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        <title>Frontiers in Built Environment | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/built-environment</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Built Environment | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-24T17:56:34.924+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1799741</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1799741</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A spatial digital twin framework for urban built environments: case studies in Victoria, Australia]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Abbas Rajabifard</author><author>Behnam Atazadeh</author><author>Yiqun Chen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[With the fast-growing population and expansion of urban areas, spatial information plays a vital role in addressing location-specific problems in global challenges such as climate change, equitable land access, social inclusion, infrastructure resilience and environmental protection. There is a significant need for design and development of an integrated approach that leverages emerging and innovative spatial technologies to tackle these pressing issues. In this context, this paper presents the design, implementation, and operational deployment of a spatial digital twin (SDT) framework for urban built environments, demonstrated through three working case studies in Victoria, Australia. The framework integrates heterogeneous datasets from multiple institutional custodians—Vicmap, local councils, Land Use Victoria, Melbourne Water, and industry partners—through a cloud-based loosely-coupled architecture underpinned by open geospatial consortium (OGC) standards (OGC API Features/Maps/3D Tiles, SensorThings API), CityGML and Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). The platform uses a PostgreSQL/PostGIS database to store spatial data, Apache Kafka and Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) to manage real-time data streams, and a React–CesiumJS web interface for 3D visualisation. It is deployed on the NeCTAR Research Cloud. Case studies include the Development Envelope Control (DEC) system for automated rule-based generation of compliant building envelopes, PedDesign for simulating pedestrian movement in dense urban environments, and a decision-support tool for stormwater capacity in urban catchments. The paper discusses the technical and institutional challenges of realising SDTs and outlines future pathways for integrating SDTs into wider future-city strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1801797</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1801797</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effects of sand content and grain size on the compression behaviour of clayey sand]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Bo Wu</author><author>Zhu Liang</author><author>Hailong Hu</author><author>Suoyu Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[While extensive studies have been conducted on the compressibility of clay and sand, soils commonly encountered in natural environments or hydraulic reclamation projects are often gap-graded mixtures of coarse and fine particles, such as sand-clay or granular-fine mixtures. However, research on the compressibility of such special soils remains limited—particularly regarding the influence of sand particle size. To address this issue, sand-clay mixtures with varying sand-to-clay ratios, water contents, and three distinct sand size fractions (fine, medium, coarse) were prepared and subjected to one-dimensional consolidation tests to investigate their compression behavior and clarify the formation mechanism of the coarse-grained skeleton. The results indicate that the compression characteristics of the mixtures differ from those of conventional cohesive soils. Although the normalized index, the void index Iv, commonly used to evaluate the compressibility of pure clay, can be extended to sand-clay mixtures, distinct differences exist in the normalized compression behavior between pure clay and the mixtures, demonstrating its limited applicability. This discrepancy is fundamentally due to the formation of a sand skeleton in the mixtures under load. Before skeleton formation, compression is controlled by the clay, whereas after formation, it is governed by the sand skeleton. Using an established four-phase system for sand-clay mixtures and the parameters of clay void ratio and sand void ratio, this study quantifies, for the first time, how sand particle size influences skeleton formation thresholds. The critical stress for skeleton initiation increases with sand particle size, while the corresponding sand void ratio at formation decreases. SEM imaging provides microstructural validation of these particle size effects. The findings contribute to understanding the compression mechanism of sand-clay mixtures and offer valuable insights for settlement prediction in such soil foundations, particularly where sand gradation varies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1773931</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1773931</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Comparison of wake oscillator models with different coupling schemes for vortex-induced vibrations]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yunli Feng</author><author>Sunwei Li</author><author>Daoyi Chen</author><author>Tianxue Sun</author><author>Yu Meng</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Wake oscillator models are commonly employed to predict vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) of cylindrical structures. Based on discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of the coupling schemes, a combined acceleration-velocity coupling scheme is proposed on empirical grounds in the present study. Vibrations of the elastically mounted cylinder are simulated using both the proposed and other two conventional coupling schemes (velocity and acceleration coupling). The influences of different coupling schemes on the prediction of the VIV are