Eco-friendly Construction Material Research Articles

Seaweed waste in eco-friendly construction materials: valorization of sargassum ash as a mineral addition in fiber cements

Seaweed waste in eco-friendly construction materials: valorization of sargassum ash as a mineral addition in fiber cements

Enhancing Recycled Concrete Performance by Using Chemical Activators

The need for sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials and processes is rising significantly. In these circumstances, recycling of concrete can be a lifesaver. Although, various recycling techniques have already been introduced. But none of them can fulfill the term recycle refers to. They mostly focus on merely reusing coarse aggregates (CA) or fine aggregates (FA). To come out of this, this paper is focused not only on the reuse of both coarse and fine materials (RCA, RFA) but also on introducing a new process in which those materials can be used in their old form, as recycling refers to. In this experiment, we use all kinds of materials recollected from recycled concrete (fine, coarse, recycled cement particles). Those materials are vetted into two parts. One is for recycling coarse aggregates and one is for rebuilding concrete using recovered fine, coarse, and cement particles. First, we discuss the collection and treatment system procedure of recycled demolished concrete. The second part will consist of various standardized tests for reuse and evaluation. The third part will describe the treatment needed for the materials for chemical (Using Na2SiO3, NaOH, and Na2CO3) reactivation. Finally, we will test the recycled material’s performance as concrete and establish an authentic process of recycling and reusing concrete materials. With that, we obtain the most optimum usage of recycled concrete aggregate mixing ratio Cement: CA (coarse aggregate): RCA (recycled coarse aggregate): FA (fine aggregate): RFA (recycled fine aggregate) is 1: 2: 2: 0.8: 1.2: 0.8 (With molar solution of Na2SiO3 and NaOH + KOH) and other ration of mixing with their respected properties (Compressive Strength).

Characterisation of a novel sustainable wood-geopolymer masonry units

Masonry units have been fundamental to building construction for over 6000 years, making them one of the oldest and most widely used materials in the industry. However, their production using ordinary Portland cement has significant environmental impacts, including high carbon dioxide emissions and depletion of natural resources. This highlights the need for more sustainable alternatives. One promising option is the use of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste in masonry unit manufacturing. This paper investigates the use of chipped waste timber as aggregates, bound together with geopolymer cement made from industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag. The result is a new type of masonry units, referred to as wood geopolymer masonry units (WGMUs), which were evaluated against established standards and compared with conventional masonry units (CMUs). The innovative WGMUs demonstrated improved ductility and reduced density compared to CMUs, making them easier to handle and lighter in construction. They also have a distinctive, rustic texture and consistent dimensions that meet Australian standards. Although WGMUs exhibited higher water absorption and drying contraction due to their wood content, these characteristics generally remain within acceptable limits, supporting their potential as eco-friendly construction materials.

Development of multifunctional cementitious composite using biochar

The global emphasis on sustainability has increased the demand for eco-friendly construction materials, with biochar emerging as a promising additive for concrete. It enhances mechanical properties, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and adds advanced multifunctionalities. Traditionally, achieving multifunctionality in cementitious composites involves using costly conductive fillers like carbon fibers and carbon black, which pose dispersion and health challenges. In contrast, biochar offers a cost-effective and carbon-negative alternative. Its high carbon content enables multifunctionality and sensing capabilities when integrated into cement. This study explores the multifunctional properties of biochar-based cementitious composites, focusing on self-sensing abilities, carbon sequestration, and their chemical and mechanical properties. Results indicate that adding biochar at 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % levels enhances compressive strength by 16.62 %, 46.20 %, and 51.17 %, respectively, while reducing ductility due to its porous nature at higher concentrations. Moreover, increasing biochar content from 5 % to 10 % correlated strain with fractional changes in resistivity (R2 = 0.99), highlighting its potential in self-sensing and structural health monitoring applications. BC15 samples also exhibited a 70 % higher CO2 absorption rate compared to controls, showcasing biochar's ability to improve concrete's functionalities and environmental performance. This study supports the wider adoption of biochar in construction to advance sustainable construction practices and contribute to global carbon reduction goals.

