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Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures
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Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2025 | Viewed by 4890

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shaojun Cao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
Interests: geopolymer-based ultra-high-performance concrete; steel fiber-reinforced cementitious concrete; dynamic properties; structural blast and impact resistance performance; machine learning
Dr. Dehong Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
Interests: ultra-high-performance concrete; concrete durability; precast concrete structure; earthquake engineering; seismic design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pang Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Prefabricated Buildings and Intelligent Construction, School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
Interests: industrial solid waste; structural fire resistance; fair-faced concrete; composite structure; concrete durability
Dr. Yu Yan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning 123000, China
Interests: ultra-high-performance lightweight concrete; reinforcement learning; blast demolition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the growing emphasis on global decarbonization goals, the cement and concrete industry faces mounting pressure to reduce emissions. The task of simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions and meeting the expected demand for cement and concrete is highly challenging, considering the direct correlation between the industry's output and economic growth; therefore, balancing the growing demands for concrete production with environmental sustainability is essential. This calls for the adoption of innovative approaches to reduce the carbon footprint and enhance the efficiency of concrete manufacturing processes. Low-carbon concrete, utilizing alternative materials, recycling aggregates, and implementing carbon capture technologies, are gaining attention as part of efforts to mitigate environmental impact.

This Special Issue focuses on sustainable low-carbon building materials and their structures, with a focus on their performance in complex environments including, but not limited to, fatigue damage, durability issues, earthquakes, fires, explosions, and impacts. This Special Issue is of great importance for environmentally friendly development in the construction industry, and we very much look forward to receiving your research contributions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you may have about this Special Issue.

Dr. Shaojun Cao
Prof. Dr. Dehong Wang
Dr. Pang Chen
Dr. Yu Yan
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

  • green building materials
  • low-carbon construction
  • mechanical properties
  • durability performance
  • structural fire resistance
  • seismic performance
  • impact and explosion resistance
  • bridge seismic resistance
  • composite materials
  • machine learning

