Despite the shift toward cleaner energy, coal-fired power plants remain a significant source of global energy, generating excess fly ash that accumulates in large stockpiles—often persisting for decades even after the plants are decommissioned. The study investigated the physicochemical properties and suitability of fly ash recovered from seven ash dams for use in cement-based applications. The recovered ash was beneficiated by drying, breaking agglomerates, and sieving to meet specifications for use as a cementitious material. Subsequently, analyses were conducted for particle size, pH, density, loss on ignition, scanning electron microscopy, oxide composition, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the compressive strength of mortar samples. The results indicate that the samples are Class F fly ashes, containing amorphous aluminosilicates, with a comparable physical, chemical, and mineralogical composition, and that they meet specifications for use in cement-based materials. This remains true despite a slight increase in sulphur-bearing phases in the Kusile ash associated with the plant’s desulfurization technology. Furthermore, the compressive strength results show that, compared with the reference Portland cement mortar, fly-ash-blended mortars exhibit higher strength gain at later ages, indicating good pozzolanic reactivity, though the degree of strength gain depends on each ash’s fineness, amorphous content, and mineralogy.

The shortage of adequate housing is a significant challenge facing many countries, including South Africa. Despite the government’s efforts to address this issue through various policies and programs, the demand for affordable housing continues to outstrip supply. Alternative building technologies (ABTs) have emerged as a potential solution to this problem, offering faster, cheaper, and more sustainable construction methods compared to traditional brick-and-mortar techniques. However, the level of adoption of ABTs in South Africa remains low, and there is a need to understand the drivers that can increase their uptake. This article explores the factors that influence the adoption of ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa. To achieve this, the study employs a quantitative research approach which involves the design and distribution of questionnaire surveys to build environment professionals. The retrieved data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS software. Findings revealed that achieving sustainable construction and the need to save costs on construction projects are the major drivers for adopting ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa. The findings of this study are relevant not only to policymakers and practitioners in the housing sector but also to researchers and academics interested in sustainable building practices and the role of technology in development.

The concept of circular economy (CE) is a broad concept that presents a set of options for retaining resource value. Therefore, CE is seen as one of the solutions in adopting sustainable practices in the South African Construction Industry (SACI), as a shift from the traditional linear economy. The purpose of this study is to assess the benefits of the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) principles for sustainable construction practices in the SACI, examining the benefits of these principles to facilitate its adoption level in promoting sustainable construction practices. Data was gathered through a questionnaire survey instrument from participants using a purposive sampling technique. The methods deployed for analysing the data for the study were mean item score and exploratory factor analysis. The study found that while there is limited adaptability of CE within the SACI, its benefits trump the challenges associated with adopting of these sustainable construction practices. The holistic and conscious adoption and adaptability of CE in the SACI will result in economic, environmental, social, and industrial benefits, as well as boost South Africa’s global alignment to Sustainable Development Goals (SGGs). Enhancing the adoption and usage level of CE in the SACI will play a vital role in waste reduction, lower carbon footprint, cost savings, job creation, health benefits, skills development, innovation and technological adoption, which is essential for advancing South African economic growth and social development.

The delivery of construction projects involves several stages which attempt to ensure that project objectives are actualized. The procurement phase is significant as it determines the efficient and optimized use of resources, materials, equipment, etc. The deployment of digital procurement systems presents a viable platform to negate the challenges associated with traditional procurement methodologies in the delivery of construction projects. This study presents the findings of evaluating the challenges related to deploying digital procurement systems for construction projects in South Africa. Data was collected from construction professionals using a quantitative approach, and a structured questionnaire with purposive and snowball sampling techniques was employed. Retrieved data was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, and the research instrument was tested for reliability and validity. The study's findings show that three constructs were derived as the impediments to deploying digital procurement systems for construction projects in South Africa. These are technological challenges, socio-cultural impediments, and financial constraints. Conclusively, the study maps out recommendations that can aid professionals and relevant stakeholders in navigating the bottlenecks associated with using digital procurement systems for improved construction project execution and delivery.

Inadequate waste management in building projects highlights the need for a thorough assessment of present procedures and the implementation of sustainable measures, especially in urban areas like Johannesburg. To address the issues raised by construction and demolition (C D) waste, sustainable waste management techniques such as waste segregation, recycling, and appropriate disposal techniques are essential. It is essential to adopt sustainable practices like the 3R principle (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) and put waste pre-diction tools, site waste management plans, and regulatory frameworks in place to control waste management practices. The study used a quantitative approach to its investigation among South African construction professionals. The respondents’ responses were analysed using the Mean Item Score (MIS) and Kruskal Wallis. The results show that using environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials and implementing mobile recycling units on construction sites is a critical sustainable measure to enhance construction and demolition waste management in construction projects. Based on the study’s findings, it is recommended that there is a need to improve construction and demolition waste management, encourage eco-friendly material adoption, foster community engagement through workshops, and recognise informal waste workers’ contributions.

