Bioclimatic Research Articles

Sustainable thermal buffering of microencapsulated bio-phase change materials through an engineered biochar dopant

Abstract Climate change and unbalanced energy demand and consumption require innovative approaches to the development of sustainable and renewable energy technologies. Phase change materials (PCMs) present exceptional solutions for zero-energy thermal management due to their outstanding energy storage density at an isothermal phase transition. However, the low thermal transport and thermal stability of bulk PCMs, as well as the expensive and complex synthesis of additive materials, hinder their large-scale utilization. In this study, food-waste-derived engineered biochar (FW) is produced via slow pyrolysis to improve the thermal properties of a microencapsulated bio-PCM (B28). The thermal performance of biochar-PCM composites is evaluated based on two biochar preparation systems: varying activation temperatures (carbonized at 400 °C followed by KOH activation at different temperatures (500–800 °C)) and varying mass ratios between KOH and biochar. The introduction of a low (0.63 wt%) engineered biochar dopant significantly improves the thermal diffusivity of B28 by more than 1.3-fold. The biochar-PCM microcapsule composites present fusion and crystalline isothermal phase transition temperatures of 29.4 ± 0.38 °C and 16.7 ± 0.13 °C, respectively. Moreover, the bio-PCM exhibits a highly efficient energy per unit mass of 61.6 kJ kg–1, which is 101.7% of the energy storage capacity of bulk B28. Additionally, the composite demonstrates high thermal stability with decomposition occurring above 195 °C, thus enabling an increase of > 20 °C in the onset decomposition point compared with pristine B28. Further analysis reveals the impact of the KOH/biochar mass ratio on the thermal properties of bio-PCM. Sample FW6PCM, in which the biochar is activated at 600 °C with a KOH/biochar mass ratio of 1, exhibits the highest enthalpy storage capacity. This study suggests a promising strategy for designing high-performance, eco-friendly, and scalable bio-based composite PCMs by overcoming the long-standing bottleneck of microcapsules, which is crucial for advanced thermal management applications such as cooling and green buildings. Graphical Abstract

Evaluating the feasibility and challenges of using passive solar systems for achieving thermal comfort in African countries: a review

PurposeThis review investigates the significance of passive solar systems and bioclimatic building designs in improving thermal comfort across various African regions. The study evaluates current papers and publications, focusing on best practice standards, scientific developments and the possibility of achieving maximum thermal comfort across varied temperature zones.Design/methodology/approachThis research utilised a systematic approach to analyse passive solar systems and African bioclimatic design. It involved a review of 175 documents sourced from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases, focusing on peer-reviewed publications from 1992 to 2023 as well as the Regulations and Standards for Thermal Comfort established in African countries.FindingsThe study shows how integrating passive solar systems into bioclimatic architecture greatly increases thermal comfort and lowers energy consumption in African buildings. Nevertheless, significant research gaps exist in using these systems in different African climates. Maintaining and modifying passive solar systems is essential to tackling the distinct environmental issues faced by the continent.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this review provides a thorough analysis, it acknowledges the complexity of local settings and construction practices, recognising potential limitations in the available literature. The implications include a call for further research and technological advancements to address these limitations and refine passive solar systems for optimal performance.Originality/valueThis study bridges knowledge gaps about how passive solar systems and bioclimatic design principles can be efficiently used across various African climates and areas. Furthermore, it incorporates recent advances and a thorough review procedure to ensure that findings are current and relevant.

