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Use of Innovative and Sustainable Materials in the Construction of Buildings

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 February 2027 | Viewed by 646

Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
Interests: finite element modelling of structures; rehabilitation of existing structures; design of structures using innovative materials; recycled-aggregate concrete
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The construction sector is undergoing a critical transformation driven by the urgent need to reduce environmental impacts, enhance resource efficiency, and improve the resilience of the built environment. This Special Issue, titled 'Use of Innovative and Sustainable Materials in the Construction of Buildings', aims to explore emerging materials, technologies, and practices that contribute to sustainable development in building construction. The Issue will focus on innovative materials such as low-carbon concrete, recycled and bio-based materials, geopolymer binders, and advanced composites that offer improved mechanical performance while minimizing environmental footprints. The Issue considers material lifecycle assessment, durability, circular economy approaches, 3D printing, and the integration of smart and functional materials to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Contributions are invited to address both experimental and analytical studies, as well as practical applications and case studies demonstrating the successful implementation of sustainable materials in real-world construction projects. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for advancing knowledge and promoting the adoption of innovative and sustainable materials in the construction industry. Ultimately, it seeks to support the transition toward more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible building practices worldwide.

Dr. Ahmed Godat
Guest Editor

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability 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 2400 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 construction
  • innovative building materials
  • green materials
  • geopolymer materials
  • carbon footprint reduction
  • smart materials
  • energy-efficient buildings
  • durability and performance
  • environmental impact assessment

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

28 pages, 24553 KB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Sorghum Stalk Fiber-Reinforced Cement Mortar for Thermal Insulation: Influence of Length, Percentage of Fibers and Water to Cement Ratio
by Nega Asfaw, Labouda Ba, Tien-Tung Ngo, Ikram El Abbassi and Rafik Absi
Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8237; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168237 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 315
Abstract
Sustainable building materials development is essential for improving energy efficiency, addressing environmental concerns and optimizing resources use. This study investigates the development and characterization of sorghum stalk fiber-reinforced cement mortar bio-composite for thermal insulation application. Sorghum stalk fiber was added to cement mortar [...] Read more.
Sustainable building materials development is essential for improving energy efficiency, addressing environmental concerns and optimizing resources use. This study investigates the development and characterization of sorghum stalk fiber-reinforced cement mortar bio-composite for thermal insulation application. Sorghum stalk fiber was added to cement mortar at varying fiber contents (0%, 15%, 30% and 45%), fiber lengths (0.5 cm and 1.5 cm) and varying water–cement ratios (0.4 and 0.6). The composites were characterized for thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, density, and compressive and flexural strengths, as well as water absorption and drying kinetics. The result showed that the addition of fiber led to significantly improved thermal insulation performance, accompanied by decreased mechanical strength. The thermal conductivity decreased from 1.57 W/m·K for the control mortar to 0.18 W/m·K (about 88.5% reduction) for 0.5 cm fiber and 0.16 W/m·K (about 89.8% reduction) for 1.5 cm at 45% of fiber. The composite with 15% fiber provided the best balance between thermal and mechanical performance suitable for low load-bearing application, particularly thermal conductivity of 0.90 W/m·K (43% lower) and compressive strength of 10.56 MPa that exceeds the minimum standard to be used in low load-bearing applications; the 30% and 45% fiber composites are suitable for non-structural and thermal insulation applications only. The results obtained demonstrate that the sorghum stalk fiber-reinforced cement mortar is a lightweight, ecological and insulative bio-composite with strong applicability in energy-efficient buildings. Full article
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