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Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 36336

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Malindu Sandanayake

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Guest Editor

Built Environment and Engineering, Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
Interests: life cycle assesment; sustainable construction; life cycle cost analysis; green and sustainable materials; green and lean construction methods; green buildings and infrastructure; building information modelling; smart technologies use and digitization in construction; modern construction methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Zora Vrcelj

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Guest Editor

Built Environment and Engineering, Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
Interests: sustainability of structures; sustainable materials; green buildings and infrastructure; use of waste in construction materials; digitalization in construction; structural stability; structural mechanics; biomimicry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Construction is one of the major industries that contribute to economic development generating significant revenues and producing significant gross domestic product (GDP) for a country. However, it differs from many industries due to its unique operation and is often criticized for heavy resource consumption and unsustainable practices. Therefore, consistent improvements and innovations are necessary to effectively promote sustainable development in the construction industry. Over the past two decades, industries and academia have instigated numerous innovative approaches to benchmark sustainable practices within the construction industry. Despite numerous strategies and processes, the industry is still struggling to effectively embrace innovations necessary to facilitate a sustainable future. Therefore, the proposed Special Issue aims to investigate drivers, impediments, opportunities, and implementation that can facilitate innovations towards a truly sustainable construction industry.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your outstanding research including reviews, designs and technical papers on the construction industry innovations contributing to a sustainable future. This Special Issue invites submissions that include, but are not limited to, the following research areas:

Recent advances and innovations in sustainable procurement practices in the construction industry
Digital and smart technology innovations in the design and construction operation of assets
Barriers inhibiting the implementation of innovative sustainable construction technologies
Innovations in training and education related to sustainability in construction
Innovations in sustainable decision making
Roles of risk, governance and policy advancements toward sustainable design and construction
Health, safety and wellbeing improvements in sustainable design and construction
Economic implications related to sustainable innovations in the construction industry
Construction industry advances and innovations related to the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Use of innovative building and construction materials to improve sustainability
Innovative assessment methods to capture, compare and benchmark sustainable benefits in construction projects
Effect of sustainable decision-making on social benefits and procurement
Case studies on the sustainable innovations in the construction industry
Drivers, future perspectives and advancements associated with innovations in sustainable design and construction

Dr. Malindu Sandanayake
Dr. Zora Vrcelj
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. 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

construction industry
sustainable procurement
sustainable construction materials
sustainable planning and design
sustainable construction management
health and safety
economic and environmental benefits
smart and digital technologies
sustainable decision making
innovations
governance and policies

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 5373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential of and Current Challenges in Reusing Recycled Carbon Fibres in Concrete Construction Applications

by Vanessa Overhage and Thomas Gries

Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2779; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062779 - 20 Mar 2025

Viewed by 247

Abstract

The non-corrosive properties of carbon fibres allow for slimmer concrete components, which may reduce CO₂ emissions during production. Given that cement production contributes approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions, finding alternatives is crucial. Textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) employs technical textiles instead of steel reinforcements and has been extensively studied for its mechanical properties. Carbon’s high tensile strength allows for significantly reduced mass compared to steel while eliminating additional cover requirements. Although producing recycled carbon fibres (rCFs) is energy-intensive, it offers significant energy and raw material savings and can lower global warming risks compared to virgin fibres. This study investigates the potential of rCFs in various forms as concrete reinforcement, highlighting both opportunities and challenges based on experimental results and existing studies. The investigations demonstrated that rCFs, whether used as nonwoven or yarn reinforcement, enhance both the tensile and yield strength of concrete. Furthermore, in many instances, a gradual failure mode rather than an abrupt one is observed. Consequently, the use of rCF textiles as reinforcement in concrete presents significant potential for promoting sustainability within the construction industry. The integration of rCF into carbon concrete presents a promising pathway to enhance the sustainability of construction materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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16 pages, 3402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Characterization of the Three-Dimensional Morphology of Urban Buildings Based on Moran’s I

by Tao Shen, Wenshiqi Zhou, Shuai Yuan and Liang Huo

Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6540; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156540 - 31 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1335

