Concrete to Composites: Exploring Sustainable Alternatives for a Resilient Construction Industry

The construction industry has a vital role to play in human progress but has historically consumed an unparalleled share of raw materials and has been a major source of energy use, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from conventional concrete and cement in most buildings, has had catastrophic and irreversible impacts on the environment. With global concerns about environmental degradation while encouraging a path toward sustainability, more research has been devoted to investigating sustainable and eco-friendly materials in construction. This study comprehensively reviews conventional and sustainable construction materials—namely concrete, steel, wood, composites, and alternatives (bamboo, engineered wood, polymer concrete, cement-stabilized rammed earth, bamboo Fiber geopolymer, recycled composites, optimized concrete mixes, and waste steel slag). Key mechanical properties regarding the materials—compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength—are analysed, as well as the environmental properties—renewability, recyclability, and energy efficiency. Laboratory exploration, life cycle assessments, and comparative evaluations provide evidence for both the performance and environmental sustainability benefits of these sustainable materials. This study also emphasizes the critical need to reorient the research agenda for construction materials, shifting focus from mechanical performance only to considerations of environmental sustainability in keeping with global initiatives (i.e., Millennium Development Goals or MDGs). This paper also looks at future directions such as the role of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and building certification systems (i.e., LEED) in supporting green construction. In general, this study provides helpful information for architects, engineers, and building policy makers as it will be useful in future development of sustainable building concepts that seek to create a greener and more resilient built environment.