Search Results (12,871)

Water scarcity and climate stress are increasingly framed as matters of individual consumption, even though structural drivers remain decisive. To examine how corporate communication participates in sustainability governance, this study asks how Finish Türkiye’s “Water of Tomorrow” initiative (2019–2025) defines the water problem, allocates responsibility, and builds legitimacy across time (RQ1–RQ2) using a longitudinal critical discourse analysis of multimodal materials (campaign videos, social media, web content, and reporting genres). We identify three phases: (i) household norm-setting through responsibilization scripts, (ii) scale-shifting legitimation via NGO/media alliances and ecosystem narratives, and (iii) metricization through quasi-institutional “water status” reporting and proprietary indices. While such strategies can raise salience and offer actionable guidance, they may also depoliticize allocation and equity questions by foregrounding consumer routines over infrastructural, agricultural, and industrial determinants. Practically, the paper proposes governance-relevant boundary conditions for corporate sustainability communication in water-stressed contexts: transparent sourcing of quantified claims, explicit role division with public and civil-society actors, alignment with basin-level and equity-sensitive governance, and avoidance of exaggerated individualization. Full article

Transitioning toward a circular economy requires not only solutions involving technical component reuse but also mechanisms that reduce risk and increase confidence among market stakeholders. Steel-faced sandwich panels, widely used in façades and roofs, constitute a significant urban material stock, yet their reuse is constrained by information asymmetry, liability concerns, and the absence of verifiable condition data. In this study, we develop an integrated end-to-end workflow—combining controlled panel recovery, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) inspection, deep learning-driven damage detection, and Building Information Modeling (BIM)-linked material passports—to enable traceable, evidence-based reuse decisions. Validated through a pilot façade assembly and disassembly process, the methodology successfully quantified 4845.90 cm² of mechanical damage across 10 panels, with all orthomosaic and detection outputs fully integrated into the digital passport environment. By standardizing component-level condition records, this approach reduces perceived risk and provides the technical assurance necessary to unlock a trusted second-hand marketplace for sandwich panels. Framed within an urban metabolism perspective, the findings demonstrate how digital transparency can bridge the gap between material recovery and market valuation. Full article

The fire performance of ventilated facade systems incorporating combustible insulation remains a critical issue in contemporary building design. This study presents a full-scale natural-fire test of a ventilated, rendered facade system containing 150 mm expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, conducted in accordance with the DIN 4102-20 methodology. Temperature measurements were recorded at key facade locations via K-type thermocouples, and flame spread, materials melting, and degradation were documented through visual observations. The combustion chamber reached a peak temperature of 912 °C, while the thermocouple located above the opening recorded a maximum temperature of 786 °C. No sustained flaming or debris above the 3.5 m height limit was observed, yet significant internal EPS melting occurred throughout the cavity. These findings underscore the potency of the “chimney effect” in ventilated cavities, highlight the limitations of the current acceptance criteria, and provide evidence relevant to ongoing efforts to develop more coherent approaches to facade fire-safety assessment. Full article

To achieve the “dual carbon” goals, the management and control of the construction sector’s embodied carbon is crucial, as it is a key field of carbon emissions. This study focuses on the entire process of building structural design, construction and procurement, and building material production and trading. Based on the principles of system dynamics, it constructs a building embodied carbon analysis model consisting of three subsystems: building structural design, production, and building material market. The core elements of each subsystem and their interaction relationships are clarified, and the model variables and parameters are defined. Through multi-scenario simulation analysis, the influence mechanisms of key factors such as different building heights, seismic influence coefficients, expected project costs, and carbon reduction policies on building embodied carbon are explored. The results show that building height and seismic influence coefficients have significant impacts on material consumption during the building structural design stage, with building height exerting a more prominent driving effect; increasing the prefabrication rate can improve construction efficiency, shorten the construction period, reduce construction carbon emissions, and simultaneously balance the current pressure of rising labor costs; and carbon reduction policies guide market demand, prompting low-carbon building material manufacturers to expand R&D investment and production capacity, forming a positive cycle of “demand growth—cost reduction—market expansion”. In contrast, conventional building materials are affected by tightened carbon quotas and rising carbon prices, leading to a continuous shrinkage of their market share and gradual withdrawal from the market, ultimately realizing overall carbon reduction in the industry. The system dynamics model constructed in this study provides a scientific analysis framework for the full-process management and control of building embodied carbon, reveals the key influencing factors and evolution laws, and offers theoretical support and practical reference for the precise management and control of building embodied carbon and the formulation of carbon reduction pathways. Full article

