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Advancing Civil Engineering Construction and Management: Innovations in Green Building, Intelligent Construction, and Sustainable Infrastructure Development

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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 October 2025 | Viewed by 4213

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yuan Mei

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: engineering construction services; time-dependent reliability theory and analysis methods for engineering structure; safety control of underground space engineering

Dr. Yili Yuan

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Guest Editor

College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China
Interests: application and development of intelligent algorithms in civil construction; reliability assessment and intelligent risk early warning systems; secondary development of numerical simulation research; reliability assessment and intelligent risk early warning for high-filled loesses; environmental geotechnical engineering

Dr. Lei Li

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: post-earthquake assessment of concrete structures; AI in Civil engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tao Zeng

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: macro- and micro-scale constitutive models for geotechnical, concrete, and metallic materials; multi-field coupling problems in deepwater engineering (including hydraulic suppression, carbon dioxide sequestration, and dry hot rock geothermal extraction)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The core objective of civil engineering construction and management is to ensure that all kinds of civil engineering projects can be carried out efficiently and smoothly, including their planning, design, construction, and operation, ultimately realizing the high quality, high efficiency, and sustainability of the project. The field not only emphasizes civil engineering technology innovation and application but also pays more attention to advanced theory and scientific innovation. Therefore, civil engineering construction and management focuses on green building, intelligent construction, new structural systems, engineering structural safety, low-carbon material R&D and application, new engineering equipment R&D and application, key technologies in modern transportation engineering, engineering fine management, intelligent operation and maintenance in the field of civil engineering, etc., to provide the industry with cutting-edge theoretical guidance and practical references, and to promote the sustained development and technological advancement of the civil engineering discipline.

We sincerely invite you to submit high-quality, cutting-edge articles on the topic of civil engineering construction and management. This topic encompasses a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to the following:

Engineering construction and management;
Innovative application of green building materials;
Intelligent building technology;
Innovation of mechanized construction technology;
Refined management of project progress;
Effective control of construction quality;
Structural safety assessment and improvement;
Building carbon emission monitoring, prediction, evaluation, and control methods.

Prof. Dr. Yuan Mei
Dr. Yili Yuan
Dr. Lei Li
Dr. Tao Zeng
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

engineering construction and management
green building materials
intelligent construction
mechanized construction
project schedule management
construction quality control
structural safety

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 15237 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating BIM, Machine Learning, and PMBOK for Green Project Management in Saudi Arabia: A Framework for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact Reduction

by Maher Abuhussain, Ali Hussain Alhamami, Khaled Almazam, Omar Humaidan, Faizah Mohammed Bashir and Yakubu Aminu Dodo

Buildings 2025, 15(17), 3031; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173031 - 25 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study introduces a comprehensive framework combining building information modeling (BIM), project management body of knowledge (PMBOK), and machine learning (ML) to optimize energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts in Riyadh’s construction sector. The suggested methodology utilizes BIM for dynamic energy simulations and design visualization, PMBOK for integrating sustainability into project-management processes, and ML for predictive modeling and real-time energy optimization. Implementing an integrated model that incorporates building-management strategies and machine learning for both commercial and residential structures can offer stakeholders a thorough solution for forecasting energy performance and environmental impact. This is particularly essential in arid climates owing to specific conditions and environmental limitations. Using a simulation-based methodology, the framework was evaluated based on two representative case studies: (i) a commercial complex and (ii) a residential building. The neural network (NN), reinforcement learning (RL), and decision tree (DT) were implemented to assess performance in energy prediction and optimization. Results demonstrated notable seasonal energy savings, particularly in spring (15% reduction for commercial buildings) and fall (13% reduction for residential buildings), driven by optimized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, insulation strategies, and window configurations. ML models successfully predicted energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enabling targeted mitigation strategies. GHG emissions were reduced by up to 25% in commercial and 20% in residential settings. Among the models, NN achieved the highest predictive accuracy (R² = 0.95), while RL proved effective in adaptive operational control. This study highlights the synergistic potential of BIM, PMBOK, and ML in advancing green project management and sustainable construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Civil Engineering Construction and Management: Innovations in Green Building, Intelligent Construction, and Sustainable Infrastructure Development)

