Eco-Innovations in Building Design: Material Science and Energy Perspective

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 1117

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: preparation and characterization of thermosetting/thermoplastic blends; functional nanocomposites; composite materials: production and characterization techniques; ecocomposites: formulation and preparation techniques; materials for additive manufacturing; LCA analysis of polymeric materials and composites

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the journal focuses on "Advances in Sustainable Built Environment", showcasing the forefront of research, technologies, methodologies, and case studies, including prototypes, that are driving innovations in sustainable building practices. We invite contributions that explore cutting-edge developments in sustainable materials and life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches, aiming to highlight their role in enhancing environmental, economic, and social outcomes. Articles may cover a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following: the development and application of novel sustainable materials; the circularity of obsolete materials; advancements in green building technologies; innovative design and construction methodologies that minimize environmental impact; prototyping in additive manufacturing; and comprehensive case studies that assess the performance of sustainable buildings across their life cycles. This issue seeks to provide a platform for researchers, architects, engineers, and industry professionals to disseminate their findings, offering insights into the integration of sustainability principles in the built environment, and addressing various end-of-life scenarios that can be adopted. We particularly encourage submissions that address the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainable practices in diverse climatic and cultural contexts, demonstrating global relevance and applicability. By bringing together a diverse array of research and practical insights, this Special Issue aims to inspire further innovation and foster a deeper understanding of sustainable building practices that can be adapted and scaled globally.

Dr. Francesco Nocera
Dr. Alberta Latteri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • sustainable materials
  • life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • green building technologies
  • eco-friendly design methodologies
  • energy efficiency
  • building performance evaluation
  • renewable energy integration
  • environmental impact reduction
  • urban sustainability
  • climate-adaptive architecture

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

25 pages, 1811 KiB  
Article
Assessing Treatments to Mitigate End-Face Cracking in Air-Dried Acacia dealbata Logs
by Manuel Suazo-Uribe, Linette Salvo-Sepúlveda, Víctor Rosales, Claudio Montero, José L. Louzada and Jorge M. Branco
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2090; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072090 - 8 Jul 2024
Viewed by 754
Abstract
Acacia dealbata Link, known as Mimosa in Portugal, is an invasive hardwood species with potential for construction use, but research is limited. The available stock of small-diameter juvenile wood logs can help reduce this gap, but tangential cracking at log ends challenges fastener [...] Read more.
Acacia dealbata Link, known as Mimosa in Portugal, is an invasive hardwood species with potential for construction use, but research is limited. The available stock of small-diameter juvenile wood logs can help reduce this gap, but tangential cracking at log ends challenges fastener connections. This study evaluated different treatments to control and reduce end-face cracking in small wood logs during air drying, an economical and environmentally friendly procedure. The extreme two-thirds of sixteen Mimosa logs were subjected to two treatments: one with longitudinal kerfs 15 mm deep along the length (two and three kerfs) and the other with a hollow in the center up to half the length (16 mm and 30 mm diameters). Over 219 days of air drying and compared with the central part, kerfing treatments significantly reduced outer-wood tangential cracking (p < 0.001), with the three kerfs also reducing crack numbers (p < 0.05) but increasing significantly cracks near the pith (p < 0.01). The 30 mm central hollow significantly reduced central perforation cracking (p < 0.05). Prospectively, the results suggest that a combined treatment approach involving cross-cuts could help reduce and/or control end cracking, thereby improving the suitability of wild Mimosa logs for construction use. Full article
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