Sustainable Construction Processes Research Articles

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).

IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES AFFECTING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The challenges posed by rapid population growth and urbanization, coupled with advancements in technology and industry, have led to increased energy consumption, posing potential threats to the future well-being of all living organisms. In the contemporary discourse on sustainability, the efficient utilization of limited resources, including energy, water, and materials, has become pivotal in the construction sector. Developed nations have responded to these concerns by incorporating various regulations into their legal frameworks to promote sustainable construction projects. Consequently, adopting innovative practices in construction processes is essential for designing and implementing sustainable projects. Meeting these demands necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the challenges inherent in the sustainable construction process. Therefore, this study identifies and ranks the obstacles encountered in the Turkish construction industry concerning sustainable construction. Employing a “Systematic Literature Review,” 49 challenges were identified. A survey was organized using these challenges and conducted among architects, civil engineers, and construction contractors, and 209 participants fully completed the questionnaire. Quantitative methods were used to analyze the collected survey data. The study's results reveal that all identified criteria significantly and moderately influence the sustainable construction process within the Turkish construction industry. Furthermore, the research underscores that the most critical impediments are linked to the transition process toward adopting sustainable building practices.

IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES AFFECTING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The challenges posed by rapid population growth and urbanization, coupled with advancements in technology and industry, have led to increased energy consumption, posing potential threats to the future well-being of all living organisms. In the contemporary discourse on sustainability, the efficient utilization of limited resources, including energy, water, and materials, has become pivotal in the construction sector. Developed nations have responded to these concerns by incorporating various regulations into their legal frameworks to promote sustainable construction projects. Consequently, adopting innovative practices in construction processes is essential for designing and implementing sustainable projects. Meeting these demands necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the challenges inherent in the sustainable construction process. Therefore, this study identifies and ranks the obstacles encountered in the Turkish construction industry concerning sustainable construction. Employing a “Systematic Literature Review,” 49 challenges were identified. A survey was organized using these challenges and conducted among architects, civil engineers, and construction contractors, and 209 participants fully completed the questionnaire. Quantitative methods were used to analyze the collected survey data. The study's results reveal that all identified criteria significantly and moderately influence the sustainable construction process within the Turkish construction industry. Furthermore, the research underscores that the most critical impediments are linked to the transition process toward adopting sustainable building practices.

Empowering urban sustainability: unveiling the crucial role of project managers in attaining Sustainable Development Goal 11

PurposeThis paper explores project managers' (PMs') role in contributing to and achieving sustainability within construction projects, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 PMs working with construction firms in the UK. Thematic analysis was also performed on the qualitative data retrieved using the NVivo software.FindingsThe study’s findings revealed that PMs working on construction projects considered various sustainable construction processes in attempts to solve problems with traditional construction technology. Furthermore, it was revealed that the PM’s role was key in achieving the SDGs in general and SDG 11 in particular through the process of perfecting the client brief, ensuring the client’s financial stability and creating an environment of teamwork. In terms of specific competencies, sustainability leadership and sustainable innovative capability were revealed to suggest that a PM is the leader of change.Originality/valueThe study highlights the essential role of the PM in delivering sustainable construction projects as part of the drive to achieve SDG 11. The study impacts the construction industry in developing strategies and training programs that build PMs' competencies and skills for contributing to the world we want.

Building a sustainable future: The role of additive manufacturing in civil construction