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19 pages, 7576 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of High Temperature on the Interfacial Mechanical Properties of Rubber and Calcium Silicate Hydrate: Nanoscale Insights

by Xuejing Zhang, Yongkang Du, Lei Li, Yuan Mei and Chao Wang

Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2825; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162825 - 8 Aug 2025

Viewed by 221

Abstract

Currently, the partial substitution of mineral aggregates with rubber particles in the preparation of rubber concrete (RC) is an effective method for recycling waste rubber materials. However, the mechanism of interfacial interactions in RC at high temperatures is not well understood. This study aims to explore the effect of high temperature on intermolecular interactions at the RC interface and its relationship with macroscopic mechanical properties. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technology was employed to construct an RC interface model. The temperature is controlled at room temperature (300 K), medium low temperature (320 K, 340 K, 360 K), and high temperature (500 K, 700 K). The interface model was analyzed from multiple dimensions such as binding energy, turning radius, and interface structure. The results show that the higher the temperature, the more easily water molecules aggregate at the interface of the two phases. As the temperature increases, the proportion of water molecules at the interface increases from 6% to 16%. Since rubber and water molecules cannot form hydrogen bonds, the formation of chemical bonds at the interface between the two phases is affected, leading to a decrease in RC binding energy. The interface bonding energy decreases by 12.6% at a temperature of 700 K. In addition, the radius of gyration of rubber is proportional to temperature. As the temperature increases, the average radius of gyration increases from 5.8 Å to 6.15 Å, and the numerical fluctuation amplitude is greater, resulting in a relatively loose and unstable rubber structure. Furthermore, the bonding strength in RC mainly comes from non-hydrogen bond interactions, and high temperatures cause an increase in bond length while reducing the strength and stability of chemical bonds. Finally, high temperatures increase the atomic movement speed in natural rubber (NR). As the temperature increases, the diffusion coefficients of H_NR and C_NR increase from 0.08 and 0.04 to 1.835 and 1.473, respectively, preventing good connections between atoms at the interface. The study provides nanoscale insights for optimizing RC. Full article

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18 pages, 4676 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Leakage Control Technology for Underground Structures in Karst Terrains: Multi-Stage Grouting and Zoned Remediation at Guangzhou Baiyun Metro Station

by Yanhong Wang, Wentian Xu, Shi Zheng, Jinsong Liu, Muyu Li and Yili Yuan

Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2239; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132239 - 26 Jun 2025

Viewed by 426

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive treatment system for addressing leakage challenges in underground structure construction within complex karst terrains, demonstrated through the case of Baiyun Station in Guangzhou. Integrating advanced geological investigation, dynamic grouting techniques, and adaptive structural remediation strategies, this methodology effectively mitigates water inflow risks in structurally heterogeneous karst environments. Key innovations include the “one-trench two-drilling” exploration-grouting system for karst cave detection and filling, a multi-stage emergency water-gushing control protocol combining cofferdam sealing and dual-fluid grouting, and a zoned epoxy resin injection scheme for structural fissure remediation. Implementation at Baiyun Station achieved quantifiable outcomes: karst cave filling rates increased from 35.98% to 82.6%, foundation pit horizontal displacements reduced by 67–68%, and structural seepage repair rates reached 96.4%. The treatment system reduced construction costs by CNY 12 million and shortened schedules by 45 days through optimized pile formation efficiency (98% qualification rate) and minimized rework. While demonstrating superior performance in sealing > 0.2 mm fissures, limitations persist in addressing sub-micron fractures and ensuring long-term epoxy resin durability. This research establishes a replicable framework for underground engineering in karst regions, emphasizing real-time monitoring, multi-technology synergy, and environmental sustainability. Full article

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27 pages, 3647 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid RBF-PSO Framework for Real-Time Temperature Field Prediction and Hydration Heat Parameter Inversion in Mass Concrete Structures

by Shi Zheng, Lifen Lin, Wufeng Mao, Yanhong Wang, Jinsong Liu and Yili Yuan

Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2236; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132236 - 26 Jun 2025

