Decarbonizing the construction industry is an important step towards achieving the net-zero goals for many countries. New technologies and materials are extensively investigated and proposed to meet sustainability guidelines imposed by governments. This research develops a novel mix of sustainable pozzolanic cementitious composite ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS)) reinforced with date palm fibre (DPF) to evaluate the effect of varying DPF loading contents (1, 2, and 3 wt.%) and lengths (10, 20, 30, and 40 mm) on the mechanical (compressive and flexural strength) and physical properties (water absorption) of the produced composite. The effect of curing conditions and DPF surface modification on the mechanical and physical properties was also explored. The results showed that the utilization of DPF as a reinforcement for GGBS/OPC improves the flexural and compressive strength of the composites, which represents a sustainable alternative to synthetic reinforcements for construction applications. Optimal results were demonstrated at the inclusion of 20-mm alkali-treated DPF at a loading content of 1 wt.% showing an enhancement in strength by 57.12% and 30.97% of flexural and compressive strength, respectively, at 28 days of ageing in a water bath. Graphical abstract

Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement was studied with incorporation of an environmentally friendly eco-additive, sodium acetate (C₂H₃NaO₂). This additive was added to PCC pavement in three different percentages of 2%, 4% and 6% of binder weight. For a comprehensive elucidation of the eco-additive incorporation on the performance of PCC pavement, casted samples were cured in three different environments, namely: water, outdoors and pond water. Water absorption tests, flexural and compressive strength tests after 7 and 28 days of curing were conducted and results compared with the control samples without any addition of sodium acetate. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in the impermeability, compressive strength and flexural strength of PCC pavement when sodium acetate concrete is cured in a water bath and outdoors. However, no/little improvement in the impermeability, compressive strength and flexural strength was observed in sodium acetate samples that were cured in pond water. Microstructural analysis of treated samples by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrated the strengthening effect that sodium acetate provides to the pore structure of concrete pavement.