JAUE2022-010: A Review of Sustainable Plastic Application in Architectural Components

Abstract

Plastic materials have been increasingly used in the field of architecture and construction in recent years based on new construction techniques, and the applications are gradually being developed around it. During the selection process of construction materials, sustainability concerns and recycling methods have become the key factors that affect the choice of materials for reducing carbon emissions of the building industry. However, research on the sustainable plastic application for single-material fabricated components is still insufficient. Hence, systematically sorting and induction of the related research is rather an important step to take. This paper aims to provide an extensive background research on the sustainable plastic application in architectural components. Indicating the potential usages, advantages, and risks in the architecture and construction sector, by reviewing relevant articles, materials, and projects in the past ten years. The preliminary results obtained are filtered for further analysis to trace the development trend of sustainable plastic building materials utilization. The conclusion shows that nowadays the plastic used in construction has become more durable and recyclable than before and is widely used in different architectural components. However, the usage for structural purposes was still limited by the physical performance of the material. Based on the conclusions, the potential sustainable application of plastic materials in architecture and construction in the future is discussed.