Advancements in Sustainable Building Materials for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure in Coastal Regions

Abstract

Coastal regions are increasingly vulnerable to climate related stressors such as increases in sea level, salt exposure and intense weather patterns. This implies that we must create infrastructure materials that are long-lasting and environmental friendly. This paper experimentally evaluated the innovations in sustainable building materials of climate-resistant infrastructure within coastal environments using a mixed-methods approach. Mechanical performance, survival under simulated marine conditions, resistance to chloride penetration and corrosion, and life-cycle testing measured embodied carbon and energy effects, and the response of quantitative laboratory and pilot-scale tests to mechanical testing. The findings indicate that sustainable material systems are more effective in preventing moisture, chloride, and equivalent damage of concrete materials over time compared to ordinary materials, such as geopolymer concretes, recycled aggregates composite, and bioreinforced material. This does not impact on strength of the structure. Environmental research indicated that embodied carbon reduced significantly and therefore, climate adaptation and mitigation are both beneficial. Huge construction capability and adherence to the coastal engineering criteria were also indicated by qualitative evaluations. In general, the findings indicate that sustainable building materials are one of the significant steps towards constructing robust, low impact coastal infrastructure. They will provide a scientifically tested substitute of conventional construction materials in the light of increasing risks of climate change.