Durability and Environmental Performance Testing of Eco-Friendly Construction Materials under Field Conditions

Abstract

Eco-friendly construction materials are central to sustainable infrastructure, yet their long-term performance under real environmental exposure is still insufficiently validated. Laboratory experiments, while controlled and precise, fail to reproduce the complex interplay of variables rainfall, UV radiation, humidity, temperature cycling, freeze–thaw effects, and biological degradation that influence material stability in the field. This research investigates the durability and environmental behavior of four major sustainable materials: compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB), fly ash–based geopolymer concrete, recycled aggregate concrete, and natural fiber composites. Field exposure trials were conducted in humid tropical, arid, and temperate regions for 18–24 months. Measurements included structural degradation patterns, strength retention, moisture absorption, microstructural evolution through SEM, and leachate chemistry based on ASTM and ISO standards. Results indicate that geopolymer concrete demonstrates the highest resilience, while natural fiber composites and CSEB show climate-dependent degradation. Recycled aggregate concrete provides stable performance with moderate porosity-linked deterioration. Leachate analyses confirm environmental safety across all materials. The study contributes comprehensive, field- based evidence essential for sustainable construction codes, policy decisions, and industrial adoption.