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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2025) | Viewed by 14947

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Dr. Kenneth Imo-Imo Israel Eshiet

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Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK
Interests: geotechnics; geomechanics; structural analysis; fluid mechanics; optimization; project management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue presents two perspectives of sustainability in geotechnical and civil engineering. The first section considers the role of innovations and practices within geotechnical/civil engineering in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), while the second section focuses on sustainable methods within geotechnical/civil engineering.

The 17 UN SDGs provide the framework for peace and prosperity in the world, including a call to all nations to enact a global partnership to help achieve the goals within the shortest possible period. Participation between countries is required while they attempt to address climate change as well as work towards preserving natural ecosystems. Therefore, in the field of geotechnical/civil engineering, there is a drive to ensure that current/future practices and innovations contribute towards fulfilling the UN SDGs. Although the SDGs are divided into 17 categories, they are somewhat interrelated; hence, it is often not possible to concentrate on a single goal without impacting on one or more of the others. However, certain disciplines are better suited for achieving specific components of the SDGs, making it easier for straightforward appraisal of their contributions towards some SDGs. To this end, and with respect to geotechnical/civil engineering, emphasis is placed on submissions that can demonstrate how the profession contributes towards accomplishing the following ideals of the UN SDGs:

Affordable and clean energy;
Innovations involving research and industry practices;
Sanitation and water management;
Cities and communities that are sustainable and/or smart;
Mitigating climate change;
Conservation and restoration of natural resources and the environment (land, forest, water bodies, and biodiversity).

The second section of this Special Issue aims to explore how the practice of geotechnical and civil engineering can be made sustainable. In this regard, the emphasis is on the methods employed in geotechnical/civil engineering, covering areas such as digital solutions and technology, materials engineering, and construction management and costs. Innovations and best practices involving but not limited to the following techniques can be presented: Building Information Modeling (BIM), Geographical Information Systems (GISs), geological modeling, digital rock mapping, and laser scanning.

Dr. Kenneth Imo-Imo Israel Eshiet
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 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.

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Keywords

sustainability in geotechnical engineering
sustainability in civil engineering
sustainable construction management
sustainable and smart cities
sustainable materials
digital solutions and technology
renewable energy

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

To the Issue of Assessment of the Technical Condition of Underground Structures of Buildings

by Oleksandr Semko, Yuriy Vynnykov, Olena Filonenko, Oleg Yurin, Tetiana Ilchenko, Olena Hranko, Volodymyr Semko, Adriana Salles, Ricardo Mateus, Luís Bragança, Roman Rabenseifer and Nataliia Mahas

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2264; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052264 - 5 Mar 2025

Viewed by 679

Abstract

A survey and assessment of the technical condition of basement and semi-basement structures in public buildings aged 60 to 130 years were conducted to evaluate their suitability for use as basic shelters. Based on the survey results, the most adverse impacts were identified, including changes in groundwater levels, improper building operation, and the characteristic damages to underground structural elements. Structural solutions were proposed to eliminate the consequences of these damages. The reviewed cases indicate that the vertical and horizontal waterproofing systems used during construction cannot perform their function throughout the building’s entire life cycle. When designing new buildings, waterproof materials should be used for the enclosing structures of underground premises. While this may have a higher initial cost than membrane or coating waterproofing, considering life-cycle costs, it can provide a positive economic effect and improve the quality and comfort of the indoor environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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22 pages, 2686 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Dynamic Shear Properties of Recycled Combustion Slag, a Sustainable Material, in Road Construction

by Katarzyna Gabryś

Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 926; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030926 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 898

Abstract

Solid waste recycling challenges civil and environmental engineers to use waste from different industries to exceed sustainable development while meeting current material costs. Combustion slag (CS) is the material resulting from the combustion of hard coal in pulverized coal boilers. It is removed by gravity from the furnace chamber and transported by hydraulics through the slugger to the sedimentation chambers and from there to the heaps. The waste combustion slag can be used for land leveling, road building, and sports and leisure facilities. This paper presents the geomechanical characterization of the CS from the “Siekierki” CHP Plant, located in Warsaw, Poland. Particular emphasis was placed on the dynamic properties of combustion slag, including shear modulus (G) and damping ratio (D). Correct estimation of these parameters over a wide strain range is essential for laboratory research and modeling. A laboratory test program was defined to obtain the G-modulus, G_max-modulus, shear modulus degradation curve G(γ)/G_max, D-ratio, depending on the mean effective stress and relative density, in the strain range of 10⁻⁶ up to 10⁻³. Stiffness of CS was obtained using laboratory investigations typical for natural soils, namely, standard resonant column tests, and bender element tests. From the many different methods for soil damping estimation, two of the most common were selected: logarithmic decay and half-power bandwidth. The dynamic properties and their changes with strain of the Siekierki combustion slag are in line with general trends for granulated natural soils and other recycled materials. The outcomes of the presented research promote the reuse of CS as aggregate in road construction, which contributes to limiting the extraction of natural aggregate, reducing the filling of lands with this type of waste, and ultimately reducing the transport of materials and consequently lowering greenhouse emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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19 pages, 2278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Sustainability of Longtime Operating Infrastructure for Romanian Flood Risk Protection

by Ioana Popescu, Camelia Teau, Cristian Moisescu-Ciocan, Constantin Florescu, Relu Adam and Albert Titus Constantin