compared with one degree-of-freedom in cross flow direction. The numerical results are also compared against available experiments. Our results show that the proposed coupling scheme can better predict the lock-in boundary in the velocity-amplitude plane and successfully reproduce the phase jump which was observed in the experimental data. Nevertheless, the proposed scheme does not outperform acceleration coupling in predicting peak lock-in amplitudes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1850869</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1850869</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Urban heritage as climate intelligence: translating traditional urban morphology in AlUla into contemporary resilience frameworks]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mohammed Mashary Alnaim</author><author>Mashary Abdullah Alnaim</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionUrban environments in hot-arid regions are increasingly exposed to thermal stress that undermines walkability, outdoor usability, and district-scale environmental comfort. While contemporary responses emphasize building-level technological solutions, historic urban fabrics demonstrate that climatic adaptation can be embedded within urban morphology. This study reconceptualizes urban heritage as climate intelligence, examining how traditional spatial configurations regulate thermal exposure and support resilient pedestrian environments.MethodsUsing AlUla Old Town in north-western Saudi Arabia as a district-scale case study, the research adopts a qualitative–analytical morphological approach. The study applies a structured codebook linking spatial features, such as compact blocks, hierarchical street networks, enclosure, permeability, nodes, and thresholds to inferred climatic mechanisms and resilience outcomes. Analysis is based on mapped morphology, visual documentation, and literature-grounded environmental interpretation.ResultsFindings indicate that climatic resilience emerges cumulatively through the relational organization of urban form. Compact block aggregation contributes to thermal buffering; hierarchical and redundant circulation networks enable protected pedestrian continuity; enclosed narrow lanes reduce solar exposure; and distributed nodes and layered thresholds create comfort gradients and adaptive transitions. These elements collectively support shaded route continuity, microclimatic stabilization, and sustained walkability at the district scale.DiscussionThe study demonstrates that environmental performance in hot-arid contexts can be structurally embedded within urban fabric rather than added through technological systems. By synthesizing observed form–climate relationships, the research develops a four-tier resilience framework linking morphological inputs, climatic mechanisms, resilience outcomes, and design and policy actions. This framework provides a transferable pathway for integrating heritage-derived spatial intelligence into contemporary urban design and governance, emphasizing that durable climate adaptation depends on how districts are spatially composed rather than solely on building-level interventions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1825552</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1825552</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Research on AI-assisted generation of jiangnan classical garden architectural scenes based on LLM and LDM]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Methods</category>
        <author>Zhen Li</author><author>Qun Zhao</author><author>Lu Dong</author><author>Minkai Sun</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Classical garden visualization commonly suffers from high production cost, time-consuming production processes, and low efficiency in iterative design. To address these limitations, this study proposes a domain-oriented AI-assisted design framework for Jiangnan classical garden architectural scenes based on a large language model (LLM) and a latent diffusion model (LDM). Rather than emphasizing the generic combination of LLMs and diffusion models, the study focuses on constructing a workflow that links natural-language parsing, structured semantic representation, distributed LoRA-based coordinated generation, and multi-level evaluation within a strongly domain-constrained design context. Specifically, the LLM is fine-tuned through supervised fine-tuning using classical garden literature and standardized samples to generate structured prompts aligned with professional design semantics, while a distributed hierarchical LoRA strategy is applied to the LDM to separate architectural morphology control from environment-level scene expression. A trigger-word-based coordination mechanism further supports rule-driven invocation and dynamic weighting of architectural and environmental LoRA models. Through this framework, the study seeks to address the unstable architectural type recognition, insufficient spatial-semantic mapping, and stylistic deviation often observed when general-purpose generation models are applied to traditional garden architectural scenes. Evaluation results indicate that more than 75% of the generated images reach a professionally usable level in spatial organization and artistic-conception restoration, while over 80% exhibit traditional garden aesthetics and visual authenticity. The proposed framework improves generation efficiency and provides a domain-oriented technical pathway for controllable generation, design iteration, design communication, and literature-informed reconstruction of Jiangnan classical garden scenes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1769621</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1769621</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Setting time, compressive strength, and microstructural characterization of high early strength cement mortars containing metakaolin, calcium nitrate and triethanolamine]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Polipati Ananyachandran</author><author>Manikandan Periyasamy</author><author>Avuluri