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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 July 2026 | Viewed by 6215

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Huazhe Jiao

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Guest Editor

College of Civil Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454150, China
Interests: underground backfill; minning and tailing recycling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mingqing Huang

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Guest Editor

Zijin School of Geology and Mining, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: cemented backfill; mining-induced surface subsidence prediction and control

Dr. Zhuen Ruan

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Guest Editor

School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: paste backfill; green mining; particle rheology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Lei Zhang

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Guest Editor

School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, 5340 Xiping Road, Beichen District, Tianjin 300401, China
Interests: solid waste; low carbon concrete; machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global transition toward sustainability demands urgent innovation in managing solid waste, a critical challenge exacerbated by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and resource-intensive practices. Traditional waste disposal methods contribute significantly to environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion. To align with circular economy principles and climate goals, there is a pressing need to develop technologies and strategies that transform solid waste into valuable resources through green and low-carbon pathways.

This Special Issue of Buildings focuses on "Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources", showcasing cutting-edge research, policies, and practices that address the sustainable management, recycling, and resource recovery of industrial, municipal, and mining-related solid waste. We seek contributions that emphasize innovative solutions to reduce environmental footprints, mitigate carbon emissions, and enhance resource efficiency across sectors.

We welcome contributions that cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to the following:

Green Technologies for Solid Waste Transformation:

Advanced recycling techniques for construction waste, tailings, industrial by-products, and electronic waste;
Low-energy processes for converting waste into construction materials (e.g., recycled aggregates, geopolymers);
Biotechnological and chemical approaches for organic waste treatment and bioresource recovery.

Low-Carbon Strategies in Waste Management:

Integrating renewable energy systems (e.g., biogas, waste-to-energy) into waste processing;
Carbon emission reduction through industrial symbiosis, electrifying waste treatment, and carbon capture in waste-derived products;
Lifecycle assessment (LCA) and carbon footprint analysis of waste utilization pathways.

Circular Economy and Policy Frameworks:

Designing circular supply chains for waste reuse in industries such as cement, metallurgy, and agriculture;
Policy incentives, regulatory frameworks, and economic instruments for promoting closed-loop systems;
Social and economic impacts of community-based waste recycling initiatives.

Innovative Materials and Applications:

Development of eco-friendly materials from waste streams (e.g., slag-based cement, plastic-reinforced composites);
Utilizing waste-derived materials in carbon sequestration, soil remediation, and green infrastructure.

Case Studies and Scalable Solutions:

Successful examples of industrial-scale solid waste recycling projects;
Lessons from cross-sector collaborations and technological commercialization.

We invite researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to advancing solid waste management practices. Submissions should emphasize practical applicability, environmental benefits, and their feasibility for large-scale implementation.

This Special Issue will support the global transition towards a regenerative, resource-efficient economy. We look forward to receiving your contributions and to advancing knowledge and practices that will shape a sustainable future.

Dr. Huazhe Jiao
Dr. Mingqing Huang
Dr. Zhuen Ruan
Dr. Lei Zhang
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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 waste management
green technologies
low-carbon strategies
innovative materials
waste-to-resource
comprehensive utilization
circular economy

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 9109 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Elevated Temperatures and Cooling Regimes on the Mechanical Properties and Toughness of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete

by Xugang Tang, Kewei Liu, Xiang Li and Yi Zhang

Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1820; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091820 - 2 May 2026

Viewed by 328

Abstract

In this study, an eco-friendly geopolymer concrete (GPC) was synthesized using fly ash, slag, and rice husk ash as precursors, and glass fibers were incorporated to enhance its mechanical properties. And then this study investigates the residual mechanical properties and microstructure evolution of glass fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete (GFGPC) following elevated temperature exposure and subsequent cooling. Specimens incorporating varying glass fiber volume fractions (0–2.5%) were subjected to temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 800 °C, followed by either natural cooling or water-spraying cooling. The uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian splitting tensile strength, and three-point flexural strength of the glass fiber-reinforced GPC were experimentally determined. Furthermore, fracture performance indicators—including the energy absorption capacity at failure, characteristic length, and double-K fracture parameters—were systematically analyzed. Results indicate that a glass fiber content of 1.5% optimally enhances the composite’s mechanical performance. Under natural cooling, splitting tensile and flexural strengths exhibit a non-monotonic trend, peaking at 200 °C. Conversely, water-spraying cooling induced thermal shock generally degrades tensile and flexural properties. However, at extreme temperatures (600 °C and 800 °C), water-spray cooling facilitates matrix densification and secondary geopolymerization, resulting in a residual compressive strength increase of 12.16% and 20.77% compared to natural cooling. Furthermore, based on composite damage theory, a binary nonlinear prediction model was developed to accurately capture the coupled effects of temperature and fiber characteristics on the residual compressive strength (R² > 0.90). Coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, the profound effects of elevated temperatures and thermal shock on the GPC gel matrix were elucidated, and the microscopic mechanisms underlying the failure of the fiber-bridging effect at high temperatures were thoroughly investigated. The findings of this study provide a solid theoretical foundation and scientific reference for the performance assessment and repair decision-making of GPC structures post-fire exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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23 pages, 1400 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influencing Factors and Predictive Methods of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Immersed Tunnel Construction in China