Abstract

The three-dimensional morphological analysis of urban buildings constitutes a pivotal component of urban planning and sustainable development. Nevertheless, the majority of current research is two-dimensional in nature, which constrains the comprehensive understanding of urban spatial–temporal evolution. The existing body of three-dimensional studies frequently fails to consider the temporal dimension of architectural change and lacks a detailed examination of micro areas such as communities and streets. In order to accurately identify the patterns of spatial–temporal evolution in urban architectural morphology, this study focuses on the Yau Tsim Mong District in Hong Kong, utilizing three-dimensional data. By innovatively integrating temporal factors, constructing a spatial–temporal weight matrix, and applying the spatial–temporal Moran’s I, this study conducts an in-depth quantitative analysis of Coverage, Staggeredness, and Duty Cycle at the community scale, neighborhood scale, and urban scale. From 2014 to 2023, the global spatial–temporal Moran’s I of key urban morphology indicators in Yau Tsim Mong District has exhibited a marked increase, underscoring the close interrelationship and significant optimization between urban morphology and overall development. The findings illustrate that urban architecture is undergoing a process of agglomeration and high homogeneity, with strategic shifts emphasizing efficient spatial utilization and refined design. The analysis at the neighborhood scale is of particular importance, as its independent and complete spatial structure effectively captures local dynamics, revealing high-value agglomeration and low-value dispersion characteristics. This suggests that buildings in the Yau Tsim Mong District are being constructed in a more compact manner at the neighborhood level, which reflects the precision and efficiency of urban planning and the rationality of spatial planning. These significant findings provide valuable references for the development planning and governance of sustainable cities. They enhance urban governance capabilities and promote the optimization of urban development strategies, ensuring steady progress on the path of efficiency, harmony, and sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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21 pages, 609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Addressing Barriers to Social Procurement Implementation in the Construction and Transportation Industries: An Ecosystem Perspective

by Riccardo Natoli, Catherine Xiaocui Lou and David Goodwin

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11347; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411347 - 21 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3015

Abstract

Although social procurement is viewed as an important part of social value creation, barriers to its implementation have resulted in a failure to realise the full societal benefits it was designed to achieve. As a key area of activity for government procurement projects, the construction and transportation industries have a big role to play in contributing positively to societal outcomes. While prior studies have identified barriers from specific cohorts, no prior study has approached this from the perspective of the key stakeholders throughout the social procurement ecosystem within the construction and transport industries. To address this gap in social procurement research, interviews and a focus group totalling 42 participants were undertaken. Participants ranged from those implementing policy (government representatives), tendering for contracts (tier one companies) and providing specialised social procurement services (social enterprises), along with key intermediary support bodies. Results indicate that barriers exist throughout the entire social procurement ecosystem and highlight the need to develop an enhanced social procurement ecosystem capable of maximising the societal benefit that arises from social procurement. These findings provide a set of strategies for the key stakeholders in the ecosystem to consider adopting to improve social procurement outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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25 pages, 4412 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Data-Driven Dynamic Decision-Making Mechanism of Mega Infrastructure Project Construction

by Guangzhong Hu, Yuming Liu, Kai Liu and Xiaoxu Yang

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9219; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129219 - 7 Jun 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2853

Abstract

The construction of mega infrastructure projects has the characteristics of repeatability, long duration, and high complexity. Therefore, it is particularly important to implement dynamic decision-making in projects. This study takes data-driven decision-making mechanisms as the entry point and constructs a dynamic decision-making system for mega infrastructure projects consisting of an information collection subsystem, an information processing and transformation subsystem, a human–computer collaborative decision-making subsystem and an evaluation and feedback subsystem. On this basis, we established a system dynamics model of dynamic decision-making for mega infrastructure projects. Vensim PLE 9.3.5 software was used to simulate and analyze the operation law of dynamic decision-making for mega infrastructure projects from a data-driven perspective, and the sensitivity of the application rate of information management technology, the application rate of data analysis methods, the participation rate of experts in decision-making, the historical case information on this project, and the information on similar projects on the effectiveness of program implementation were simulated and analyzed. The results of the study showed that all five key influencing factors have a positive impact on the effectiveness of program implementation. In addition, the application rate of information management technology and the application rate of information analysis methods have a higher sensitivity to the effectiveness of program implementation, the participation rate of experts in decision-making and historical case information on this project have average sensitivity to the effectiveness of program implementation, and information on similar projects has lower sensitivity to the effectiveness of program implementation. This study provides some ideas and suggestions to promote the effective use of information technology and digital technology by each participant in the construction of mega infrastructure projects while improving their dynamic decision-making efficiency, scientificity, and accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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20 pages, 4933 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Life Cycle Assessment for Geopolymer Concrete Bricks Using Brown Coal Fly Ash

by Jingxuan Zhang, Sarah Fernando, David W. Law, Chamila Gunasekara, Sujeeva Setunge, Malindu Sandanayake and Guomin Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7718; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097718 - 8 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4230

