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Sustainable Use of Recycled, Anthropogenic and Alternative Materials in Construction
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Sustainable Use of Recycled, Anthropogenic and Alternative Materials in Construction

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 3443

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Justyna Dzięcioł

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: sustainability; sustainable construction; recycled materials management; construction process management; application of machine learning in civil engineering
Prof. Dr. Wojciech Sas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 166 Nowoursynowska Street, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: geotechnics; soil mechanics; anthropogenic soils and materials; utilization of problematic soil in earth construction road engineering; soil improvement; recycled concrete aggregate; construction and demolition materials; fly ash; blast furnace slag
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to participate in this Special Issue dedicated to exploring innovative approaches and best practices in managing alternative, recycled and anthropogenic materials and building a more sustainable construction sector utilizing them. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, it has become increasingly crucial to address environmental concerns and promote sustainable development in the construction industry.

The topics we aim to cover in this Special Issue encompass a wide range of themes, including sustainable materials management, recycled materials utilization, anthropogenic materials considerations, the exploration of alternative materials, and the implementation of sustainable practices throughout the construction process. We are particularly interested in delving into the concept of the circular economy and its application in the construction sector, as well as exploring sustainable design methodologies that incorporate alternative materials and modern computer techniques. In addition to traditional approaches, we also seek contributions that explore the integration of more modern technologies, for example, machine learning algorithms, with sustainable management practices and the management of alternative building materials. We believe that machine learning algorithms have a key role to play in optimizing resource use, increasing efficiency, and minimizing the environmental impact of construction projects.

We invite researchers from a variety of disciplines involved in the management of anthropogenic, recycled and alternative materials to contribute their knowledge and insights to this Special Issue. Whether empirical research, theoretical issues, case studies, or innovative methodologies, we encourage submissions that offer new perspectives and practical solutions to the challenges faced by sustainable construction and the management of alternative, recycled and anthropogenic materials.

Together, we can advance the discussion surrounding sustainability in the construction industry and pave the way for a greener and more change-resilient future.

Thank you for considering this invitation and we look forward to your contribution.

Dr. Justyna Dzięcioł
Prof. Dr. Wojciech Sas
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. Materials 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

  • sustainable materials management
  • recycled materials
  • anthropogenic materials
  • alternative materials
  • sustainable materials
  • circular economy
  • sustainable management of the construction process
  • sustainable management of the construction process using machine learning algorithms
  • sustainable materials management using machine learning algorithms
  • sustainable design in construction using alternative materials
  • sustainable design in construction using alternative materials and modern computer techniques.