Viewed by 379

Abstract

This study proposes an RBF-PSO hybrid framework for efficient inversion analysis of hydration heat parameters in mass concrete temperature fields, addressing the computational inefficiency and accuracy limitations of traditional methods. By integrating a Radial Basis Function (RBF) surrogate model with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), the method reduces reliance on costly finite element simulations while maintaining global search capabilities. Three objective functions—integral-type (F₁), feature-driven (F₂), and hybrid (F₃)—were systematically compared using experimental data from a C40 concrete specimen under controlled curing. The hybrid F₃, incorporating Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) for elastic time alignment and feature penalties for engineering-critical metrics, achieved superior performance with a 74% reduction in the prediction error (mean MAE = 1.0 °C) and <2% parameter identification errors, resolving the phase mismatches inherent in F₂ and avoiding F₁’s prohibitive computational costs (498 FEM calls). Comparative benchmarking against non-surrogate optimizers (PSO, CMA-ES) confirmed a 2.8–4.6× acceleration while maintaining accuracy. Sensitivity analysis identified the ultimate adiabatic temperature rise as the dominant parameter (78% variance contribution), followed by synergistic interactions between hydration rate parameters, and indirect coupling effects of boundary correction coefficients. These findings guided a phased optimization strategy, as follows: prioritizing high-precision calibration of dominant parameters while relaxing constraints on low-sensitivity variables, thereby balancing accuracy and computational efficiency. The framework establishes a closed-loop “monitoring-simulation-optimization” system, enabling real-time temperature prediction and dynamic curing strategy adjustments for heat stress mitigation. Robustness analysis under simulated sensor noise (σ ≤ 2.0 °C) validated operational reliability in field conditions. Validated through multi-sensor field data, this work advances computational intelligence applications in thermomechanical systems, offering a robust paradigm for parameter inversion in large-scale concrete structures and multi-physics coupling problems. Full article

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14 pages, 1630 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Initial Launching Technology of Subway Shield Tunneling in Complex Terrain and Numerical Simulation of Soil Deformation

by Jiangka Wang, Hui Li, Xujie Li, Xingzhong Nong, Chen Liu and Tao Yang

Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2222; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132222 - 25 Jun 2025

Viewed by 466

Abstract

Using the shield project of the Cai Cang Section tunnel of the Guangzhou Metro Line 13 to solve the problem that shield construction is difficult to start in a narrow space and it is easy to disturb the surrounding buildings and pipelines, the corresponding shield tunneling parameters, construction and transportation plans, residual soil management plans, and grouting reinforcement plans are designed. These are tailored according to different working conditions. Meanwhile, the MIDAS GTS 2022 numerical simulation software is applied to simulate and analyze the impact of shield tunneling construction on soil deformation, and to compare the effects before and after reinforcement of the soil layer during shield tunneling. The results show the amount of disturbance of building pipelines along the tunnel are effectively controlled by designing the corresponding shield tunneling parameters for three working conditions: contact reinforcement zone, entering reinforcement zone, and exiting reinforcement zone. In narrow spaces, three kinds of construction transportation modes (namely, horizontal transportation in the tunnel, translation transportation in the cross passage, and vertical transportation) ensure the smooth transportation of pipe segments and the smooth discharge of shield dregs. After the reinforced area is constructed, secondary grouting with cement mortar effectively reduces the erosion concrete segments by underground water. By comparing the deformation of the tunnel soil layer before and after reinforcement, it is found that the maximum surface deformation of the soil layer is significantly reduced after reinforcement. Specifically, the maximum settlement and maximum uplift are 0.782 mm and 1.87 mm respectively, which represent a reduction of 1.548 mm in the maximum surface settlement, and 0.16 mm in the maximum uplift compared with the unreinforced soil layer. This indicates that setting up a soil reinforcement zone during the initial launching stage can effectively reduce soil deformation. The Cai Cang Section tunnel shield project successfully completed the shield construction in a narrow space, which can be a reference and guide for similar projects. Full article