Abstract

Traditionally, the construction industry has predominantly used Portland cement (PC) to manufacture bricks, as it is one of the most-commonly available building materials. However, the employment of waste industrial material for brick production can lead to a significant improvement in terms of sustainability within the construction sector. Geopolymer bricks made from brown coal fly ash, a promising industrial waste by-product, serve as a potential alternative. Conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA), this study thoroughly evaluated the entire manufacturing process’s environmental impact, from source material acquisition and transportation to brick manufacturing, distribution, usage, and end-of-life, for brown coal bricks as compared to PC bricks. The LCA of the brown coal bricks revealed that their primary environmental impacts stemmed from the raw material manufacturing and usage, while exhibiting substantial reductions in ozone depletion, water depletion, and metal depletion. These findings highlighted the environmental advantages of the brown coal bricks and their potential to revolutionize sustainable construction practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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Review

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22 pages, 326 KiB

Open AccessReview

Energetic Valorization of the Innovative Building Envelope: An Overview of Electric Production System Optimization

by Eléa Oudot, Kawtar Gholmane, Damien Ali Hamada Fakra and Riad Benelmir

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2305; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062305 - 11 Mar 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1700

Abstract

The world population increased from 1 billion in 1800 to around 8 billion today. The Population Division of the United Nations predicts a global population of approximately 10.4 billion people by the end of the century. That represents over 2 billion more people. Moreover, the global community is currently experiencing a precarious state due to the enduring repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic across all sectors, including energy. Given the rising global population and the limited availability of primary energy resources, we must reach a balance between the demands of a growing human population and the planet’s carrying capacity. The dreadful conflict in Ukraine has precipitated an enormous energy crisis. This crisis has served as a warning to the world population of how much it depends on this resource to survive. In France, the building sectors, specifically residential and tertiary, account for 45% of the total final energy consumption. It is the first energy consumer of the country and one of the most polluting (i.e., about 34% of

{CO}_{2}

emitted by France). Consequently, we must consider alternative energy resource forms (i.e., substitution energy forms). Harvesting energy from the building envelope may be a viable technique for partially satisfying the electricity demands of building users. In this context, scientific research offers considerable potential for developing more innovative and efficient systems. This article aims to review the state-of-the-art of advances on the subject to orient and further optimize energy production systems, particularly electricity. This work addresses several points of view: it discusses the overall backdrop of the present study and introduces the subject; details the research strategy and procedures used to produce this paper; develops the state-of-the-art on the potential for generating or recovering power from the building envelope; presents the SWOT analysis of the earlier-described systems. Finally, it concludes by offering findings and viewpoints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

19 pages, 1010 KiB

Open AccessReview

Social Life-Cycle Assessment in the Construction Industry: A Review of Characteristics, Limitations, and Challenges of S-LCA through Case Studies

by Prisca Ayassamy and Robert Pellerin

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14569; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914569 - 8 Oct 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3881

Abstract

The paper aims to examine how researchers have operationalized social impact assessment in construction projects over the last ten years. A systematic review was used to investigate case studies in the Social Life-Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) to analyze the application of the methodology. In total, 19 articles published between 2012 and 2023 were classified according to their scope, functional unit measure, S-LCA indicators used, and the main challenges. Our findings revealed limitations in both qualitative and quantitative aspects of measuring social indicators, primarily stemming from difficulties associated with scoring and assessment methodologies. Additionally, we observed deficiencies in social data within the S-LCA framework. This suggests that potential social impacts may be inadequately addressed and evaluated due to various challenges that have been highlighted in the existing literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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26 pages, 4753 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on the Way Forward in Construction through Industrial Revolution 5.0

by Muhammad Ali Musarat, Muhammad Irfan, Wesam Salah Alaloul, Ahsen Maqsoom and Maria Ghufran

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13862; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813862 - 18 Sep 2023