DETERMINATION OF THE RATIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE PLACEMENT OF TRANSPARENT STRUCTURES ON THE FACADES OF GREEN BUILDINGS IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD IN UKRAINE

green buildings that use renewable, ecologically clean energy of the surrounding environment for energy supply will be relevant. Green buildings are designed taking into account environmentally sustainable principles, which reduces the negative impact on the environment. This is important in the context of preserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Energy-efficient green buildings are usually more cost-effective in the long run. Investments in green technologies and materials pay off in reduced energy and building maintenance costs. When designing green buildings, architects and designers will face the task of increasing their energy efficiency due to the rational arrangement of transparent structures on the facades of buildings, taking into account the thermal balance of transparent and opaque structures of the building, structural features of windows, the coefficient of light transmission of windows and climatic features of the area (temperature, wind strength, incoming solar radiation). Research has been carried out and for the design of green buildings, graphic and analytical models have been developed to determine the rational parameters of window orientation, the azimuth and the angle of inclination (Aσ, ω) of the windows. A graphical method for the rational arrangement of transparent structures on the facades of buildings is proposed, which allows determining the rational orientation of windows and their location in the enclosing structures of green buildings, provided that heat losses through transparent structures do not exceed heat losses through walls.

Developing a Green-BIM team to improve the construction of green buildings in Sri Lanka

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to propose a novel Green-BIM team (GBT) through a framework that would be essential in mitigating barriers to Green-BIM integration.Design/methodology/approach An interpretive stance is adopted for this study. Through a qualitative survey, 25 experts with proficiency in green building construction and building information modelling (BIM) implementation were interviewed. Code-based content analysis was carried out using NVivo12.Findings The findings of this study signified the need for a GBT and proposed architect, client, Green consultant, designer (mechanical, electrical and plumbing [MEP], structural), BIM coordinator, engineer (MEP, structural), project manager, quantity surveyor and facilities manager to be involved in the team representing design phase, construction phase and operational phase.Research limitations/implications The experts were limited to the Sri Lankan context; however, the findings can also benefit countries with socio-economic and cultural backgrounds similar to Sri Lanka.Practical implications Findings will be beneficial for policymakers and industry professionals to promote a BIM-enabled green building environment. The proposed GBT model extends existing theoretical frameworks, emphasising the need for a multi-disciplinary team throughout the entire lifecycle of a green building.Social implications The proposed GBT model aligns with broader societal goals related to sustainable development. This approach provides a sustainable pathway to achieve economic goals for all stakeholders in the construction sector.Originality/value There is a dearth of literature on a GBT to improve the construction of green buildings in Sri Lanka. Thus, the developed model is unique as it presents a novel GBT for the Sri Lankan construction sector. Further, it elaborates roles and responsibilities of team members with comprehensive details on how to mitigate the barriers to Green-BIM integration.

OPTIMIZATION OF PARAMETERS OF SOLAR COLLECTORS CONCENTRATORS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS

The use of solar collectors with solar concentrators in green buildings is an important step in the direction of creating energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings. These technologies make it possible to provide a sustainable source of energy, reduce emissions and save resources. Considering the positive aspects of using solar collectors, their implementation in construction can become an important step in the development of sustainable construction and environmental protection. The use of solar collectors with concentrators can significantly reduce the consumption of electricity and other energy sources, which is an important aspect for green buildings. These collectors are able to efficiently collect solar energy and concentrate it for further use in various heating, cooling and power generation systems. Increasing the energy efficiency of green buildings is possible due to the use of solar systems with optimal orientation parameters that use renewable, environmentally friendly solar energy for the energy supply of buildings. An analytical method has been developed to determine the optimal parameters - the angle of inclination of the solar collector reflector to obtain the maximum amount of converted solar energy, taking into account the number of glass layers, their transparency and absorption coefficient depending on the angle of incidence of reflected solar rays, shading by the collector frame, etc. Calculations were made and optimal angles of the reflector were determined for single-layer and double-layer glazing of the collector. The proposed method can be used in the design of green buildings that use solar energy for energy supply.