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2009 KiB  
Article
The Measurement of Hemp Concrete Thermal and Moisture Properties for an Effective Building Construction Proposal in Region of Slovakia (Central Europe)
by Richard Hrčka, Patrik Štompf, Stanislav Jochim, Marek Eduard Mikuš and Milan Iskra
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1651; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071651 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 328
Abstract
The construction industry is facing an increased demand to adopt sustainable green building materials to minimize the carbon footprint. Hemp concrete is a green building material not only because of its low embodied carbon but also because of its ability to regulate heat [...] Read more.
The construction industry is facing an increased demand to adopt sustainable green building materials to minimize the carbon footprint. Hemp concrete is a green building material not only because of its low embodied carbon but also because of its ability to regulate heat and relative humidity. Its thermal characteristics are often viewed as favorable for reducing the energy used to heat or cool indoor buildings. The current research is focused on the properties of hemp concrete from Slovak manufacturers which can be effectively used in construction as a replacement for conventional building materials and can also be effectively applied in building renovations. The basic thermal properties of hemp concrete, i.e., specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, effusivity, thermal diffusivity, and lag time, were determined. The determination of all properties is dependent on the knowledge of heat fluxes at the surface and the density of samples. The insulation ability was expressed with a thermal conductivity of 0.099 W·m−1·K−1. The accumulation was expressed with a specific heat of 1540 J·kg−1·K−1 and density of 322 kg·m−3 in the air environment temperature of 22 °C and relative humidity of 50%. To assess moisture properties, the moisture content and the speed of molecules during diffusion and lag time, based on the thickness of the hemp concrete samples, were measured. The speed of water molecules during diffusion in hemp concrete was 8.6 × 10−7 m·s−1. The study shows that hemp concrete has interesting hydrothermal properties for use as an insulation layer in envelope structures. Thus, this material can be used effectively in the construction field in order to meet the requirements of the current standards, which aim to reduce energy and environmental impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Use of Recycled, Anthropogenic and Alternative Materials in Construction)
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22 pages, 40845 KiB  
Article
Bamboo–PCM: Comparative Analysis of Phase Change Material-Impregnated Dendrocalamus giganteus Culm Behavior Exposed to Thermal Variation in Wind Tunnel Assay
by Fabrício Rezende Fontenelle, Túlio Caetano Guimarães, Tadayuki Yanagi Junior, Marcelo Bahuti, Romildo Dias Toledo Filho, Eddie Koenders and Saulo Rocha Ferreira
Materials 2025, 18(3), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030675 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 951
Abstract
The construction industry’s pursuit of eco-friendly materials has sparked interest in bamboo, a renewable resource with exceptional physical and mechanical properties. This study analyzed the integration of Dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo with phase change materials (PCMs) to enhance thermal energy storage in building applications, [...] Read more.
The construction industry’s pursuit of eco-friendly materials has sparked interest in bamboo, a renewable resource with exceptional physical and mechanical properties. This study analyzed the integration of Dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo with phase change materials (PCMs) to enhance thermal energy storage in building applications, aiming to improve temperature regulation and reduce energy consumption for climate control. The study compared the performance of bamboo impregnated with an industrial PCM or coconut oil, used in conjunction with a polyurethane resin (PU) coating treatment, assessing their thermal regulation performance against traditional building materials such as ceramic tiles, fiber cement, and metal sheets. From an anatomical perspective, the pores within bamboo culms offered ample space for PCM storage, resulting in a substantial heat storage capacity. Thermal behavior tests conducted in a wind tunnel revealed that the impregnated bamboo samples effectively mitigate temperature fluctuations by aligning them with the PCM’s phase change temperature. Additionally, it was observed that air flow velocity had an impact on this phenomenon. The study concluded that bamboo culms impregnated with PCM hold promise for temperature regulation in construction applications, with variations in airflow exerting an impact on the outcomes obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Use of Recycled, Anthropogenic and Alternative Materials in Construction)
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17 pages, 6012 KiB  
Article
Bearing Characteristics of Screw-Groove Piles: Model Test and Numerical Analysis
by Huiling Zhao, Yousheng Deng, Ziying Zhuang and Zhigang Yao
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235791 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 682
Abstract
Screw-groove piles, a new type of precast pile, are economically and environmentally friendly and improve the load-bearing performance of piles through a unique screw-groove structure. To reveal the load-transfer characteristics and bearing mechanism of the screw-groove pile, the axial force, load–settlement curve, skin [...] Read more.
Screw-groove piles, a new type of precast pile, are economically and environmentally friendly and improve the load-bearing performance of piles through a unique screw-groove structure. To reveal the load-transfer characteristics and bearing mechanism of the screw-groove pile, the axial force, load–settlement curve, skin friction, bearing capacity, and response characteristics of the foundation for piles under vertical loading were analyzed. Furthermore, a parameter analysis of the ultimate bearing capacity and material utilization of screw-groove piles was performed using the finite element method. The results demonstrate that the screw-groove pile had an ultimate bearing capacity 1.85 times higher than that of the circular pile, and its material utilization rate was 2.85 times higher. The screw-groove surface end resistance and pile-tip resistance formed a multipoint vertical bearing mode. It efficiently utilized the soil’s shear strength and mobilized a larger volume of surrounding soil to share the load. The screw-groove structure increased the pile–soil interaction surface, thereby increasing the skin friction resistance of the pile. Additionally, increasing the inner radius of the screw groove boosts the pile’s bearing capacity but may reduce material utilization. An optimal screw-groove spacing balances both factors, while excessive groove thickness lowers material use. The pile shows high sensitivity to soil parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Use of Recycled, Anthropogenic and Alternative Materials in Construction)
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21 pages, 12468 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Properties of Perlite Concrete in Context to Its Use in Buildings’ External Walls
by Olga Szlachetka, Justyna Dzięcioł and Marek Dohojda
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5790; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235790 - 26 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1010
Abstract
Nowadays, much of the attention paid to building construction is focused on sustainability and environmental protection. The materials applied in construction should be safe and free of toxins, but they should also follow the idea of circular construction. Quests for materials with an [...] Read more.
Nowadays, much of the attention paid to building construction is focused on sustainability and environmental protection. The materials applied in construction should be safe and free of toxins, but they should also follow the idea of circular construction. Quests for materials with an appropriate structure and composition, unifying features of a construction, insulation (thermally and acoustically), and environmentally friendly material turned our attention in this paper toward expanded perlite (EP). This study aimed to analyze the results of the experimental determination of the basic physical and mechanical parameters of expanded perlite and pure perlite concrete blocks (PPC), i.e., containing 100% EP instead of sand, while in contrast, most existing studies focus only on the partial replacement of sand with EP. This research aims to confirm that PPC containing 100% EP is the product that meets the requirements for load-bearing walls in single-family buildings in European countries such as Poland. The study aimed to determine the procedure for preparing the samples of PPC, i.e., the mixing procedure, the displacement speed during compaction, and the maximum loading force during compaction. It was determined that the appropriate speed of compaction to form the samples is 15 mm per minute, i.e., the same as during the compressive strength tests. The maximum compaction force of 10,000 N during the preparation of samples at a speed of displacement of 15 mm per minute guarantees a compressive strength greater than 3 MPa for dry density class 650, and the method of forming the samples in a single layer, i.e., solid samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Use of Recycled, Anthropogenic and Alternative Materials in Construction)
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