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Advances in Green and Sustainable Construction Materials
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Advances in Green and Sustainable Construction Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 June 2026 | Viewed by 16173

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mingrui Du

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: sustainable concrete materials; microscale characterization; MD simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xupei Yao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Water Conservancy and Transportation, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: green construction materials; artificial intelligence; microscale characterization
Dr. Yuan Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
2. College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Interests: sustainable construction engineering; low-carbon cementitious composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The awareness of our energy situation and the goal of carbon neutrality has led to the development of sustainable construction materials. This Special Issue explores a range of topics, including the development of eco-friendly materials, the use of recycled and renewable resources, and the integration of sustainable practices in construction processes. By focusing on carbon emission reduction, this Special Issue seeks to advance the field of green construction materials, offering insights into how the construction industry can mitigate its environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. We welcome original research and review articles on the development of sustainable construction materials. Research articles may focus on the following topics, but novel research work on the broader domain of ecosystem services is also equally welcome.

Dr. Mingrui Du
Dr. Xupei Yao
Dr. Yuan Gao
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. 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

  • low-carbon cementitious composites
  • renewable materials for construction
  • solid waste for cementitious materials
  • reusable or recyclable construction materials
  • energy-efficient construction materials
  • 3D-printed concrete materials and structures
  • construction and demolition waste
  • durable construction materials

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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31 pages, 6137 KB  
Article
Performance-Based Evaluation of Supplementary Cementitious Material Synthesized with Basic Oxygen Furnace Slag and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
by Saken Sandybay, Chang-Seon Shon, Dichuan Zhang, Jong Ryeol Kim and Chul-Woo Chung
Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10326; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210326 - 18 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 383
Abstract
Basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS) is one of the major by-products of the steelmaking industry. Its limited utilization as a construction material is primarily attributed to its chemical properties, which hinder its stability and hydraulic activity due to its high free lime (f-CaO) [...] Read more.
Basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS) is one of the major by-products of the steelmaking industry. Its limited utilization as a construction material is primarily attributed to its chemical properties, which hinder its stability and hydraulic activity due to its high free lime (f-CaO) content. This paper explores the performance of supplementary cementitious material (SCM) synthesized with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), freshly produced BOFS (f-BOFS), and stockpiled BOFS (s-BOFS). A total of 10 mixtures with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replacement percentages were assessed, maintaining a total replacement of 50% OPC, incorporating 15%, 25%, and 35% of each material by weight. The laboratory experimental program encompassed material characterization, fresh and hardened properties, pozzolanic activity, and durability assessment, with comparative studies conducted for each evaluation item. Test results indicate that f- or s-BOFS, when used with GGBFS, can be a viable alternative SCM with the potential for hydraulic activities and pozzolanic reaction. The newly synthesized SCMs demonstrated improved strength development in mortar mixtures. The mixture containing [15% f-BOFS + 35% GGBFS] achieved a 28-day compressive strength of 20.6 MPa, while the [25% BOFS + 25% GGBFS] blend reached a compressive strength of 19.7 MPa. These mixtures meet Grade 80 criteria as per ASTM C989/C989M Standard Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and Mortars. A performance-based ranking system was developed by integrating results from flowability, air content, strength activity index, drying shrinkage, alkali–silica reaction, and sulfate attack. The novelty of this work lies in assessing BOFS–GGBFS blends as SCMs using this multi-criteria approach to identify the most sustainable and technically viable mixtures. Moreover, the study highlights the influence of storage-induced weathering by directly comparing the reactivity and performance of f- and s-BOFSs in ternary blends, providing new insights into optimizing the utilization of slag. Notably, regardless of f- and s-BOFSs, proportions of [15% BOFS + 35% GGBFS] demonstrated superior strength development and achieved an excellent overall ranking. These findings confirm the potential of such slag blends as suitable SCMs for mortar and concrete applications, thereby advancing the sustainability and efficiency of cementitious materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green and Sustainable Construction Materials)
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23 pages, 4194 KB  
Article
Probabilistic Embodied Carbon Assessments for Alkali-Activated Concrete Materials
by Nouf Almonayea, Natividad Garcia-Troncoso, Bowen Xu and Dan V. Bompa
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010152 - 28 Dec 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3498
Abstract
This study evaluates the environmental impact of alkali-activated concrete materials (AACMs) as alternatives to conventional concrete. The influence of binder and activator content and type, along with other mix parameters, is analysed using a probabilistic embodied carbon assessment on a large dataset that [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the environmental impact of alkali-activated concrete materials (AACMs) as alternatives to conventional concrete. The influence of binder and activator content and type, along with other mix parameters, is analysed using a probabilistic embodied carbon assessment on a large dataset that includes 580 mixes. Using a cradle-to-gate approach with region-specific life-cycle inventory data, emissions are analysed against binder intensity, activator-to-binder and water-to-binder ratios, and fresh/mechanical properties. A multicriteria assessment quantifies the best-performing mix in terms of embodied carbon, compressive strength, and slump. AACM environmental impact is compared to conventional concrete through existing classification schemes and literature. AACM emissions vary between 41 and 261 kgCO2eq/m3, with activators contributing the most (3–198 kgCO2eq/m3). Uncertainty in transport-related emissions could shift these values by ±38%. AACMs can achieve up to four-fold less emissions for high-strength materials compared to conventional concrete, although this benefit decreases with lower mechanical properties. AACM environmental sustainability depends on activator characteristics, curing, mix design, and transportation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green and Sustainable Construction Materials)
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24 pages, 2162 KB  
Article
Perspectives on Sustainable Construction in the Middle East: A Comparative Analysis of Industry and Academia
by Rana Elnaklah, Badr Saad Alotaibi, Shukri Elbellahy and Mohammed Awad Abuhussain
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010004 - 24 Dec 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3906
Abstract
Existing research has primarily focused on investigating barriers in developed countries, emphasising economic, technical, and governmental factors which impede the diffusion of green building practices. However, developing regions, including the Middle East, often must be represented in green building research. Understanding these region-specific [...] Read more.
Existing research has primarily focused on investigating barriers in developed countries, emphasising economic, technical, and governmental factors which impede the diffusion of green building practices. However, developing regions, including the Middle East, often must be represented in green building research. Understanding these region-specific barriers is important for developing tailored solutions. In addition, existing identified green building barriers have primarily been obtained from the industry sector, while perspectives from other stakeholders, such as academia, have less attention. Hence, this study compares the perspectives of academic and industry professionals regarding the possible barriers which may impede the adoption of green buildings, with a particular focus on cultural, educational, and social factors. A mixed-method approach was employed, including a large-scale survey (n = 1112) with 54% of the participants being from the industrial sector and 46% being from the academic sector, as well as 17 semi-structured interviews to triangulate the data obtained from the survey. The study was conducted in Saudi Arabia as a representative case of the Middle East. Participants reported 23 barriers, which were themed into six groups: economic, technical, governmental, market demand, educational, and cultural barriers. Notably, seven of these barriers were reported for the first time in this study, including a lack of integrating green building concepts into university curricula, cultural preferences for traditional construction practices, resistance to change, prioritisation of economic factors over environmental and social considerations, a limited number of completed green building projects, delays in the permit and approval processes, and a lack of leadership and coordination. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the industry and academic perspectives (p < 0.05, d = 0.61) regarding the barriers to adopting green buildings, with academics over-reporting the educational, cultural, and technical barriers compared with the industry sector. Based on the identified barriers, five strategies were suggested which could help promote the widespread adoption and long-term sustainability of green buildings in the Middle East. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green and Sustainable Construction Materials)
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Review