Barriers and Challenges To the Implementationof Green Building Development Ingresik

Sustainable development has become a key focus in addressing the challengesof climate change and environmental degradation. One crucial solution in achievingsustainable development is the implementation of green buildings. This study aimstoidentify and analyze the barriers and challenges encountered in the implementationof green buildings in both government and private projects. The findings of this researchare expected to be useful for local governments in formulating effective strategiestoincrease the number of green buildings in the city. In this research, the variablesof barriers and challenges are obtained through a literature review of international anddomestic journals that examine the obstacles and challenges in the implementationof green buildings. The study will employ several methods, including the RelativeImportance Index (RII), to identify the most influential barriers and challenges totheimplementation of green buildings. The respondents in this study are stakeholdersinvolved in the development of Gresik City, including government officials, consultants, and contractors. The results of this study are expected to identify the main barriersandchallenges in the implementation of green buildings in Gresik City. The results of thisresearch show that the 3 largest ranking barriers variables are the practice of illegal levies in obtaining permits, the limited number of BGH consultants, the opportunitytobe invited to government tenders needs to be increased. Meanwhile, the 3 largest ranking challenge variables are limited research on environmentally friendly buildingwork methods, lack of investment in environmentally friendly materials, limitededucational infrastructure for trained teachers.

Willingness to pay for green buildings post COVID-19 pandemic outbreak: differences between high- and low-income areas and high- and low-price settlements

This paper examines whether city residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for green buildings changed after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence showing whether COVID-19 affected people’s residential choices. Based on past literature, this paper proposes that the pandemic’s impact on the demand for green buildings may have two different directions: the effect of increasing demand for physical and mental health and the effect of decreasing income. This paper further infers that in areas with higher incomes and properties with higher total prices, the effect of increasing demand for physical and mental health will be more significant, making green premiums more likely to appear in these markets. Data from Taiwan’s largest metropolitan area, Taipei City, is used to verify these inferences. Based on the estimation results of different income and housing price regions, the study finds regional differences in the impact of the pandemic on the WTP for green buildings, which supports the inferences of this paper. Although opportunities for greener construction industries and green recovery have emerged, the results of this paper also imply that the greener effect caused by COVID-19 might be less significant in areas with lower incomes and housing prices. It is suggested that the government invest more in green construction in these areas to balance the green differences between housing markets in the city.

A Review of and Prospect of Village Architecture Research from the Perspective of Rural Tourism

This study explores the dynamic relationship between rural tourism and traditional architecture, emphasizing their joint role in cultural heritage preservation and sustainable development. Utilizing CiteSpace (6.3.R1) and VOSviewer (1.6.19) tools, this study analyzes 1356 publications from the Web of Science database and identifies three development stages: the initial stage (1996–2008), the growth stage (2009–2016), and the peak stage (2017–2024). The main findings highlight a focus on climate-adaptive design, community collaboration, and the integration of digital technologies in heritage preservation. Emerging topics, such as green building materials and virtual reality, have also gained increasing attention. Despite these advancements, limitations persist in terms of data diversity and the regional scope of research. Future studies should address how to balance heritage conservation with modernization needs, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and leverage digital tools to promote urban–rural interaction and ecological design.

Multi-objective optimization and posteriori multi-criteria decision making on an integrative solid oxide fuel cell cooling, heating and power system with semi-empirical model-driven co-simulation

An integrative solid oxide fuel cell combined cooling, heating and power system in green buildings with hydrogen energy of byproduct water enables carbon neutrality transformation. However, underlying mechanisms on capacity sizing of combined cooling, heating and power system devices and its impacts on system techno-economy have not been figured out especially considering dynamic degradation and efficiency of associated devices. In this study, a multi-software optimization platform is established by MATLAB-TRNSYS co-simulation for sizing parametrical analysis, with well balance of modelling complexity and computational efficiency. A self-sufficient combined cooling, heating and power system is modelled integrating with a semi-empirical surrogate model of solid oxide fuel cell to interact with other balance of plant types efficiently. Total energy efficiency and annual total cost are optimized through parametrical analysis on device size of each component (battery, electrolyzer and solid oxide fuel cell) and analysis of variance for contribution ratio quantification. Results indicate that, the size increase in electrolyzer and solid oxide fuel cell will improve system total energy efficiency by 13.635 % and 2.194 %, but promote annual total cost by 4.042 × 104 $ and 2.389 × 103 $, respectively. Besides, sensitivity analysis indicates that the electrolyzer size prioritizes other design parameters in techno-economic performance. Optimal sizes of battery, electrolyzer and solid oxide fuel cell are in cell number range of 333 – 403, 17 – 20, and 26 – 30, respectively, with corresponding optimal total energy efficiency and annual total cost at 70.861 % – 72.147 % and 6.723 × 104 $ – 7.325 × 104 $, respectively. The research results can provide guidance on hydrogen-based cooling, heating and power system design and operation with techno-economic feasibility for low-carbon district energy transition.

