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Building and Infrastructure Engineering: Sustainable Utilization of Innovative Eco-Efficient Materials—2nd Edition

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Building".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 12252

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gustavo Henrique Nalon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sustainable and Innovative Construction (SICon), Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
Interests: sustainable construction; concrete structures; structural health monitoring; circular construction; eco-efficient geomaterials; smart materials; sustainable materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world faces significant challenges in mitigating environmental impacts in the building and infrastructure sectors. In recent years, obtaining building materials has become increasingly difficult due to the continuous depletion of natural resources without substantial regeneration. Scientific research has identified more efficient and sustainable construction materials. In this context, various types of agricultural, industrial, municipal, and mining wastes have been reused in different construction processes from the perspective of the circular economy.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute papers to this Special Issue on the sustainable utilization of eco-efficient components and systems in building and infrastructure engineering, contributing to a more productive and sustainable construction industry.

This Special Issue aims to showcase recent works on the fundamentals and practices of innovative strategies for recycling different types of wastes in the construction field, with emphasis on the design, characterization, simulation, and/or practical application of eco-efficient construction materials.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The incorporation of wastes into building and infrastructure materials;
  • Storage, treatment, and recycling methodologies in the construction industry;
  • Low-emission construction materials;
  • Environmental assessments in the built environment;
  • The circular built environment;
  • Sustainable development.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Gustavo Henrique Nalon
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-blind 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

  • eco-efficient concrete
  • eco-efficient geomaterials
  • circular construction
  • life cycle assessment
  • waste recycling
  • low-carbon materials
  • resource conservation
  • green construction
  • sustainability

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 2956 KB  
Article
Enhancing Energy Performance in Hot Climates: A Multi-Criteria Approach Towards Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings
by Micheal A. William, María José Suárez-López, Silvia Soutullo, Ahmed A. Hanafy and Mona F. Moussa
Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2424; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052424 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 423
Abstract
Accelerating decarbonization in hot-climate buildings requires integrated retrofit strategies that address energy performance, environmental impact, thermal comfort, and economic feasibility within a unified decision framework. This study develops and validates a simulation-driven multi-criteria approach to evaluate retrofit packages across three representative ASHRAE hot [...] Read more.
Accelerating decarbonization in hot-climate buildings requires integrated retrofit strategies that address energy performance, environmental impact, thermal comfort, and economic feasibility within a unified decision framework. This study develops and validates a simulation-driven multi-criteria approach to evaluate retrofit packages across three representative ASHRAE hot sub-climates (1B, 2B, 2A). An academic building was modeled using DesignBuilder (Stroud, UK) and validated in accordance with ASHRAE Guidelines. The retrofit analysis integrates envelope enhancements (insulation and reflective coatings), glazing-integrated photovoltaics (GIPV), rooftop photovoltaics (RTPV), and a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS). The performance evaluation incorporates dynamically simulated energy consumption, operational CO2 emissions, thermal comfort indicators (PMV and DCH), and techno-economic metrics (IRR, ROI, PBP). Weighting factors were derived from a structured stakeholder consultation to reflect context-sensitive sustainability priorities. The results indicate energy reductions of approximately 51–57% and carbon emission reductions of 40–53% across the examined zones, while discomfort hours decreased by roughly 42–46%. This demonstrates significant improvements in thermal comfort under integrated retrofit strategies, particularly with DOAS integration, highlighting the importance of ventilation-driven comfort enhancement. Economic feasibility was climate-dependent; envelope-focused solutions yielded high returns, while integrated strategies delivered balanced environmental and economic performance. The proposed framework enables systematic, climate-specific prioritization of retrofit alternatives and supports scalable, economically viable NZEB transitions in rapidly expanding hot-climate educational infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building and Infrastructure Engineering: Sustainable Utilization of Innovative Eco-Efficient Materials—2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 3139 KB  
Article
Alternative Materials for Interior Partitions in Construction
by Bruna Resende Fagundes Pereira, Carolina Rezende Pinto Narciso, Gustavo Henrique Nalon, Juliana Farinassi Mendes, Lívia Elisabeth Vasconcellos de Siqueira Brandão Vaz, Raphael Nogueira Rezende and Rafael Farinassi Mendes
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6341; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146341 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 2080
Abstract
The significant waste generated by construction has increased interest in sustainable solutions, including prefabricated interior partition panels. Although different types of alternative panels have been proposed, their performance as interior partitions remains underexplored in systematic comparative studies. To narrow this knowledge gap, this [...] Read more.
The significant waste generated by construction has increased interest in sustainable solutions, including prefabricated interior partition panels. Although different types of alternative panels have been proposed, their performance as interior partitions remains underexplored in systematic comparative studies. To narrow this knowledge gap, this paper presents a comprehensive evaluation and classification of drywall, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), cement–wood, and honeycomb panels, regarding physical, mechanical, microstructural, thermal, acoustic, and combustibility characteristics, in addition to conducting a cost evaluation. The results indicated that the OSB panels exhibited superior results for interior partition applications, showing notable advantages in physical strength, mechanical performance, and thermal insulation, while offering acoustic properties comparable to those of drywall panels. Nevertheless, OSB panels showed lower fire resistance and were associated with the highest cost among the materials analyzed in the present research. Drywall panels, on the other hand, provided the most favorable fire resistance but exhibited the least effective thermal insulation. The findings also indicated that both wood–cement and honeycomb panels require further improvements in their manufacturing processes to meet performance standards suitable for interior partition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building and Infrastructure Engineering: Sustainable Utilization of Innovative Eco-Efficient Materials—2nd Edition)
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Review