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10573; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310573 - 2 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1007

Abstract

Flood protection infrastructures are crucial for enhancing the resilience of societies exposed to natural hazards. Newly designed infrastructures are evaluated for sustainability using a coherent and internationally recognized method defined by the International Hydropower Association (IHA). However, in operation, old structures require a different assessment approach. Different work proposes a modified IHA protocol, mHSAP, which identifies opportunities for improvement and develops a sustainability evaluation framework for existing infrastructures. This paper applies the modified protocol to evaluate the sustainability of two types of flood protection structures: a unique canal system for flood–drought protection of an urban area and a flood protection dike. The time of operation of these structures is over 250 years and over 50 years, respectively. The application of the modified framework demonstrates its advantages in identifying areas for improving flood protection structure operation while maintaining the structure’s sustainability. It also illustrates how Romanian water boards can use such tools to facilitate collaboration between structure owners and stakeholders, allowing them to assess the risks and effects of flooding on society. Through these two examples from Romania, we also show that the mHSAP framework has the potential to actively support the fulfillment of the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results presented here show that this method can be further utilized by water board authorities to account for climate change effects, address related challenges in a coordinated and efficient manner, develop resilient flood management strategies, inform infrastructure investment decisions, and enhance collaboration among water management authorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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24 pages, 5676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Probabilistic Seismic Risk Assessment of Metro Tunnels in Soft Soils

by Zhongkai Huang, Xingmian Deng, Chong Lei, Yixin Cheng, Chenlong Zhang and Qiangqiang Sun

Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 8218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188218 - 21 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1251

Abstract

Tunnels are of significant importance in the sustainable development of global urban areas, particularly in metropolitan areas. It is of the utmost importance to evaluate the seismic performance of tunnels across a wide spectrum of earthquake intensities. In order to address this, our study presents a framework for the assessment of seismic risk in tunnels. This study employs the city of Shanghai’s urban metro tunnels as case studies. The nominal values of seismic risk for the three main damage states—minor, moderate, and major—were calculated. Furthermore, the influence of utilizing disparate fragility functions on expected seismic risk assessments was investigated. In this framework, the probability density functions of the different fragility curve models are employed to treat the probability values associated with them as random variables. This approach aims to facilitate the propagation of IMV in seismic risk assessments. The results demonstrate that the Bayesian framework efficiently incorporates the full range of input model variability into risk estimation. The findings of this study offer a foundation for decision-making processes, seismic risk assessments, and the resilience management of urban infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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17 pages, 12147 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Rammed Red Clay Reinforced with Straw Fibers

by Jianjun Guo, Zhenwei Wu, Wei Zhang and Heng Cao

Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 7978; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16187978 - 12 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1165

Abstract

Earthen materials have been used as economic building materials since ancient times and continue to be used today, particularly in our modern society that pursues sustainability. As a form of agricultural waste, straw stalks are reused in civil engineering to avoid being burnt, which not only saves costs but also avoids environmental impacts. In the following paper, we present an experimental study on the mechanical properties of rammed red clay reinforced by straw fibers. Straw stalks were cut into different lengths and mixed evenly with red clay in different proportions before being compacted. The compressive strength, flexural strength, and shear strength of the stabilized rammed straw were analyzed. The results show that straw stalks, as a single reinforcing material, can significantly improve the mechanical properties of rammed red clay. Straw stalks had varying effects on improving the mechanical indexes of rammed red clay. When the length of the straw stalks was 15 mm and the straw stalk content was 0 Sust.3%, the straw stalks had the best effect on improving the mechanical properties of rammed red clay. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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12 pages, 2668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Sand–Clay Mixtures with Different Mass Ratios

by Ye Cheng and Jinghu Yang

Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7343; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177343 - 26 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1064

