AHFE Open AccessSustainable Construction in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Editors: Clinton Aigbavboa, Benita Zulch, Wellington Thwala
Topics: Sustainable Urban Planning and Infrastructure
Publication Date: 2025
ISBN: 978-1-964867-63-2
DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005998
Articles
'Effective use of fly ash as a binder in concrete pavement: A case study of U.A.E. airport
Concrete pavements are essential for modern airport infrastructure's strength, longevity, and load capacity. A precise relationship between laboratory and field strength is essential to guarantee structural integrity. Thorough testing is necessary to verify real-world performance, even with standardized mix design standards. Although fly ash-modified concrete has been well recognized for its increased sustainability and durability, laboratory and in-situ strength variations make it challenging to predict real-world performance. In this work, laboratory performance tests were used to compare and assess the performance of fly ash-modified concrete mixtures and field cores produced in the lab and the field for use in an airport pavement application in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E). This study employed an experimental approach, including 15% fly ash replacement levels under varied curing conditions, to assess their influence on strength development. Specimens underwent controlled laboratory testing, and core samples from the actual pavement site were tested to compare the laboratory test results with the field data. The field core compressive strength results showed a steady increase in strength with time, varying from 27MPa at 7 days to 41MPa at 90 days. This confirms that fly ash improves strength and durability over the long term, and curing greatly impacts early-age strength. Also, the visual inspection verified the lack of defects, while rebound hammer testing further confirmed the pavement's consistency and dependability, confirming the efficiency of the mix design and construction process. Thus, incorporating fly ash as a cement substitute in concrete pavement production satisfies field strength and durability requirements with minimal discrepancies and helps achieve U.A.E sustainability goals by lowering conventional cement-based concrete's carbon footprint in the construction industry.
Orwa Alward Zaidan Khalaf, Noor Habib, Yasemin Nielsen, Ashraf Al Ashram
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
Feasibility and Conceptual Design of Portable Nanofiber Membrane Water Purification Tablets
This study investigates the feasibility and design of portable nanofiber membrane water purification tablets, emphasizing filtration efficiency, scalability, and adaptability in resource-limited and emergency scenarios. Key factors such as membrane pore size, water quality improvement, durability, and cost-effectiveness are analyzed for optimal performance. The proposed design aims to address challenges related to traditional water purification systems by offering a lightweight, portable, and effective solution for clean water needs.
Ronghan Wang, Wenjing Li, Dehe Yao
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
Innovative Pathways to Sustainable Housing in Nigeria: Decarbonization, Human Factors, and Institutional Transformation
This study addresses the urgent need for sustainable housing in Nigeria, focusing on the transformative potential of Circular Economy (CE) principles to address interconnected challenges of decarbonization, human factors, and institutional transformation. With a significant housing deficit and high carbon emissions from the construction sector, theresearch emphasizes building with the end in mind and embedding sustainability as a core value in housing practices.Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study examines policy documents, models carbon emissions, and surveys behavioural factors to understand barriers to sustainablehousing adoption. Comparative analysis with Finland and Germany reveals diverse CE adoption strategies, offering Nigeria an opportunity to turn challenges into opportunities byformalizing grassroots practices and developing tailored policies. The research also highlights the need to deepen connections between homes and ecosystems, advocating forhomes that better reflect societal values and foster harmony with nature.A critical gap in Nigeria’s housing sector lies in the end-of-life phase. The study proposes integrating “EoL wills” to manage material reuse and recycling, aligning with globaldecarbonization goals and laying the foundation for a Circular Building Label in Nigeria. This label would track residential emissions, incorporate decarbonization strategies, and measure sustainable traits through psychometric tools, pushing the boundaries of how sustainability is assessed.Timely with COP29’s focus on climate justice, this research emphasizes the importance of cultivating sustainability traits like reciprocity and delayed gratification, addressing behavioural barriers, and integrating institutional reforms. By harmonizing decarbonization pathways, human factors, and institutional dynamics, this paper provides actionable insights to advance long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s housing sector. The findings shift the focus from government-driven solutions to individual responsibility, offering a bottom-up roadmap for creating homes that embody personal values, foster societal improvement, and harmonize with ecosystems, making the research applicable to other nations in the Global South.
