Construction biotechnology: The promise of sustainable buildings

Construction Biotechnology is a new scientific and engineering discipline that has been developing exponentially during the last decade. The main directions of this discipline are 1- the selection of adequate microorganisms, 2- development of micro-processed construction bioprocesses as well as 3- the development of new biotechnologies to produce construction biomaterials. Products resulting in construction biotechnologies are low-cost, sustainable, and environmentally friendly microbial biocements for the improvement of the construction terrain. The bioagents used in construction biotechnologies are pure or enrichment cultures of native microorganisms or microorganisms isolated and activated from the soil. Biotechnologically produced construction materials and microbial mediated construction technologies have many advantages compared to conventional construction materials and processes. The current technological landscape offers an objective vision and perspective of how microbes are used in the construction industry as additives for cement and concrete so that these new technologies be used in different provinces of Ecuador. In that sense, the current situation of cement and concrete production in Ecuador is briefly described to have an overview of the applicability of the new methods based on biogenic materials and the environmental advantages of the creation of construction biomaterials over conventional production.

A new scientific and engineering discipline, Construction Biotechnology, is developing exponentially during the last decade. The major directions of this discipline are selection of microorganisms and development of the microbially-mediated construction processes and biotechnologies for the production of construction biomaterials. The products of construction biotechnologies are low cost, sustainable, and environmentally friendly microbial biocements and biogrouts for the construction ground improvement. The microbial polysaccharides are used as admixtures for cement. Microbially produced biodegradable bioplastics can be used for the temporarily constructions. The bioagents that are used in construction biotechnologies are either pure or enrichment cultures of microorganisms or activated indigenous microorganisms of soil. The applications of microorganisms in the construction processes are bioaggregation, biocementation, bioclogging, and biodesaturation of soil. The biotechnologically produced construction materials and the microbially-mediated construction technologies have a lot of advantages in comparison with the conventional construction materials and processes. Proper practical implementations of construction biotechnologies could give significant economic and environmental benefits.

The Industrial Revolution is the restructuring of society under the influence of innovations in technology and technique, which is accompanied by a jump in productivity. Today, the 4th revolution is taking place, which is rapidly changing the landscape of various areas of life, including architecture and the construction industry. The Industry 4.0 revolution connects technologies used in organizations and people’s daily lives. It combines physical and digital technologies. But it doesn’t develop as a daily simple life in architecture and construction industry like many other industries like as automotive, aircraft, electronic etc. The relevance of the study is to study and analyze the stage of the historical event on the industrial revolutions (specially fourth industrial revolution) and his realization in today’s construction and architecture industry. A comprehensive review of contemporary and historical literature related to fourth industrial revolution, and his realization level in the industry with specific focus on construction and architecture industry. Thus, the main tasks of the study can be distinguished as follows: review of historical literature and basic understanding of the industrial revolutions; understanding of Industry 4.0 and its principles and benefits; reveal and introduce Industry 4.0 in construction and architecture industry; some samples about using Industry 4.0 in construction and architecture industry. Part two of the research is devoted to the idea and explanation of fourth wave technology in construction and architecture. The research used the method of analysis of scientific and historical literature and documents related to the Industrial Revolution (specially fourth industrial revolution) and his achievement in the construction and architecture industry to achieve and formulate conclusions. The conclusion of study is about today’s stage of realization of fourth industrial revolution in the construction and architecture industry and his point of view to next industrial revolution which start from 2017. The author believes that the development of the construction and architecture industry now and in the future depends on the attention and use of new industries and professionals in this industry specially IT specialists and technology. The conclusion of the second part of the study articulates fourth wave technologies in all areas of construction and architecture. The scientific novelty of the study is to study, analysis, identify main factors of Industry 4.0, and collection of some samples of realization of this technology (fourth wave technologies) in construction and architecture industry.