When concrete was considered sustainable: ecological crisis, technological transition and the prefabricated concrete rural houses in Jiangsu Province from 1961 to the 1980s

This paper explores the creation, development, and dissemination of prefabricated concrete rural houses in Jiangsu Province in East China from 1961 to the 1980s, an example of the technological transition provoked by the depletion of forest and timber in China. Through archival research, fieldwork and interviews, the paper examines the two waves of design and dissemination of prefabricated concrete rural houses between 1961 and 1965 and their subsequent ‘vernacularisation’ in the 1970s and the 1980s. This research provides a twofold insight into the current scholarly debates surrounding built heritage and global climate change. On one hand, it addresses a historical context of concrete overuse in contemporary China, a matter of critical importance in relation to carbon emissions and global climate change. On the other hand, it offers a counter-argument to today's call for reintroducing timber structures in many places, as evidenced by the case of East China, where the widespread use of materials like concrete was primarily a consequence of the ecological crisis following decades of deforestation and timber resource depletion. In addition, the ‘vernacularisation’ of concrete structures manifested by this case still provides lessons for today’s efforts to popularise more eco-friendly construction materials and technologies, especially in rural areas, and the prefabricated concrete houses possess potential heritage values as trackers of ecological changes.

Acoustic and thermal performance of wood strands-rock wool-cement composite boards as eco-friendly construction materials

With a growing emphasis on eco-friendly building materials, wood strands-rock wool-cement boards (WRCB) offer a promising solution due to their composition of renewable wood fibers and cementitious binder. This study delves into the intricate balance between sound absorption, thermal insulation, and cost-effectiveness of WRCB, all of which are crucial factors shaping indoor comfort, energy efficiency, and the economic viability of constructions. WRCB incorporating wood strands, Portland cement, rock wool, and calcium chloride were manufactured at various thicknesses (20–60 mm) and densities (400, 500, and 600 kg/m³). The WRCB exhibited sound absorption average (SAA) and effective thermal conductivity (Keff) values ranging from 0.28 to 0.56 and 0.285–0.381 W/(mK), respectively. These results underscore the remarkable SAA and Keff of the panels, showcasing their potential as sustainable construction materials. Notably, WRCB with thicknesses ranging from 30 mm to 50 mm and densities of 400–500 kg/m³ exhibited nearly ideal absorption levels between 1000 and 2000 Hz, indicating their practical suitability for speech-related scenarios in architectural environments. The utilization of the Response Surface Methodology allowed the optimal conditions for maximizing SAA while simultaneously minimizing Keff and cost to be identified through the optimization process. A density of 452.8 kg/m³ and a thickness of 37.8 mm were determined as the optimal parameters. Under these conditions, the resultant SAA reached 0.554, with a corresponding cost of 1724 IRR and Keff of 0.317 W/(mK). The results also demonstrated the significant impact of thickness and density on the acoustic and thermal performance of the WRCB. The acoustic performance of WRCB was further analyzed through predictive modeling using the Johnson-Champoux-Allard (JCA) and Delany-Bazley (DB) models. The results revealed that the JCA model exhibited superior predictive accuracy compared to the DB model.

Durability analysis of metakaolin recycled concrete under sulphate dry and wet cycle

This study aims to enhance the durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of recycled fine aggregate concrete (RFAC) subjected to the combined effects of wet-dry cycles and sulfate erosion. Dry–wet cycle tests were conducted in RFAC with different admixtures of biotite metakaolin (MK) and 15% fly ash (FA) mix (M) under 5% sulfate erosion environment. The effect of 0%, 30%, 60% and 90% recycled fine aggregate (RFA) replacement of natural fine aggregate on mass loss, cubic compressive strength, relative dynamic modulus test of RFAC, damage modeling and prediction of damage life of concrete were investigated. The results showed that the concrete cubic compressive strength and relative dynamic modulus were optimal for recycled concrete at 15% MK biotite dosing and 60% RFA substitution, and its maximum service life was accurately predicted to be about 578 cycles under 5% sulfate dry–wet cycling using Weibull function model. This study is pioneering in addressing the durability of RFAC under sulfate attack combined with wet-dry cycling, employing a novel approach of incorporating MK and FA into RFAC. The findings highlight the practical application potential for using MK and FA in RFAC to produce durable and sustainable construction materials, particularly in sulfate-exposed environments. This research addresses a critical challenge in the construction industry, providing valuable insights for developing more durable and eco-friendly construction materials and contributing to long-term sustainability goals.

