Impact of nanotechnology in the construction industry

Answer from top 10 papers

Nanotechnology has a profound impact on the construction industry, offering innovative solutions that enhance material properties and building efficiency. The integration of nanoparticles like carbon nanotubes and titanium dioxide into construction materials results in improved mechanical strength and durability (Thammadi & Pisini, 2022). These advancements extend to nano-coatings that provide surfaces with water repellence, UV resistance, and antibacterial properties, which contribute to energy efficiency and cost savings (Thammadi & Pisini, 2022). Additionally, the development of nanostructured cementitious materials offers significant performance advantages, such as reduced resource and energy consumption over their lifecycle (Kuda & Yadav, 2022).
Despite these benefits, the widespread adoption of nanotechnology in the construction industry faces challenges. There is a discrepancy between the readiness of nanotechnological materials for use and their actual impact on the sector, particularly noted in the context of the Turkish Construction Industry (Gökuç & Turunç, 2019). Moreover, while some sectors within the industry are aware of nanotechnology's potential, the construction industry as a whole has not taken a leadership role in its research and development, indicating a barrier to entry (Leone, 2012). Furthermore, the implications of nanotechnology on human health and the environment are not yet fully understood, necessitating a cautious approach to its uncontrolled use (Rao et al., 2015).
In summary, nanotechnology holds the potential to revolutionize the construction industry by improving material properties and contributing to sustainability. However, the industry faces challenges in fully harnessing this potential due to limited adoption and concerns regarding environmental and health risks. Continued research and development, coupled with a better understanding of the implications of nanotechnology, are essential for its successful integration into the construction sector (Gökuç & Turunç, 2019; Kuda & Yadav, 2022; Leone, 2012; Rao et al., 2015; Thammadi & Pisini, 2022).

Source Papers

Nanotechnology and building construction: Towards effective stakeholder engagement

Innovative construction materials and techniques are imminent to survive the climate change associated extreme weather impacts. Nanotechnology in construction sector improves the comfortability and quality of life by enhancing the mechanical properties of cement and concrete, stronger and lighter structural composites, low maintenance coating, reducing the thermal transfer rate and/or insulation, and construction-related nano-sensors. Various types of nanoparticles used in construction sector are Nano-titania, Carbon nanotubes, Nano-silica, Copper and Clay nanoparticles, Zycosoil, and nanostructured metals such as Nano-ferric oxide, and Nano-aluminium oxide. Advantages of nanomaterials application in building construction are displayed in materials such as concrete, steel, timber, glass, insulations, coatings, energy and nanosensors. The objective of this study is to analyze the nanomaterials application in construction industry besides environmental, health and social impacts. The novelty of this study includes stakeholder engagement matrix for nanomaterials in construction sector. Although nanotechnology is in its infancy, there is a need to develop a framework for nanotechnology regulation especially in construction sector due to its impact on climate change and vice versa due to the significant contribution of construction sector to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, a nanotechnology regulation framework has been proposed for identification and effective stakeholder engagement. Implications of nanotechnology on construction materials, narrowing the nano-divide, scope for sustainable development and concepts of implementation have been discussed in detail.

Open Access
Use of Nanotechnological Building Materials in the Turkish Construction Industry

The competitiveness of firms in the construction industry can be said to lie on technological developments. Owing to new technologies it is possible to reduce costs and respond to varying customer demands. Nanotechnology affects many sectors as a technology that contributes significantly to the development of the features of materials, and there are many applications in the construction industry as well as in many other areas. Research and development studies have shown that nanotechnology can improve the performance of traditional building materials such as concrete and steel. The construction industry is the major contributor to the environmental problems with the construction, operation and maintenance of buildings. The potential contribution to sustainability is to make the nanotechnology one of the most influential technologies in green buildings. Although nanotechnological materials are ready to be widely used in the construction industry, they have not had an important effect on the sector, yet. The purpose of this study is to better understand the adaptation of nanotechnology in the context of the Turkish Construction Industry, and to evaluate the current applications in nanotechnology. A survey was designed to capture the required data for this study

Open Access
The Future of Civil Engineering with the Influence and Impact of Nanotechnology on Properties of Materials

It is true that nanotechnology has become one of the influential technologies in this century since it has been successful in fascinating all most all manifolds of technology, like that it has also embraced the field of Civil Engineering. More particularly the construction sector finds its advantage with nanotechnology, construction industry needs more material and energy resources. Among all the materials used in construction, concrete occupies nearly 70% of the materials by volume and shows significant impact. The advent of nanotechnology helped in producing more strong and durable material than conventional materials. Nanotechnology in making concrete refers to the production and addition of nanosized particles in to concrete at suitable proportions by appropriate methods. The basic purpose of using nanosized materials in concrete is to improve compressive and flexural strengths at early age, it is possible due to the high surface – to volume ratio. It also helps to improve the pore structure of concrete. Nanosized materials help to reduce porosity as they absorb less water compared to traditional cementitious materials. The presence of nanomaterials reduces the amount of cement content in concrete than the conventional concrete. This can be achieved without sacrificing strength characteristics, thereby it is possible to produce eco friendly concrete called green concrete. This paper tries to review how nanotechnology is used in civil engineering and its effects on various nanomaterials viz. steel, glass, wood and the paper also throws a special focus on concrete how does it affect various properties of materials.

Open Access
Nanotechnology Innovations in Construction Industry and Environmental Sustainability

Nanotechnology is a speedily increasing and innovating range of research, where advanced characteristics of resources manufactures on the nanoscale can be exploited as advantages for people at large through various methods or mechanisms of construction. Being a varied technical and scientific arena that brings and covers numerous application kinds, the contribution of nanotechnological innovations is immense for various sectors of construction industries. It also possesses a large future potential for ecological efficiency, which is dire need of the hour. In construction industry there are many factors involved to achieve the major goal of sustainability like smart design, planning through which energy can be saved, resource usage can be reduced and environmental damage can be avoided. No doubt, the application of nanotechnology materials and its various causes on the atmosphere and living organisms are not clearly defined yet which can become a problem. For instance, leakage of materials into the water resources, and seas, as well, discharge of nanoparticles into the air generating dust and exposure to harmful materials during various construction, maintenance and use etc. Considering tremendous revolution in Nanotechnological field there is an important aspect in relation to the impact of nanoparticles and nanomaterials on human health and environment which should be discussed at length. This paper intends to give a research review of current and near future, safety and eco-efficiency applications of nanotechnology to not only improve and maintain but also deal with certain future challenges and directions related to the sustainable development.

Open Access
Nanotechnology and Its Impact on Construction: Bridging the Gap between Researchers and Industry Professionals

Nanotechnology research and product development are actively conducted in many industries, (such as industries that manufacture advanced materials and semiconductors) and in medicine. Few studies have presented the potential application areas of nanotechnology in, and the needs of, the construction industry while identifying the benefits and barriers of entry in research and development. Some construction industry sectors follow research and development in nanotechnology; however, the industry does not take on a leadership role. With proper knowledge of the potential products and techniques offered through an investment in nanotechnology, the construction industry may potentially improve the efficiency of its processes and offer better products to clients such as those that exist in building and infrastructure construction and in environmental and petroleum engineering. This paper analyzes the understanding of nanotechnology in the context of construction and explores the current status of nanotechnology in the construction industry. Findings from a literature review, from a survey among construction industry professionals, and from expert interviews with leading researchers in construction-related nanotechnology research and development are presented to identify the potential benefits and existing barriers of using nanotechnology in construction. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework was developed to rank application areas of nanotechnology that will have major effects in the construction industry. Tasks were identified that will make the application of nanotechnology in construction successful in the future.