The growing demand for cement has created a significant impact on the environment. Cement production requires huge energy consumptions; however, Pakistan is currently facing a severe energy crisis. Researchers are therefore engaged with the introduction of agricultural/industrial waste materials with cementitious properties to reduce not only cement production but also energy consumption, as well as helping protect the environment. This research aims to investigate the influence of binary cementitious material (BCM) on fresh and hardened concrete mixes prepared with metakaolin (MK) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as a partial replacement of cement. The replacement proportions of BCM used were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of cement. A total of five mixes were prepared with 1 : 1.5 : 3 mix proportion at 0.54 water‐cement ratios. A total of 255 concrete specimens were prepared to investigate the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of concrete after 7, 28, and 56 days, respectively. It was perceived that the workability of concrete mixes decreased with an increasing percentage of MK and GGBFS. Also, the density and permeability of concrete decreased with an increasing quantity of BCM after 28 days. Conversely, the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of concrete were enhanced by 12.28%, 9.33%, and 9.93%, respectively, at 10% of BCM after 28 days. The carbonation depth reduced with a rise in content of BCM (up to 10%) and then later improved after 28, 90, and 180 days. Moreover, the effect of chloride attack in concrete is reduced with the inclusion of BCM after 28 and 90 days. Similarly, the drying shrinkage of concrete decreased with an increase in the content of BCM after 40 days.

Changing human lifestyle and increasing urbanisation are contributory factors to the high demand for concrete construction materials across the globe. With the imminent developments in the unpopulated marine/coastal zones, higher installation of concrete facilities is still expected. However, poor design and construction procedures coupled with inadequate materials selection and exposure to aggressive environmental conditions, such as chloride laden environments, often result in the reduced aesthetic and structural performance of concrete. Deterioration of reinforced concrete structures located in a coastal/marine setting can influence the safety, economic, and sustainability aspects of society. Hence, there is an increased need for alternate binder systems with the ability to reduce the effects of chloride attack in concrete. This paper presents a critical review of the engineering properties of metakaolin (MK) based concrete exposed to chloride attack. The key advantages and limitations of using MK for concrete production purposes were outlined and evaluated. Areas for future research were also highlighted in this paper. Based on the favourable 28‐day compressive strength (73–84 MPa) and durability performance documented across the numerous past year studies that were reviewed, it can be concluded that MK is a viable alternate binder material for combatting chloride attack in coastal/marine concrete structures. This, in conjunction with its lack of chemical CO₂ emissions, proves that MK can be used to improve the serviceability and sustainability states of marine structures. The viewpoint of this review will guide concrete constructors and researchers on a possible framework for the utilisation of metakaolin for enhancing durability concrete in aggressive environments.

In the present era, a number of researchers are using either industrial or agricultural priceless products as a basic source of raw materials for the construction industry. These waste products are economical and helpful in producing a sustainable environment and reducing environmental pollution, which is called handling waste products. However, this research work was conducted on concrete containing 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1% of jute fiber as reinforcement material and 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of wheat straw ash (WSA) as replacement for fine aggregates. Moreover, the separate and combined effect of jute fiber and WSA as a replacement for sand ingredient in concrete is to determine the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. In this research, a number of concrete samples were prepared with 1 : 1.5 : 3 mix proportion at 0.54 water‐cement ratio and cured at 28 days. The experimental outcomes displayed that the compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths improved by 32.88 MPa, 3.80 MPa, and 5.30 MPa at 0.50% of jute fiber along with 30% of WSA at 28 days consistently. Similarly, the modulus of elasticity was developed while the dosages of jute fiber and WSA increased together in concrete. Moreover, the permeability and workability of concrete were reduced while utilized jute fiber and WSA increased together in concrete.

Purpose: This paper aims to present a meta-analysis and scientometric review to explore the intellectual evolution of research on the health and safety of women in construction, identify trends and research patterns and workplace stressors and hazards encountered by women in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approach: A combination of scientometric analysis and meta-analysis was adopted to systematically review 32 relevant studies from 1984 to 2020, to provide a holistic review of research on women’s health and safety in construction aimed to identify the trend of research development. Techniques such as co-authorship, keyword co-occurring and cluster analysis were adopted.Findings: Five main themes summarized by clustering focusing on Workplace Psychological Health, HIV/AIDS and Construction Work, Occupational Health and Safety Injuries, Gender Inclusivity and Sexism in Construction and Gender-specific Health and Safety Analysis. Findings revealed a slow growth in women’s health and safety research with the USA, South Africa, Australia and Japan leading research development. Additionally, the major stressors or hazards faced by women in construction were found to be biological related hazards.Research limitations/implications: The findings of the study are limited, resulting from the use of one abstract and citation database.Practical implications: Findings from the study provide insights to the health and safety challenges of women in construction and identifies of knowledge gaps in the existing literature could provide researchers and industry practitioners with a comprehensive insight into intellectual landscapes, potential research frontiers on technologies for women’s construction health and safety.Originality/value: While numerous studies have focused on the health and safety of workers in the construction industry, research on women’s health and safety is lacking. The study adopted a scientometric and meta-analysis approach to explore the intellectual evolution and reflect the research status on the subject.