by Liang Zhang, Xiaohui Liu, Lingchen Kong, Liqiang Wang, Yi Liu, Zhennan Wang, Ling Wang, Youhua Yang and Lei Zhang

Buildings 2026, 16(4), 757; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16040757 - 12 Feb 2026

Viewed by 398

Abstract

The rapid expansion of China’s immersed tunnel construction has resulted in substantial consumption of reinforced concrete and construction energy, thereby generating considerable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the construction stage. Unlike conventional tunnels, immersed tunnels require large cross-sectional dimensions, complicated geological conditions (e.g., varying seabed burial depth and settlement grade requirements), and unique structural parameters, leading to distinct emission characteristics that are currently insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this study aims to quantify construction-stage GHG emissions of immersed-tube segments, identify key influencing factors linking construction parameters and material input with GHG emissions, and develop simplified predictive models for design-stage estimation. A total of 51 immersed-tube segments from three representative cross-sea tunnel projects in China were examined. Under a unified system boundary and functional unit (covering material production and processing, material transportation, and on-site construction energy consumption), the life-cycle assessment (LCA) framework was applied to quantify the construction-stage emissions of each immersed-tube segment. The construction-stage GHG emissions of a single segment range from 1.56 × 10⁴ to 2.71 × 10⁴ t CO₂ eq (mean ≈ 2.40 × 10⁴ t CO₂ eq). Correlation and partial correlation analyses demonstrated that the total mass of construction materials exhibits the strongest correlation with GHG emissions, followed by the element volume, concrete cross-sectional area, settlement grade, and burial depth. The results further indicate that material intensity is the dominant determinant of GHG emissions for immersed tubes, while the effects of seabed and settlement conditions mainly operate through structural scale and material demand. Finally, two linear regression models were developed, and the model based on total material mass provides the most accurate prediction of construction-stage emissions. The immersed-tube volume can be used to estimate approximate GHG emissions at the design stage, whereas the total material mass serves as a better predictor when detailed material input data are available. This study is based on segment-level data from three Chinese projects and focuses on the construction stage; therefore, transferability requires further validation. Material intensity is the dominant determinant, and the total-material-mass model is the most accurate predictor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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21 pages, 5245 KB

Open AccessArticle

Workability, Strength, and Durability of Wet-Mix Shotcrete Incorporating a Viscosity-Enhancing and Early-Strength Agent

by Jitao Dai, Yuting Xiang, Shengnian Wang, Leilei Gu, Yanzhao Sun, Mingwei Li and Kefei Fan

Buildings 2026, 16(3), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030584 - 30 Jan 2026

Viewed by 616

Abstract

This study investigates viscosity-enhancing and early-strength wet-mix shotcrete (VE-ESWS) incorporating a self-developed viscosity-enhancing and early-strength agent (VE-ES). Indoor tests combined with on-site spraying were performed to quantify the effects of the water/cement ratio (W/C) and VE-ES dosage on workability, strength, and durability. VE-ES had little influence on pumpability but substantially enhanced sprayability, reducing rebound rate to below 8%. Compressive and splitting tensile strengths peaked at W/C = 0.43–0.44 and a sand rate of 55%, whereas sand rates of 50% or 60% caused noticeable reductions. Durability (water permeability, freeze–thaw resistance, wet–dry sulfate attack, and carbonation resistance) of VE-ESWS was superior to that of the reference wet-mix shotcrete. Water penetration height could be controlled to about 5 cm when W/C was 0.42–0.43. During freeze–thaw cycling, mass loss rate increased initially and then decreased; slight apparent mass gains at later cycles were attributed to moisture uptake. VE-ES effectively reduced the compressive strength loss of VE-ESWS after sulfate attack, although the mass loss rate increased rather than decreased after 100 wet–dry sulfate attack cycles. The carbonation rate of VE-ESWS decreased with increasing VE-ES dosage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results corroborated accelerated hydration and pore-structure refinement. Based on combined indices, the recommended values are W/C = 0.42–0.44, and the VE-ES dosage = 7.5 kg/m³ within the studied ranges. This study could provide theoretical and technical support for the application of VE-ESWS in engineering practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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20 pages, 16654 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Mechanism of Nano-SiO₂ Affecting the Strength of Cement Paste Backfill

by Dexian Li, Haiyong Cheng, Deng Liu, Shunchuan Wu, Hong Li and Xin Zhang

Buildings 2026, 16(2), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020285 - 9 Jan 2026