With the advent of Industry 4.0, 3D printing is emerging as a revolutionary technology in various industrial sectors. The ability to gradually deposit material allows the creation of complex shapes without waste and the need for molds. This, coupled with cost reduction, opens up significant opportunities in the construction sector. To minimize waste on the construction site, optimize construction time, and positively contribute to the environment, this work focuses on developing a system capable of three-dimensional printing of objects composed of a desktop-scale 3D printer prototype. The 3D printer developed in this project is integrated with two other crucial subsystems. The first is responsible for extruding a cementitious composite, while the second performs the homogenization of the mixture during material preparation. The Cartesian robot, essential for 3D printing, was constructed based on mechanical and electrical designs and connected to the pumping subsystem via a 1⁄2-inch diameter hose. To ensure the system's viability, it was essential to define flow and printing speed parameters to ensure the extrudability and constructibility of composite materials. The process included preparing a conventional mortar with mixing ratios of 1:0.33:1.33:0.01 (cement, water, sand, and superplasticizer additive). The pumping subsystem was calibrated through flow tests on the injection pump, resulting in mass flows of 4 and 5 Kg/min. Printing speeds on the Cartesian robot were parameterized at 10, 30, and 50 mm/s. This led to the creation of samples named AE1 – 10, AE1 – 30, AE1 – 50 mm/s (for a flow rate of 5 Kg/min) and AE2 – 30, AE2 – 50 mm/s (for a flow rate of 4 Kg/min), along with AR – 1 and AR – 2 samples, which were collected in the mixer without extrusion. The system's validation involved printing an object with dimensions of 400 ×400×80 mm (length x width x height). After printing, the object's measurements were analyzed to assess the cementitious material's extrudability and the constructibility of the layers. Tests were conducted in the fresh and hardened states of the mortar, including measurements of consistency index and tensile and compressive strength. The results demonstrated that replacing traditional methods with 3D printing on the construction site is feasible, reducing waste and decreasing construction time. This directly contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable construction process. 3D printing represents a promising innovation in the construction sector, offering significant advantages in terms of efficiency, waste reduction, and positive environmental impact. This work demonstrates the viability of this technology and its potential to transform the construction industry toward more sustainable and effective practices.

Construction sites’ sustainability enhancement through earthworks optimization using Building Information Modelling

Earthworks are the very beginning of every new construction project, if not well designed and controlled, they may cause time and cost overruns and, overall affect the sustainability of the whole project. Industry 4.0 technologies like high-precision positioning GNSS/RTK and Building Information Modelling may help improving earthworks thus reducing waste, reworks, and energy demand. A novel workflow to integrate data coming from multiple sources within a reliable, BIM-based, digital terrain model is proposed. The proposed method allows professionals, as designers and managers, to receive updated and correct data, for better decision making and, thus, for more sustainable construction processes. Side benefits of the proposed process is an improvement in workers’ safety. A case study, a quarry in northern Italy, proved the usability of the method.

Closing the Affordable Housing Gap: Identifying the Barriers Hindering the Sustainable Design and Construction of Affordable Homes

Despite the commitment of the United Nations (UN) to provide everyone with equal access to basic services, the construction sector still fails to reach the production capacity and quality standards which are needed to meet the fast-growing demand for affordable homes. Whilst innovation measures are urgently needed to address the existing inefficiencies, the identification and development of the most appropriate solutions require a comprehensive understanding of the barriers obstructing the design and construction phase of affordable housing. To identify such barriers, an exploratory data mining analysis was conducted in which agglomerative hierarchical clustering made it possible to gather latent knowledge from 3566 text-based research outputs sourced from the Web of Science and Scopus. The analysis captured 83 supply-side barriers which impact the efficiency of the value chain for affordable housing provision. Of these barriers, 18 affected the design and construction phase, and after grouping them by thematic area, seven key matters of concern were identified: (1) design (not) for all, (2) homogeneity of provision, (3) unhealthy living environment, (4) inadequate construction project management, (5) environmental unsustainability, (6) placemaking, and (7) inadequate technical knowledge and skillsets. The insights which resulted from the analysis were seen to support evidence-informed decision making across the affordable housing sector. The findings suggest that fixing the inefficiencies of the affordable housing provision system will require UN Member States to accelerate the transition towards a fully sustainable design and construction process. This transition should prioritize a more inclusive and socially sensitive approach to the design and construction of affordable homes, capitalizing on the benefits of greater user involvement. In addition, transformative actions which seek to deliver more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly homes should be promoted, as well as new investments in the training and upskilling of construction professionals.

