A Proposed Strategy to Evaluate Nanomaterials in Construction to Boost Sustainable Architecture

Abstract

Nanotechnology has gradually emerged in various sectors, including architecture. Nanotechnology developed nanomaterials as environmentally friendly and highly efficient construction materials. It behaves differently with enhanced functional properties such as durability, strength, flexibility, lighter weight, self-cleaning capacity, etc. This study investigated the impact of integrating nanotechnology into the construction field from two perspectives: to minimize the environmental impact of buildings based on sustainability principles and to improve the functional efficiency of construction materials. The study aims mainly to propose a strategy for evaluating nanomaterials in construction as sustainable materials through four aspects related to sustainability principles. This was achieved progressively through a methodology that commenced with a theoretical study of the basics of nanotechnology and how it relates to the field of sustainable architecture. Moreover, it described and summarized some prevailing nanomaterials used in construction, such as concrete, glass, coatings, and thermal insulation materials. It also reviewed their functional efficiency in line with sustainability. Furthermore, this study examined some case studies based on the proposed strategy to evaluate the utilized nanomaterials in the case studies. On average, this study's results found that the used nanomaterials in the three case studies achieved 54.3% for sustainable design principles, 83% for Sustainable materials criteria, 60.3% for energy efficiency aspects, and 71.7% for ambient environment efficiency factors. On the other hand, it indicates that using nanomaterials in construction reduces harmful carbon emissions and improves the functionality of building materials to boost sustainable architecture.