The Industrial Revolution is the restructuring of society under the influence of innovations in technology and technique, which is accompanied by a jump in productivity. Today, the 4th revolution is taking place, which is rapidly changing the landscape of various areas of life, including architecture and the construction industry. The Industry 4.0 revolution connects technologies used in organizations and people’s daily lives. It combines physical and digital technologies. But it doesn’t develop as a daily simple life in architecture and construction industry like many other industries like as automotive, aircraft, electronic etc. The relevance of the study is to study and analyze the stage of the historical event on the industrial revolutions (specially fourth industrial revolution) and his realization in today’s construction and architecture industry. Purpose of study: a comprehensive review of contemporary and historical literature related to fourth industrial revolution, and his realization level in the industry with specific focus on construction and architecture industry. Thus, the main tasks of the study can be distinguished as follows: review of historical literature and basic understanding of the industrial revolutions; understanding of Industry 4.0 and its principles and benefits; reveal and introduce Industry 4.0 in construction and architecture industry; some samples about using Industry 4.0 in construction and architecture industry. The third-part of research is devoted to the implementation of the fourth wave technology idea in construction and architecture. The research used the method of analysis of scientific and historical literature and documents related to the Industrial Revolution (specially fourth industrial revolution) and his achievement in the construction and architecture industry to achieve and formulate conclusions. The conclusion of study is about today’s stage of realization of fourth industrial revolution in the construction and architecture industry and his point of view to next industrial revolution which start from 2017. The author believes that the development of the construction and architecture industry now and in the future depends on the attention and use of new industries and professionals in this industry specially IT specialists and technology. The scientific novelty of the study is to study, analysis, identify main factors of Industry 4.0, and collection of some samples of realization of this technology (fourth wave technologies) in construction and architecture industry.

With the rapid development of Internet of Things technology, building information modeling (BIM) technology has made a significant breakthrough in the construction industry, and has shown a wide range of application prospects in the field of intelligent buildings. As the final scene of construction engineering application, intelligent building is equivalent to the life of the building, and its construction process needs efficient information technology support. As an efficient building information model technology, BIM technology collects information of various construction projects and creates three-dimensional models based on it, which can realize comprehensive collection of data information and help enterprises realize effective management of building construction. Because of its complexity and scale, high-rise residential construction needs the support of BIM technology. BIM technology can significantly reduce the problems existing in the construction process, provide efficient technical support for owners, construction units and supervision units, and make more efficient use of construction resources and construction time. Through BIM technology, effective planning of resources, effective control of funds, cost control, etc., can be achieved to improve construction quality and reduce construction costs. Especially in the construction of high-rise residential buildings, the application of BIM technology is particularly prominent in pipeline layout, collision inspection, construction schedule management, safety management and other aspects. This paper aims to discuss the application of BIM technology in high-rise residential construction, in order to solve the problems existing in the current construction and improve the construction efficiency and quality. By elaborating the concept of BIM technology and intelligent building, this paper discusses the application of BIM technology in construction layout, construction schedule management, safety management and design optimization, analyzes the problems faced by BIM technology in high-rise residential construction and puts forward countermeasures. Through the organic combination of BIM technology and the construction process of high-rise residential buildings, the value of BIM technology can be fully demonstrated, and the construction side can help the construction side, the design side and the construction side to achieve integration and integrated application in the project construction process, so as to maximize the engineering benefits, and provide reference and reference for the wide application of intelligent building and BIM technology in the construction industry.

The Industrial Revolution is the restructuring of society under the influence of innovations in technology and technique, which is accompanied by a jump in productivity. Today, the 4th revolution is taking place, which is rapidly changing the landscape of various areas of life, including architecture and the construction industry. The Industry 4.0 revolution connects technologies used in organizations and people’s daily lives. It combines physical and digital technologies. But it doesn’t develop as a daily simple life in architecture and construction industry like many other industries like as automotive, aircraft, electronic etc. The relevance of the study is to study and analyze the stage of the historical event on the industrial revolutions (specially fourth industrial revolution) and his realization in today’s construction and architecture industry. Purpose of study: a comprehensive review of contemporary and historical literature related to fourth industrial revolution, and his realization level in the industry with specific focus on construction and architecture industry. Thus, the main tasks of the study can be distinguished as follows: review of historical literature and basic understanding of the industrial revolutions; understanding of Industry 4.0 and its principles and benefits; reveal and introduce Industry 4.0 in construction and architecture industry; some samples about using Industry 4.0 in construction and architecture industry.The first part of the study is devoted to the basic concept, definition, and historical events of the fourth wave technology. In conclusion, the advantages and main problems of this technology are described. The research used the method of analysis of scientific and historical literature and documents related to the Industrial Revolution (specially fourth industrial revolution) and his achievement in the construction and architecture industry to achieve and formulate conclusions. The conclusion of study is about today’s stage of realization of fourth industrial revolution in the construction and architecture industry and his point of view to next industrial revolution which start from 2017. The author believes that the development of the construction and architecture industry now and in the future depends on the attention and use of new industries and professionals in this industry specially IT specialists and technology. The conclusion of the first part of the study outlines the advantages and problems associated with fourth wave technologies. The scientific novelty of the study is to study, analysis, identify main factors of Industry 4.0, and collection of some samples of realization of this technology (fourth wave technologies) in construction and architecture industry.

