The use of phase change materials (PCMs) has become an increasingly common way to reduce a building’s energy usage when added to the building envelope. This developing technology has demonstrated improvements in thermal comfort and energy efficiency, making it a viable building energy solution. The current study intends to provide a comprehensive review of the published studies on the utilization of PCMs in various constructions of energy-efficient roofs, walls, and ceilings. The research question holds massive potential to unlock pioneering solutions for maximizing the usefulness of PCMs in reducing cooling demands, especially in challenging high-temperature environments. Several issues with PCMs have been revealed, the most significant of which is their reduced effectiveness during the day due to high summer temperatures, preventing them from crystallizing at night. However, this review investigates how PCMs can delay the peak temperature time, reducing the number of hours during which the indoor temperature exceeds the thermal comfort range. Additionally, the utilization of PCMs can improve the building’s energy efficiency by mitigating the need for cooling systems during peak hours. Thus, selecting the right PCM for high temperatures is both critical and challenging. Insulation density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity all play a role in heat transfer under extreme conditions. This study introduces several quantification techniques and paves the way for future advancements to accommodate practical and technical solutions related to PCM usage in building materials.

Building information modeling (BIM) is an integrated and comprehensive system including whatever is related to a construction project and its stages. It represents a unified database for all project data through which project documents are available to all stakeholders. This paper evaluates the factors driving the adoption of BIM in Iraqi construction projects in different ministries and adopts quantitative approach to collect data by using a questionnaire survey specially prepared for this purpose which was distributed to experts in the ministries of the Iraqi construction sector. Returned data were subjected to proper statistical analysis. Results showed that the highest motivation for BIM application is to include it in the educational curricula, raise awareness through courses and workshops and contracting with international experts with experience in BIM field.

Harnessing the power of phase change materials (PCMs) in asphalt pavements proposes a sustainable solution for addressing temperature-related issues, affording more robust and energy-efficient infrastructure. PCMs hold enormous potential for reforming various industries due to their ability to store and release large amounts of thermal energy, offering noteworthy benefits in energy efficiency, thermal management, and sustainability. The integration of PCMs within pavements presents an increasingly exciting field of research. PCMs have the ability to efficiently manage the changes in and distribution of temperature in asphalt pavements via the release and absorption of latent heat that occurs during the phase shifts of PCMs. Asphalt pavements experience less severe temperatures and a slower rate of temperature fluctuation as a result of this, which in turn reduces the amount of stress caused by temperature. In addition, the function of temperature adjustment that PCMs provide is natural, intelligent, and in line with the direction in which the development of smart pavements is heading in the future. This study aims to explore the impact of organic, inorganic, and mixed organic–inorganic PCMs on diverse surface characteristics of asphalt. In addition, this review addresses current challenges associated with using PCMs in asphalt and explores potential advantages that could facilitate future research in addition to broadening the implementation of PCMs in construction.

This study is a critical review to assess the feasibility of using magnetic water to boost the overall performance of concrete. This is specifically conducted by evaluating the improvements of mechanical properties (split tensile strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength), cement particle water absorption, and cement hydration of concrete as a result of adding magnetic water if compared to concrete made with regular tap water. The benefits and associated challenges of utilising magnetic water in concrete are thoroughly discussed based on the most recent experimental and numerical studies published in the open literature between 2019 and 2023. According to the findings, the tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, and electrical conductivity increase by 6.1%, 24.4%, 3.9%, and 0.5%, respectively, in concretes created with MW compared to regular tap water. Also, the magnetic field intensity of 1.3 Tesla yields the greatest improvement in the slump by 5–13 mm. However, the magnetic water shows the highest sorptivity at a magnetic field intensity of 0.9 Tesla. Also, using magnetic water makes concrete block pavers less absorbent of water and more resistant to assault by sulfuric acid. This review would encourage future research and widespread use of magnetic water in concrete production.