Viewed by 378

Abstract

The strength of cement paste backfill (CPB) is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the horizontal layered approach backfill mining method. To effectively improve CPB strength, a series of experiments were carried out to systematically examine the effects of nano-SiO₂ (NS) on the mechanical properties, hydration process, setting time, and microstructure of CPB. The results show that at a content of 1.5%, NS fully utilizes its pozzolanic, filling, and nucleation effects, accelerating cement hydration, filling internal pores, and thereby increasing matrix density and CPB strength. Conversely, at 2.5%, severe agglomeration of NS into large-sized aggregates weakens these three effects of NS, increases specimen porosity, reduces matrix density, and consequently impairs the mechanical properties of CPB. This study clarifies the mechanism by which an appropriate amount of NS improves CPB mechanical properties, as well as the intrinsic reasons for the performance degradation caused by NS overdosage. The findings provide a theoretical basis and experimental support for the rational application of NS in mine backfill. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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29 pages, 9432 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Activator Modulus to Improve Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Polyethylene Fiber-Reinforced Alkali-Activated Composites

by Heng Yang, Dong Liu, Yu Guo, Mingkui Jia, Yingcan Zhu and Junfei Zhang

Buildings 2026, 16(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010057 - 23 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 638

Abstract

With the growing demand for sustainable and high-performance construction materials, alkali-activated materials (AAM) have attracted significant interest as eco-friendly al-ternatives to cement-based systems. Nevertheless, the tensile ductility and AAM–concrete interfacial bonding of polyethylene fiber-reinforced AAM remain insufficiently understood, and systematic knowledge on how activator modulus governs these multi-scale properties is still limited. This study aims to clarify how activator modulus (Ms = 0, 0.5, 0.8, 1.1, 1.4) influences the mechanical, interfacial, and microstructural behavior of an engineered AAM reinforced with polyethylene fibers. The effects are investigated through uniaxial tensile tests, single-fiber pull-out experiments, bond tests with concrete, and microstructural analyses (SEM, XRD, CT). Results show that an activator modulus of 1.1 yields the best overall performance, achieving a 28-day tensile strength of 3.77 MPa and ultimate tensile strain of 3.68%, representing increases of 231% and 64.6% compared with a modulus of 0. Microstructural observations confirmed that the optimized modulus promotes extensive gel formation, improves fiber–matrix interfacial bonding, and enhances strain-hardening with multiple microcracks. Interfacial tests further demonstrated that Ms strongly affects bond performance between AAM and concrete, with 1.0–1.1 providing balanced adhesion and matrix ductility, while excessive activation (Ms = 1.4) caused interfacial defects and bond deterioration. These findings deepen the understanding of the micromechanical role of activator modulus and provide guidance for the mix design of durable, high-ductility AAM suitable for sustainable infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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19 pages, 6531 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Characterization of Copper Tailing Backfill Cemented with a Slag-Based Material

by Haina Zhang, Xiutao Zhang, Lingsheng Yan, Changsheng Xie, Zewen Zhu, Shunman Chen and Xinyue Jiang

Buildings 2025, 15(21), 4004; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15214004 - 6 Nov 2025