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Mycelium Composite for Innovative and Sustainable Construction Materials

Fiber-reinforced mycelium (FRM) composites offer an innovative and sustainable approach to construction materials for architectural structures. Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, can be combined with various natural fibers (NF) to create a strong and lightweight material with environmental benefits. Incorporating NF like hemp, jute, or bamboo into the mycelium matrix enhances mechanical properties. This combination results in a composite that boasts enhanced strength, flexibility, and durability. Natural FRM composites offer sustainability through the utilization of agricultural waste, reducing the carbon footprint compared to conventional construction materials. Additionally, the lightweight yet strong nature of the resulting material makes it versatile for various construction applications, while its inherent insulation properties contribute to improved energy efficiency in buildings. Developing and adopting natural FRM composites showcases a promising step towards sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials. Ongoing research and collaboration between scientists, engineers, and the construction industry will likely lead to further improvements and expanded applications. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current research and applications of natural FRM composites for innovative and sustainable construction materials. Additionally, the paper reviews the mechanical properties and potential impacts of these natural FRM composites in the context of sustainable architectural construction practices. Recently, the applicability of mycelium-based materials has extended beyond their original domains of biology and mycology to architecture.

Investigation of machine learning models in predicting compressive strength for ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete: A comparative study

Ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete (UHPGC) is a new category of traditional UHPC developed to meet the desire for ultra-high-strength and green building materials. In the current study, random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) are used to forecast the compressive strength (CS) of UHPGC. Firstly, the findings of the 113 CS tests available in the previous studies were extracted. Twelve feature variables, including GGBS, silica fume, fly ash, and rice husk ash contents as precursors, the Na2SiO3, NaOH, KOH, and extra water content, polypropylene fiber, steel fiber, liquid-to-binder (L/B) ratio, and curing temperature, were investigated. After analyzing the extracted data, it was found that there were more mixtures of steel fiber-based UHPGCs and synthetic fibers compared to mixtures without fibers. This may reduce the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the predictive models used. To address this issue, several experiments were designed, performed, and tested. Overall, the dataset of 128 CS results was used to develop the machine learning (ML) models. The findings validate the effectiveness of the RF, SVR, and XGB models in accurately predicting the strength of the UHPGC, as constructed by their excellent predictive accuracy (R2 > 0.84). The XGB model performance is superior to the RF and SVR models. The feature importance analysis determined that the steel fiber content and L/B ratio were the top two elements that might profoundly impact the CS. Additionally, NaOH and silica fume also have a positive correlation with CS. Conversely, the extra water and percentage of GGBS exhibit a low correlation with the CS. Through the application of ML models, this study not only ascertains the significance of algorithms including RF, SVR, and XGB in precisely forecasting the CS of UHPGC, but also reveals essential understandings regarding the importance of steel fiber content, L/B ratio, and various other pivotal variables, consequently facilitating the development of refined formulations and improved functionalities in eco-friendly construction materials.

Preface

7th International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Sustainability 9 - 10 October 2023 Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia https://intl-conference.com/iconcees2023 Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Introduction The 7th International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Sustainability (IConCEES 2023) was held on the 9th and 10th of October 2023 at Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. This conference was held for the seventh time since 2009. With the theme “Engineering A Better Future: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainable Development,” was set the stage for profound discussions, ground-breaking insights, and a shared vision for world’s future. This 7th IConCEES 2023 is an ideal platform to share current ideas and findings on topics related to civil and environmental engineering. The fields of civil and environmental engineering have long stood as pillars in the evolution of societies. But as the planet grapples with unprecedented challenges, from climate change to urban sprawl, it has become abundantly clear that engineering solutions must be broader, deeper, and more interdisciplinary than ever before. IConCEES2023 is not just a conference; it’s a testament to global commitment to sustainable development. “Engineering A Better Future” is more than a slogan. It embodies the collective responsibility and the pressing need for innovation. It reminds that the blueprints, designs, and structures are not just for the present but are footprints for the generations to come. This conference aims to encourage all prominent scientists and researchers as well as industrial players together in one place so that can share and exchange ideas, knowledge, and expertise, widen networking among each other, and promote new technology towards a sustainable future. The two days conference was transcend borders and bridge disciplines. The topics that merge the technical, ethical, practical and visionary. From sustainable urban planning to eco-friendly construction materials, water resource management to renewable energy integration; the conference was showcase the amalgamation of expertise from different spheres, all with a singular goal. Namely, a sustainable tomorrow. This conference was conducted physically and virtually with 53 and 46 participants present physically and virtually, respectively. We used a conventional presentation set, such as a laptop and LCD projector, during the physical presentation. For the virtual presentation, we used the Microsoft Teams platform. The hybrid conference was held due to travel restrictions from several countries. There were no technical difficulties, as the setup was reliable, and the internet connection was stable throughout the session. For each presentation, either physical or virtual, a maximum of ten (10) minutes and five (5) minutes were allocated for each presentation, and a Question and Answer (Q&A) session. The Q&A was conducted immediately after each presentation. List of Organizing Committee, International Scientific Committee, Advisory Board, Editorial Board, Keynote Speaker, Reviewers and Authors / Participants are available in this pdf.