Olumide Ayanrinde, Jeffrey Mahachi
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
Long-term performance assessment of houses built with Innovative Building Technologies: Insights from housing innovation hubs in South Africa
The durability and resilience of houses constructed with Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs) play a pivotal role in ensuring sustainable and cost-effective housing solutions. This study evaluates the long-term performance of houses built approximately 20 years ago at housing innovation hubs in South Africa. These houses, constructed using various IBTs such as prefabricated modular systems, Sandwich Insulated Panels (SIPs), and compressed earth blocks, were deliberately left unmaintained in some cases to assess their natural deterioration over time. This research aims to analyse these technologies' performance under real-world conditions and provide insights into their viability as sustainable housing solutions. Key objectives include identifying critical performance attributes, evaluating maintenance's role, and highlighting certification's relevance in ensuring long-term resilience. The findings underscore the importance of Agrѐment South Africa as a certification authority. Certified technologies demonstrated superior resilience, while uncertified technologies exhibited significant deterioration, often reaching unacceptable levels. Environmental factors such as temperature variations, humidity, and moisture penetration emerged as critical determinants of long-term performance, affecting structural integrity and habitability. This study recommends integrating long-term performance evaluations into the certification process for IBTs, emphasizing attributes such as resistance to environmental stresses and lifecycle durability. Furthermore, it advocates for regular monitoring and maintenance protocols to enhance the longevity of innovative housing solutions. The findings also highlight the need to incorporate lessons from these performance assessments into the design and implementation of future housing technologies to ensure sustainable and resilient built environments. Examining the successes and shortcomings of existing IBTs, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry practitioners, and researchers, contributing to the advancement of sustainable housing practices in South Africa and beyond.
Jeffrey Mahachi
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
Factors Influencing Student Housing Preferences: An Analysis of Communes and PBSAs in Johannesburg
Housing for students constitutes a prominent part of urban real estate markets, which is especially true in areas where a university with a large student population is located. Student accommodation demand has increased due to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)'s transition from loans to grants, which were allocated as a result of higher university admission rates. The students at the University of Johannesburg campus in APK primarily reside in communes in Brixton or the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSAs) in Auckland Park. The PBSAs are superior; nevertheless, many students prefer to live in the communes. This study endeavoured to analyse the elemental factors of student housing preferences. The research employed a quantitative survey that was carried out among the students staying in communes and PBSAs and focused on the issues of preferences and satisfaction. A Preference Instrument: SAPI Dimension formed the structure of the survey. The findings were that high preference rates were mainly related to the affordability, social environments, and proximity to informal transport networks that communes offered. Key facilities consisted of moderate-sized houses, unlimited Wi-Fi, and shared spaces. PBSAs are recognised for superior security, contemporary facilities like gyms and study areas, and visual attractiveness. The findings further indicated that communal living arrangements in communes cultivate an environment of bonding and social communication, particularly during collective activities, such as cooking. The results suggest that property managers should recognise these choices to enable the high occupancy ratio in rental properties. A subsequent investigation would be helpful in understanding information asymmetries and probable differential pricing strategies.
Faith Dowelani, Mohamed Suliman Gardee
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
The Reliability of the Discomfort Survey Component within the Discomfort Survey and Postural Assessment (DiSPA) Tool, Applied on Construction Workers
There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among road construction workers with attendant consequences. Although several tools have been developed in the past to assess MSD risk factors for MSD prevention, the Discomfort Survey and Postural Assessment Tool (DiSPA) has been designed to accommodate more MSD risk factors, combine discomfort survey with postural assessment and assess the entire body. The reliability of the Postural Assessment component of DiSPA has been tested previously in a pilot test. This paper aims to present and discuss the pilot study results of the reliability test for the Discomfort Survey component of DiSPA. Features of the Discomfort Survey include a body map with a body segment graph, risk matrix and a rating table. A test-retest test is conducted to check the reliability of the Discomfort Survey section of the DiSPA tool. 10 construction workers from different trades are assessed using the discomfort survey arm of DiSPA. The results show good reliability of the tool. Insights and findings from the study are presented. The reliability test disagreements and agreements are discussed for further improvement of the tool.