Purpose Despite the continuous development and application of new digital technologies in the construction industry, there has been little research on digital technology trajectories in the construction industry. The study addresses the issue faced by the construction industry in exploring digital technology trajectories: how to comprehensively identify and analyse digital technology pathways across multiple technology fields in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Firstly, the digital technology patent identification and classification method based on text mining is used to identify digital technology patents and construct a digital technology innovation network. Second, the main path of the digital technology innovation network is identified with the help of SPNP. Then, the subpaths of the digital technology innovation network are identified with the help of the Louvain algorithm and SPNP. Finally, starting from the technology nodes where the main path and subpaths intersect, the technological similarity of the paths is analysed to explore the evolutionary characteristics of the technology trajectories. In light of this, the developed method is applied to the global construction industry patent dataset to analyse the trajectories of digital technologies. Findings The technological innovation path in the construction industry starts with construction materials and gradually expands to intelligence, automation and digital data processing technology. Equipment and devices with electronic digital data processing capabilities as well as improvements in green building technologies and user experience-enhancing technologies, may be the future of the construction industry. With the increasing demand for green buildings and intelligent buildings, the direction of digital technology innovation in the construction industry is gradually tilted towards these areas. In addition, influenced by geographic and economic factors, there is a spatial clustering effect of digital technology innovation in the construction industry. Research limitations/implications Future research should analyse in depth the performance of different countries and regions in digital technology innovation and explore the root causes, motivations and influencing factors behind it, such as the policy environment, the level of the economy and the investment in research and development. Exploring the reasons affecting digital technology innovation can help formulate more targeted policies and promote cooperation and exchange of digital technology innovation in the global construction industry. Meanwhile, to solve the problems of overly broad IPC categorization and the difficulty of accurately describing cross-field innovations, combining IPC co-occurrence networks with patent citation networks is an effective strategy. This strategy can track technologically interrelated patents and provide more specific contents to know the advantages and challenges of the construction industry in the field of digital technology innovation. Practical implications The study has practical implications for the construction industry. The identification of digital technology innovation trajectories provides valuable insights for industry firms and research institutes. It helps them understand the current and future directions of digital technology in construction, enabling them to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. The findings highlight the importance of focusing on areas such as solar energy utilisation, green energy, intelligence, automation and data applications. This knowledge can guide firms in developing new building materials, incorporating digital information technologies and enhancing user experiences. The study’s results can inform strategic decision-making, technology adoption and innovation management in the construction sector. Social implications The social implications of this study are significant for various stakeholders. The identification of digital technology innovation trajectories in the construction industry highlights the potential benefits for society. The focus on green energy, intelligent buildings and enhanced user experiences aligns with the increasing demand for sustainability, energy efficiency and comfortable living environments. These technological advancements can contribute to reducing environmental impact, improving quality of life and promoting sustainable development. The findings can inform policymakers, urban planners and architects in shaping regulations, designing sustainable cities and creating buildings that prioritize energy efficiency and user well-being. Ultimately, the study’s social implications aim to foster a more sustainable and livable built environment. Originality/value An identification method integrated with SPNP and the Louvain algorithm is developed to map digital technology innovation trajectories in the construction industry. This study helps to reveal the trajectories of digital technology innovation, provides new perspectives, insight and ideas for research in related fields and has great potential for applications in practice to promote the innovation and development of the construction industry.

Microorganisms (microbes) are organisms that are not visible without aid of microscope and can be found in all five kingdoms of living creatures on Earth: Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, Plants, and Animals, but mainly first kingdom is used in Construction Biotechnology because of smallest size, highest growth rate, and diverse biogeochemical and biosynthetic activities of bacteria. Selection of needed bacterial strain for the biosynthesis of construction material or performance of construction process can be done either theoretically using the periodic table of physiological classification of prokaryotes, or through the experimental selection of enrichment culture following with isolation and identification of pure culture. Microbiology of Construction Biotechnology process requires understanding and strict performance of the biosafety rules aiming to prevent outbreaks of the infectious diseases during the production of construction biomaterials or application of microorganisms in construction process. Fungi and aerobic Gram-negative bacteria are most active in the biosynthesis of cement admixtures and bioplastics. Facultative anaerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria are most suitable for cementation and clogging of the porous soil and fractured rocks under high or changeable osmotic pressure. Phototrophic cyanobacteria and algae are most suitable for the biocrust formation on the soil surface. Understanding of microbiology is essential in the development of biotechnological construction material or biotechnological construction process but the commercial biomaterial or bioprocess must be made so that there will be sufficient just instruction for user. However, geotechnical or environmental applications of microbial processes in the field may require due to complexity of the factors or either partnership with microbiologist or understanding of the basic principles of microbiology.