Rapid urbanization has significantly increased energy demand in buildings, which now represent nearly 30% of global energy use. In India, buildings are built across highly varied climatic conditions, from hot-dry and warm-humid to cold, high-altitude areas, making climate-responsive envelope design essential to enhance thermal performance. Among envelope components, roofs are the most exposed to solar and outdoor thermal loads, playing a key role in managing indoor heat transfer. This study offers a parametric analysis of climate-responsive roof design strategies for India’s five main climatic zones, using transient simulations and statistical evaluation. The effectiveness of insulation placement, insulation material and thickness, and external surface absorptivity was systematically assessed based on roof heat gain and heat loss. Results indicate that over-slab insulation can lower roof heat gain by approximately 15–35% compared to under-slab insulation in warm-humid, hot-dry, composite, and temperate zones. In comparison, under-slab insulation decreases heat loss by about 10% in colder areas. Among insulation materials, 50 mm polyurethane foam (U = 0.433 W/m²·K) consistently outperformed extruded polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, achieving 82–83% reductions in maximum heat gain in cooling-dominated climates and 89% reductions in heat loss in cold regions relative to uninsulated roofs. When combined with a white reflective surface finish (α = 0.26), the total heat transfer reduction increased further to 89–92%. Surface treatments alone cut heat gain by 37–51% in non-cold climates, highlighting their potential as cost-effective retrofit options. Statistical analysis confirmed that dry-bulb temperature is the primary climatic factor influencing roof heat transfer (R² = 0.86–0.98, p < 0.0001), while solar radiation had a weaker effect, especially in optimized roof systems. The findings emphasize the importance of climate-specific roof design and demonstrate that insulation U-value has a greater impact on thermal performance than surface absorptivity, although both are significant. This research offers practical, climate-adjusted guidance for architects, engineers, and policymakers to enhance the thermal performance of roofs in Indian buildings. It supports the development of more resilient, energy-efficient building envelopes. Full article

Phosphogypsum is one of the most widely produced gypsum-containing wastes. Therefore, researchers worldwide are exploring ways to recycle them. It is most often considered as an alternative to natural gypsum in the production of calcium sulfate hemihydrate. There are also isolated studies aimed at producing insoluble anhydrite (CaSO₄ II) from phosphogypsum. Compared to hemihydrate, anhydrite is characterized by greater strength and water resistance, and compared to Portland cement, it demonstrates lower energy consumption and CO₂ emissions during production. This study examined the possibility of phosphoanhydrite binder (CaSO₄ II) synthesis by calcination at 600, 800, and 1000 °C of phosphogypsum from four different industrial plants. Phosphoanhydrite binders capable of self-hardening, without the use of special additives, were synthesized. Their maximum strength at 28 days reached 57 MPa, and 69 MPa at 90 days. New data have been obtained regarding the influence of initial phosphogypsum characteristics and calcination temperature on the properties of CaSO₄ II and the hardened phosphoanhydrite paste. Full article

The construction sector is currently tasked with the critical challenge of minimizing CO₂ emissions associated with cement manufacturing. To support a sustainable building environment, this research developed cement-free alkali-activated composites by leveraging industrial by-products, specifically fly ash and blast furnace slag. The study experimentally evaluated how aluminosilicate material-based capsules (AMCs) composed of a mixture of fly ash, blast furnace slag, and ferronickel slag powder affect the composites’ durability, mechanical properties, and self-healing capabilities, alongside microstructural investigations. Results indicated that specimens incorporating 10% AMC reached a compressive-strength recovery range of 112–118%, which represents an improvement of approximately 10% compared to the control sample. Furthermore, the 28-day resistance to chloride ion penetration was enhanced by 79.4%, successfully meeting the ‘very low’ permeability criteria defined by ASTM C 1202. These results suggest that cement-free self-healing composites incorporating AMCs are a viable alternative for reducing carbon emissions and minimizing environmental impact in the construction industry. Furthermore, the recycling of industrial byproducts, as demonstrated herein, contributes to sustainable development in response to climate change. Full article

Wire–Laser Additive Manufacturing (WLAM) is a promising directed energy deposition technique for producing and repairing high-performance components with high material efficiency and strong metallurgical bonding. This study optimizes single-track Inconel 718 claddings deposited by WLAM on AISI 304L stainless steel and S355 structural steel substrates, focusing on the relationships between processing parameters, microstructure, post-deposition heat treatment, and mechanical performance. A systematic parametric assessment evaluated the influence of laser power, laser speed, wire feed rate, and shielding gas pressure on key quality metrics, including dilution, wettability, porosity, and cracking. Distinct optimal processing windows were identified for each substrate, reflecting their different thermal responses: for 304L, 8.5 kW laser power, 0.55 m/min laser speed, 5 m/min wire feed rate, and 2 bar argon; for S355, 9.6 kW laser power, 0.6 m/min laser speed, 4.9 m/min wire feed rate, and 4 bar argon. Post-deposition heat treatment markedly enhanced performance by dissolving Nb-rich interdendritic Laves phase and promoting γ′/γ″ precipitation. As a result, clad hardness increased from ≈225 HV 0.3 (as-built) to ≈412 H V0.3 after heat treatment (+84%). Tensile testing confirmed substantial strengthening, with yield strength increasing from 447 to 853 MPa (horizontal build) and from 488 to 960 MPa (vertical), while ultimate tensile strength rose from 824 to 1057 MPa (horizontal) and from 836 to 1090 MPa (vertical). Mechanical anisotropy remained significant, linked to columnar grain morphology and build orientation. Overall, the results provide practical process window and heat treatment guidelines for reliable industrial implementation of high-quality Inconel 718 claddings on steel substrates for demanding applications. Full article