BIM's Contribution as A Sustainable Construction Accelerator

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a technological tool used in the sustainable construction process, beginning with the planning phase and continuing through the construction and post-construction phases. BIM has excellent capabilities and is being adopted by construction service providers in the process of implementing sustainable construction. However, many barriers remain in the adoption process, particularly with regard to the intention to use it. The purpose of this study was to determine the intention to implement BIM based on the variables of benefits and barriers. In order to parse the phenomena that occur in research, this study employed a quantitative method. Survey data in the form of a questionnaire were collected from the Special Region of Yogyakarta using a purposive sampling method for this study. Questionnaires were distributed via Google Form to respondents from the construction sector (Civil & Architectural Engineering) and BIM application users (students, workers). The findings of this study have provided an overview of the challenges and benefits of implementing BIM in sustainable construction. The barriers presented are financial, technological, and policy barriers, depending on the company's classification, while the benefits presented are environmental benefits and innovation.

Evaluation of Photogrammetry Tools following Progress Detection of Rebar towards Sustainable Construction Processes

In the attainment of digitization and sustainable solutions under Industry 4.0, effective and economical technology like photogrammetry is gaining popularity in every field among professionals and researchers alike. In the market, various photogrammetry tools are available. These tools employ different techniques and it is hard to identify the best among them. This study is an attempt to develop a methodology for the assessment of photogrammetry tools. Overall, 37 photogrammetry tools were found via literature review and open sources, out of which 12 tools were shortlisted. The evaluation process consisted of three steps, i.e., metadata and visual inspection, comparison with the ground truth model, and comparison with the averaged-merged point cloud model. In addition, a validation test was also performed on the final sorted photogrammetry tools. This study followed a sustainable construction progress monitoring theme for rebar and covered the maximum number of photogrammetry tools for comparison by considering the most authentic evaluation and validation techniques, which make it exclusive.

Assessment of the adoption of 3D printing technology for construction delivery: A case study of Lagos State, Nigeria

The innovations of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0) encouraged the application of 3D printing technology to complement and subsequently replace the conventional construction method. This study assessed the awareness, application, drivers and barriers to the adoption of 3D printing technology for construction with a view to enhancing faster and sustainable construction process. Primary data were obtained with the use of structured questionnaires which were self-administered to medium and small-sized construction firms/contractors in Lagos State. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that the awareness and application levels of the technology are still very low. The findings showed that there exist statistically significant differences (0.039 ≤ p ≤ 0.017) in 6 drivers for the adoption of 3D printing technology, which is influenced by the client’s demand and desire. The study further established that inadequate power supply limits the adoption of 3D printing in the Nigerian construction industry. Implications are indicated by the findings on drivers and barriers of the technology which could help the construction industry in developing countries towards capability improvement for better adoption of 3D printing innovation and enhanced sustainable construction process.

Assessment of the adoption of 3D printing technology for construction delivery: A case study of Lagos State, Nigeria

The innovative solutions offered by integrating 3D printing technology in construction over the conventional practices have established its globally rising adoption in the construction industry. This study assessed the awareness, application, drivers, and barriers to adopting enhanced 3D printing technology for construction to enhance faster and more sustainable construction processes. The study adopted a quantitative descriptive analysis which was based on primary data. The primary data were obtained using structured questionnaires self-administered to construction firms/contractors in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that the awareness and application levels of the technology are still deficient, as the vast majority (80.8%) of the firms who had an awareness of the technology in the study area acquired it through personal research and professional dialogue, rather than through the practical application of the technology. This finding showed that 3DP technology is a new construction option in the study area. The findings showed statistically significant differences among the drivers (0.039≤ p ≤0.017) for the adoption of 3D printing technology, which is influenced by the client’s demand and desire. The study further established that inadequate power source is a significant limiting factor to adopting 3D printing in the study area. Implications are indicated by the findings on the technology drivers and barriers that could help the construction industry in developing countries towards capability improvement for better adoption of 3D printing innovation and enhanced sustainable construction process.

