Articles tagged with "construction-materials"
Plant-based additives help turn desert sand into construction material
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Tokyo have developed a novel construction material called botanical sand concrete, which enables the use of desert sand in concrete for the first time. Traditional concrete relies heavily on river sand and crushed rock, whose extraction causes environmental damage and resource depletion. Desert sand, although abundant, has been unsuitable for concrete due to its fine, smooth grains that prevent proper binding and result in weak structures. The research team overcame this by combining desert sand with plant-based additives and wood powder, then applying heat and pressure to create a dense, solid material without conventional cement. Laboratory tests demonstrated that this botanical sand concrete is strong enough for non-structural applications such as paving stones and walkways. However, the material is not yet ready for large-scale construction or exposure to harsh outdoor conditions, and further research is needed to evaluate its durability, especially in cold climates. The researchers emphasize the importance of using desert sand locally to minimize emissions from transportation.
materialsconstruction-materialssustainable-materialsdesert-sandplant-based-additivesconcrete-innovationenvironmental-sustainabilityCoffee ground waste into eco-friendly concrete, slashes CO2 emissions
Australian researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed an innovative concrete mix incorporating coffee ground waste transformed into biochar, resulting in a material that is both stronger and more environmentally sustainable than traditional concrete. By converting spent coffee grounds—an abundant waste stream in Australia—into biochar through pyrolysis, the team was able to replace a portion of sand in concrete production. Their experiments demonstrated that substituting 15 percent of sand with coffee biochar increased concrete strength by nearly 30 percent while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 26 percent. Even lower substitution rates of 5 and 10 percent yielded CO2 reductions of 15 and 23 percent, respectively, along with a 31 percent decrease in fossil fuel use and improved impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The process involves heating used coffee grounds to approximately 350 degrees Celsius to produce a stable, carbon-rich charcoal-like material that locks carbon within the concrete matrix. This approach supports circular economy principles by diverting organic waste from land
materialssustainable-concretebiocharcarbon-footprint-reductionconstruction-materialswaste-recyclingeco-friendly-building-materialsHow faulty fire barriers helped flames race up the Hong Kong tower
The deadly fire that swept through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po on November 27, 2025, was exacerbated by faulty fire barriers and highly flammable materials used during ongoing renovations. The blaze, which began around 2:51 pm and rapidly spread across multiple 31-storey towers covered in bamboo scaffolding, green construction netting, and plastic sheets, resulted in at least 55 deaths, marking Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in over six decades. The bamboo scaffolding, combined with non-fireproof nets and Styrofoam-sealed windows, created a "chimney effect" that accelerated the fire’s upward and outward spread, allowing flames to leap between buildings in a rare and devastating manner. Investigations revealed that the renovation company responsible for the site used foam materials and tarpaulins that did not meet fire safety standards, with Styrofoam boards fixed to windows identified as particularly flammable. Police arrested three men, including two company directors and an
materialsfire-safetybuilding-materialsconstruction-materialsfire-barriersrenovation-materialsfire-investigationMass Timber & Fire Safety: What The Evidence Shows - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica examines the fire safety of mass timber, highlighting its growing use due to advantages like lighter weight, faster assembly, and carbon storage compared to concrete and steel. A key concern for stakeholders—developers, insurers, and regulators—is whether mass timber can withstand fire as effectively as traditional materials. The article explains that mass timber behaves differently in fire: thick timber members form a protective char layer that insulates the core, slowing heat spread and preserving structural integrity. Unlike steel, which loses strength rapidly at high temperatures, or concrete, which can spall and expose reinforcing steel, mass timber fails gradually and predictably, allowing designers to size components to maintain load-bearing capacity during fire exposure. Fire testing supports these findings, with mass timber assemblies routinely achieving 1-2 hour fire ratings and sometimes longer. Full-scale compartment burn tests in North America and Europe have shown that mass timber structures can survive intense fires without collapse, with fires often self-extinguishing after consuming room contents. The National
materialsmass-timberfire-safetycross-laminated-timbersustainable-building-materialscarbon-storageconstruction-materialsHow CLT Displacement Makes Steel & Cement Decarbonization Realistic - CleanTechnica
The article discusses how cross laminated timber (CLT) serves as a critical lever for decarbonizing the traditionally carbon-intensive steel and cement industries by displacing these materials in construction. While CLT is often highlighted for its benefits in faster, more affordable, and lower-carbon housing, its broader impact lies in reducing global demand for cement and steel over time. This substitution effect, especially in mid-rise residential and commercial buildings, contributes to bending demand curves downward, making decarbonization of heavy materials more achievable. The article builds on previous analyses that positioned CLT and modular construction as key solutions to housing shortages and embodied emissions, emphasizing the need for integrated value chains and government policy support to scale CLT adoption. Contrary to conventional projections that assume steady growth in cement and steel demand aligned with GDP and urbanization, the article argues that demand will peak earlier and decline gradually due to several factors: the end of China's infrastructure boom, shifts in advanced economies from expansion to maintenance, efficiency gains, and
energymaterialsdecarbonizationcross-laminated-timbercementsteelconstruction-materialsUltrasonic device reduces sea sand salt to 0.04% for construction
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST) has developed an innovative ultrasonic washing device designed to remove salt from sea sand, addressing a critical challenge in the construction industry. With river sand supplies dwindling due to environmental restrictions and overextraction, sea sand has become a necessary alternative. However, its high salt content poses a risk of corrosion to steel reinforcements in concrete, compromising structural safety. The ultrasonic device uses cavitation-driven washing with ultrasonic waves to efficiently reduce salt levels to 0.04% or below—the maximum recommended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport—while using significantly less water than traditional methods. This technology offers both practical and economic benefits by accelerating the desalination process and reducing water consumption, making it more sustainable and feasible for large-scale construction needs. The process involves mixing sea sand with water at a 1:2 ratio and applying ultrasonic energy of 300W or higher for three minutes, achieving rapid and precise salt removal even in confined spaces.