South African municipalities face significant challenges in implementing proactive infrastructure maintenance due to financial constraints, limited technical capacity, and aging water infrastructure, often leading to reactive maintenance approaches. To address this challenge, this study develops an integrated decision-making framework that combines machine learning survival analysis (MLSA) and multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques to optimize pipeline maintenance prioritization. The MLSA component predicts pipeline failure probabilities using historical asset management data, while the MCDM approach ranks maintenance priorities based on pipeline condition, performance, and criticality. Specifically, this study integrates extreme gradient boosting survival embeddings (XGBSEKaplanTree) with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order preferences by similarity to ideal solutions to improve predictive accuracy and decision transparency. A survey of 173 industry experts identified pipeline performance as the most critical maintenance criterion, with pipe pressure emerging as the most significant subcriterion. The framework's reliability was validated through multiple statistical methods, including the AHP consistency ratio, Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and integrated Brier score, while validity was confirmed using Spearman's rho correlation and expert review. By integrating data-driven predictive modeling with structured decision-making, this framework enables municipalities to transition from reactive, condition-, and cost-based maintenance to a proactive, data-driven approach. This shift can reduce water losses, improve auditability, optimize resource allocation, and enhance water security, contributing to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Using technological applications, smart construction aims to improve the planning, management, and execution of construction project delivery. This has the potential to forestall several of the challenges associated with project execution and delivery using conventional methods. Therefore, this study evaluates the challenges of implementing smart construction sites in the South African construction industry. Employing a quantitative technique, data was elicited from the target respondents who were sampled using convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Retrieved data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis using the principal component analysis extraction technique. The study's findings showed that the significant challenges faced by implementing smart construction sites in South Africa are institutional drawbacks, financial impediments, and lack of technical expertise. The study contributes theoretically and practically to the growing call for construction digitalisation as it fills the gap in knowledge by unravelling the encumbrances of the use of smart construction sites. Furthermore, the study's outcome is a sound theoretical base for future studies geared towards construction digitalisation in developing countries.

This study investigates the factors that influence the acceptance of 3D concrete printing technology in South Africa. The purpose is to provide evidence-based insights to guide regulators in developing clear standards and certification pathways for 3DCP in South Africa. In a mixed-method research design, the study gathered data from professionals including architects, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers, contractors, regulators, and local municipalities using a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework, adapted to the institutional and infrastructure contextual nuances of South Africa. The findings indicate significant variability in awareness, exposure, and openness to 3DCP across professions and regions. Regulatory actors express caution due to the absence of national standards but also recognize the potential alignment with sustainable construction goals. Major enablers of acceptance include access to demonstrable case studies, technical training, and policy incentives. Barriers include a lack of local performance benchmarks, cost perceptions, and uncertainty regarding compliance pathways. By incorporating institutional variables such as regulatory clarity and policy maturity, the study advances a theoretical understanding of construction technology diffusion in the global south. The study offers a robust, context-specific model that can be adapted in similar economies seeking to balance innovation with regulatory oversight.

The transition towards sustainable transport infrastructure requires comprehensive measures that address the complex interplay between economic, environmental and social factors. The surge in road traffic levels poses a primary threat to metropolitan areas, leading to congestion and reduced feasibility of public transportation, ultimately impacting accessibility. Addressing the environmental impact of transportation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing green cover cultivation and electric transport infrastructure policies are crucial steps in achieving sustainable transportation in urban areas. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate measures to promote sustainable transport infrastructure in Johannesburg. The paper adopted a quantitative research method with the targeted respondents as people responsible for the delivery and construction of the road infrastructure. The questionnaires were also in the form of closed-ended multiple-choice questions. The respondents’ responses were analysed using the mean item score (MIS) and factor analysis. The findings revealed that the primary measures to improve the sustainability of existing transportation infrastructure are promoting green infrastructure construction, enhancing transportation facilities to attract more public transportation users, such as safe taxi ranks and embracing traffic management measures. The study concluded by emphasising the increasing recognition of green infrastructure as a holistic strategy to address environmental challenges and improve transportation efficiency within current urban transport systems. It is therefore recommended that cities prioritise the integration of green infrastructure, including eco-friendly transit systems, renewable energy sources and eco-corridors, into urban transport systems to address environmental challenges and improve transportation efficiency.