Eco-friendly construction materials: new gypsum-based composite with dregs waste from the cellulose industry

The production of materials for civil construction is a process that imposes a significant environmental impact, due to factors, such as the extraction of raw materials and the high energy consumption required to obtain the final product. Consequently, the search for new materials has grown seeking more environmentally sustainable materials. An approach to address this issue is to incorporate industrial residues as fillers to replace traditional construction materials. In this study, dregs, a waste product generated by the cellulose-paper industry, were used as a filler in gypsum composites. Gypsum plasters were replaced with dregs in proportions of 5, 15, 30, and 45%, in nature (GD x ) and Na2SO4-treated (GTD x ). The compressive strength of the resulting composites was evaluated after 21 days. Compared to gypsum plaster (17.01 MPa), the incorporation of GD5 led to a reduction of 18.6% in compressive strength (13.84 MPa), while GTD5 demonstrated mechanical properties similar to those of gypsum plaster (17.02 MPa). Composites with incorporation of up to 30% of treated dregs presented mechanical resistance above the standard international recommendations. Thus, the gypsum/dregs composite has the potential alternative to the partial replacement of plaster in civil construction, providing a more sustainable solution to the current environmental challenges.

A Brief Guide to the 50 Eco-Friendly Materials Transforming Sustainable Construction

The adoption of eco-friendly construction materials represents a revolutionary shift in the physical infrastructure, challenging traditional building practices. This transformation reduces environmental impacts and sets a precedence for sustainable, resilient, and responsible construction practices, marking a crucial milestone in the evolution of the physical infrastructure. This study offers a brief examination of eco-friendly materials for sustainable construction practices. Addressing the growing urgency for environmentally conscious building practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the construction material manufacturing industry. This study examines 50 eco-friendly materials, providing an understanding of their attributes, applications, and ecological benefits. Emphasizing the transformative potential of these materials, this article serves as a practical brief guide for architects, engineers, and construction professionals, facilitating informed decision-making without compromising construction performance. With a commitment to environmental responsibility and structural efficiency, this article contributes to a paradigm shift towards a greener and more sustainable future in the construction industry.

Shedding Light on Financial Sustainability: Analyzing the Economic Implications of Energy-Efficient Lighting in the Construction Industry

Energy is widely recognized as a critical production factor across numerous industries. Energy efficiency is a method by which the expansion of energy consumption is managed and restrained. The main goal of this research is to investigate the financial implications of energy-efficient lighting in the building sector.The objectives of the paper were to: evaluate the current adoption and market share of energy-efficient lighting technologies in the construction sector, assess the economic impact of energy-efficient lighting, including cost-effectiveness, potential energy savings, and greenhouse gas emission reductions, analyze the effects of energy-efficient lighting on worker safety, productivity, and overall project costs in the construction sector, identify barriers to adoption and recommend policy changes and incentives to promote the widespread use of energy-efficient lighting in the construction sector in Pakistan.The methodology of the research follows the quantitative approach, data which was used to achieve the objectives includes literature, data sources, and project details on the construction industry from 2015 to 2021. Literature analysis and Data metrics were used to analyze of data.Studies found that energy-efficient lighting not only provides significant long-term cost savings but also improves environmental sustainability by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Further, the literature analysis shows the beneficial relationship between adequate lighting and improved worker well-being as well as project efficiency, even though empirical data on these topics may be scarce.The study suggested that to overcome barriers and optimize the advantages of energy-efficient lighting, it is important to increase knowledge, provide financial incentives, improve access to eco-friendly construction materials, and strengthen compliance with building energy codes.

