Advances In Circular Construction: Integrating Green Materials And Emerging Technologies For Sustainable Construction Engineering

The construction sector faces increasing pressure to address global challenges related to material efficiency and resource consumption. With urbanization accelerating and environmental impacts growing, the need for sustainable construction practices is more urgent than ever. Recent research has introduced innovative circular construction practices, focusing on resource reuse, waste reduction, and sustainability integration throughout the building and infrastructure lifecycle. Many studies have proposed the use of recycled materials and sustainable techniques, as they significantly reduce environmental footprints. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) research now enables comprehensive evaluations of environmental impacts and eco-efficiency indicators. Advancements in energy efficiency, artificial intelligence (AI), and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for sustainable construction are key to reducing energy consumption, lowering carbon emissions, and optimizing construction processes. As these innovations continue to evolve, ongoing research offers a transformative opportunity to reshape the construction industry into a more sustainable and responsible sector.

This Research Topic aims to disseminate recent studies that contribute to addressing the complex challenges of construction circularity by integrating the practical use of innovative materials and advanced technologies for sustainable buildings and infrastructures. The focus of this topic is to showcase pioneering solutions designed to optimize resource utilization and system efficiency, with a particular emphasis on the three pillars of sustainability, i.e., economic, social, and environmental aspects. By investigating novel approaches for resource reuse, waste minimization, and promotion of sustainable construction practices, this research endeavors to reduce environmental impacts while simultaneously enhancing the economic and social outcomes of construction projects. Special attention is given to the development of new tools for discussing circular construction through interdisciplinary research collaborations, including the design and test of bio-based and waste-based construction materials, as well as the application of advanced methodologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to promote the sustainability of construction practices and facilitate the development of more eco-friendly solutions in the construction sector.

This Research Topic focuses on innovative materials and technologies to improve circularity in construction. We invite various types of articles (Original Research, Systematic Review, Review, Mini Review, Brief Research Report) that address sustainable practices in building and infrastructure development, exploring the following themes:

• Production and evaluation of bio-based and waste-based construction materials;

• Development and application of innovative eco-friendly construction techniques;

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the long-term environmental, economic, and social impacts of building and infrastructure;

• New treatment and reuse strategies for different wastes applied in the construction sector;

• Exploration of energy-efficient building technologies that reduce carbon footprints and optimize resource use;

• Integration of AI and IoT in the design, operation, and management of sustainable buildings and infrastructure;

• Application of BIM for sustainability through improved collaboration, resource optimization, and waste reduction;

• Development and evaluation of smart materials for resilient buildings;

• Design for disassembly and recycling of construction materials.