Interval Evaluation of Green Efficiency in Power Grid Supply Chain Under Uncertain Information

We construct a green efficiency evaluation index for the green supply chain of the power grid from six dimensions: strategy and goals, green procurement, green logistics, green construction, green recycling, and green chain carbon management. Moreover, the uncertainty of index data is considered, represented by interval numbers. Firstly, the subjective and objective weights of the evaluation indexes are weighted by the interval analytic hierarchy process and the interval entropy weight method. Secondly, the main and objective weights are adjusted by the method of game combination weighting, and the weights of indexs are obtained. Then, the green efficiency of the power grid green supply chain is evaluated comprehensively by expectation. Finally, the comprehensive connection expectation is calculated and the green efficiency level of the power grid green supply chain is determined by using the maximum membership principle. Thus, an evaluation system of green efficiency is established based on the game theory of combination empowerment and connection expectation.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ADOPTING GREEN BUILDING TECHNIQUES IN FEDERAL CAPITAL CITY, ABUJA NIGERIA

This study employed a Descriptive-Survey Research Design with a mixed-method approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques to assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of adopting green building techniques in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were collected from primary sources through structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, field observations, and secondary sources, including literature reviews. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select key stakeholders, such as developers, architects, government officials, and property owners. The Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table was applied to ensure statistical validity. The quantitative data focused on financial metrics, cost analysis, and perceptions of stakeholders regarding green buildings. The qualitative data provided insights into construction practices through interviews and observations. Statistical techniques, including AMOS (Structural Equation Modeling), were applied to analyze key sustainability indicators, economic viability, and policy frameworks. Results indicated that the adoption of green building techniques offers substantial socio-economic benefits. The economic viability of green buildings was highlighted by reduced operational costs, energy savings, and water conservation strategies. The environmental benefits included significant reductions in carbon emissions, improved air quality, and waste reduction. However, challenges such as high initial costs, limited technical expertise, weak policy enforcement, and a lack of awareness among stakeholders were identified as barriers to widespread adoption. The findings suggest that green building practices can contribute to Abuja’s urban sustainability goals, but further improvements in policy, training, and public awareness are necessary to maximize these benefits. Statistical results, such as a Chi-squared/degree of freedom ratio (ChiSq/df) of 2.331, a Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) of 0.916, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.066, supported the model’s adequacy. Furthermore, the overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the reliability test was 0.956, indicating high internal consistency.