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

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 7642 KiB  
Article
Efficiency of Modular Bridge Configurations: A Study on the Structural Stability and Capacity of Single- and Double-Story Modular Bridges
by Mohamed Embaby and M. Hesham El Naggar
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101709 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 105
Abstract
This study investigates the structural performance and load-bearing capacity of single- and double-story modular bridge configurations using both experimental testing and finite element analysis. A full-scale field test was conducted on a 45.7 m double-story bridge subjected to truck loading at ten distinct [...] Read more.
This study investigates the structural performance and load-bearing capacity of single- and double-story modular bridge configurations using both experimental testing and finite element analysis. A full-scale field test was conducted on a 45.7 m double-story bridge subjected to truck loading at ten distinct positions along the span. Midspan deflections and axial strains of key members were measured and analyzed at each loading position to assess the bridge’s response under service loads. The experimental data were used to validate three-dimensional finite element (FE) models and refine modeling techniques for the double-story modular bridge. The validated FE models enabled further analysis of the structural performance of double-truss–double-story (DD) and quadruple-truss–single-story (QS) modular bridge configurations, both in single- and double-lane setups. The numerical results demonstrated that the double-story configuration with double truss lines per side provided a notable improvement in stiffness and load-carrying capacity compared to the single-story configuration with quadruple truss lines. Moreover, single-lane bridges exhibited better performance than their double-lane equivalents, emphasizing the impact of bridge width on structural stability. Wider, double-lane bridges were found to be more prone to out-of-plane buckling at midspan, with the top chords experiencing significantly greater deformation. Buckling analyses indicated that, although the DD and QS configurations had comparable critical loads, their failure mechanisms differed. Finally, live load factors predicted through the models were compared with the requirements of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC), confirming that the DD configuration in a two-lane setup meets code expectations and demonstrates effective structural performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures)
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13 pages, 11300 KiB  
Article
Bond Behavior Between Steel Bar and Reactive Powder Concrete Under Repeated Loading
by Dewen Zhang, Yanming Feng, Ruihui Han, Xiangsheng Kong, Dehong Wang and Chao Ren
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1305; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081305 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 252
Abstract
To investigate the influence of repeated loading on the bond behavior between steel bars and reactive powder concrete (RPC), this study conducted repeated loading tests on eight beam specimens and one static loading test as a control. The effects of stress levels and [...] Read more.
To investigate the influence of repeated loading on the bond behavior between steel bars and reactive powder concrete (RPC), this study conducted repeated loading tests on eight beam specimens and one static loading test as a control. The effects of stress levels and the number of repeated loading cycles on the bond behavior between steel bars and RPC were examined. The results indicate that the static failure mode was characterized by steel bar pull-out accompanied by significant plastic deformation, with no propagation of cracks in the RPC after their initiation, demonstrating the excellent crack control capability of RPC. After 10,000 cycles of repeated loading at a high stress level (Z = 0.9), the ultimate bond strength decreased by only 3.68%, indicating the superior fatigue resistance of the steel–RPC interface. Based on the analysis of slip accumulation effects, a constitutive model considering stress levels and the number of repeated loading cycles was established. This model can serve as a basis for the design of steel anchorage in RPC structures subjected to cyclic loading. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures)
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21 pages, 12806 KiB  
Article
Axial Compressive Behavior of Outer Square Inner Circular Spontaneous Combustion Coal Gangue Concrete-Filled Double-Skin Steel Tubular Stub Column
by Jinli Wang, Chunyuan Wang, Zhe Gao, Haoyan Wei, Zhengping Hu and Weiwei Wang
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 4064; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124064 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 567
Abstract
Utilizing crushed spontaneous combustion coal gangue as a coarse aggregate in concrete preparation effectively reduces reliance on natural resources and mitigates environmental pollution; however, the suboptimal workability of spontaneous combustion coal gangue coarse aggregate concrete (SCG-CAC) limits its engineering applications. To address this [...] Read more.
Utilizing crushed spontaneous combustion coal gangue as a coarse aggregate in concrete preparation effectively reduces reliance on natural resources and mitigates environmental pollution; however, the suboptimal workability of spontaneous combustion coal gangue coarse aggregate concrete (SCG-CAC) limits its engineering applications. To address this issue, this study places SCGCAC at the center of a CFDST (Concrete-Filled Double-Skin Steel Tubular) stub column. Through finite element modeling validated for reliability, this study examines the structural mechanical response to axial loading, along with the effects of various parameters. The analysis encompasses parameters such as the strength of the core SCGCAC (fc,i), the strength of the sandwiched concrete (fc,o), the yield strength of the outer steel tube (fy,o), the yield strength of the inner steel tube (fy,i), the width-to-thickness ratio (B/to), the diameter-to-thickness ratio of the inner tube (D/ti), and the diameter-to-width ratio of the outer tube (D/B). Results show that this structural configuration significantly enhances the core SCGCAC ultimate bearing capacity, and increases in D/ti, fc,i, fc,o, fy,i, and B/to all lead to an increase in the peak load. Particularly, when D/ti increases from 28.57 to 80, the peak load increases by 42.72%. However, changes in fy,o and D/B have no significant effect on the peak load. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures)
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13 pages, 2876 KiB  
Article
Influence of Fly Ash Content on Macroscopic Properties and Microstructure of High-Performance Concrete
by Mengxin Kang, Yabo Jia, Peng Guo, Yanzhong Ju and Hongji Zhang
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3844; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123844 - 30 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 831
Abstract
To investigate the influence of the fly ash (FA) content on the performance of high-performance concrete (HPC), seven groups of tests were conducted, aiming to evaluate both the macroscopic properties (workability and compressive strength) and microscopic pore structure. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) [...] Read more.