Recycled Household Plastic and Oil Palm Filler Reinforced Epoxy Composite for Lightweight Construction Applications

Polypropylene is extensively used in aerospace, automotive and construction applications due to its versatile properties. This project aims to reduce plastic and oil palm waste and promote the development of strong, sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials. The objective of this project is to develop a sustainable yet high-performance construction material by incorporating polypropylene particles, oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibres and oil palm shell (OPS) particles into epoxy composites through the hand lay-up method. The composite specimens undergo ASTM D638 tensile test to determine the tensile properties. The addition of PP particles in varying weights shows decrease in tensile strength, likely due to poor dispersion and compatibility with the epoxy matrix. Incorporating 3 wt% OPEFB fibres with fibre length from 2mm to 4mm improves tensile strength by 2.32% and 23.36% respectively at higher PP particle loadings which are 15 wt% and 25 wt%. Adding 1 wt% and 3 wt% OPS particles improves the tensile strength by 2.96% and 4.68% respectively, in composites with 10 wt% PP particles and 3 wt% OPEFB fibres. The tensile performance may be improved by treating PP particles with compatibilizers such as silane or maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene.

Elevating thermal comfort with eco-friendly concrete roof tiles crafted from municipal solid waste

Developing eco-friendly construction materials is imperative from an energy and environmental standpoint. This technical study investigates the sustainable utilization of municipal solid waste incinerated fly ash (MSWIFA) as a substitute for M-sand in construction materials. This study primarily focuses on reducing landfill waste and promoting waste reuse in the construction sector. This study evaluates various thermo-physical properties of MSWIFA-based concrete, including solar reflectance index, slip and skid resistance, straightness, flatness, rectangularity, water absorption, wet transfer, and thermal performance metrics such as heat flow values for thermal comfort and solar emissivity. The proposed concrete tiles have suitable thermal emissivity (0.87), solar reflectance (0.8), and solar absorption (0.26), which are appropriate for eco-friendly building techniques. The use of MSWIFA tiles lowered the indoor temperature by 2 °C when compared to conventional roof tiles at similar ambient conditions. MSWIFA-based concrete roof tiles are promising in terms of thermal comfort, energy efficiency, environmental conservation and waste reduction and promote a more sustainable approach in the construction industry. This research emphasizes the potential of waste-to-resource strategies in achieving sustainable development goals and reducing the ecological footprint of construction materials.

Sustainable application of waste eggshell as fillers in alkali-activated solid waste-based materials: Varying treated methods and particle sizes

The incorporation of waste eggshells as fillers in construction materials is currently constrained by factors such as shell-membrane separation, particle size, and proportion of incorporation. This study aims to assess the feasibility of utilizing non-calcined eggshell particles (EPs) in alkali-activated solid waste-based materials. Initially, the micro characteristics of water-treated and alkali-treated eggshells were evaluated. Subsequently, nine groups of alkali-activated slag-based paste samples were prepared by using EPs as fillers, and the influence of the particles on the physical and mechanical properties of the materials was assessed based on flowability, density, and compressive strength. Furthermore, the impact of shell-membrane separation and particle size on the microstructure and composition of the alkali-activated materials (AAMs) was characterized by using a combination of SEM-EDS, XRD, FTIR, and TG-DSC techniques. Finally, six groups of alkali-activated slag-red mud-fly ash-based mortar samples were prepared with EPs as fillers, which demonstrates the feasibility of EPs in multi-waste-based materials and expands the application range of non-calcined eggshells. The results show that water treatment and alkali treatment of EPs provide viable methods for shell-membrane separation, albeit with some loss of fine particles. The physical filling of membranes in AAMs does not affect the chemical composition. The EPs (with a particle size less than 0.5 mm) can be used as fillers in AAMs without shell-membrane separation. Moreover, when the EPs content is increased to 33%, the 90-d flexural strength of the AAMs increases by 60% compared to the control group (without EPs), while the compressive strength remains unchanged. Thus, it is feasible to directly crush and sieve non-calcined eggshells for use as fillers in alkali-activated waste-based cementitious materials without the need for shell-membrane separation, and this method does not produce any negative impact. The findings of this research provide an effective technical approach for the application of waste eggshells in eco-friendly construction materials.