Vijaya Bhaskar</author><author>M. Helen Santhi</author><author>U. Johnson Alengaram</author><author>V. Vasugi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The experimental investigation encompassed the development of predictive models for the setting time and compressive strength of high early strength cement mortars (HESCM) incorporating metakaolin (MK), calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), and triethanolamine (C6H15NO3) at 1, 3, 7, and 28 days intervals using artificial neural networks (ANN). A total of 63 mix combinations were prepared, varying the ratios of MK (5, 10, and 15% replacement of cement), Ca(NO3)2, and C6H15NO3. The ANN models were configured with three parameters: the MK replacement ratio, the Ca(NO3)2 ratio, and the C6H15NO3 ratio. Furthermore, the characterization and microstructural examination of HESCM were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X- ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X- ray diffraction (XRD) analysis under acrylic resin based chemical curing. The results from experimental and training phases indicate that the ANN system exhibits significant potential in predicting the setting time and compressive strength of HESCM incorporating MK, Calcium Nitrate, and Triethanolamine.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1851489</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1851489</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mechanical performance and sustainability of GGBS-blended cementitious mortars for resilient construction]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Christina El Sawda</author><author>Mohamad Ali-Ahmad</author><author>Nadine Dirani</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundCement production is a significant source of global CO2 emissions, driving the need for sustainable alternatives in construction. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) has emerged as a promising supplementary cementitious material; however, its performance across wide replacement ranges and its combined environmental and economic implications remain insufficiently characterised, particularly in hot and arid climatic contexts such as the Gulf region.MethodsNine mortar mixes incorporating GGBS as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) were prepared at replacement levels ranging from 5% to 100%. Compressive and flexural strength were assessed at 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analyses were conducted to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of each mix over its service life.ResultsReplacement levels between 20% and 30% yielded optimal compressive strength, surpassing the OPC control at 28 days. Higher replacement levels enhanced flexural strength, though the highest recorded values require further validation. LCA results confirmed a progressive reduction in CO2 emissions with increasing GGBS content, while LCC analysis demonstrated improved cost efficiency relative to the OPC reference.DiscussionA 30% GGBS replacement level is identified as the optimal balance between mechanical performance, environmental benefit, and economic efficiency. These findings support the adoption of GGBS-blended mortars as viable, sustainable alternatives to conventional OPC-based construction materials in the Gulf region and comparable climatic environments.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1718269</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1718269</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Hierarchical modeling of cooling system failure drivers in Saudi Arabian schools using an integrated RII-ISM method]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mohammad A. Hassanain</author><author>Fawaz S. Almutairi</author><author>Adel Alshibani</author><author>Abdulwahab S. AlQanas</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study examines the principal drivers of cooling system failures in Saudi Arabian schools and their interrelationships over the project life cycle. A literature review identified 26 drivers, which were categorized into five phases: programming, design, construction and installation, commissioning, and operation and maintenance. A questionnaire survey targeting 90 stakeholders, including HVAC designers, facilities managers, and HVAC contractors, was conducted to assess the importance of these drivers using the Relative Importance Index (RII). Stakeholder agreement was examined using Spearman’s rank correlation. The study adopts an integrated mixed-methods framework that combines the RII with Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM). RII is first used to determine the ranks of the identified drivers upon their relative importance. The highest-ranked drivers are then analysed using ISM to develop a hierarchical model. The RII–ISM integration provides a structured pathway from importance ranking to causal modelling, enabling the identification of fundamental driving drivers and their cascading effects across the system. The findings indicate that “Insufficient budget for design, supply, and installation” is the most influential driver affecting cooling system failures, followed by “Insufficient expertise within the design team” and “Inappropriate equipment specifications”. The results demonstrate that cooling system failures arise not from isolated issues but from interconnected technical, financial, and managerial drivers spanning multiple project phases. The study contributes methodologically by demonstrating the value of integrating RII with ISM as a hierarchical mixed-methods framework for analysing complex infrastructure failures. It also offers practical mitigation strategies to support improved design, installation, and maintenance practices. These insights can assist HVAC professionals, facilities managers, and policymakers in optimizing resource allocation, improving system reliability, and enhancing indoor learning environments in regions with extreme climatic conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1805761</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1805761</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Risk