ASSESSING THE AWARENESS LEVEL OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR RESILIENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry (CI) is highly relied upon for the economic development of both developing and developed countries. Despite the numerous positive impacts of the CI arising from the heavy investments made by different countries, the adverse impacts remain on the increase as well. Hence, the global call for the adoption of sustainable and resilient construction processes and practices. To increase the resilience (absorptive, adaptive, and restorative) capabilities of the CI, Emerging Technologies (ETs) in form of smart materials, advanced construction, and sensing technologies are deemed imperative. Therefore, the objective of this research study is to assess the awareness level of ETs for a resilient CI. The required data for this research study was obtained through a questionnaire survey. A quantitative data analysis approach was also adopted. The findings revealed a significantly low level of awareness and familiarity with the forty-one (41) ETs for resilience among construction practitioners and stakeholders. Improved technical knowledge and awareness creation on ETs for resilience among construction professionals and stakeholders are highly recommended to set the CI on a sustainable path.

ASSESSING THE AWARENESS LEVEL OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR RESILIENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry (CI) is highly relied upon for the economic development of both developing and developed countries. Despite the numerous positive impacts of the CI arising from the heavy investments made by different countries, the adverse impacts remain on the increase as well. Hence, the global call for the adoption of sustainable and resilient construction processes and practices. To increase the resilience (absorptive, adaptive, and restorative) capabilities of the CI, Emerging Technologies (ETs) in form of smart materials, advanced construction, and sensing technologies are deemed imperative. Therefore, the objective of this research study is to assess the awareness level of ETs for a resilient CI. The required data for this research study was obtained through a questionnaire survey. A quantitative data analysis approach was also adopted. The findings revealed a significantly low level of awareness and familiarity with the forty-one (41) ETs for resilience among construction practitioners and stakeholders. Improved technical knowledge and awareness creation on ETs for resilience among construction professionals and stakeholders are highly recommended to set the CI on a sustainable path.

Secondary Raw Materials for Circular Economy in Construction Sector: A Review

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is very high in quantity, 30% - 40% of total solid waste and their management is inadequate and lack the integration of sustainability concepts. This situation leads to severe environmental effects, which are mainly associated with the production of new building materials due to the low recovery rate. In fact some studies show that 5-10% of total energy consumption across the EU is related to the manufacture of construction products. For this reason, CDW is a priority for many policies globally. For several years, a growing trend towards more sustainable construction processes has been taking place with a focus on secondary raw materials with lower environmental impacts on the entire life cycle. For this reason, this paper intends to contribute to increasing knowledge in this field through a review article. The review has the aim to evaluate the research gap, strategies to reduce construction waste and to promote the recycled materials use for a circular economy in construction sector. The results of the study showed that interest in this field of research has grown strongly over the years: the most publications on the subject relate to the last five years. On the other hand, issues relating to the topic did not attract particular interest in the range 2010-2016, in fact the number of publications in this period did not exceed 4%. The research showed that Europe is among the communities most sensitive to the issue and it has clearly revealed that there are still many barriers and research gaps to be overcome on this issue and the study has tried to identify the main ones.

Assessment of Emissions and Energy Consumption for Construction Machinery in Earthwork Activities by Incorporating Real-World Measurement and Discrete-Event Simulation

Earthwork, an essential activity in most construction projects, consumes large quantities of fossil fuel and produces substantial air pollution with adverse environmental impacts. To achieve more sustainable construction processes, novel methodologies to evaluate and improve the performance of earthwork operations are required. This study quantifies the real-world emissions and fuel consumption of construction equipment within an earthwork project in China. Two wheel loaders and two dump trucks are examined through on-board measurements and in-lab engine tests. The duty cycles of construction equipment are categorized with respect to their power efficiency and working patterns. Moreover, the power-specific and time-based emission factors for these duty cycles are computed and compared with relevant legislative emission limits. Significant emission variations among different duty cycles were found, and the real-world emission measurements exceeded the results from the in-lab test required for emission certification. In addition, a discrete-event simulation (DES) framework was developed, validated, and integrated with the computed emission factors to analyze the environmental and energy impacts of the earthwork project. Furthermore, the equipment fleet schedule was optimized in the DES framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption by 8.1% and 6.6%, respectively.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN THE DIGITAL AGE: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEORIES OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SDGS IN GREEN BUILDING