Uchenna Okoro, Kenneth Lawani, Billy Hare
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
Advancing Construction Innovation: Bibliometric Insights into Large Language Models in the Construction Industry
Large Language Models (LLMs) have revolutionised industries worldwide, and the construction industry is no exception. LLMs enhance digital solutions for construction design and management. It further promotes stakeholder collaborations and assists decision-making by processing large datasets and evaluating embedded systems in modular designs. This study explores the impact of LLMs in the construction industry through a bibliometric analysis of 24 documents retrieved using the Elsevier Scopus database with keywords “Large,” AND “Language,” AND “Models,” AND “Construction,” AND “Industry” spanning from 2000 to 2024. Using the VOSviewer software, the research maps the bibliometric relationships among these documents to uncover key themes, trends, and research gaps in the application of LLMs in the construction industry. The analysis identifies four clusters with emerging themes: Digital solutions for construction design and management, Systems engineering and modular solutions for sustainable development, AI-driven language processing in construction modelling, and Automated information processing and compliance in large datasets. The findings also reveal significant gaps in research. Despite the evident potential of LLMs in streamlining construction industry processes, there is a significant research gap in addressing the customisation and domain-specific adaptation of LLMs to meet the specific requirements of the construction industry task. Existing studies primarily focus on generic applications of LLMs, such as information retrieval and data processing, but lack exploration into their tailored integration for complex tasks like regulatory compliance, modular construction optimisation, and sustainable development resilience. Furthermore, geographic limitations with the United States of America and China leading in research in existing literature highlight a lack of studies focused on developing countries, where the industry is rapidly growing but struggles with adopting digital innovations like LLMs. While the study provides valuable insights, it is limited by the relatively small dataset of 24 documents and the use of the Scopus search database and criteria. Future research could expand the dataset by including broader keywords or alternative databases and examine deeper into cross-regional comparisons. Notwithstanding these limitations, the study significantly contributes to the growing body of knowledge in understanding the integration of LLMs in the construction industry and provides a foundation for further exploration.
Nana Akua Gyadu-asiedu, Clinton Aigbavboa, Simon Ofori Ametepey, John Aliu
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
Transforming South African Cities: The Impact of Big Data Analytics on Smart City Initiatives
Technological advancement is rapidly changing the way cities operate. These advancements have led to the development of smart cities, which are data-driven cities designed to improve people's way of life. Analyzing the numerous data generated within cities can help drive the attainment of city smartness. Based on this knowledge, this study assessed the impact of big data analytics (BDA) on the attainment of smart cities in South Africa. This was done to propose policies guided by technological advances, such as BDA, in the quest for smart cities in the country. The study adopted a post-positivist stance with a quantitative design. Data gathered from participants with knowledge of innovative city development in the country were analyzed using relevant descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that the major sources of big data that can be analyzed for city smartness are sensor data, banking transactions and social networking sites, which can be gathered in a hybrid mode and controlled by the government and private entities. It was further noted that carefully analyzing these data using BDA would significantly impact smart transportation, grid, healthcare, governance, economy, and environment. The study contributes to the existing smart city discourse from the perspective of BDA adoption in a developing country. Its findings can serve as an excellent theoretical backdrop for future works in countries where such a study has not been conducted.
Thabang Tlou, Douglas Aghimien, Bankole Awuziew, Clinton Aigbavboa
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings
The Impact of Renewable Energy on a Grass-Based Biorefinery: Sustainability Assessment of Grass-Derived Proteins
The increasing global demand for sustainable protein sources has driven interest in grass protein as an alternative to conventional animal- and plant-based proteins. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of grass protein production using an attributional Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) approach. The analysis employs the Pasture-to-Plate (P2P) mechanochemical process, which integrates multiple unit operations to optimize protein extraction and processing efficiency. The LCA follows a cradle-to-gate system boundary, assessing key environmental impact categories such as global warming potential, land use, water consumption, acidification, eutrophication, and human toxicity. Results indicate that producing 1 kg of grass protein is associated with 0.546 kg CO2-eq, with feedstock production contributing the most significant share of the environmental burden. The study identifies critical process inefficiencies and proposes strategies for optimization, including improved agricultural practices, energy-efficient drying methods, and circular resource utilization. By enhancing production sustainability, grass protein can emerge as a viable alternative to conventional protein sources, supporting the development of resilient and eco-friendly food systems.
Anne Wambui Mumbi, Karl Behrendt, Eric Siqueiros
Open Access
Article
Conference Proceedings