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27 pages, 7967 KB  
Review
A Review of Recent Advances in the Application of Cereal Straw for Decarbonization of Construction Materials and Applications
by Nathalie Santamaría-Herrera, Jorge Otaegi and Iñigo Rodríguez-Vidal
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010065 (registering DOI) - 20 Dec 2025
Abstract
The construction sector accounts for 39% of GHG emissions, being the main contributor to embodied carbon emissions of building materials, and operational energy consumption for indoor thermal comfort. Cereal straw, an agricultural by-product, is emerging as a low-carbon alternative due to its thermal [...] Read more.
The construction sector accounts for 39% of GHG emissions, being the main contributor to embodied carbon emissions of building materials, and operational energy consumption for indoor thermal comfort. Cereal straw, an agricultural by-product, is emerging as a low-carbon alternative due to its thermal performance and negative embodied carbon. This paper aims to review recent advances of cereal straw as a building material for decarbonization of construction, analyzing its thermal properties, embodied carbon, and large-scale applications. A literature review focused on European-certified straw-based materials, grouped into four categories: straw bales, blown-in insulation, modular systems, and bio-composites. Twelve Product Environmental Declarations (EPDs) and technical specifications were examined to evaluate manufacturing processes, material properties, and Global Warming Potential (GWP) for cradle-to-gate stages (A1–A3), as well as their use in large-scale projects over the past five years. Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.043 to 0.068 W/m·K, while embodied carbon varied between –101.2 and –146.5 kg CO2 eq/m3. Straw bales remain prevalent in small-scale housing, blown-in insulation supports retrofitting, and modular systems offer the most balanced performance, enabling high-rise or extensive built surfaces. The study concludes that straw products have the potential to decarbonize opaque elements of the envelope, reducing operational and embodied energy of buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green and Sustainable Construction Materials)
26 pages, 3398 KB  
Review
Natural Fibers in Composite Materials for Sustainable Building: A State-of-the-Art Review on Treated Hemp Fibers and Hurds in Mortars
by Louiza Siouta, Maria Apostolopoulou and Asterios Bakolas
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10368; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310368 - 27 Nov 2024
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7574
Abstract
In recent years, natural-fiber composite building materials have experienced a revival and have become an important area of interest for the international building and scientific community as a sustainable solution for new constructions and restoration interventions. Natural fibers are obtained from renewable sources [...] Read more.
In recent years, natural-fiber composite building materials have experienced a revival and have become an important area of interest for the international building and scientific community as a sustainable solution for new constructions and restoration interventions. Natural fibers are obtained from renewable sources and are thus environmentally friendly, while at the same time they do not harm human health, as they do not contain toxic substances. Furthermore, natural reinforced composites present enhanced thermal and acoustic properties. However, the variety of components, the presence of hydroxyl groups, and the surface impurities which plant fibers possess, create a series of issues related to the design of composite materials, as they affect their final properties. Aiming to optimize the physical and chemical characteristics of fibers, several treatments have been applied. International research focuses mainly on hemp fibers, which are considered particularly durable and have thus been extensively studied. This literature review discusses the properties of hemp fibers and hurds, treatments which have been applied up to today, and their effect on the fiber and hurds, as well as the composite materials and discusses future trends. Mortars reinforced with treated hemp present mechanical benefits in most of the cases, such as higher flexural and tensile strength. Also, the improved adhesion between hemp and mortar matrices is commonly accepted by researchers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Green and Sustainable Construction Materials)
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