Vol.6,No.2,2026-Table of Contents
- OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE
- Design and construction of a laminated bamboo lumber structure in Hong Kong
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000108 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract This paper presents a technical case study on the structural design and assembly of a community liaison center utilizing Laminated Bamboo Lumber (LBL) as the primary structural and architectural material. To guarantee structural integrity and economic optimization, a hybrid design methodology was implemented during the component cross-section phase, combining preliminary mechanics-based calculations with iterative finite element analysis for verification. Adopting Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles, the structural components were prefabricated off-site under factory-controlled quality conditions and subsequently transported for rapid on-site erection. This parallel workflow significantly reduced the construction time and minimized environmental disruption. Ultimately, this project establishes a scalable, empirical framework for the engineering deployment of LBL, validating its viability as a high-performance, low-carbon alternative for sustainable civil infrastructure.… More
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- Structural response of glued-laminated bamboo under compression: an experimental and analytical study
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000107 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract Glued-laminated bamboo (GLB) is an engineered bamboo product with significant potential for structural applications due to its dimensional stability, compression resistance, and aesthetics. This study investigates the structural response of 84 GLB compression elements of varying lengths and three cross-sectional dimensions. In addition, 12 specimens were tested under three-point bending to evaluate the elastic modulus for structural design purposes. Stress-strain behavior and failure modes were carefully examined to assess the integrity of GLB cross-sections, and an ANOVA was conducted to identify parameters influencing compression performance. Experimental data were used to derive regression models for ultimate load and compressive strength, accurately capturing the observed behavior. Short elements exhibited four stress-strain regions: elastic, hardening, plastic, and softening, whereas long elements failed by buckling with tensile fracture without noticeable plastic deformation. Based on the experimental curves, the Richard–Abbott and Popovics models were applied to simulate the compressive response, with the Richard–Abbott model showing better agreement. Theoretical analyses using GB 50005, Eurocode 5, and the National Design Specification for timber were applied to predict GLB column resistance, and deviations were critically discussed. This study provides insights into the behavior of small-section, high-slenderness GLB compression elements through experimental and analytical approaches.… More
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- Assessing environmental impact through Computational Structural Optimization
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000106 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract The urgent need to reduce the construction sector’s environmental footprint is prompting a shift towards more sustainable methodologies. Traditional construction practices, marked by excessive resource consumption and high emissions, require immediate transformation. With their stringent energy and emission targets, European policies emphasize the critical role of integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in accurately evaluating sustainability. In this context, Structural Optimization (SO) techniques represent a powerful tool for incorporating environmental metrics within holistic design paradigms. This study presents a robust framework that synergistically integrates SO techniques with LCA methodologies to estimate and mitigate the environmental impacts of a space-frame structural system. Employing generative computational design techniques, this work leverages the Visual Programming Language (VPL) to define optimal configurations for parametric structural models. Specifically, the optimization process prioritizes material efficiency and Global Warming Potential (GWP) as key environmental metrics by simultaneously optimizing size, shape and topology. The implementation of a Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) yields multiple solutions with the identification of a Pareto-optimal front, balancing structural performance with environmental considerations. This study demonstrates that the adoption of hybrid-material solutions incorporating timber elements can substantially reduce the associated GWP compared to traditional steel systems without penalizing structural efficiency. The results emphasize the importance of integrating environmental parameters within the conceptual design phase to promote sustainability in practical applications within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) field.… More
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- Study on properties of one-part fly ash/slag based geopolymer mortars modified by cellulose nanocrystals
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000105 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract In this study, a small amount of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were added to fly ash (FA)/granulated ground blast furnace slag (GGBS)-based geopolymer mortars to investigate the performance influence and action mechanism of the modified FA/GGBS-based geopolymer mortar by CNC. The results showed that following a 28-day curing, the best mechanical performance was achieved when the FA/GGBS mass ratio was 3:7; compared to the 5:5 mass ratio of FA/GGBS, the compressive strength and flexural strength increased by 14.96% and 40.74%, respectively; and compared to the 7:3 mass ratio of FA/GGBS, the compressive strength and flexural strength increased by 112.12% and 80.95%, respectively. However, with higher GGBS proportions, the flowability decreased. Additionally, the effect of CNC was inconsistent in systems. At 3-day curing age, in the FA/GGBS=3:7 and 5:5 systems, the addition of CNC inhibited the strength development of geopolymer mortars, whereas in the FA/GGBS=7:3 system, it slightly accelerated the strength development. However, after 28 days of curing, the strength of the geopolymer mortars under all conditions increased to varying degrees after the addition of CNC. Microstructural tests via scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and isothermal calorimetry (IC) showed that increasing GGBS content and adding CNC enhanced the reaction activity and structural compactness of FA/GGBS-based geopolymer mortars.… More
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- Experimental investigation of the effects of various silica-based pozzolanic ashes on the rheological and mechanical properties of ultra-high-performance concrete: optimization and structural analysis