CLASSIFICATION OF GREEN BUILDING TECHNIQUES APPLICABLE TO THE FEDERAL CAPITAL CITY, ABUJA NIGERIA

This study applied a Descriptive-Survey Research Design with a mixed-method approach to assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of green building techniques in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were gathered from primary and secondary sources, including structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, field observations, and literature reviews. A multi-stage sampling method identified key stakeholders such as developers, architects, government officials, and property owners, using the Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table for statistical accuracy. Quantitative data centered on financial metrics, cost analysis, and stakeholders' perceptions, while qualitative data provided insights through interviews and direct observations. Data analysis incorporated statistical methods, AMOS (Structural Equation Modeling), comparative analysis, and content analysis to evaluate sustainability indicators, economic viability, and policy frameworks. The study classified green building techniques in Abuja, focusing on five categories: Energy-Saving and Energy Utilization (ESEU), Water-Saving and Water Utilization (WSWU), Material-Saving and Material Utilization (MSMU), Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and Site Planning and Land Surveying (SPLS). The findings highlighted the varying performance of 19 techniques in the ESEU category, with Off-Grid Systems (OSG) achieving an average performance of 37.8% and Traditional Grid Systems (TTSG) achieving higher performance levels in most techniques. In the WSWU category, several techniques like WSWU-2, WSWU-3, and WSWU-4 exhibited high performance, with a 100% adoption in TTSG. In the MSMU category, techniques like MSMU-9 and MSMU-10 achieved near-perfect performance in both OSG and TTSG, while others, such as MSMU-13, showed limited adoption. The IEQ category displayed a continuous variation in performance, with significant improvements in TTSG for techniques like IEQ-7 and IEQ-14, which recorded increases of 23.0% and 19.3%, respectively. Finally, in the SPLS category, the performance of techniques such as SPLS-17 and SPLS-26 was exemplary, with full implementation observed. The statistical analysis, including comparisons between OSG and TTSG systems, demonstrated that green building practices could significantly enhance energy efficiency, water conservation, and material utilization. However, challenges such as the limited adoption of renewable materials, inconsistent implementation of water-saving technologies, and inadequate policy frameworks were identified. The findings underline the need for policy improvements, capacity building, and greater public awareness to accelerate the widespread adoption of green building techniques in Abuja. The study’s statistical findings were supported by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.943, indicating high reliability in the research instruments.

Empowering Sustainability: Unveiling Green Building Awareness and Solutions in Kathmandu Valley

The study aims to assess the awareness among local engineers and design consultants regarding green building concepts in the planning and designing of residential buildings in Kathmandu Valley. It seeks to identify their level of knowledge on green concepts and the challenges they face, particularly in relation to policy and regulatory support. Green building technologies are recognized as effective ways to reduce energy and water usage and are often considered the quickest and most cost-effective methods to achieve these goals. Despite their benefits, the high upfront construction costs of green buildings remain a concern. This study targeted local building permit engineers and nominated design consultants in Kathmandu Valley, utilizing convenient and purposive sampling methods. A total of 84 participants (42 local engineers/architects and 42 design consultants) were included. The reliability of the study was established with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.987, as calculated using SPSS. Findings indicate that local engineers and design consultants have moderate awareness of green concepts, with all 28 basic awareness elements achieving a mean value greater than 2.5. Knowledge regarding the importance of green concepts in residential building design scored the highest with a mean value of 3.69. Awareness was lowest for factors related to government support and incentives, with an average mean score of 2.7. Challenges highlighted include the lack of policy and regulatory documents, with Relative Importance Index (RII) scores of 0.938 for engineers and 0.948 for consultants. The moderate level of awareness and significant challenges related to policy and regulation suggests the need for enhanced informational outreach, technical training, and the development of green building codes and standards. Promoting local, eco-friendly building materials and expertise is also crucial. Addressing these challenges will support the broader adoption of green building practices in residential development.

Pathways for green building acceleration in fast-growing countries: a case study on Nigeria

PurposeGreen building (GB) development is attracting interest globally, yet many fast-growing countries (FGCs) are underperforming in GB delivery, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. This study aims to identify pathways for accelerating GB development in FGCs, using Nigeria as a case study.Design/methodology/approachThree-fold research data was employed. First, seven policy documents that are relevant for GB development in Nigeria were sourced, reviewed and analyzed based on content analysis. Second, a systematic literature review (SLR) of thirty-five research articles sourced from the Scopus database was conducted to underscore key research outcomes. Third, an exploratory case study of sixteen GBs was conducted to contextualize the current practice status in Nigeria.FindingsThe findings revealed that the few policy efforts in Nigeria skewed largely towards energy efficiency. The challenges associated with GB growth include low level of competency, low investment in the GB market, the dearth of technological enablers and the scarcity of GB project cases. Current project initiatives are diminutive, revealing low certification achievement and scanty public sector participation.Practical implicationsThis paper presents a unique position for accelerating sustainable architecture and construction based on policy pathways (development of novel codes and sectorial policies, harmonization of standards and performance monitoring), research pathways (development of models, technological enablers and knowledge management) and practice pathways (capacity building, public investment and sectorial collaborations).Originality/valueThe paper developed an integrated three-pathway framework for bringing Nigeria’s construction industry up to speed in GB delivery, noting areas where other FGCs need to explore.

