Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Engineering

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Publisher

Taylor & Francis

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ISSN

1939-7046
1939-7038

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2021 - 20253
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Publications 1 - 3 of 3
  • A literature review of measurement methods for building designs that enable higher-value resource recovery: the circular economy potential framework
    Item type: Journal Article
    Sibenik, Goran; Sanchez, Benjamin; Stouffs, Rudi; et al. (2025)
    International Journal of Sustainable Engineering
    The construction sector is a major contributor to global raw material and land use, wasteproduction, and water and energy consumption. Despite overall high consumption,some built structures are more sustainable than others; particularly, some contributeto the circular economy, supporting repeated use of construction resources. It isa reasonable assumption that the way in which built structures have been configuredinfluences the potential to circulate integrated construction resources. However, whichconfigurations influence this potential, and which methods exist to measure this influ-ence, remains unclear. This paper presents a review of 32 quantitative methods tomeasure configurations that influence circular economy potential, identified from 73 research works collected through PRISMA and snowballing approaches. To address thefragmentation identified in this niche area of study, our paper provides a structured viewof the literature by proposing a Circular Economy Potential framework that aligns designstrategies, tiers of built assets, and circular economy resource flows. We then identifygaps in the literature and discuss opportunities and limitations towards a more holisticapproach to quantifying a built asset’s circular economy potential. This will serve asa foundation for our development of a measurement method and tool for circulareconomy potential going forward.
  • A sustainable alternative to traditional building materials: assessing stabilised soil blocks for performance and cost in Malawi
    Item type: Journal Article
    Hershey, Rachel; Kalina, Marc; Kafodya, Innocent; et al. (2023)
    International Journal of Sustainable Engineering
    Within Malawi, and across the Global South, the adoption of stabilised soil blocks (SSBs) as a sustainable alternative to burnt clay bricks, has been hindered by the high cost of stabilisers. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the performance of cement as a stabiliser in soil stabilised blocks, and to propose cement ratios which both reduce the material cost while meeting building requirements for local applications. Using a brick production method replicable within a rural African context, we tested a range of cement contents for dry compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption properties. Our findings suggest that a cement content of 3.6% is adequate for single-story building applications, four times lower than that currently used in compressed brick production within the study area. Moreover, the elimination of the firing process – which represents half of burnt brick production costs – and the proposed cement ratios correspond to large cost savings, ranging from 20% to 77% depending on building application, for brick producers. These results suggest that the cost of manufacturing stabilised soil blocks can be considerably reduced and thus become financially viable; however further innovation is needed to achieve a sustainable means of production and use.
  • Innovating traditional building materials in Chembe, Malawi: assessing post-consumer waste glass and burnt clay bricks for performance and circularity
    Item type: Journal Article
    Mahdjoub, Noredine; Kalina, Marc; Augustine, Alex; et al. (2021)
    International Journal of Sustainable Engineering
    Across the Global South, post-consumer waste glass is an often dumped, and under-utilised resource. Even in Malawi, with widespread return schemes, many barriers exist, inhibiting reuse, and necessitating appropriate solutions. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the performance of post-consumer waste glass as a coarse aggregate within burnt clay bricks, and to assess the feasibility for the recovery of this waste material from dumped stocks within Chembe. Using a brick design and testing methodology, which could be replicated within a rural African context, we tested a range of glass additions (both quantity and size of particle) for compressive strength and water absorption properties. Our results suggest that waste glass can function as a performance enhancer, with positive effects on compressive strength observed at up to 10% crushed waste glass content. These findings support existing literature on glass waste additions, yet show that optimal results can also be had with post-consumer waste glass and in low income, and less technology-reliant contexts. Moreover, our findings suggest that current above-ground stocks of waste glass are sufficient to support the production of hybrid building materials for decades, however further innovation is necessary in order to achieve a sustainable mode of practice.
Publications 1 - 3 of 3