management as a qualitative evaluation criterion in public procurement of construction works]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jana Korytárová</author><author>Vít Hromádka</author><author>Petr Marvan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This paper focuses on the application of risk management as a qualitative criterion for evaluating public construction contracts using the Best Value Approach (BVA). This method is being progressively implemented in the Czech Republic as a strategic tool to enhance the quality and efficiency of public procurement. The primary objective is to present the “Risk Assessment Plan” criterion and its role in improving project preparation. The analysis is based on practical experience gained from construction contracts executed by a specific public institution. The study examines the principles, parameters, and evaluation process of the “Risk Assessment Plan” criterion, assessing its functionality and effectiveness within the real-world context of the Czech public procurement environment. The criterion proved to be an effective tool, providing the contracting authority with direct insight into bidders’ capabilities to identify, describe, and manage project risks. Key findings include verification of the professional readiness and expertise of suppliers, effective transfer of market knowledge and experience into the project preparation process, a significant increase in the project’s readiness for the implementation phase and enhanced transparency and objectivity in the bid evaluation process. The article also highlights critical pitfalls and common mistakes made by both bidders and contracting authorities –notably the confusion between project-specific risks and general supplier risks, insufficient documentation structure, and a fundamental misunderstanding of the criterion’s purpose. Based on these observations, the paper provides methodological recommendations for the correct definition of the criterion, scoring mechanisms, and its subsequent use during project execution. The results confirm that a well‐structured risk management criterion is essential for more effective project delivery and overall higher standards in public construction works.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1810664</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1810664</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Recycled polymer fibers in concrete: a sustainability-focused review of environmental benefits and challenges]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Zehra Funda Akbulut</author><author>Soner Guler</author><author>Mehmet Akif Arvas</author><author>Faruk Osmanoğlu</author><author>Jozef Selín</author><author>Jozef Švajlenka</author><author>Taher A. Tawfik</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The growing demand for sustainable and low-carbon construction materials has intensified interest in incorporating waste-derived materials into cement-based systems. Among these alternatives, recycled polymer fibers (RPFs) obtained from post-consumer plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) have attracted increasing attention due to their potential to simultaneously mitigate plastic waste pollution and reduce the environmental footprint of concrete. This review critically evaluates recycled polymer fiber-reinforced concrete (RPFRC) from a sustainability perspective, with particular emphasis on environmental impacts rather than solely on mechanical performance enhancement. A comprehensive assessment of recent literature indicates that the use of recycled polymer fibers can substantially reduce environmental burdens associated with conventional fiber production. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies report that recycled polymer fibers may reduce energy consumption by approximately 40%–85% and decrease global warming potential by 25%–75% compared with virgin polymer fibers. In addition, the incorporation of recycled fibers reduces demand for virgin raw materials and supports circular economy strategies in construction materials. Despite these advantages, the environmental performance of RPFRC is strongly influenced by factors such as fiber processing methods, transportation distances, substitution efficiency, and system boundaries considered in LCA studies. Furthermore, variability in recycled fiber properties, lack of standardized specifications, and limited large-scale field validation remain important barriers to practical implementation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the environmental performance of RPFRC, identifies key research gaps, and outlines future directions to improve sustainability assessment frameworks and facilitate the broader adoption of recycled polymer fibers in concrete applications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1819075</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1819075</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Urban transformation and cultural heritage in the Turkic world: reassessing the Soviet urban heritage]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Nafisa Zakirovna Khayotova</author><author>Ruzigul Sharofovna Bozorova</author><author>Tolib Todjievich Safarov</author><author>Mokhichekhra Muzafarovna Alimova</author><author>Sanjar Aslonovich Muradov</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The transformation of Bukhara during the 20th century illustrates the paradoxical relationship between urban modernization and cultural heritage preservation in the Soviet Union. Following the Soviet annexation in 1920, Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by centuries-old Islamic urban structures of mahalla neighbourhoods, caravanserais, madrassas, and traditional courtyard houses, was progressively reorganized through successive master plans informed by Soviet principles of centralized planning, functional zoning, and the creation of socialist administrative centres. Although state protection mechanisms for individual monuments were formally introduced from