Transforming waste perlite into super lightweight ceramsite: Ratios optimization via uniform design, and investigating calcium fluoride and silicon carbide effects on foaming

The utilization of waste perlite powder generated from mining operations in the construction industry represents a significant step towards enhancing environmental sustainability. This study applies a uniform design of experiments to delve into the apparent density characteristics of super lightweight ceramsite concerning the proportions of solid waste materials, with a particular focus on waste perlite powder. To gain insights into the apparent density, first- and second-order polynomial equations were developed. These equations are founded on the utilization of five core raw materials, including waste perlite powder, fly ash, bentonite, calcium fluoride, and silicon carbide, and were meticulously analyzed using stepwise regression techniques. This approach led to the successful optimization of test ratios, achieving the envisioned outcomes. Additionally, the research explores the influence of calcium fluoride and silicon carbide on the foaming properties of materials under varying maximum sintering temperature conditions. Ultimately, the optimized conditions yielded super lightweight ceramsite with impressive properties, boasting a bulk density of 281 kg/m³, water absorption efficiency of 1.2%, and a compressive strength of 2.72 MPa. This research showcases the potential for utilizing waste perlite powder in the construction industry, not only as a sustainable alternative but also as a means to reduce environmental impact. The development of super lightweight ceramsite underlines the promise of eco-friendly construction materials, driving forward the agenda of environmentally responsible building practices.

Building a sustainable future: evaluating eco-friendly materials for energy efficiency and climate change mitigation

ABSTRACT Rapid population growth has increased housing demand. This demand was mainly addressed using conventional and unsustainable construction materials, which raised concerns about intensifying global warming. Economically challenged communities lacking access to cooling systems are more vulnerable to climate change effects. This research proposes strategies to address future climate change challenges, assessing the energy efficiency of a lab-developed eco-friendly construction material. A TRNSYS-based model was used in this study to evaluate four materials: rammed earth, hemp-lime bricks, DOUM fibre-stabilized material with quicklime, and cinder blocks in a real-scale building. Prior to the energy assessment, GenOpt software was used to ensure efficient building design. Optimizing the building's envelope can reduce annual thermal loads by up to 52%. The DOUM-clay brick house, with high thermal mass, exhibits significant potential. In comparison, the cooling loads of the cinder block, the rammed earth, and the hemp clay houses are 24.8%, 11.9%, and 9.2% lower, respectively. Additionally, the study considers the impact of climate change on buildings in a hot, semi-arid climate. The findings reveal a 20.3% lower thermal load for the lab-developed brick house compared to the cinder block house. The study also anticipates a reduction in natural ventilation’s potential in the future.

Comparative Assessment of Consumer Attitudes to Timber as a Construction Material in China and Japan

Abstract Timber-framed architecture has a long history in both China and Japan. As an eco-friendly construction material, it is universally acknowledged that the use of timber can be conducive to the achievement of sustainable development for architecture. During the past decades, the development of timber-framed buildings in China and Japan appeared significantly different. Consumers’ cognition about timber as a construction material has been widely researched by European academics, while there are few such kinds of studies in China, especially the comparative study between China and Japan. To fill this gap, this study aims to figure out consumers’ acceptance and attitudes toward timber used as a construction material in China and Japan. By adopting a structured questionnaire method, this study analyzed consumers’ thoughts, knowledge, and awareness of modern timber-framed architecture from the consumer level. The results indicate that Chinese and Japanese consumers have the same prejudices regarding the deficiency of timber-frame houses, in terms of fire resistance, acoustic insulation, and durability, while having positive attitudes regarding health and nature, and doubts about environmentally friendly performance. Moreover, the background developing driving forces and developing obstacles have also been analyzed. These results help to provide a better understanding of the challenges and difficulties that the timber-framed house market is facing in China and Japan. Thus, some suggestions were proposed to policymakers, developers, and timber companies for the future development of timber-structure architecture.

Advancements in Cellulose-Based Superabsorbent Hydrogels: Sustainable Solutions across Industries.

The development of superabsorbent hydrogels is experiencing a transformative era across industries. While traditional synthetic hydrogels have found broad utility, their non-biodegradable nature has raised environmental concerns, driving the search for eco-friendlier alternatives. Cellulose-based superabsorbents, derived from sustainable sources, are gaining prominence. Innovations include biodegradable polymer hydrogels, natural cellulose-chitosan variants, and cassava starch-based alternatives. These materials are reshaping agriculture by enhancing soil fertility and water retention, serving as potent hemostatic agents in medicine, contributing to pollution control, and providing eco-friendly construction materials. Cellulose-based hydrogels also offer promise in drug delivery and hygiene products. Advanced characterization techniques aid in optimizing their properties, while the shift towards circular economy practices further highlights sustainability. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of these advancements, highlighting their diverse applications and environmental benefits.