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Sustainability
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Innovations in Bio-Inspired Materials for Sustainable Construction Evolution
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Innovations in Bio-Inspired Materials for Sustainable Construction Evolution

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 2629

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mujib Rahman

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Guest Editor
School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
Interests: pavement; concrete; asphalt; sustainability
Dr. Payam Sadrolodabaee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
Interests: cementitious materials; textile-reinforced mortars; green concrete; sustainability; waste valorization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Moura Mehravar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
Interests: bio-inspired materials for construction; smart and sustainable infrastructure; offshore geotechnics
Dr. Bahman Ghiassi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Interests: textile-reinforced composites; masonry repair and strengthening; low-carbon cement-based composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing recognition of environmental challenges and the imperative to mitigate climate change have prompted a paradigm shift in the construction industry towards sustainable and green building materials. As urbanization accelerates and global populations burgeon, the construction sector plays a pivotal role in resource consumption, energy usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, there is an escalating need for innovative, environmentally friendly materials that minimize the ecological footprint of buildings.

This Special Issue explores the multifaceted dimensions of sustainable and green building materials, as well as their diverse applications, performance characteristics, and life cycle assessments. Contributions to this Special Issue will not only elucidate the technical aspects of these materials but also address their economic viability and social impact and foster a comprehensive understanding of their benefits. By delving into this critical aspect of construction, we aim to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, and practitioners to share cutting-edge insights, advancements, and solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient built environment.

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

Eco-friendly cementitious composites; sustainable concretes; green pavements; textile-reinforced mortars; waste/recycled materials; bio-based materials; mechanical/durability properties; and sustainability analysis of construction materials.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Mujib Rahman
Dr. Payam Sadrolodabaee
Dr. Moura Mehravar
Dr. Bahman Ghiassi
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

  • green concretes/pavements
  • cementitious composites
  • waste/recycled materials
  • bio-based materials
  • sustainability analysis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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28 pages, 4514 KB  
Article
A Comparative Study of Optimised Embodied Carbon and Cost in RC Slab Structures
by Chia Paknahad, Mosleh Tohidi, Ali Bahadori-Jahromi and Shah Room
Sustainability 2025, 17(19), 8662; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198662 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1582
Abstract
Following World War II, the rapid expansion of construction led to intensive use of natural resources, leading to resource depletion and accelerating climate change. Prioritising sustainability in structural design has therefore become essential. This study investigates three reinforced concrete (RC) slab systems typical [...] Read more.
Following World War II, the rapid expansion of construction led to intensive use of natural resources, leading to resource depletion and accelerating climate change. Prioritising sustainability in structural design has therefore become essential. This study investigates three reinforced concrete (RC) slab systems typical of office buildings: flat slab, beam and slab, and two-way joist slab, using Eurocode 2 design principles. A 3 × 3 bay model with spans from 4 m to 14 m and three concrete grades (C25/30, C32/40, C40/50) was analysed through nonlinear finite element modelling. The methodology uniquely combines structural optimisation with embodied carbon and cost assessments across multiple slab typologies and span configurations, an approach rarely addressed in prior research. Results show that two-way joist slabs achieve the most favourable balance, reducing embodied carbon by 25–35% and construction cost by up to 15% compared to flat and beam and slab systems. This advantage is particularly evident at spans of 10 m or more, where the ribbed geometry significantly reduces concrete volume. Flat slabs are cost-efficient for short spans of up to 8 m but incur up to 40% higher carbon at longer spans due to increased thickness and punching shear reinforcement requirements. Beam and slab systems consistently recorded the highest cost and carbon values, offering limited environmental benefits despite their structural stiffness. The findings provide practical guidance for span-sensitive slab selection in early design, enabling the delivery of reinforced concrete buildings that are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Bio-Inspired Materials for Sustainable Construction Evolution)
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30 pages, 5248 KB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Metakaolin and Biochar Addition on the Performance of 3D Concrete Printing: A Meta-Analysis Approach
by Imtiaz Iqbal, Tala Kasim, Waleed Bin Inqiad, Svetlana Besklubova, Payam Sadrolodabaee, Daniel Jozef Nowakowski and Mujib Rahman
Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10725; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310725 - 30 Nov 2025
Viewed by 325
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) concrete printing (3DCP) is an emerging digital construction technology that enables geometrically complex structures with reduced labour, material waste, and formwork. However, the sustainability of 3DCP remains constrained by its heavy reliance on Portland cement, a major source of global CO [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional (3D) concrete printing (3DCP) is an emerging digital construction technology that enables geometrically complex structures with reduced labour, material waste, and formwork. However, the sustainability of 3DCP remains constrained by its heavy reliance on Portland cement, a major source of global CO2 emissions. This study systematically examines metakaolin (MK) and biochar (BC) as sustainable additives for 3DCP, focusing on their independent effects on mechanical performance, printability, dimensional stability, and environmental impact. A comprehensive literature review (2015 to June 2025) identified 254 publications, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria for quantitative meta-analysis, contributing a total of 95 datasets for compressive and flexural strength. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model, supported by risk-of-bias and heterogeneity analyses. The results indicate statistically significant improvements in mechanical properties, with an overall pooled ratio of means (ROM) of 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06–1.20; I2 = 48.9%), representing the overall mechanical performance effect across all datasets, while ROM for compressive and flexural strength was calculated separately in the main analysis. Meta-regression revealed that BC increased compressive and flexural strengths by 7% and 9%, respectively, while MK achieved greater enhancements of 21% and 13.4%. Optimum performance was observed at 15–20% MK for compressive strength and 10–15% for flexural strength, whereas BC performed best at 3–5% and 2–5%, respectively. BC contributed to CO2 reductions of up to 43% through clinker substitution and biogenic carbon sequestration. These findings demonstrate that MK and BC are complementary eco-efficient modifiers capable of enhancing both structural and environmental performance in 3DCP. Future research should address long-term durability, standardisation of printing parameters, and cradle-to-grave life cycle assessments to strengthen practical implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Bio-Inspired Materials for Sustainable Construction Evolution)
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