Viewed by 657

Abstract

To address the challenges associated with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in mine backfilling, including high costs, the large carbon footprint, and performance limitations, a novel cementitious powder (CP) based on alkali-activated slag is developed in this work. The mechanical performance and microstructural strengthening mechanism of this CP as a substitute for OPC in cemented copper tailing backfill (CTB) were systematically evaluated. The effects of key parameters, including the solid content (SC), tailing-to-cement ratio (TCR), and curing age (CA), were investigated using uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The results demonstrate that the novel binder exhibits superior performance. At a solid content of 73%, the CTB prepared with CP at a TCR of 10 or 12 achieved a compressive strength comparable to or exceeding that of the OPC-based counterpart with a TCR of 8. This represents a 33% reduction in binder dosage without sacrificing performance. The UCS of the CTB increased significantly with a decreasing TCR and an increasing CA, with the most rapid strength development observed during the early curing stages (≤7 days). The stress–strain behavior transitioned from plastic yielding to strain-softening with prolonged curing, and the macroscopic failure was predominantly governed by tensile cracking. Microstructural analysis revealed that the strength development of the CTB originates from the continuous formation of hydration products, such as calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) gel and ettringite. These products progressively fill pores and encapsulate tailing particles, creating a dense and interlocking skeletal structure. A lower TCR and a longer CA promote the formation of a more integrated and compact micro-network, thereby enhancing the macroscopic mechanical strength. This study confirms the viability of the slag-based binder as a sustainable alternative to OPC in mining backfill applications, providing a critical theoretical basis and technical support for the low-cost, eco-friendly utilization of mining solid waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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28 pages, 5766 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physicomechanical Properties of Recycled Gypsum Composites with Polyvinyl Acetate Emulsion and Treated Short Green Coconut Fibers

by Sandra Cunha Gonçalves, Milton Ferreira da Silva Junior, Marcelo Tramontin Souza, Nilson Santana de Amorim Júnior and Daniel Véras Ribeiro

Buildings 2025, 15(19), 3490; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15193490 - 26 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1411

Abstract

The reintegration of waste into the production chain represents a sustainable method of reducing environmental impact while promoting economic growth. This also aligns with social and environmental demands. In this study, composites were produced from commercial and recycled gypsum, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) emulsions, and chemically treated short green coconut fibers, and characterized by physical and mechanical analyses. The addition of PVA improved paste workability, extended setting time, and reduced porosity, while fiber pretreatment enhanced adhesion and tensile performance. XRD, FTIR, and TGA-DTA confirmed modifications in crystallinity, bonding, and thermal stability due to the combined action of PVA and fibers. Compared with the recycled gypsum reference (RG), the optimized composite (R50C50P5F10) exhibited a 69.1% reduction in sorptivity (from 5440 × 10⁻⁴ to 1680 × 10⁻⁴ kg/m²·s^0.5), a 27.9% increase in flexural tensile strength (from 2.65 to 3.39 MPa), and a 15.1% increase in compressive strength (from 6.18 to 7.12 MPa). Surface hardness values remained statistically equivalent to RG but complied with normative requirements, maintaining all formulations within the moderate hardness category (55–80 Shore C). The results demonstrate the technical feasibility of incorporating recycled gypsum and agro-industrial fibers into gypsum composites, providing a sustainable route for developing more durable construction materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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17 pages, 6400 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Mechanical Properties and Micro-Evolution Characteristics of Coal Gangue-Based Composite Cementitious Materials

by Gongcheng Li, Yuzhong Wang, Xun Chen, Huazhe Jiao, Guodong Zhu, Zongyu Fan, Mingfa Gao, Wenlong Xu, Feng Dong and Liuyang Yao

Buildings 2025, 15(18), 3406; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15183406 - 20 Sep 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1016

Abstract

With the rapid development of industry, landfill and other environmental problems have arisen due to the coal mining and industrial solid waste generated during coal extraction and industrial production. In this study, coal gangue was utilized as the filling aggregate, along with industrial solid waste as the principal constituent, supplemented by cement, to develop a novel type of cementitious material and address environmental problems arising from the storage of solid waste. The impacts of sodium silicate, lime, and cement on the excitation characteristics and micro-evolution of steel slag–slag-based composite cementitious materials were investigated through experimental proportioning. The mineral composition, chemical composition, particle size distribution, microstructure, and hydration products of the filling materials were analyzed through XRD, XRF, a laser particle size analyzer, and SEM. The results show the following: (1) When the mass ratio of steel slag, slag, cement, sodium silicate, and lime is 30:38:15:2:15, the compressive strength of the Cemented Gangue Filling Body (CGFB) reaches the optimum level. At this juncture, the compressive strength of CGFB at 3 days is 2.16 MPa, and that at 28 days is 4.18 MPa. (2) Na₂SiO₃ and lime can activate the latent active substances within slag and steel slag, generating C-S-H gel and AFt through hydration reaction. (3) As the curing time escalates, the microstructure of the filling body becomes increasingly compact, and the porosity decreases from 10.5% to 3.8%. This study not only presents a new technical means for the resource treatment of solid waste such as coal gangue but also provides powerful support for the development and application of mine filling materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Low-Carbon Comprehensive Utilization of Solid Waste Resources)

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