Vol.1,No.2,2025-Table of Contents
- OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE
- Size effect on the compressive properties of wood-plastic composite
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.1,No.2,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2025.000010 Online published:2025-12-17
- Abstract Wood-plastic composite (WPC) is a kind of composite material made from a mixture of natural plant materials such as wood fibers or wood powder and special additives. The compressive strength is one of the main mechanical properties of WPC, which can be influenced by many factors. In this paper, the size effect is investigated by testing WPC specimens with proportional size and the same cross-section and different heights. The effect of specimen size on load bearing capacity, deformation capacity and strain distribution was analyzed. Based on the test data, three groups of stress-strain models for WPC were proposed. Based on Weibull brittle fracture theory, the relationship between the volume (height) parameter and compressive strength is calculated and analyzed by the parameter method, which can serve as a reference for research in related fields.… More
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- A review of sargassum seaweeds' application in the development of eco-friendly building materials
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.1,No.2,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2025.000012 Online published:2025-12-17
- Abstract The recent influx of sargassum seaweeds is exerting adverse ecological and socioeconomic footprints on coastal communities in the Caribbean and West African countries. These recurring events have gained worldwide attention, paving the way for intense research and management efforts. Sargassum seaweeds possess several compounds and derivatives, which make them useful additions in the textile, food, pharmaceutical, biofuel, agriculture, chemicals, cosmetics, and medical sectors. Unfortunately, limited studies detail the application of these seaweeds in construction, where environmentally friendly materials with low embodied energy are currently desirable. This article focuses on the practical use and previous work of researchers on sargassum seaweed in construction, focusing on building materials. The study employed a rigorous approach to obtain relevant studies. It highlighted the various compositions and derivatives after sargassum biomass valorizing and their influence on the properties of building materials. Although this article will serve as a reference for practitioners and future research, it also reveals the resourcefulness of sargassum seaweeds in the development of sustainable materials for construction applications.… More
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- Influence of soil characteristics on the compressive strength of cement-stabilized earth blocks: statistical and machine learning insights
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.1,No.2,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2025.000011 Online published:2025-12-17
- Abstract This study investigates using machine learning techniques to predict the compressive strength of cement-stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs). CSEBs are a promising sustainable construction material, but their compressive strength depends on various soil characteristics. Accurately predicting this strength is crucial for design and construction purposes. The research analyzes the influence of several soil properties, including particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, and compaction test results, on the compressive strength of CSEBs. For this purpose, experimental program was conducted using nine different soils and three different cement contents to prepare the CSEBs. Additionally, it explores the efficacy of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model in predicting this strength based on these soil characteristics. The findings reveal that cement content significantly impacts compressive strength, followed by other factors like the coefficient of curvature, sand content, and liquid limit. Utilizing SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis allows for interpreting the model and identifying the key features influencing its predictions. Focusing on a reduced set of crucial features identified through SHAP analysis can maintain acceptable prediction accuracy while reducing data acquisition efforts. This research signifies the potential of machine learning, particularly ANN models, for accurately predicting the compressive strength of CSEBs based on their soil properties. This advancement can contribute to the efficient and sustainable development of constructions utilizing CSEBs.… More
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- Influence of recycled materials as partial replacement of natural sand on the behavior of sustainable concrete
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.1,No.2,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2025.000009 Online published:2025-12-17
- Abstract The primary goal of the current paper is to evaluate the viability of the sustainable concrete (S.C) made of waste glass sand (WGS) and waste plastic sand (WPS). This paper looks at concrete mixtures as follow: the first group (5%, 10%, and 15%) WGS as the sand replacement and Group Two (5%, 10%, and 15%) WPS as a natural sand replacement, and finally, group three HRS where, (5%, 10%, and 15%) of WSP/WGS were evaluated as sand substitutes. Tests were done on the concrete to ensure that the tested concrete's behavior was within expectations. Among these tests are the slump test, compressive strength test, indirect tensile strength test, flexural strength, and elastic modulus test. The results showed that using WGS and WPS together improved the slump of the concrete mixtures. Adding WPS or HRS to concrete mixes enhanced the mechanical properties, and Compressive strength increased, reaching a maximum of 52.05 MPa after partially substituting natural sand with WGS-10% of sand. And finally, when replacement ratios were high, the results showed that the concrete's compressive strength decreased when WGS-15% and WPS-15 % were substituted at 9.85% and 14.45% respectively.… More
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- Enhancing water resistance of PET composite board with spent garnet and sand
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.1,No.2,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2025.000008 Online published:2025-12-17
- Abstract This study focuses on the development and optimisation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) composite boards incorporating spent garnet (SG) and sand as fillers to enhance water resistance and overall performance. The experimental design was conducted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) under the Central Composite Design (CCD) framework to evaluate the effects of two key parameters: the binder-to-filler ratio and the SG-to-sand ratio. A total of thirteen experimental runs were performed to examine compressive strength, thermal conductivity, and water absorption. The inclusion of SG up to an optimum proportion improved matrix densification and reduced water uptake. Among the developed statistical models, the water-absorption model achieved an R² value of 0.97, demonstrating strong predictive reliability. The optimum mix composition produced a minimum water-absorption value of 0.30%, significantly lower than the >0.50% reported for conventional PET composites. The optimisation process yielded a desirability value of 1.000, confirming model adequacy. The optimised PET–SG–sand composite exhibited enhanced moisture resistance and thermal stability, demonstrating the potential of utilising industrial-waste SG as a sustainable filler for PET-based construction materials.… More
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- Sustainability assessment of marine RC structures containing mid to high volume supplementary cementitious materials
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.1,No.2,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2025.000007 Online published:2025-12-17
- Abstract Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures in marine environments deteriorate rapidly due to chloride-induced corrosion, requiring performance-based mix and cover design for environmental sustainability and reduced life-cycle costs (LCC). A probabilistic performance-based framework is presented in this study to predict and compare the service life, LCC and equivalent carbon dioxide emissions (CO2-e) of concrete mixes with different binder compositions in harsh marine exposures. Concrete mixes with varying proportions of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash and slag were tested for strength, chloride diffusion, and electrical resistivity. Using the results, a probabilistic analysis was conducted on a typical coastal structure with a 50-year design service life considering a range of commonly practiced covers. The time-dependent failure probabilities for initiation and propagation were evaluated using Monte Carlo Simulation, applying patch repair when the first corrosion-induced crack appears. Material Sustainability Indicators (MSI) were assessed in terms of LCC and lifetime carbon emissions. The findings demonstrate that a 25% fly ash replacement notably enhanced the cost-effectiveness of structures by delaying the time to cracking and reducing the repair frequency. Combined with larger cover, high volume replacement led to a reduction of around 60% in CO2 emissions. This research highlights the need for performance-based mix designs to minimize long-term costs and environmental impact for RC structures in harsh, marine exposure.… More
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