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000104 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract In this study, a comprehensive and comparative analysis was conducted on nine types of silica-rich agricultural waste ashes including rice husk ash, peanut shell ash, sugarcane bagasse ash, date palm fiber ash, corn stalk ash, wheat straw ash, cotton stalk ash, soybean husk ash, and pine fiber ash as pozzolanic replacements in Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). Fresh properties were evaluated through slump flow, J-ring, L-box, U-box, and V-funnel tests, while hardened properties were assessed via compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, freeze–thaw durability, permeability, chloride and sulfate resistance, and thermal conductivity tests. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to model the synergistic effects of variables and predict compressive strength at 28 and 90 days. Results indicated that replacing 30% of cement with rice husk ash improved compressive strength, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity by 15%, 46%, and 27%, respectively, while reducing permeability and thermal conductivity by 48% and 27%. RSM analysis demonstrated high predictive accuracy (R² = 0.99). This study provides an integrated framework for designing sustainable and advanced concrete by optimizing the incorporation of waste materials while achieving superior mechanical and thermal performance.… More
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- Reinforcing concrete with jute fiber: a holistic approach to mechanical performance, thermal insulation and carbon footprint reduction
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000103 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract The concrete, thus, as a modern-day building material, sustains serious challenges in the area of environmental and mechanical limitations. This investigation concentrates on the viability of jute fiber as a sustainable reinforcement stuff. For jute fiber-reinforced concrete (JFRC) composites, a complex explorative sequence was developed to examine mechanical characteristics such as split tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and durability tests, for example, water absorption, chloride penetration resistance, water permeability, and thermal conductivity. The investigation went further to evaluate the embodied carbon of JFRC in order to appraise its environmental sustainability. Results show that adding jute fiber by a volume fraction of between 0.25 and 0.5% makes noticeable enhancements to mechanical characteristics. On the other hand, a larger fiber content (>0.5%) and longer fibers (17.5 mm) were also found to increase porosity and water absorption, adversely affecting durability. The study brings out the identification of optimum fiber length (12.5 mm) and content dictating mechanical action against durability. Jute fiber integration substantially reduces concrete's embodied carbon, making it an eco-friendly building alternative. This research generates an important understanding of natural fibers within concrete, opening a route to developing low-carbon, high-performance building materials.… More
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- Mechanical properties, microstructural features, and acoustic behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete reinforced with plastic and polypropylene hybrid fibers for sustainable construction
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000102 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract The increasing demolition of aged infrastructure has significantly raised the generation of recycled aggregates, posing sustainability challenges in construction waste management. Integrating recycled aggregates into concrete production is a potential solution, although they typically exhibit inferior mechanical performance compared to natural aggregates. To overcome this, hybrid fiber reinforcement has gained research interest for improving Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) characteristics. This study examines the performance of RAC reinforced with a combination of plastic and polypropylene fibers used in macro and micro forms respectively to improve resistance against cracking and enhance structural integrity. The concrete was prepared with a 50% replacement of natural aggregates by recycled aggregates, and fiber contents were varied (0.5%, 1%, and 2%). For hybridization, combinations of plastic and polypropylene fibers were tested at three dosage levels: (0.5% PF + 0.5% PP), (0.75% PF + 0.25% PP), and (1.5% PF + 0.5% PP). The impact of fiber type and dosage on mechanical strength, failure patterns, stress strain response, and acoustic emission behavior was investigated. Results showed that the hybrid mix RAC50-PF0.75-PP0.25 yielded superior strength values, achieving 48.56 MPa in compressive strength, 5.19 MPa in splitting tensile strength, and 5.75 MPa in flexural strength, representing improvements of approximately 7%, 5.5%, and 4% respectively over the plain RAC mix.… More
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- Innovative eco-development of recycled scrap-tire steel fibers (STSF)-based concrete composite for Saudi construction industry: a review of properties, performance, and applications
- Sustainable Structures Vol.6,No.2,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2026.000101 Online published:2026-6-10
- Abstract The growing demand for sustainable construction materials is critical to reduce environmental burdens, especially in rapidly urbanizing Saudi Arabia. This review advanced the eco-development of recycled scrap-tire steel fiber (STSF) concrete by linking STSF recovery and processing routes, fiber geometry, cleanliness, and tensile quality to interfacial micromechanics and composite performance. It proposed a unified STSF classification, supported by effect-size synthesis, to standardize reporting, reconcile disparate test methods, and enable performance based specifications. The review systematically evaluated how STSF length, diameter, and dosage influence strength, toughness, crack control, and structural response, while also assessing sustainability and structural efficiency gains through waste diversion and reduced carbon intensity. Evidence across the literature is synthesized to identify effective reinforcement strategies, key dispersion and bonding mechanisms, and practical mix optimization pathways aligned with Saudi supply chains and exposure conditions. The findings underscore the potential of STSF-based composites to contribute to eco-efficient construction, enhancing the mechanical resilience and lifespan of concrete structures. Moreover, this research provided a critical foundation for future studies and practical implementations, positioning STSF as a strategic component in advancing green construction practices within Saudi Arabia and globally. The study reinforced circular-economy principles with sustainable materials for global construction. Besides, it outlined a practical, micromechanics-guided route from waste-tire recovery to field-deployable high-performance concrete in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.… More
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