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Shifting Construction: Advancing Sustainability through Prefabrication

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Building".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 10397

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Dr. Gatheeshgar Perampalam

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School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
Interests: machine learning; structural engineering; optimization of structural members; steel structures; fire and thermal performance of buildings; composite structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There are many changes happening in the construction industry. Prefabrication is an alternative approach to traditional construction. Prefabrication is the manufacturing of building components offsite, generally in a controlled factory environment, and then assembling the building onsite. For example, prefabricated modular buildings are gaining attention across the world and are suitable for a range of building applications from residential to commercial buildings. Compared to the traditional construction method, prefabrication offers the inherent advantages of reduced construction time, reduced onsite disruption, reduced waste generation, improved quality in construction, etc.

Sustainable construction is the practice of reducing the impact on the environment when building new structures. Sustainable methods of construction have been identified as prime importance as the construction industry demands considerable natural resources (i.e., materials and energy). Sustainability in construction becomes even more important due to the effects of climate change. Prefabrication techniques can drive the construction industry toward improved sustainability as these methods improve the quality of construction and cut down the onsite waste generation.

Limited research studies have been dedicated to investigating the sustainability benefits of prefabricated construction, covering the use of different construction materials and methods, and the factors affecting the overall sustainability of prefabricated construction methods. Hence, this Special Issue pays attention to the growing relevance of prefabrication to the construction industry and the resulting sustainability benefits.

The main aim of this Special Issue is to rapidly disseminate the latest novel investigations on the sustainability performance of prefabricated construction that will have a positive impact to shift the construction industry towards greater sustainability.

Any other concepts closely associated with prefabrication (including modular buildings) and sustainability will also be considered for publication.

Dr. Gatheeshgar Perampalam
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainability
prefabrication
modular buildings
sustainable methods
sustainable materials
recycling
renewable energy
green buildings

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3520 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Unexpected Challenges in the Modular Construction Implementation: Are UK Contractors Ready?

by Niraj Thurairajah, Akila Rathnasinghe, Mehvish Ali and Shashwat Shashwat

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108105 - 16 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3687

Abstract

Despite the growing attention given to modular construction in the UK, a lack of investigation into the practical challenges and limitations experienced by contractors has been noted. Hence, this study aims to critically assess the feasibility of volumetric modular construction from the perspective of contractors who have applied this method in real-world projects. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using a case study technique and selected two modular construction projects in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, as case studies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine professionals from the contracting organisations involved in these projects in addition to project document reviews from the selected cases and data analysis using a content analysis approach. The study found that while modular construction can be costly, it is appreciated by contractors for its ability to reduce construction schedules and save costs. However, program delays, skill gaps, and reduced design flexibility pose significant challenges. This study offers unique insights into the practical challenges and limitations of volumetric modular construction and provides recommendations for improvement. Its contribution to the body of knowledge is significant as it sheds light on the trade-offs involved in using modular construction and highlights the need for further research to enhance its application in real-world projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Construction: Advancing Sustainability through Prefabrication)

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20 pages, 12485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Rheological and Durability Performance of Sustainable Self-Compacting Concrete

by Mervin Ealiyas Mathews, Tattukolla Kiran, Anand Nammalvar, M. Anbarasu, Balamurali Kanagaraj and Diana Andrushia

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054212 - 26 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1751

Abstract

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a special concrete that can flow easily across congested reinforcements. Also, it is easy to work with and does not segregate. The present investigation aims at the design and development of sustainable SCC with the employment of industrial by-products such as Fly Ash (FA), Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS), and Expanded Perlite Aggregate (EPA). Four SCC mixes were developed to attain a target strength of 30 MPa. Workability tests (slump flow, J-ring, and V-funnel tests) were performed following the EFNARC guidelines to ensure fresh SCC properties. Detailed experiments were conducted to evaluate the durability characteristics of the developed SCC, such as water absorption, sorptivity, acid attacks (sulphuric, nitric, sulphate, and chloride), the Rapid Chloride Penetration Test (RCPT), and finally, the elevated temperature test. Weight loss, strength loss, and physical observations of the acid and temperature effects of SCC mixes were evaluated. Also, the study focuses on the cost and sustainable index of SCC mixes and compares them with OPC mixes. From the experimental data analysis, it was observed that the developed SCC showed excellent physical and mechanical properties with a considerable reduction in cement content. SCC specimens with FA and EPA exhibit excellent acid and temperature resistance. Following the sustainable analysis, it was noted that SCC mixes reduce about 15–17.2% of carbon emissions compared to the OPC mix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Construction: Advancing Sustainability through Prefabrication)

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20 pages, 2972 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Parametric Study and Design of Pultruded GFRP Composite Channel Columns

by M Anbarasu, M Kasiviswanathan, M Kathiresan and G Mohan Ganesh

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010837 - 03 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2189

Abstract

This article reports the finite element (FE) investigation of the axial capacities of pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (PFRP) composite channel columns. The nonlinear finite element model (FEM) was developed by using the ABAQUS package for glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite channel columns, which included geometric and initial geometric imperfections. The developed FEMs were verified against an experimental result available in the literature for GFRP channel columns. The validated FEMs were used to carry out the parametric study comprising 61 FE models to investigate the effect of different geometries, plate slenderness and the length of members on the axial capacities of GFRP pultruded channel columns. The results obtained from the parametric study were used to examine the accuracy of the current Italian guidelines, American pre-standard and the Direct Strength Method (DSM) proposed in the literature for GFRP channel profiles. Based on the obtained results, the suitability of the current design guidelines is assessed and, also, a new set of design equations is proposed to estimate the axial capacity of the pultruded GFRP channel columns. The new proposed set of reliable design equations witnessed a less scattered and a high degree of accuracy in determining the axial load capacity of the pultruded GFRP composite channel columns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Construction: Advancing Sustainability through Prefabrication)

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14 pages, 2162 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Circular Economy of Steel Roofing and Cladding and Its Environmental Impacts—A Case Study for New Zealand

by Krishanu Roy, Aflah Alamsah Dani, Vince Say, Zhiyuan Fang and James B. P. Lim

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16832; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416832 - 15 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1708

Abstract

This paper investigates the environmental impacts of two commonly used steel roofing and wall-cladding products in New Zealand over their life cycle, taking into consideration the recycling process. The recycling process of steel is in line with the Circular Economy (CE) approach, where the goal is to prolong the material’s lifetime and possibly reduce its environmental impacts and material waste. Although the benefit of recycling steel is well recognised, the environmental impact values of different specific steel products cannot be generalised and need to be estimated. For this, life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) were implemented to quantify the environmental impacts of the investigated steel products and to analyse the significance of the recycling process in reducing the impacts on the environment. This study considered modules C1–C4 and D to estimate the impacts of steel products. It was found that the recycled steel materials have an effect on reducing the environmental impacts, particularly the global warming potential (GWP) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), both of which were negative and of −2.36 × 10⁶ kg CO₂eq and −8.10 × 10² kg C₂H₄eq, respectively. However, it is important to note that not all impacts were reduced by recycling steel, which creates trade-offs within each impact indicator. In addition, when compared with locally sourced material cladding, the imported material cladding had a 6% higher negative impact value for both GWP and POCP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shifting Construction: Advancing Sustainability through Prefabrication)

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