Housing delivery is a major challenge facing countries globally. In South Africa, government has implemented several programs to address this issue, such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and the Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing policy. However, the traditional construction methods used for housing delivery have proven to be slow, expensive, and unsustainable. Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) offer a potential solution to these challenges, as they provide a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to housing delivery. Despite the benefits of ABTs, their adoption in South Africa has been slow, with traditional construction methods still dominating the market. This article aims to explore the challenges facing the use of ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa and provide insights into how these challenges can be overcome. A quantitative research approach was adopted for the study and a questionnaire survey was used to retrieve data from respondents who are professionals in the construction industry. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study revealed that lack of ABT knowledge and resistance to change are the major challenges facing the adoption of ABTs for housing delivery in South Africa. The paper recommended the need for effective policy measures, stakeholder collaboration, and increased awareness of ABTs to promote their uptake in the country’s housing sector.

Sustainable measures for effectively maintaining buildings have become essential to sustainable building development with the growing influx of building portfolios worldwide.This is so, considering building maintenance problems have become a global menace.It has been ascertained that improving building maintenance operations for sustainable considerations will benefit university facilities in terms of profitability, user well-being, and increased lifespan.Although studies abound on the maintenance of university buildings in Nigeria, its barriers, and the factors affecting it, very few studies have touched on the solutions to maintenance problems and the measures to improve the maintenance management of these buildings.Therefore, this paper presents the findings from assessing the measures to improve the maintenance of buildings in six selected higher education institutions in the country.The study embraced a quantitative approach, and data were gathered from maintenance managers, supervisors, and technicians working in the Works Departments of the selected public institutions.Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentile and factor analysis.Findings revealed that human, materials resources, and policy improvement measures, computerized approach to management, assessment, and feedback mechanism measures, less sabotage and quick response measures, and improved funding, design, and construction measures are the most viable measures to improve building maintenance in these universities.

Purpose. This study assesses the challenges of incorporating sustainability into South Africa's transport infrastructure, focusing on Johannesburg. Methodology. A quantitative approach was employed, using closed-ended questionnaires distributed to professionals involved in road infrastructure delivery and construction in South Africa. Data were analyzed using Mean Item Score (MIS) and factor analysis. Results. Key challenges identified include lack of political commitment to sustainable transportation, insufficient investment in energy-efficient vehicles, and resource constraints. The study also highlighted the need to expand and modernize transport infrastructure to accommodate population growth and increased economic activities. Theoretical contribution. This research provides insights into the specific barriers to sustainable transport infrastructure development in an urban South African context. Practical implications. The findings underscore the importance of improved coordination among government entities, private sector participants, and communities to address challenges and achieve sustainable transport infrastructure development. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

In a quest for the safe and sustainable delivery of built environment projects in South Africa, this study explored intelligent wearable technologies (IWTs). A post-positivism philosophical stance was adopted by surveying 165 built environment experts. The technology–organisation–environment (T–O–E) framework was also employed in understanding the critical factors influencing the use of IWTs in the study area. Data analyses used mean scores, the Kruskal–Wallis H-test, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling (SEM) with appropriate model fit indices. It was found that, albeit at a slow pace, IWTs such as smart safety vests embedded with indoor GPS/sensors, smartwatches, and smart safety helmets are gradually gaining popularity within the South African built environment. SEM revealed that while all the assessed T–O–E factors are important to the increased use of IWTs within the study area, the environment- and technology-related factors will significantly impact how individuals and organisations use these beneficial wearable technologies. This study contributes to the existing discourse on intelligent technologies for the safety of the built environment workforce from the South African perspective, where such studies have received less attention.

Purpose The importance of robotics and automation (R&A) in delivering a safe built environment cannot be overemphasised. This is because R&A systems can execute a hazardous job function that the construction workforce may not execute. Based on this knowledge, this study aims to present the result of an assessment of the impediments to the deployment of R&A for a safe and healthy construction environment. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a post-positivist philosophical stance, using a quantitative research approach and a questionnaire administered to construction professionals in South Africa. The data gathered were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean item score, Kruskal–Wallis H -test, exploratory factor analysis and partial least square structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings This study revealed that the impediments to the deployment of R&A could be grouped into: industry, technology, human and cost-related factors. However, SEM assessment showed that only the industry, human and cost-related factors would significantly impact attaining specific health and safety-related outcomes. Practical implications The findings offer valuable benefits to construction organisations as the careful understanding of the identified impeding factors can help lead to better deployment of R&A and the attainment of its inherent safety benefits. Originality/value This study attempts to fill the gap in the shortage of literature exploring the deployment of R&A for a safe construction environment, particularly in developing countries like South Africa, where such studies are non-existent. This paper, therefore, offers a theoretical backdrop for future works on R&A deployment, particularly in developing countries where such a study has not been explored.