the 1950s onwards, available scholarship indicates that approximately 350 of the roughly 500 ha of the city’s historic territory were substantially transformed during the Soviet period, with consequences that scholars have characterized as a significant disruption to the historic urban landscape in the sense developed by Bandarin and Van Oers. The review identifies three interpretive frameworks in the existing literature: a modernization narrative emphasizing infrastructure improvements; a preservation critique pointing to largely irreversible cultural losses; and an emerging, more nuanced perspective recognizing the paradoxical coexistence of monument protection and large-scale urban redevelopment. Based on a systematic examination of approximately 40 scholarly sources and archival materials, the review highlights critical research gaps, including limited comparative analysis across cities, insufficient documentation of the erosion of intangible heritage, and the absence of integrative analytical frameworks linking Soviet-era transformations to contemporary urban challenges.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1818560</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1818560</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Window-integrated photobioreactors: a proof-of-concept for green building retrofitting]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Frederic Radzio</author><author>Tim Nies</author><author>Lisa Fürtauer</author><author>Lars Lauterbach</author><author>Anna Barbara Matuszyńska</author>
        <description><![CDATA[A central challenge in achieving sustainable urban transformation is reducing the environmental impact of existing buildings, many of which were not designed to meet today’s sustainability standards. While integrating green infrastructure into new construction is increasingly feasible, retrofitting older structures presents significant technical and spatial constraints. We address this challenge by developing a proof-of-concept for integrating modular flat-panel photobioreactors into existing urban buildings. Photobioreactors cultivate photoautotrophic microorganisms that fix atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis, producing oxygen and biomass. We constructed a window-integrated prototype (124×85 cm) and installed it directly into a standard window frame at the Biology Building, RWTH Aachen University, Germany, without major structural modifications. Window integration offers distinct advantages over facade-mounted systems for retrofit applications which include elimination of structural reinforcements and reduced visual impact on building envelope, as existing structural openings can be used, and stable operating temperatures due to the integration with climate-controlled building interiors. Two sequential cultivation trials using Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (5-day window-installed and 20-day stand-alone tests) demonstrated biological activity while revealing critical technical barriers that must be addressed for continuous operation. This proof-of-concept successfully demonstrates the feasibility of window-integrated PBRs for building retrofit applications and establishes a research pathway for system optimization toward practical deployment.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1819493</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1819493</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A formalism for a general theory of subjective multi-domain indoor-environmental quality perception]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Hypothesis and Theory</category>
        <author>Ardeshir Mahdavi</author><author>Irene Martínez-Muñoz</author><author>Christiane Berger</author>
        <description><![CDATA[People can be asked to report their subjective appraisal of specific aspects or domains of indoor-environmental quality (IEQ) including thermal, visual, acoustic, and indoor air conditions in buildings. Specifically, subjective evaluations of these individual IEQ domains as well as the overall IEQ assessment can be obtained via constructs such as “satisfaction” or “comfort”. People can be also asked to provide their overall (or general) appraisal of IEQ. In this context, the present contribution poses the following question: Can people’s assessment of overall IEQ be predicted based on their assessments of individual IEQ aspects? This paper presents a theory and a related formalism to derive people’s overall satisfaction level with IEQ based on the application of weights to their domain-specific IEQ appraisals. Specifically, the theory postulates that domain-specific evaluations of IEQ conditions influence the resultant overall IEQ evaluation in a non-linear fashion, which cannot be fully captured via fixed weight assignments. As such, the weights are suggested not to be constants, but depend on the relative strength of the stimuli in a multi-domain indoor-environmental exposure situation. The paper outlines the concept behind and the elements of this “variable-weights” theory of subjective multi-domain IEQ perception and provides a formalism toward its operationalization. A path to the formalization of the theory is outlined and a preliminary empirical test of its performance is presented.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1813567</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1813567</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Synergistic densification strategy for sustainable high-performance concrete: a ternary binder packing framework]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Arava Lekhya</author><author>N. Senthil Kumar</author>