Green building is a practical pathway for meeting the European Green Deal objectives through lower life cycle impacts, healthier indoor environments, responsible material use, and improved resource efficiency across construction and renovation. This paper develops and characterises a competence framework for green building derived from the GreenSCENT competence framework materials. The framework is organised into four competence areas and twelve competences, each articulated through sets of knowledge, skills, and attitudes and mapped across European Qualifications Framework levels. The resulting framework contains 276 statements distributed across knowledge, skills, and attitudes, enabling curriculum design, formative assessment, and micro credential development for learners ranging from introductory to expert levels. Quantitative profiling highlights uneven density across competences, with project management and energy saving in buildings carrying the largest statement sets, indicating strong cross cutting requirements in governance and operational performance. The framework supports education and training that connects building design, material stewardship, technology selection, circular practices, and economic decision, making in a single competence logic aligned with Green Deal policy directions. Full article

This paper examines the relationship between traditional gold (XAU) and its tokenized counterparts (PAXG and XAUT), providing an empirical assessment of how digital representations of real-world assets align with their underlying benchmarks. Using multi-year time series data, the study evaluates price deviations, tracking accuracy, correlations, and volatility across both weekday-only and 24/7 trading datasets, incorporating weekend effects and crypto-market microstructure. Results show that both tokenized assets exhibit strong long-term alignment with XAU, while short-term divergences arise from continuous crypto trading, liquidity fragmentation, and issuer-specific design features, with XAUT consistently tracking spot gold more closely than PAXG. Building on this analysis, the paper examines the role of tokenized gold within dynamic, smart contract-driven crypto portfolios that also include BTC, ETH, and cash. Portfolio simulations demonstrate that adaptive rebalancing strategies materially improve risk-adjusted performance, with XAUT serving as a stabilizing anchor and cash enabling rapid, automated repositioning during volatility spikes. The findings offer a dual contribution: they clarify the fidelity and market behavior of tokenized gold and provide evidence of its practical utility within automated, on-chain portfolio management, highlighting both its strengths and structural limitations in emerging digital financial systems. Full article

Synthetic biomaterials used as bone graft extenders (BGE) in spinal fusion surgery can supplement but do not replace autologous bone. This pilot study evaluated a calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite (CaS/HA) material as an antibiotic-eluting BGE and a carrier for bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in a rabbit posterolateral lumbar (L4–L5) spinal fusion model (PLF). Pre-set CaS/HA beads were loaded with tobramycin (TOB) and tested for in vitro antibiotic release and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. For the in vivo PLF study, CaS/HA beads were used in two treatment strategies: (1) CaS/HA + TOB + autograft (left side) and (2) CaS/HA + BMP-2 (right side). Serum levels of TOB were quantified and spinal fusion was evaluated after 12 weeks. TOB exhibited a rapid initial release, followed by a decline below detectable levels after 6 h in vitro and 48 h in vivo. TOB-loaded CaS/HA beads demonstrated in vitro antibacterial activity for 19 days. In the PLF study, 5/6 and 6/6 specimens were fused radiologically in the TOB and BMP groups, respectively, and 100% using mechanical testing. Micro-CT analysis showed no significant difference in bone volume between the TOB and BMP-2 groups (364 ± 84 vs. 479 ± 95 mm³). Histology verified continuous bone bridging in both groups. Our in vitro findings indicate that locally added TOB could protect the CaS/HA material from bacterial colonization and did not adversely impact the CaS/HA material negatively to act as BGE. The addition of low-dose BMP-2 to the CaS/HA material proved effective in building bone without the need to harvest autologous bone. In summary, this pilot PLF study demonstrates that the tested CaS/HA material combined with BMP-2 could replace autologous bone harvesting in spinal fusion surgery. Addition of TOB could potentially protect the material from bacterial colonization during the early post-operative period but further studies in infection models are warranted. Full article

The pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment has placed façade systems at the forefront of innovation in architectural design. This study proposes an integrated framework that combines generative design techniques with artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize composite façade configurations for next-generation smart buildings. Using parametric modeling, a wide design space of façade geometries and material compositions was generated, capturing trade-offs between thermal performance, daylight, structural strength, and aesthetic variability. Artificial intelligence algorithms, particularly machine learning models, are trained on simulation-derived performance datasets to rapidly predict key indicators such as energy consumption, thermal transmittance (U-value) and solar heat gain coefficients. The proposed approach achieved a predictive accuracy of 99.85%, enabling efficient exploration of optimal solutions across high-dimensional design alternatives. A multi-objective optimization strategy was further implemented to balance energy efficiency with structural and aesthetic constraints, producing façade configurations that outperform conventional designs. The findings demonstrate that integrating generative design with AI-based prediction not only accelerates the façade design process but also provides actionable pathways toward net-zero energy buildings. This research highlights the transformative potential of AI-driven generative workflows in advancing sustainable architecture and delivering intelligent, adaptive and performance-oriented façades for future urban environments. Full article

Coal gangue represents the predominant solid waste in the coal industry and poses significant risks to both the ecological environment and human health. It has been demonstrated that recycling it in building materials effectively reduces stockpiling, mitigates environmental harm, and minimizes heavy metal leaching. However, a comprehensive review systematically focusing on the recycling of coal gangue and the behavior of its associated heavy metals in building materials is still lacking. This work introduces the physicochemical properties and environmental hazards of coal gangue, including spontaneous combustion, land occupation, and pollution risks. It also summarizes the leaching patterns, speciation, and immobilization mechanisms of heavy metals such as Cr, Cu, and Pb in gangue-based building materials, and reviews adsorption behaviors, solidification pathways, and microstructural interactions at the molecular scale. Despite ongoing efforts, over five billion tons of coal gangue remain accumulated in China, with secondary pollution from heavy metals continuing to pose serious concerns. To address these challenges, recommendations are proposed for establishing standardized leaching evaluation methods, and a novel approach for transitioning from heavy metal solidification to active utilization is introduced. This review aims to provide strategic direction for the green and sustainable recycling of coal gangue. Full article

This study aimed to develop sustainable supersulfated cement (SSC) comprising ferronickel slag (FNS), desulfurized gypsum, carbide slag, and a small amount of Portland cement (PC). A two-stage optimization approach considering mechanical strength, volume stability, durability, and sustainability was employed to screen the mixture proportions of low-clinker FNS-based SSC. Orthogonal experiments were firstly conducted to investigate the effects of PC, carbide slag, and desulfurized gypsum contents on the mechanical properties of SSC mortar. Range analysis revealed that carbide slag exerted the most significant impact on early-age mechanical strength, while desulfurized gypsum plays an increasingly important role in late-age strength development. Subsequently, a single-factor test was applied to determine the optimal carbide slag content in FNS-based SSC. The results demonstrated that with the incorporation of 4% carbide slag, the SSC mortar achieved the 3-day and 28-day compressive strengths of 15.88 and 42.5 MPa, with relatively low volumetric expansion. The screened mixture proportions also satisfied the requirements for strength class 42.5 SSC according to both Chinese and British standards. A life cycle assessment further indicated that its carbon emission was approximately 46.91% lower than that of conventional PC. This research provided key technical and data support for the synergistic utilization of multi-source solid wastes in producing low-carbon cementless binder. Full article

Premature deterioration of reinforced concrete is driven largely by moisture and chloride ingress, which accelerate steel corrosion and shorten service life. This study investigates a dual strategy to enhance durability while supporting circular-economy goals: (i) incorporating coal-fired biomass ash (CBA) as a fine-aggregate replacement (0%, 20%, and 50%) and (ii) applying bio-inspired surface treatments to reduce transport pathways. To capture variability in CBA performance across different environmental and material contexts, two concrete systems—produced in India and the UK—were evaluated, each subjected to a distinct coating approach: a bacterial self-healing treatment or a cinnamaldehyde (CNM) organic barrier. Mechanical, transport, and multi-scale characterization was performed, including compressive strength, capillary absorption, chloride migration (NT Build 492), SEM/EDS, XRF, and XRD. The 20% CBA mixes maintained or slightly improved strength, while higher CBA contents increased porosity but reduced chloride transport in the UK mix. The bacterial coating reduced long-term water absorption by over 80% through CaCO₃ mineralization, offering strong moisture resistance. The CNM coating decreased chloride migration by up to 68% via hydrophobic and ionic-blocking effects. Overall, moderate CBA with self-healing treatment enhances moisture control, whereas higher CBA with CNM provides effective chloride protection, extending the service life of CBA-based concrete. Full article