materialsultrasonic-technologyconstruction-materialsdesalinationsustainable-constructionsand-washingcorrosion-preventionEmbodied carbon is the next big challenge for structural engineers
The article highlights the growing importance of addressing embodied carbon in structural engineering as operational emissions decline. Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building’s materials throughout their lifecycle—from extraction and manufacturing to installation and eventual demolition. It often accounts for over half of a building’s total lifecycle emissions in the first few decades, making it a critical focus area since these emissions are largely fixed once construction materials are in place. Given that the construction industry contributes around 40% of global emissions, reducing embodied carbon early in the design process has become a priority for engineers, regulators, and clients alike. Measuring embodied carbon is complex due to inconsistent data sources and project variability, requiring lifecycle assessments (LCA) and tools such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA) software, and carbon factor databases. However, quantification challenges remain, especially for materials like engineered wood or recycled content, forcing engineers to rely on proxies and assumptions. To effectively reduce
energyembodied-carbonstructural-engineeringsustainable-designlifecycle-assessmentconstruction-materialscarbon-emissionsChina builds super-soft runway material that crumbles to save planes
Chinese scientists have developed an innovative ultra-light foam concrete, dubbed “marshmallow” concrete, designed to enhance runway safety by absorbing the energy of aircraft during emergency landings. Weighing only 12.5 lb/ft³ (about one-tenth the weight of standard concrete), this material crumbles in a controlled manner upon impact, effectively decelerating even large aircraft like the Boeing 747. Developed by the China Building Materials Academy (CBMA) in collaboration with the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology, the foam concrete is already implemented at 14 airports across China and has won a prestigious innovation award. This new material addresses limitations of traditional Runway End Safety Areas (RESAs), which often use sand, soil, grass, or water pools—each with environmental or operational drawbacks such as freezing, animal attraction, or instability. The foam concrete’s strength is carefully controlled within a narrow range (0.30 to 0.35 MPa) to ensure it crushes
materialsconstruction-materialsfoam-concreterunway-safetyaviation-safetyimpact-absorptionlightweight-concreteCleaner, stronger cement recipes designed in record time by AI
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) have developed an AI-driven approach to design low-carbon cement recipes up to 1,000 times faster than traditional methods. Cement production is a major source of CO₂ emissions, primarily due to the chemical release of CO₂ from limestone during clinker formation. To address this, the PSI team, led by mathematician Romana Boiger, combined thermodynamic modeling software (GEMS) with experimental data to train a neural network that rapidly predicts the mineral composition and mechanical properties of various cement formulations. This AI model enables quick simulation and optimization of cement recipes that reduce carbon emissions while maintaining strength and quality. Beyond speeding up calculations, the researchers employed genetic algorithms to identify optimal cement compositions that balance CO₂ reduction with practical production feasibility. While these AI-designed formulations show promise, extensive laboratory testing and validation remain necessary before widespread adoption. This study serves as a proof of concept, demonstrating that AI can revolutionize the search for sustainable building materials by efficiently navigating complex chemical
materialscementartificial-intelligencemachine-learninglow-carbonsustainable-materialsconstruction-materialsReassessing Steel: How Falling Cement Use Alters Future Projections - CleanTechnica
The article "Reassessing Steel: How Falling Cement Use Alters Future Projections" explores a revised outlook on global steel demand, prompted by insights from Scott Norris, a structural steel expert. Initially, the author anticipated steady steel demand growth driven by ongoing infrastructure expansion in developing countries. However, after examining cement industry trends and their close link to steel consumption—since about half of steel demand is tied to construction—the author now believes previous steel growth projections were overly optimistic. The World Cement Association’s forecast that global cement demand will peak and then decline by mid-century, due to completed urbanization in developed economies and changing building methods, significantly impacts steel demand expectations. China’s massive past infrastructure build-out, which accounted for half of global steel and cement demand, is winding down, and other regions like India and Southeast Asia are unlikely to replicate China’s scale of growth. Despite this, Norris highlights that developing regions, particularly India and parts of Southeast Asia, will see near-term steel demand increases due to ongoing infrastructure projects and new blast furnace steel plants, which have long operational lifespans extending into the late 21st century. India aims to double steel production by 2030, with potential further growth by mid-century, while Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia also anticipate rising demand. Nonetheless, the author remains skeptical that these regional increases will offset the broader global decline driven by cement displacement and decarbonization trends, suggesting a more cautious long-term outlook for steel demand than previously assumed.
materialssteel-industrycement-demandconstruction-materialsinfrastructure-developmentdecarbonizationglobal-steel-demand