Most industries are on the edge of revolution owing to the rise of automation and disruptive technologies. Like other industries, the construction industry is also undergoing a substantial transformation due to digitalisation. Amidst the revolution, the nature of the construction industry in its practices and activities, coupled with the industry players’ paucity of environmental consciousness, has significantly contributed to the decline of ecosphere health. Finding a balance between rapid growth in the economy, widespread digital adoption, increase in population, and environmental threats is critical. At its core, sustainable construction processes adhere to the sustainable development philosophies as outlined by the World Commission on Environment and Development in the Brundtland Commission’s report, Our Common Future, published in 1987. This paper discusses the theoretical framework upon which sustainable construction practices and green building principles were conceptualised. The analysis of the heuristic approach to philosophical foundations demonstrated the critical nature of making correct policy decisions (on development) and its significant implications, particularly towards nature. Additionally, this paper examined and identified the construction industry's potential contributions to attain the global agenda of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The findings in this article will assist policymakers in the construction industry in balancing between the interests of the stakeholders and the protection of the environment in the technological epoch.

Scheduling Strategy Optimization and Security Protection Technology in Smart Distribution Network

In the power system, distribution network is a very important link, and its operation quality and power supply reliability have a great impact on the whole social and economic development. Firstly, this paper analyzes the structure, function and characteristics of intelligent distribution network. Then it introduces the research status of optimization strategy based on genetic algorithm and its security protection technology, as well as the relevant basic theoretical knowledge. Then, aiming at the existing problems, the security protection system is designed for the power grid. Finally, through the performance test of the system, it is verified that the method is efficient and practical, and can effectively improve the security and stability of the power system, promote the further acceleration of China’s sustainable construction process, improve the benefit level of power supply enterprises, and achieve the goal of social and economic development.

Prefabricated Engineered Timber Schools in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Opportunities

Due to changing demographics, the UK faces a significant shortage of school places. The UK government aims to build large numbers of new schools to meet this demand. However, legally binding carbon emissions mitigation commitments might limit the ability of the government to adequately meet this demand on-time, on-budget, and within sustainability targets. This paper assesses the opportunity for prefabricated engineered timber construction methods to help meet the demand for new primary and secondary school buildings in the UK within these constraints. Building on a study of past government-led school building programmes and the state-of-the-art developments in engineered timber construction, this paper outlines the benefits that an engineered timber school building programme could have on a sustainability and procurement level. A strategy is then proposed for the wider adoption of engineered timber for the construction of school buildings in the UK, including detailed guidelines for designers and policymakers. The study concludes with recommendations for the adaptation of this strategy in different countries, depending on context-specific requirements, therefore promoting a generalised adoption of sustainable and efficient construction processes.

The recent trends on prefabricated buildings with circular economy (CE) approach

In some countries, prefabricated or industrialized building systems (IBS) have often been described as potential solutions in the sustainable construction process, moreover with the integration with a circular economy. Despite the increasing number of publications on prefabricated buildings and the circular economy in the construction industry, there is an absence of research that discusses prefabricated buildings with the integration of circular economy (CE) and the future direction of this strategy. Therefore, this article will review the current literature on prefabricated building with a CE approach, and map the future trends of prefabricated building with circular economy (CE). A list of keywords (circular and prefabricated economy) related to the scope of this research was identified. In the second step, the keyword for studies in Scopus, WoS and Mendeley were searched, and a total of 36 papers were reviewed. A themed review was carried out, where five final themes were identified: assessment; building materials; technology; framework, and business model. The results suggest a new framework of research trends in the prefabricated buildings with a CE approach in the industry. This study will benefit future researchers that focus on prefabricated buildings with a CE approach.

Sustainable Built Environment in Mid Sweden: Case study based models for sustainable building and construction processes

Sustainable Built Environment in Mid Sweden: Case study based models for sustainable building and construction processes