethylene glycol was used as an internal curing agent to evaluate the mechanical properties of the concrete, including the compressive strength and tensile strength at different ages. The durability characteristics of the concrete were also analyzed in terms of its resistance to sulfates, chloride ion penetration, and performance at elevated temperatures of 300 and 600 °C. Microscopic analyses were conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The results showed a significant improvement in the mechanical and durability performance, especially at 30%, which resulted in the highest compressive strength of 147.2 MPa at 90 days. This is an 11.93% increase compared with that of the reference mix. The tensile strength was also improved by 14.5% at the same replacement ratio. The mix containing 30% manufactured aggregate demonstrated the best thermal resistance, retaining the highest percentage of residual strength at both 300 °C and 600 °C, as well as superior sulfate impact resistance, with a strength reduction factor of 39.5%. When the replacement ratio was increased to 50%, the chloride penetration resistance improved significantly by 41% compared with that of the reference mix. FTIR, TGA, and DSC analyses also demonstrated enhanced silicate polymerization and increased carbonate formation, contributing to the improved chemical stability and density of the concrete matrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Modern Methods of Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Sustainable Building Applications)
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34 pages, 4567 KiB  
Article
Predictive Models with Applicable Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the Compressive Performance of Quaternary Blended Plastic-Derived Sustainable Mortar
by Aïssa Rezzoug, Ahmed A. Abdou Elabbasy, Muwaffaq Alqurashi and Ali H. AlAteah
Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1932; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111932 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) models in material science and construction engineering have significantly improved predictive accuracy and decision making. However, the practical implementation of these models often requires technical expertise, limiting their accessibility for engineers and practitioners. A user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) can [...] Read more.
Machine learning (ML) models in material science and construction engineering have significantly improved predictive accuracy and decision making. However, the practical implementation of these models often requires technical expertise, limiting their accessibility for engineers and practitioners. A user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) can be an essential tool to bridge this gap. In this study, a sustainable approach to improve the compressive strength (C.S) of plastic-based mortar mixes (PMMs) by replacing cement with industrial waste materials was investigated using ML models such as support vector machine, AdaBoost regressor, and extreme gradient boosting. The significance of key mix parameters was further analyzed using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAPs) to interpret the influence of input variables on model predictions. To enhance the usability and real-world application of these ML models, a GUI was developed to provide an accessible platform for predicting the C.S of PMMs based on input material proportions. The ML models demonstrated strong correlations with experimental results, and the insights from SHAP analysis further support data-driven mix design strategies. The developed GUI serves as a practical and scalable decision support system, encouraging the adoption of ML-based approaches in sustainable construction engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Modern Methods of Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Sustainable Building Applications)
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13 pages, 3747 KiB  
Article
Elastic–Plastic Fracture Analysis on Defective Q345 Steel in the Process of Small-Scale Creep Crack Propagation
by Huajing Guo, Wenjie Tang, Xiaolong Tong and Bin Sun
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1662; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101662 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 256
Abstract
Q345 steel is usually used on structures working under high temperature where creep deformation could endanger their structural integrity. In order to support the application of steel structures made of Q345 under high temperature, a fracture analysis on defective Q345 steel in the [...] Read more.
Q345 steel is usually used on structures working under high temperature where creep deformation could endanger their structural integrity. In order to support the application of steel structures made of Q345 under high temperature, a fracture analysis on defective Q345 steel in the process of small-scale creep crack propagation has been performed. Three-dimensional finite element models with a semi-elliptical surface crack have been established, and the crack propagation process of Q345 steel has been simulated at 400 °C. The constraint effect near the crack tip in the process of creep crack propagation has been analyzed using the J-A2 two-parameter method in which the influence of the crack aspect ratio, loading level, and biaxial loading ratio was studied. The previously developed constraint-based R6 procedure was adopted to assess the structural integrity of the cracked structure under small-scale creep conditions. The results showed that small-scale creep crack propagation behavior exhibits great influence on both crack tip fields and a constraint effect near the crack tip. The increase in the biaxial loading ratio, loading level, and aspect ratio of the crack could lead to an increase in the J integral, an enhancement of the constraint effect, and a decrease in the safe area in the failure assessment diagram for the cracked structure in the process of small-scale creep crack propagation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Modern Methods of Construction: Innovations, Challenges, and Sustainable Building Applications)
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