Capacitance–Voltage Studies on Electrostatically Actuated MEMS Micromirror Arrays

This article presents the electrostatic actuation performance of micromirror arrays for intelligent active daylight control and energy management in green buildings using a capacitive–voltage (C-V) measurement technique. In order to understand how geometric hinge parameters, initial opening angles, and materials affect the overall efficiency and functionality of the system, micromirror arrays have been analyzed using C-V measurements considering (i) full and broken hinge structures, (ii) 90° and 130° initial tilt angles (Φ), and (iii) different material layer combinations. The measurement results indicate that both an increase in the Young’s modulus of the applied materials and increasing the initial tilt angles increase the threshold voltages during the closing process of the micromirrors.

Research on Evolutionary Path of Land Development System Towards Carbon Neutrality

Based on complex system theory and multi-dimensional coupling analysis paradigm, this study constructs a dynamic model covering land use, real estate development, and carbon emissions, and deeply explores the internal mechanism and evolution law of land development system in the process of moving toward a low-carbon path. Firstly, through nonlinear dynamics and bifurcation analysis, this study identifies three typical transformation paths that the system may experience: gradual, transitional, and hybrid, emphasizing the nonlinear, phased, and highly context-dependent characteristics of the transformation process. On this basis, early warning indicators and robustness analysis methods are introduced, which provide operational tools for identifying critical turning points in the system and improving the effectiveness and resilience of regulatory strategies. Furthermore, this paper proposes a multi-level regulation mechanism design framework, which combines the immediate feedback with the historical cumulative effect to achieve the refined guidance of land development patterns and carbon emission paths. The results provide a scientific basis and practical enlightenment for land use optimization, green infrastructure construction, and industrial structure adjustment under the background of realizing the “3060” dual carbon goal and the reform of territorial spatial planning in China. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the empirical calibration of parameters, data-driven optimization, and collaborative research of multiple policy tools to further improve the applicability and decision-making reference value of the model.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Building Energy Consumption: A Case Study of Temporary Buildings on Construction Sites

Building energy consumption management significantly impacts energy efficiency, environmental effects, and economic benefits throughout a building’s life cycle. Optimizing building energy consumption has become a great challenge in the field of green buildings. This paper proposes an automated simulation method that integrates the EnergyPlus energy consumption simulation tool with Python scripting. This approach efficiently generates large volumes of energy consumption data and supports the development of machine learning surrogate models, thereby enhancing simulation efficiency and reducing computational costs. Based on this foundation, the multi-objective optimization algorithm NSGA-III is introduced to achieve a balanced optimization of three primary objectives: building energy consumption, photovoltaic electricity generation, and thermal comfort. Through a systematic analysis of a case study involving an office building and dormitory at a construction site in China, the effects of building envelope, air conditioning systems, and occupant behavior on energy consumption are examined. The optimization results indicate that energy consumption is reduced by 41% for the office building and 38% for the dormitory. Additionally, photovoltaic electricity generation increases by 176% and 169% compared to the baseline model, while thermal comfort improves by 19% and 6%, respectively. These improvements significantly enhance energy self-sufficiency and residential comfort.

Green building development utilising modified fired clay bricks and eggshell waste

