The rapid growth of urban areas has increased the need for more efficient methods of pavement inspection and maintenance. However, conventional techniques remain slow, labor-intensive, and limited in spatial coverage, and their performance is strongly affected by traffic, weather conditions, and operational constraints. In response to these challenges, it is essential to synthesize the technological advances that improve inspection efficiency, coverage, and data quality compared to traditional approaches. Herein, we present a systematic review of the state of the art on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring and assessing pavement deterioration, highlighting as a key contribution the comparative integration of sensors (photogrammetry, LiDAR, and thermography) with recent automatic damage-detection algorithms. A structured review methodology was applied, including the search, selection, and critical analysis of specialized studies on UAV-based pavement evaluation. The results indicate that UAV photogrammetry can achieve sub-centimeter accuracy (<1 cm) in 3D reconstructions, LiDAR systems can improve deformation detection by up to 35%, and AI-based algorithms can increase crack-identification accuracy by 10% to 25% compared with manual methods. Finally, the synthesis shows that multi-sensor integration and digital twins offer strong potential to enhance predictive maintenance and support the transition towards smarter and more sustainable urban infrastructure management strategies.

The incorporation of sustainable construction is essential for minimizing the environmental footprint of cementitious composites. This research examines the mechanical behavior and microstructural features of alternative mortars in which pumice acts as a partial cement replacement. By applying the Taguchi methodology, nine mortar mix variations were assessed at different pumice replacement rates (15%, 25%, and 50%), and their mechanical strength was compared against a control mixture without substitution. Additionally, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified the mineral components in the pumice to evaluate their performance and durability. Based on a statistical variance analysis (ANOVA), mortars with up to 25% substitution are suggested as they attain mechanical strength values comparable to those of a control mixture. This study contributes to the advancement of environmentally sustainable construction materials and provides valuable insights into the viability of using pumice in sustainable infrastructure developments.

Constructed wetlands (CWs), increasingly adopted as nature-based solutions (NBS) for wastewater treatment, require a rigorous assessment of the durability and structural performance of the materials used in their supporting systems. In contrast to the extensive literature addressing hydraulic efficiency and contaminant removal, the structural behavior of CWs has been scarcely examined, with existing studies offering only general references to reinforced concrete and masonry and lacking explicit design criteria or deterioration analyses. This study integrates evidence from real-world CW installations with a systematic review of 31 studies on the degradation of cementitious materials in analogous environmental conditions, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with inclusion criteria based on quantified wastewater-related exposure conditions (e.g., chemical aggressiveness, persistent saturation, and biogenic activity). Results indicate that reinforced concrete, despite its structural capacity, is susceptible to biogenic corrosion, accelerated carbonation, and sulfate–chloride attack under conditions of persistent moisture, with reported degradation rates in analogous wastewater infrastructures on the order of millimeters per year for concrete loss and tens of micrometers per year for reinforcement corrosion. Masonry structures, similarly, exhibit performance constraints when exposed to mechanical overloads and repeated wetting–drying cycles. In contrast, emerging alternatives—such as nanomodified matrices and concretes incorporating supplementary cementitious additives—demonstrate potential to enhance durability while contributing to a reduced carbon footprint, without compromising mechanical strength. These findings reinforce the need for explicit structural design criteria tailored to CW applications to improve sustainability, durability, and long-term performance.

Portland cement production is a major source of global CO₂ emissions due to its high energy consumption and calcination processes. This study proposes a sustainable alternative through the partial replacement of cement with alkali-activated pumice, a naturally occurring aluminosilicate material with high regional availability. Mixes with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% cement replacement were designed for pedestrian slabs exposed to humid tropical conditions. Compressive strength was evaluated using non-destructive testing over a period of 364 days, and carbonation was analyzed at different ages. The results show that mixes with up to 30% pumice maintain adequate strength levels for light-duty applications, although with a more gradual strength development. A significant reduction in carbonation depth was also observed, especially in the mix with the highest replacement level, suggesting greater durability in aggressive environments. These findings support the use of pumice as a viable and sustainable supplementary cementitious material in tropical regions, promoting low-impact construction practices.

The development of sustainable infrastructure is essential to address the challenges of climate change and reduce CO₂ emissions. The use of alternative materials, such as agro-industrial ashes and silica fume, emerges as a promising option to enhance the durability of concrete and diminish its environmental impact. These materials can partially replace conventional cement, contributing to the construction of more sustainable infrastructure without compromising performance, even under adverse environmental conditions. In this study, we present an analysis of the use of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) and silica fume (SF) as a 15% cement replacement. The behavior of these materials was investigated under coastal conditions, analyzing climatic variables and degrading gases such as CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O. Electrochemical techniques were employed to measure corrosion rate and potential, in addition to conducting carbonation and compressive strength tests. The mixtures with a 15% addition of SBA and SF showed improvements compared to conventional mixes. SBA reduced the corrosion rate by 25% and increased compressive strength by 12% after 150 days, while SF enhanced carbonation resistance by 20% and compressive strength by 25%. The incorporation of SBA and SF provides significant durability in coastal environments, contributing to the sustainability of infrastructure exposed to adverse weather conditions.

Este trabajo presenta el comportamiento de la pumicita como cementante alternativo, en concretos modificados de baja resistencia, debido al alto consumo energético y emisión de gases contaminantes durante el proceso de elaboración de cemento portland, evaluando propiedades mecánicas a compresión en porcentajes de sustitución de 25%, 50% y 75%, con concentraciones activantes de hidróxido de sodio de 5%, 10% y 15% en peso. Se emplea la metodología de Taguchi para definir un diseño experimental ortogonal de 9 corridas diferentes. Se emplea el método de diseño de mezclas de concreto ACI 211.1, por volúmenes absolutos para una resistencia estimada de 150 kg/cm2. Una vez elaborados los especímenes y curados a la edad de 28 días se realizan las pruebas mecánicas evaluando la resistencia a compresión en una prensa hidráulica mediante la normativa NMX-C-083-ONNCCE-2014. Se puede observar que cuando se sustituye pumicita a más del 50% se presentan un bajo valor de resistencia mecánica con respecto al concreto control. Mediante el análisis de resistencia a compresión se recomiendan los concretos con 50% y 25% de sustitución y concentración activante de 5%, debido a que tienen un comportamiento similar del control, alcanzando la resistencia de diseño.