        <description><![CDATA[High-performance concrete (HPC) is widely recognised for its superior strength and durability, making it suitable for advanced infrastructure applications. However, the high cement content in HPC significantly contributes to CO2 emissions, emphasizing the need to develop sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the mechanical performance, durability characteristics, microstructural behavior, and eco-efficiency of HPC incorporating ultrafine fly ash (UFFA) and silica fume (SF). The particle packing behavior was evaluated using the Andreassen model (AM) and the modified Andreassen model (MAM) to optimize the particle size distribution (PSD) of blended HPC systems. The HPC mixes were analysed using 10% and 15% UFFA, with SF at 5%, 10%, and 15%. The characteristics of the HPC mixes were examined at 28, 56, and 90 days. The results showed that mixes U10S15 and U15S15 exhibited PSD curves close to the theoretical packing curves, achieving higher packing efficiencies of 98.7% and 98.72%, respectively. Among all the HPC mixtures, the mix U10S15 exhibited superior mechanical performance, achieving compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths of 104.28 MPa, 6.12 MPa, and 9.42 MPa, respectively, at 90 days. The durability assessment demonstrated that U10S15 exhibited the lowest capillary water absorption, reduced chloride-ion penetration, and improved resistance to chemical attack, indicating a refined pore structure and enhanced impermeability. The FESEM-EDAX analysis confirmed that the U10S15 mix exhibits a lower Ca/Si ratio of 0.17, indicating a denser microstructure with an improved interfacial transition zone in the system. Furthermore, the sustainability evaluation showed that the optimum U10S15 mix achieved a lower embodied CO2 index of 4.67 kg/MPa.m3 while maintaining a reasonable production cost. Overall, the results indicate that integrating particle‐packing optimization with a ternary binder system containing UFFA and SF provides an effective approach for producing sustainable, high-performance concrete.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1800344</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1800344</link>
        <title><![CDATA[An opinion on finely ground waste glass as a supplementary cementitious material: reactivity, performance, and sustainability]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Opinion</category>
        <author>Mario J. Romellón-Cerino</author><author>José C. Morales-Sala</author><author>Heriberto Cruz-Martínez</author><author>Victor A. Franco-Luján</author><author>Samuel Ramírez-Arrellanes</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1825321</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1825321</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Defining a strategic starting point for positive energy districts (PED) in developing cities: energy balance analysis in Chihuahua, Mexico]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Jorge Lucero-Alvarez</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The transition toward Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) represents a crucial strategy for achieving climate neutrality at the urban scale. For rapidly growing cities of the Global South, however, advanced concepts like Net-Zero and Positive Districts rarely appear on planning agendas. Leveraging experience from the Global North, this paper explores a strategic “leapfrogging” approach that bypasses intermediate building-level steps to focus directly on simultaneous implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation at the district level. The case study analyzes a new residential development in Chihuahua, Mexico, a rapidly growing city in an arid climate. This brief research report establishes a quantitative benchmark for PED viability using urban building energy simulation to model current annual energy demand and estimate maximum achievable solar photovoltaic generation based on available surfaces. The analysis calculates the minimum demand reduction needed through efficiency retrofitting to close the energy gap and achieve positive energy balance. Additionally, the study explores energy demand and solar potential under future climate scenarios. Results show that baseline demand of 1,536.8 MWh/year can be reduced through key efficiency measures, and combined with technically achievable solar systems, achieves a positive balance of 76.9 MWh/year. However, under a critical climate change scenario (SSP5-8.5), the positive balance would be lost by 2080. This establishes both the viability and temporal limits of PED implementation in arid, rapidly growing Global South contexts.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1787165</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1787165</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Quantifying the impact of ESG drivers on Saudi commercial real estate Investment using SEM]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Abdullah Mazen Alhamoudi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[To meet Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and achieve sustainable investment, commercial real estate investors are increasingly seeking properties with ESG features. Unfortunately, identifying these properties and quantifying their impact is difficult. This study aims to develop a model to identify key ESG drivers and measure their effect on commercial real estate investment decisions. Using a correlational research design, data were collected through simple random sampling with questionnaires distributed to stakeholders. Principal component analysis (PCA) in SPSS V24 grouped ESG drivers into constructs, followed by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling in AMOS Graphics V24 to validate the model using fit indices (SRMR, CFI, NFI). The model identifies eco-friendly buildings, responsible property management, and stakeholder value creation as critical ESG drivers, with eco-friendly buildings exerting the most significant influence on commercial real estate investment decisions. The model also reveals that their decision to invest in properties embedded with ESG is dependent on ensuring high returns, resilience, and sustainable cash flow. The study contributes to research by empirically testing the relationship between sustainable urbanism and property investment decisions. The study promotes a cultural shift from a focus on environmental metrics in investment decisions toward a more holistic approach, thereby aligning commercial real estate with international best practices and Vision 2030.