The inadequate thermal insulation of the building envelope contributes significantly to the high power consumption of air conditioners in houses. A crucial factor in raising a building’s energy efficiency involves utilizing bricks with high thermal resistance. This issue is accompanied by another critical challenge: recycling and disposing of waste in a way that is both economically and environmentally beneficial, including using it to fuel industrial growth, in order to reduce the harmful effects of waste on the environment as waste generation in our societies grows. To this end, the current study sought to assess whether integrating a specific amount of eggshell waste as CaCO3 filler within bricks consistently produces fired clay bricks with desirable thermal insulation capabilities. By systematically investigating the physicochemical and thermal characteristics of bricks doped with varying eggshell content, this work demonstrates how waste materials can be repurposed to produce sustainable construction materials with superior performance. The results highlight significant improvements in thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and effusivity, alongside favorable changes in porosity, bulk density, and mechanical strength. The XRD analysis revealed that once the firing temperature rises, a high insulation feature arises due to siliceous melt formation. EDX analysis gave important insights into the impact of eggshell dopants on the physicochemical parameters of burnt clay bricks. Compared to pristine brick, CEs7% brick constructed with clay and 7 wt% eggshell exhibited a 38.7% loss on dry shrinkage, an enhancement on average pore size of 78.8%, an apparent porosity of 52.7%, a bulk density of 8.3%, and a compressive strength of 57.5%. The reduced shrinkage enhances stability, while increased pore size and porosity improve thermal insulation, making the bricks more durable and energy-efficient. In this regard, the brick containing 10% eggshell that was fired at 1100°C possessed the greatest drop in heat conductivity (i.e., 50%), thermal diffusivity (30%), and thermal effusivity (30%) as compared to the pure one. Given the aforementioned findings, these additions hold the potential to reduce the energy required for both heating and cooling buildings. This brings us to the conclusion that combining eggshell waste to create calcium silicate makes it feasible to be utilized as a thermal insulation material, paving the way for improved construction materials’ performance and sustainability.

Study on the Inhibition Effect of Fly Ash on Alkali–SilicaReaction and Its Influence on Building Energy Performance

Abstract: Cracks and other defects in concrete will affect its durability, thermal insulation effect, and energy consumption. ASR is one of the common causes of concrete cracks. In this study, mortar specimens modified with fly ash were prepared using the mortar bar rapid method, and the inhibition effect of ASR in two alkali environments and the building energy efficiency characteristics were comparatively analyzed. SEM, EDS, and XRD were used to analyze the microstructure, elemental distribution, and products in the specimens’ interfacial transition zone comparatively. The results show that a replacement amount of 20–30% fly ash can restrain ASR expansion and maintain high mechanical strength. In both alkaline environments, K and Al are enriched in the interface transition zone and combine with SiO2 and Al2O3 to form a stable framework aluminosilicate mineral. In addition to the inhibition effect of fly ash on ASR, the external wall heat dissipation flux decreased from 132.6 W/m2 to 117.6 W/m2, a decrease of 11.3%, and the overall envelope heat dissipation flux decreased by 9.2%, significantly reducing building energy consumption. This study provides a new perspective for the development of building energy-saving materials and helps green buildings and sustainable development.

From Conventional Mining to Smart Materials: A Path to Eco-Friendly Construction for Green Consumerism and A Reduced Environmental Impact

The research highlights the importance of smart materials and how they are used in modern industries, particularly in construction sector. This study explores different smart construction materials and investigates how these smart materials influence consumer decisions with environmental health and sustainability as consumption goals. Further, it explores the degree of challenges faced while deploying the smart and recyclable material into ecosystem. Smart materials have diverse qualities that may be controlled by external elements such as temperature, magnetic fields, stress etc. This study employs a descriptive research approach. The study model was created to assess the impact of smart construction materials (input variable) on environmental health (outcome variable), with green consumerism goals serving as an intervening variable. A well-structured questionnaire was developed consisting questions on key variables such as awareness and use of smart construction materials, influence of smart materials on environmentally conscious users, and challenges faced by users in implementing smart materials in construction industry. The sample unit consist of consumers and contractors in Karnataka. The judgement sampling technique is used for data collection. The sample size used in the study for consumer survey is 384 and builder survey is 34. The data are analysed using the statistical tools viz., Chi square, ANOVA, correlation analysis, multiple regression and binary logistic regression. The result of the study will throw light on the level of awareness and influence of smart construction materials and augment green construction activities among the environmentally cautious users. The study may motivate the users of construction sector to make actionable decisions on usage of smart materials for environmentally sustainable future.