Introduction. In the modern world, the issues of sustainable development and rational use of natural resources are becoming increasingly relevant. One of the main directions in this area is the use of recycled materials in various sectors of the economy, including construction. The construction industry, being one of the most resource-intensive sectors, has a significant impact on the environmental situation. The need to reduce the negative impact on the environment leads to the search and implementation of innovative approaches to the production and use of building materials. In this regard, recycled materials, which are waste products of production and consumption, are becoming a valuable source of raw materials for the construction industry. This article discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of the use of secondary resources in construction. The advantages and disadvantages of using recycled materials are analyzed, as well as promising areas of research and development in this area. Special attention is paid to the issues of economic efficiency and environmental safety of the use of the recycled materials in construction. Aim. Analyzing the possibilities of using of the recycled materials in construction and developing of the recommendations for expanding of their using, taking into account the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development. Materials and methods. This study, aimed at exploring the possibilities and prospects of recycled materials using in modern construction, is based on a comprehensive methodology that includes an analysis of existing theoretical developments, regulatory documentation, empirical data, as well as the results of experimental and practical research in the field of the use of recycled materials in construction. The results were summarized and systematized, which made it possible to formulate conclusions and recommendations for expanding the use of recycled materials in the construction industry. Results. Data on the current state of the use of recycled materials in construction are presented, the main problems are identified and ways to overcome them are proposed. Conclusions. The introduction of the principles of sustainable construction, in particular the use of recycled materials, will make it possible to create economically efficient, socially significant and environmentally safe facilities. To successfully realize the potential of recycled materials in construction, a comprehensive solution is needed, including the development of a regulatory framework, stimulating innovation, raising awareness and changing consumer preferences. Only with the joint efforts of the state, business and society it is possible to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly construction industry.

Construction Biotechnology is a scientific and engineering knowledge on the use of microorganisms or their products for construction processes or production of construction materials. All biotechnological processes include: (1) a preliminary step (upstream); (2) a cultivation and biogeochemical activity (core process); (3) a posttreatment step (downstream); and (4) process monitoring and control. Isolation and selection of proper pure or enrichment culture for bioprocess is the most essential preliminary step. Batch or continuous cultivation of microorganisms in bioreactor or in soil must be maintained by the optimal supply of nutrients, proper electron donor and acceptor, temperature, pH, salinity, and other factors essential for growth and biosynthetic or biogeochemical activities of microbial cells. Understanding of biotechnology is essential in the development of biotechnological construction material or biotechnological construction process but the commercial biomaterial or bioprocess must be made so that there will be sufficient just instruction for user. However, geotechnical or environmental applications of biotechnological processes in the field may require due to complexity of the factors or either partnership with biotechnologist or understanding of the basic principles of biotechnology.

The construction industry and associated processes emit about 40%–50% of greenhouse gasses globally, making buildings’ lifelong impact on the environment inevitable. Although research and development stakeholders have directed their focus on various sustainable, recycled, and upcycled building materials, as well as circular designs and construction methods to reduce the adverse effects of environmental challenges, researchers have not yet fully addressed a building’s post-use treatment. Considering that the gap still remains in knowledge concerning how to fully achieve net-zero waste and emissions from construction materials, designs, and processes at the end of a building’s life, this study contributes a concise definition of the concept of adaptability with a holistic review to understand Design for Adaptability (DfA) and its potential to reduce the need for unnecessary new construction and eliminate potential waste. This review used the PRISMA guidelines approach to gather key insights from various articles on the concept of adaptability that are relevant to the scope of buildings. Moreover, this review identifies potential areas of further research that could boost confidence in the use of adaptable strategies in the future. A total of 50 articles out of 170 articles were chosen through a selection process involving a new set of inclusion and exclusion criteria based on PRISMA guidelines. The findings show that demographical, technological, and economic motivations drive adaptability’s functional, environmental, economic, and social benefits. However, the regulatory, technical, economic, and social barriers hinder its implementation in construction processes. The findings also demonstrate that various promising frameworks for assessing adaptability still lack comprehensive guidelines, assessment, and validation methods for the overall implementation of adaptable strategies. Existing frameworks are mostly limited to spatial assessment of the reuse of spaces and do not account for the structural flexibility and performance of load-bearing building elements despite the fact that most assessed papers were from the engineering field. Nevertheless, this paper concludes that adaptability strategies can be implemented early during the construction of new buildings or during the repurposing of existing buildings, with the end goal being to increase the longevity of the use of structures, prevent premature demolition, and minimize unnecessary construction waste.