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1821357</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1821357</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Interfacial bonding mechanisms and physicochemical evolution at the reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregates-cement interface]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jisheng Wang</author><author>Haidong Ji</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The performance of cement-stabilized reclaimed asphalt pavement (CSRAP) mixtures is closely related to the structural evolution and bonding behavior of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). This work explores the elemental distribution characteristics, elastic modulus, and molecular interaction mechanisms between reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and cement in the ITZ from a multi-scale perspective. SEM-EDS analysis and nanoindentation testing indicate that the ITZs formed at the natural aggregate/cement and RAP/cement interfaces gradually densify with curing time. However, the aged asphalt film inhibits the cement hydration reaction and reduces the elastic modulus of the ITZ. EDS analysis indicates that as curing time increases, the Ca/Si ratio and spatial distribution of hydration products in the ITZ undergo continuous changes, which gradually transform from low-density C-S-H to high-density C-S-H. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the interaction mechanism between C-S-H and RAP, indicating that surface interfacial bonding constitutes a thermodynamically spontaneous process primarily governed by van der Waals forces. The asphalt film restricts Ca2+ migration, transforming multi-layer adsorption into single-layer enrichment, thereby weakening interfacial bonding. This study investigates the physicochemical properties and molecular bonding mechanisms of RAP/cement ITZ, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing interfacial structures and enhancing the performance of cement-stabilized reclaimed asphalt pavement materials.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1796411</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1796411</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Environmental response of load bearing envelope in historical Cairo: Bayt Yakan as a case study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Marwa Abdelalim</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study, the environmental performance of Bayt Yakan, a historical building with a courtyarded façade in Cairo is analyzed considering the impact of thermal mass and courtyard microclimate on indoor performance in hot-arid climatic conditions. In this study, a coupled simulation method has been used utilizing ENVI-met software for the outdoor micro-climate simulation, and DesignBuilder/ EnergyPlus for indoor performance. The Sky View Factor (SVF) has been considered to evaluate the effect of shading. In order to evaluate the environmental performance of the façades, three cases have been analyzed based on wall thicknesses including 12 cm CMU, 25 cm CMU, and 40 cm limestone. In this regard, the simulations have been performed for a typical meteorological year of Cairo city considering the constant occupancy and natural ventilation. In the current study, the limestone case performs the best since it causes the lowest indoor temperature decrease up to 0.51°C, and reduction in energy usage up to 15%, and carbon emissions up to 85.97 kg CO2/month. The value of PMV is close to 0 which means thermal comfort condition. The low SVF in the courtyard 0.141 leads to cooling of the microclimatic environment.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1811594</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1811594</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Comparative evaluation of supervised machine learning models in the non-destructive strength prediction of steel fiber reinforced concrete]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>P. J. Shijin</author><author>R. Raghunandan Kumar</author><author>Robin Davis</author><author>Praveen Nagarajan</author><author>Sudha Das</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study evaluates the performance of nine supervised machine learning (ML) techniques, namely, K-nearest neighbors (KNN), decision tree (DT), support vector regression (SVR), random forest (RF), gradient boosting (GB), AdaBoost (AB), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), light gradient boosting machine (LGBM), and categorical boosting (CatBoost)—on predicting the compressive and tensile strengths of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC), thus providing a data-driven, non-destructive framework for assessing material performance. An extensive dataset is created by varying the fine-to-coarse aggregate ratio and steel fiber content in the range of 0%–2%. The models were evaluated using performance metrics such as coefficient of determination, R2, and mean squared error (MSE). The results indicate that XGBoost exhibited the best performance of all the compared ML models, as evident through its R2 value of 0.9926 for flexural strength, 0.9965 for split tensile, and 0.7837 for compressive strength prediction. These results illustrate that the nonlinear behavior of SFRC can be captured more effectively by AI-ML models and provide better and more accurate strength predictions, thereby supporting advanced non-destructive testing strategies and reducing reliance on extensive destructive testing. Through this study, ML models can be positioned within a structural health monitoring (SHM) context where the predicted parameters of strength can be used for maintenance planning, condition assessment, and damage detection. The outcomes of this study contribute to the enhancement of data-driven approaches for material characterization, thus helping incorporate ML models into real-world structural assessment frameworks.]]></description>
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