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 8214

Abstract

The growing concept of Industry 5.0 (IR 5.0) has enhanced the study horizon of the technology-centered Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) to an intelligent and balanced socioeconomic change powered mutually by people and technologies. The role of humans in the technological revolution is largely focused on IR 5.0, which is already a future trend. IR 4.0’s cyber–physical systems revolution has evolved into IR 5.0, or in other words, from machine-to-machine integration to human-to-machine integration, which is radically altering how people live, work, and interact with one another. Therefore, the current study aims to comprehensively review transformation through industrial revolutions and provide a way forward in the construction industry with the incorporation of IR 5.0. This study has used a narrative-based research methodology in which multiple databases such as Scopus, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, and Science Direct have been utilized for extracting articles related to the subject area of the current study. Moreover, through narrative-based methodology, which is a generic-based review technique, the information gathered from multiple sources has been summarized and synthesized. The findings of the review indicate that resilience, human-centricity, economic efficiency, and sustainable development are the key characteristics of IR 5.0. Moreover, the adoption of IR 5.0 in the construction industry also faces some major challenges such as a shortage of IR 5.0-related technical skills, investment-hesitancy among investors, security, and cultural concerns for human-to-machine integration, and an unavailability of data for effective decision-making for governments and stakeholders. The study results also highlight that with selective technology adoption, project teams embracing IR 5.0 for improved collaboration and coordination, more environmentally friendly technology adoption through human-to-machine collaboration, and stakeholders leveraging the power of human knowledge and innovative proficiency through machines, reforms can be brought into the construction industry through the incorporation of IR 5.0. It is also important to keep in mind that adopting IR 4.0 is still difficult in some areas and it may seem like achieving IR 5.0 will require years of effort and significant cultural change; however, it needs to be considered right away. The effects of disruptive technologies on Industry 4.0 are covered in several studies; however, IR 5.0 is a novel idea that is still in its early stages, thus its consequences have not been well examined in the construction industry. Therefore, the current study has expanded the body of knowledge on this important subject in detail and has comprehensively explained the transformation by providing a way forward for the adoption of IR 5.0 in the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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29 pages, 1618 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Systematic Literature Review of Research on Social Procurement in the Construction and Infrastructure Sector: Barriers, Enablers, and Strategies

by Catherine Xiaocui Lou, Riccardo Natoli, David Goodwin, Barbara Bok, Fang Zhao and Peng Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 12964; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712964 - 28 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4659

Abstract

In Australia, a new feature of public policy is the requirement by governments that large-scale infrastructure projects integrate social procurement practices that alter the traditional focus on balancing price and quality. Social procurement has been gradually developing in practice, but the academic literature has not kept pace. Although past research has identified some of the barriers affecting social procurement implementation in the construction industry, the nature of the barriers impeding its proliferation has not to date been systematically reviewed. This paper undertakes a review of the social procurement literature published from January 2012 to 30 June 2022, with 49 papers chosen under selective criteria. This critical review employs the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) technique to retrieve secondary data on social procurement from available peer-reviewed academic papers through three databases (Scopus, EBSCOhost, Web of Science). The literature analysis focuses on three themes: (1) barriers; (2) enablers; and (3) strategies to overcome the barriers. The paper finds that social procurement as a field of practice is evolving and expanding, but its role in contributing to social value creation remains an under-theorised concept. Recommendations for practice and future research are identified, including the need to measure the real-world impacts of policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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23 pages, 2179 KiB

Open AccessReview

Applications of Solar Panel Waste in Pavement Construction—An Overview

by Malindu Sandanayake, Le Li, Junhai Zhao and Paul Joseph

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14823; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214823 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4385

Abstract

Waste from used solar panels will be a worldwide problem in the near future mainly due to the strong uptake in solar energy and the necessity of disposing solar panel systems at the end–of–life stage, as these materials are hazardous. While new techniques and strategies are often investigated to manage the end–of–life of solar panels effectively, there is huge potential in recycling and reusing solar panel waste as components for alternate products. Numerous studies have been conducted on using alternate materials instead of conventional materials in pavement construction. The current study presents a detailed review and a discussion on using solar panel waste materials in pavement construction. The findings present opportunities to use different solar panel waste materials such as glass, aluminium (Al), silicon (Si), and polymer waste as potential replacement materials in various types of pavement construction. The study also presents the current progress and future focus on experimental developments in pavements with solar panel waste to benchmark short–term and long–term characteristics. Finally, the review discusses the impediments that restrict and the drivers that can facilitate the implementation of solar panel waste in pavement construction. The main findings from this review can be used as a quantitative foundation to facilitate decisions on using different solar panel waste materials in pavement construction applications. Furthermore, such findings will also be beneficial for policymakers and industry stakeholders to implement effective supply chain strategies for promoting solar panel waste as a potential pavement construction material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Construction Industry towards Sustainable Future: Implementation, Assessment and Opportunities)

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