To investigate the influence of the fly ash (FA) content on the performance of high-performance concrete (HPC), seven groups of tests were conducted, aiming to evaluate both the macroscopic properties (workability and compressive strength) and microscopic pore structure. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology and SEM images were employed to analyze the changes in the internal pore structure of the concrete. The results showed that the workability of HPC initially increased and then decreased with the increase in the FA content. When the FA content was 15%, the slump of HPC reached a maximum of 264 mm, and the 28-day compressive strength exhibited a 23.2% increase compared to the 7-day compressive strength. The pore size distribution of the concrete varied with different fly ash content. At 15% FA content, secondary hydration of the FA was sufficient, refining the pores to between 0 and 0.1 µm. Excessive FA substitution deteriorated the internal structure of the HPC matrix and reduced the workability and mechanical properties of the HPC. When the content of FA was 35%, the slump of HPC decreased to 176 mm, while the macropores within the matrix significantly increased, resulting in porosity of 6.81%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures)
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12 pages, 2408 KiB  
Article
Study on Damage Constitutive Model of Reactive Powder Concrete in Uniaxial Tension
by Hongji Zhang, Hang Lu, Ziheng Wang, Siming Gao, Bo Wen and Yanzhong Ju
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3805; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123805 - 28 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 628
Abstract
In this paper, the damage constitutive model of reactive powder concrete (RPC) in uniaxial tension is investigated. The relationship between the uniaxial tensile strength of RPC and the steel fiber admixture was analyzed by preparing RPC specimens with different steel fiber volume admixtures [...] Read more.
In this paper, the damage constitutive model of reactive powder concrete (RPC) in uniaxial tension is investigated. The relationship between the uniaxial tensile strength of RPC and the steel fiber admixture was analyzed by preparing RPC specimens with different steel fiber volume admixtures for uniaxial tensile tests, and the stress–strain curves were recorded. The test results show that the uniaxial tensile strength of RPC is significantly enhanced with an increase in steel fiber doping, especially after the doping amount is greater than 2%, showing a linear increase. Based on the classical damage mechanics and Weibull distribution, the damage evolution equation and the constitutive model of RPC uniaxial tension were established. The validation shows that the model can effectively describe the damage process of RPC in uniaxial tension, which provides a theoretical basis for the application of RPC in engineering practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures)
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17 pages, 6104 KiB  
Article
Study on Impact Resistance of Alkali-Activated Slag Cementitious Material with Steel Fiber
by Pan Liu, Guangjing Chen, Gang Liu, Hao Liu, Jia Zhang, Pang Chen and Yumeng Su
Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3442; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113442 - 29 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 923
Abstract
Alkali-activated slag cementitious materials (AASCMs) use alkaline activators to activate blast furnace slag and waste slag to replace traditional Portland cement, which can reduce CO2 emissions. An impact resistance test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microscopic performance analysis of alkali-activated slag cementitious [...] Read more.
Alkali-activated slag cementitious materials (AASCMs) use alkaline activators to activate blast furnace slag and waste slag to replace traditional Portland cement, which can reduce CO2 emissions. An impact resistance test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microscopic performance analysis of alkali-activated slag cementitious material specimens with four different steel-fiber contents are performed. The effects of steel-fiber volume content and strain rate on the dynamic elastic modulus Ed, dynamic compressive strength σd, dynamic peak compressive strain εc, and energy absorption of the AASCM-SS are studied. The results indicate that the dynamic elastic modulus Ed, dynamic compressive strength σd, and energy absorption of the AASCM-SS increase with the increase of strain rate, and the dynamic peak compressive strain εc decreases with the increase of strain rate. The dynamic elastic modulus Ed, dynamic compressive strength σd, and dynamic peak compressive strain εc of the SS-AASCM increase first and then decrease with the increase of steel-fiber content. When the steel-fiber content is 0.5%, the σd and εc of the AASCM-SS are the highest, increased by 9.9% and 19.3%. The energy absorption of AASCM-SS increases with the increase of steel-fiber content. A dynamic constitutive model of the FR-AASCM considering the influence of damage, strain rate, and steel-fiber volume fraction is established. The proposed constitutive model is in acceptable agreement with the experimental AASCM-SS dynamic stress–strain curve, and the correlation coefficient is 0.91. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures)
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16 pages, 9184 KiB  
Article
Study on the Durability of High-Content Oil Shale Concrete
by Yunyi Wang, Cong Zeng, Yingshuang Wang, Mingyi Tang and Mengqiu Gao
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2547; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082547 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 783
Abstract
This study evaluated the potential and environmental benefits of using oil shale residue as a replacement for fine aggregate in concrete through a series of experiments. Initially, the crushing value test confirmed the oil shale residue’s value at 16.7%, meeting the load-bearing standards [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the potential and environmental benefits of using oil shale residue as a replacement for fine aggregate in concrete through a series of experiments. Initially, the crushing value test confirmed the oil shale residue’s value at 16.7%, meeting the load-bearing standards for fine aggregates, thus proving its viability as a complete substitute. Further, the oil shale residue was treated with a 60 mg/L concentration of Tween 80 and other surfactants for oil removal. The treated concrete specimens demonstrated excellent compressive performance and a dense internal structure. Building on this, the mechanical properties of the oil shale residue concrete were explored across different replacement ratios (from 40% to 100%), revealing an increase in compressive strength with higher replacement ratios. In the durability tests, compared to the JZ group, the oil shale residue concrete modified with desulfurization gypsum exhibited a 0.03% reduction in mass loss rate and a 10.13% reduction in relative moving elasticity modulus loss rate, particularly noticeable after 175 freeze–thaw cycles where specimens B1 to B4 exhibited no significant damage, highlighting its remarkable durability. Overall analysis indicated that using oil-removed oil shale residue as a substitute for fine aggregate in concrete, combined with desulfurization gypsum modification, not only enhances concrete performance but also significantly reduces the consumption of natural aggregates and environmental pollution, promoting resource utilization and sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Low-Carbon Building Materials and Structures)
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