300 documents found, page 1 of 30
Introductory perspectives on masonry bricks and blocks: innovative solutions fo...
Pacheco-Torgal, F.; Chindaprasirt, PrinyaThis chapter opens by emphasizing the urgent climate crisis, underscored by rising emissions, record-breaking disasters, and the critical challenge of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It introduces recent legislative measures, such as the EU’s 2023 updates to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), aimed at promoting low-carbon materials in construction. Addressing a notable gap in existing liter...
Comments on the ideological and philosophical foundations of bibliometrics by G...
Pacheco-Torgal, F.Juan Gorraiz’s (2025) paper presents a metaphorical and conceptually rich examination of the ideological and philosophical foundations of bibliometrics, emphasizing their symbolic, heuristic, and interpretive roles in scholarly communication. While aligned with responsible research assessment initiatives such as DORA and the Leiden Manifesto, the paper lacks practical guidance, operational frameworks, and empir...
Introduction to cost-effective energy-efficient methods for refurbishment and r...
Pacheco-Torgal, F.This chapter explores the pivotal role of energy efficiency in addressing climate change, with a specific focus on building refurbishment and retrofitting. It underscores the European Union’s ambitious targets for greenhouse gas reduction and enhanced energy efficiency, aligning with its aim to be the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The evolution of energy efficiency policies and the potential ...
An introductory overview of bio-based construction materials
Pacheco-Torgal, F.In a world facing limited resources and the pressures of a growing population, shifting towards sustainable production and consumption is crucial. The construction industry is poised for significant growth, driven by a global population expected to reach 11 billion by 2100. Amidst this expansion, biobased construction materials are essential for reducing environmental impact. Though historically outperformed by...
Challenges and opportunities in construction and demolition waste management fo...
Pacheco-Torgal, F.; Ding, Yining; Zhao, Xin-YuThis chapter underscores the adverse environmental ramifications of resource extraction and the imperative for transitioning toward a circular economy (CE) paradigm. The construction and demolition waste (CDW) sector emerges as a significant arena for embracing CE principles, but faces obstacles such as regulatory incongruities and data integrity concerns. Case studies and modeling endeavors shed light on the i...
Experimental findings and predictive modeling of HyFRC‐RC beam with crack local...
Li, Dongsheng; Ding, Yining; Ding, Graciano; Pacheco-Torgal, F.The influence of hybrid macro steel fiber and macro polypropylene (PP) fiber on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams is investigated in the present article. A total of 30 kg/m3 macro steel fiber and 4 kg/m3 macro PP fiber are adopted for their significant synergistic effect on the flexural toughness of concrete. Twelve reinforced concrete (RC) beams with steel ratios of 0.45%, 0.64%, and 0.87% are...
Reuse of plastic waste in eco-efficient concrete: an introductory guide
Pacheco-Torgal, F.This chapter delves into various challenges linked to the paramount problem of plastic waste, which totals a staggering 400 million tons annually, with a shocking 11 million tons ending up in our oceans. It examines data related to plastic production and waste. The excessive hopes pinned on the plastic-digesting enzyme's potential are discussed. In the European context, directives, recycling targets, and the wo...
Introduction to carbon dioxide sequestration through innovative cementitious co...
Pacheco-Torgal, F.This chapter provides an overview of the current state of global warming, outlining critical challenges regarding reducing carbon emissions and emphasizing the pivotal role of carbon dioxide sequestration. It delves into a range of strategies, policies, and technologies addressing this vital issue. Moreover, the chapter highlights the significance of mitigating embodied carbon in construction materials and expl...
Introduction to the second edition of eco-efficient repair and rehabilitation o...
Pacheco-Torgal, F.This chapter starts with comments on dramatic climate change–related events and also on some major sustainability challenges, for instance, the mysterious and reckless absence of adaptation and mitigation plans even in most European cities. This is followed by an overview on concrete infrastructure deterioration and by a short review of important papers concerned with the repair of concrete infrastructures. A b...
Cleaner production of the precast concrete industry: comparative life cycle ana...
Yu, Yong; Pacheco-Torgal, F.; Zhao, Xin-Yu; Wang, Xiao-LuThe in-plant use of recycled aggregate concrete derived from precast rejects (termed PRAC herein) can promote a circular economy in the precast industry. However, the environmental implications associated with this practice remain poorly understood. A refined life cycle assessment (LCA) model was therefore developed to highlight the environmental benefits of using PRAC compared to natural aggregate concrete and...