The relevance of the study is to identify the potential for creating innovative building materials that can improve the quality and efficiency of construction and furniture production. The purpose of the study is to analyse the market of sheet building materials, explore the possibilities of using plant materials in construction and furniture industry, and compare the properties of the latest building materials with the existing ones. The analysis of literature sources included a search and evaluation of new developments in the construction industry, as well as an analysis of statistical data on the production of architectural materials in Ukraine, using information resources and Internet search services. To evaluate the consumer properties of innovative building materials, the author used quality assessment methods using visual perception and special tools, in accordance with the established regulatory documentation. Important issues aimed at using resource-saving technologies in construction and developing the latest (environmentally-friendly) building materials are considered. The current state of the Ukrainian market of building sheet materials and the properties of industrial hemp are investigated in order to determine the most cost-effective use of hemp raw materials as an effective basis for the creation of building materials for various purposes. The suitability of the raw materials was determined and assessed, experimental samples of chipboards with different fillers were obtained, and the physical, mechanical and aesthetic characteristics of the finished products were investigated. The research will contribute to the development of the hemp processing industry, as well as enterprises that produce goods for various functional purposes from hemp, which will provide conditions for combining the agricultural sector and the construction industry, i.e. building a closed production cycle

Purpose. Construction and civil engineering, traditionally perceived as conservative industries, also feel the need to adapt to the demands of the time and introduce innovative technologies. Ukraine, entering the era of digital transformation, is actively developing and implementing new technologies in the construction industry. Therefore, systematization and coverage of key aspects of the impact of digital Transformation into the construction industry and civil engineering in Ukraine is the main task today. Methodology. The introduction of Internet of Things technologies in the construction industry expands the possibilities of building control and management. Findings. Sensors located in different parts of the structures allow you to monitor the condition of the building in real time, identify possible problems and ensure the safety of objects. Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of the digital transformation of construction. Machine learning algorithms help predict and optimize construction processes, which increases Efficiency of planning and resource management. The 3D printing system in construction is one of the promising and revolutionary innovations that is already influencing traditional approaches to construction processes. This digital technique will bring significant changes to the field of construction, accelerating and optimizing a number of stages from design to execution Originality. Analysis of current problems, especially now, in the difficult times of war, industrial construction in Ukraine, as well as around the world, is a promising direction for the development of other industries in general. Industrial construction is an important branch of the construction industry that specializes in the creation and operation of buildings and infrastructure facilities for industrial needs. Practical value. The introduction of innovative technologies in construction and civil engineering in the context of digitalization of the Ukrainian economy has a significant practical impact on various aspects of the industry: Improving Construction Productivity and Quality: Use of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), allows you to increase the efficiency of construction processes, reduce the time of work and avoid errors; Cost optimization: Using machine learning algorithms to predict resource needs, such as materials and labor, allows you to rationalize costs and reduce construction costs.

Purpose Green construction is increasingly vital in promoting sustainability within the construction industry. The development and promotion of green construction technologies are central to this endeavor. However, existing evaluations mainly target building components, construction projects or certain construction processes. There is a notable absence of research into the greenness of construction technologies. Assessing the greenness of construction technologies is crucial for streamlining resource utilization and reducing waste. To address this gap, this study aims to establish a Greenness of Construction Technologies (GCT) evaluation model using the method of analytic network process (ANP). Design/methodology/approach Green construction is increasingly vital in promoting sustainability within the construction industry. The development and promotion of green construction technologies are central to this endeavor. However, existing evaluations mainly target building components, construction projects or certain construction processes. There is a notable absence of research into the greenness of construction technologies. Assessing the greenness of construction technologies is crucial for streamlining resource utilization and reducing waste. To address this gap, this study establishes a GCT evaluation model using the method of ANP. Findings Among the four formwork technologies of plastic, steel, plywood and wooden formwork, the plastic formwork exhibits the best performance in terms of environmental friendliness, economic and social effects, while facing issues like material wastage and low static strength. The results align with practical observations which validates the model’s applicability. Originality/value This research contributes to the field by introducing the concept of greenness into construction technology evaluation for the first time. The establishment of the GCT evaluation model promotes the adoption of green construction technologies and advances sustainable practices in the construction industry.

Sustainable perspective of ancillary construction materials in infrastructure industry: An overview