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17 pages, 1212 KB  
Review
Revisiting the Basics of Life Cycle Assessment and Lifecycle Thinking
by Elif Kaynak, Imelda Saran Piri and Oisik Das
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7444; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167444 - 18 Aug 2025
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 9116
Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a standardized tool (ISO 14040) used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products and processes across their entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling. It has become particularly important in the context of [...] Read more.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a standardized tool (ISO 14040) used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products and processes across their entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling. It has become particularly important in the context of engineering materials, where sustainability considerations are critical. Despite challenges such as data quality limitations, variations in system boundary definitions, and methodological inconsistencies, LCA remains an essential tool for assessing and improving product sustainability. This work presents a foundational overview of LCA principles and describes a systematic, step-by-step procedure for its effective application. Additionally, this article revisits the fundamental concepts of carbon footprint (CF) analysis as a complementary tool for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions associated with products and activities. CF analysis underscores the necessity of adopting low-carbon materials and manufacturing processes to minimize embodied energy and reduce environmental emissions. Low-carbon materials are characterized by attributes such as being lightweight, recyclable, renewable, bio-based, locally sourced, and safe for public health. Their development balances the reduction of raw material and resource consumption during production, with increasing product performance, recyclability, and service life, reflecting a cradle-to-cradle, circular economy approach. The integration of LCA and CF methodologies provides an integral framework for assessing environmental performance and supports decision-making processes aligned with global sustainability targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building and Infrastructure Engineering: Sustainable Utilization of Innovative Eco-Efficient Materials—2nd Edition)
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Other

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32 pages, 3032 KB  
Systematic Review
Value Management Implementation in Sustainable Construction Projects: A Systematic and Narrative Review
by Ahmad M. Zamil, Mohammad Alhusban and Abdullah Alharkan
Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3967; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083967 - 16 Apr 2026
Viewed by 238
Abstract
Value Management (VM) is increasingly regarded as a structured approach that can support more effective and sustainability-focused decision-making in construction. However, the literature remains fragmented in how VM is defined, applied, and assessed in relation to sustainable construction. This study therefore explores how [...] Read more.
Value Management (VM) is increasingly regarded as a structured approach that can support more effective and sustainability-focused decision-making in construction. However, the literature remains fragmented in how VM is defined, applied, and assessed in relation to sustainable construction. This study therefore explores how VM has been implemented in sustainable construction and identifies the main outcomes, barriers, enabling conditions, and research gaps reported in the literature. A systematic literature review with narrative synthesis was conducted. Using a PRISMA-guided review process, 105 studies published between 1994 and 2024 were identified, screened, and analysed. The findings reveal that the literature is unevenly distributed across thematic areas, with the strongest focus on VM application in construction projects, followed by broader related aspects of VM, VM and sustainable construction, VM barriers, VM activities, and VM drivers. Overall, the review indicates that VM has the potential to enhance sustainable construction through more structured decision-making, lifecycle thinking, stakeholder engagement, and value-focused evaluation. However, implementation remains constrained by limited awareness, insufficient training, weak policy support, inconsistent methodologies, and uneven organisational readiness. The review also shows that the literature is more robust in identifying barriers than in explaining the drivers of adoption. In response, this paper proposes an eight-phase framework to facilitate more structured VM implementation in sustainable construction and highlights key directions for future research and practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building and Infrastructure Engineering: Sustainable Utilization of Innovative Eco-Efficient Materials—2nd Edition)
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