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16 pages, 2782 KB

Open AccessArticle

Construction Scheme and Influence Analysis of Horizontal Small-Clear-Distance Shield Tunnel

by Xujie Li, Hui Li, Yabin Cheng, Bing Zhang, Ming Qiao and Tao Yang

Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2142; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132142 - 20 Jun 2025

Viewed by 371

Abstract

Based on the construction project of Guangzhou Metro Line 13, this paper explores the special construction scheme for the safety of horizontal small-clear-distance shield tunnel construction, which adopts the construction of a tunnel first and a station later in the actual project to reduce the impact on the tunnel segment and the existing bridge piles. At the same time, the MIDAS GTS(2022R1) geotechnical and structural finite element analysis software is used to simulate and analyze the shield excavation process by using the stratum–structure modeling method, and the effect of grouting reinforcement in the tunnel is compared and analyzed. Through the research and analysis of the displacement and deformation of the model, the rationality and effectiveness of grouting reinforcement are explored to ensure the smooth implementation of the special construction scheme. The test results show that the implementation of grouting reinforcement measures in the tunnel can effectively control the horizontal deformation of the existing bridge piles and the horizontal deformation of the left line segment of the small-clear-distance section, and the above two deformation indexes are reduced by 67.7% and 72.1%, respectively, compared with the non-reinforcement condition. The settlement deformation of the segment and the surrounding existing bridge piles meets the requirements of the code, so the construction scheme is basically feasible. Full article

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21 pages, 4445 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Mechanical Properties and Durability of the PE-BFRP Hybrid-Fiber-Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC)

by Shasha Xu, Wei Li, Xuezhen Wang, Hongze Zhang, Ju Liu, Hui Jiang, Xuebin Wang, Hongke Ma, Jun Shi, Zhenyun Yu and Kuangyu Dai

Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1860; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111860 - 28 May 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 478

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of the basalt-fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) and polyethylene (PE) hybrid fiber ratio on the mechanical properties and durability of engineered cementitious composites (ECC). First, four different PE-BFRP hybrid fiber ECC mixtures were systematically prepared by controlling the fiber volume ratio of PE and BFRP fibers. The workability and mechanical properties of the hybrid fiber ECC (HFECC) were then evaluated using flowability tests and multi-scale mechanical tests, including compressive strength, flexural strength, bending toughness, and tensile performance. After that, the durability of HFECC with different fiber ratios was comprehensively assessed through freeze–thaw cycle tests and rapid ion migration tests. Finally, the interface morphology of fibers within the matrix was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that an appropriate hybrid of PE and BFRP fibers can synergistically enhance the crack resistance and toughness of ECC, improving its failure mode. The best performance in terms of flowability and mechanical properties was observed for the HFECC mixture with 1.30% PE fiber volume and 0.30% BFRP fiber volume. With the increase in BFRP fiber content, the freeze–thaw resistance and chloride ion erosion resistance of HFECC were gradually enhanced. This study provides experimental and theoretical support for the design and engineering application of high-performance hybrid fiber ECC materials. Full article

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15 pages, 856 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on a Carbon Emission Prediction Model for the Construction Phase of Underground Space Engineering Based on Typical Resource Carbon Consumption and Its Application

by Yuan Mei, Haokun Wang and Dongbo Zhou

Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081334 - 17 Apr 2025

Viewed by 430

Abstract

The trend of global warming remains severe. As one of the major sources of carbon emissions, the construction industry still requires large-scale and effective transformations. This study, grounded in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) theory, carbon emission factor calculation methods, the Monte Carlo method, and feedforward neural network algorithms, develops a carbon emission prediction model based on the carbon emissions generated by typical resource consumption. The model is established in the context of typical carbon emission patterns observed during the construction phase of subway stations in China. Furthermore, the feasibility of the proposed model is validated through its application to specific engineering projects. The results demonstrate that (1) the newly developed carbon emission model can accurately predict the carbon emissions associated with the construction phase of subway stations in China; (2) actual carbon emission calculations in construction projects require the integration of data from multiple sources to ensure comprehensive coverage and avoid omissions; and (3) during the construction phase of subway stations, the use of concrete and steel constitutes significant sources of carbon emissions. Full article

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