Abstract

The alteration of soil static and dynamic characteristics induced by clay content constitutes a crucial issue in the realm of disaster prevention and mitigation within geotechnical engineering. The static and dynamic characteristics of mixed soils with varying sand–clay contents were investigated through the design and implementation of static and dynamic triaxial tests. The relationship between clay content and soil resistance to liquefaction was investigated, with an analysis of the influence of clay content on soil strength and static liquefaction performance. Furthermore, the study examined the soil’s resistance to liquefaction under dynamic constitutive and cyclic loading conditions for soils with varying clay content. Results indicate that stress–strain curves for samples with varying clay content exhibit a consistent trend, with the lowest tangent modulus and peak strength observed in samples containing 30% clay. Increasing clay content diminishes soil’s resistance to liquefaction under static loading conditions. Higher confining pressures correspond to larger tangent moduli and peak deviating stresses in triaxial shear tests. Dynamic shear modulus decreases as clay content increases, whereas damping ratio decreases accordingly. Soil gradation significantly affects liquefaction-induced deformation, with the sample containing 30% clay experiencing the fastest increase in pore water pressure during testing failure, accompanied by fewer cyclic loading cycles until failure occurs. Improving soil gradation and adjusting the sand–clay ratio are beneficial for enhancing both soil strength and its resistance to liquefaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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19 pages, 10866 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional Modeling and Analysis of Ground Settlement Due to Twin Tunneling Using GIS

by Ji-seok Yun, Han-eol Kim and Han-kyu Yoo

Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 5891; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145891 - 10 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1859

Abstract

Ground settlement occurs because of the surrounding ground behavior during tunnel excavation. A high chance of its occurrence could cause the collapse of buildings; therefore, the accurate prediction and assessment of ground settlement are necessary when structures are concentrated in urban regions. This study leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and 3D modeling to evaluate the effects of tunnel excavation on the ground settlement and damage of buildings along the Mandeok–Centum underground highway in Busan. It integrates the field topography with building data to simulate and visualize construction-induced interactions. Numerical analysis is used to assess the effects of the terrain elevation, building presence, excavation sequences, and lag distance between the twin tunnels on the settlement. The results indicate that high terrain elevation, dense building layouts, and shorter distances between tunnels increase settlement. Furthermore, this study deduces that bidirectional excavation causes a rapid increase in settlement compared with parallel excavation, which is evident from the variations in the inflection points during the excavation process. Finally, this study estimates the damage to buildings and ground settlements and visualizes risk maps using GIS, emphasizing the practicality of 3D modeling based on GIS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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15 pages, 7355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Effect of Environmental Water on the Mechanical Properties and Deterioration Process of Underground Engineering Masonry Mortar

by Jinghu Yang, Ye Cheng, Dawei Cui, Zewei Zhang, Bo Zhang and Jiamei Chai

Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 5186; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125186 - 18 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1187

Abstract

Urban underground engineering is generally buried at a shallow depth and suffers long-term environmental water effects such as rainfall, rivers, underground pipeline leakage, and groundwater. The mechanical properties of the structures are affected by constant deterioration, which seriously hinders the safe, healthy, and sustainable development of the city. On the basis of on-site investigation of civil defense engineering, this article simulates the water environment conditions of mortar in underground engineering in the laboratory and conducts manual sample preparation in the laboratory. Then, water, H₂CO₃, NaCl, and Na₂CO₃ solution or wet–dry cycles are used to corrode the sample, respectively. A uniaxial compression test, Brazilian splitting test, analyses of the acoustic emission signals and electromagnetic signals, and magnetic imaging testing are performed, respectively. The results show that an increase in the action time of environmental water leads to a gradual increase in the uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, and elastic modulus of cement mortar, but it will decrease over a long period of time. Different environmental water components can also lead to a different performance of soaked mortar. The uniaxial compressive strength R, tensile strength σ_t, and elastic modulus E of mortar samples exhibit values in different solutions in the order of H₂CO₃ solution < NaCl solution < Na₂CO₃ solution < water. A moderate solution soak time can enhance the mechanical properties of the mortar, but this effect decreases at long time scales. The effect of wet–dry cycles on the mechanical properties and degradation process of mortar is significant. With the increase in wet–dry cycles, the porosity of mortar continuously increases. The cumulative ringing count, energy, amplitude, and impact number of acoustic emission signals always increase when the samples are loaded to failure. The uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, and elastic modulus first increase and then decrease. The experimental results lay the foundation for further investigating the performance changes in mortar under complex water environments in underground engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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18 pages, 10017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Modifiers on the Disintegration Characteristics of Red Clay

by Baochen Liu, Haofeng Zhou, Xiaobo Wang, Guan Lian and Bai Yang

Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4551; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114551 - 27 May 2024

Viewed by 1369

Abstract

Due to the high degree of weathering, the red clay slope has low anti-disintegration performance, and the clay easily becomes wet and disintegrates after soaking in water. It causes geological problems such as slope collapse caused by soil softening. To study the disintegration characteristics of modified red clay, the disintegration test of red clay modified by using lignin fiber, clay particles and lime was carried out, analyzing the disintegration characteristics of improved red clay from physical and chemical perspectives and analyzing the improvement mechanism of three modifiers with the scanning electron microscopy test. The analysis results show that the water-holding capacity and disintegration resistance of soil mixed with lignin fiber decrease; the disintegration time of reshaped red clay increases with the increase in clay content; and the average disintegration rate of the soil decreases with the increase in clay content. With the increase in lime content, the soil cement increases. The integrity of the soil is enhanced, and its anti-disintegration ability is improved; the saturated moisture content of reshaped red clay increases with the increase in lignin fiber and clay content, while the saturated moisture content of soil decreases with the increase in lime content. The damage analysis shows that the larger the damage factor of soil, the worse its anti-disintegration ability, and the easier the soil disintegrates. The purpose of this paper is to explore the essence of the soil disintegration phenomenon, and on this basis, using high-quality improved materials, to improve the soil, which easily disintegrates. This move aims to significantly enhance the anti-disintegration ability of the soil, thereby improving its resistance to softening and disintegration, thereby effectively improving and maintaining the ecological environment. At the same time, the improved soil will help to improve the utilization rate of the slope and foundation soil, thereby reducing the economic cost of maintenance engineering. Against the current background of sustainable economic, social, and ecological development, it is of great strategic significance to ensure the sustainable availability of land resources in specific areas and maintain their productivity and ecological stability for a long time. The research into this subject not only helps to deepen the understanding of soil disintegration, but also provides strong technical support for the rational utilization of land resources and the protection of the ecological environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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20 pages, 13314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Mechanical Characteristics of Living Stumps and Reinforcement Mechanisms of Slopes

by Xueliang Jiang, Wenjie Liu, Hui Yang, Haodong Wang and Zhenyu Li

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4294; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104294 - 20 May 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1514

Abstract

As a novel technology for slope protection, living stumps have demonstrated the ability to significantly enhance slope stability. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of living-stump root systems and their reinforcement mechanisms on slopes through three-dimensional modeling tests. Using ABS materials, a 3D model of a living elm stump was created via 3D printing; this was followed by slope model testing. The reinforcement mechanisms of living stumps were examined through a combination of model testing and numerical simulation. The results reveal that the presence of living stumps in the lower and middle sections of a slope causes the maximum-shear-stress zone of the soil to shift deeper. The stress distribution around the living stump is notably improved owing to the lateral root system. Living stumps positioned in the lower part of the slope intersect the potential sliding surface, gradually transferring soil shear stress to the root system through root–soil interactions. Furthermore, the tap roots and lateral roots of living stumps form a robust spatial network that can collectively withstand soil shear stress, thereby enhancing slope stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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17 pages, 10720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disintegration Characteristics of Remolded Granite Residual Soil with Different Moisture Contents

by Yicheng Chen, Xiaowen Zhou, Xiaotao Ai, Mi Zhou, Yu Zhao and Zexin Lan

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010084 - 21 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1529

Abstract

Granite residual soil (GRS) has prominent disintegration characteristics which have induced various geological disasters and engineering problems. The initial moisture content is believed to affect the disintegration of GRS significantly. To explore the effects of the initial moisture content on the soil disintegration characteristics and disintegration mechanism, disintegration tests were performed on remolded GRS with different initial moisture contents via the balance method, and the quantitative disintegration indices were corrected, considering the effects of water-absorption weight gain, in combination with a parallel water-absorption test. The disintegration characteristics and mechanism were thoroughly investigated, starting with the disintegration process curves and disintegration morphology, and combined with strength theory, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the matric suction test, and the triaxial shear test. The results are as follows. (1) The corrected method improves the accuracy of the quantitative disintegration evaluation. (2) During the two disintegration stages, the forms of disintegration are dispersive fragmentation and progressive or block separation, and the soil matric suction and weakening of intergranular joining forces, respectively, are the drivers of disintegration. The first stage is usually completed within 1.5–2 min, and the disintegration ratio is usually within 20%. (3) The trends of change within the disintegration during the two stages show opposite water-content-dependent modes, and the soil samples with lower moisture contents have better water stability and slower disintegration in the second stage. The average disintegration rate of the soil with a moisture content of 24.4% in the first and second stages was approximately 1/5 and 13 times, respectively, that of the soil with a moisture content of 6.1%; these values can be rendered as 0.049%/s and 0.82%/s, respectively. The results provide some theoretical references for soil and water conservation and engineering applications in the GRS field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering and Civil Engineering)

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