Urban Catalyst- Integration of Alternative Materials in Secondary Construction Systems for Enhancing Structural Lifespan in Transport Infrastructure

Dev Jeetendra Mirchandani; Abhijit Sahasrabudhe

doi:10.69968/ijisem.2026v5iS267-73

Authors

Dev Jeetendra Mirchandani VESCOA
Abhijit Sahasrabudhe VESCOA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2026v5iS267-73

Keywords:

Alternative Materials, Climate-Responsive Design, Transport Infrastructure, Lifecycle Performance

Abstract

The redevelopment of railway infrastructure in rapidly growing urban contexts such as Surat demands materials that can withstand aggressive environmental conditions while minimizing long-term maintenance. Conventional construction materials used in station facades and secondary systems often deteriorate due to high humidity, chloride exposure, thermal variations, and continuous public usage, leading to frequent repair cycles and increased lifecycle costs. Despite advancements in material technology, the integration of alternative materials in large-scale public transport infrastructure remains limited, highlighting a critical research gap (Favier, De Wolf, Scrivener & Habert, 2018).This study aims to evaluate the performance and applicability of alternative materials as secondary construction systems to enhance structural lifespan and operational efficiency. The research focuses on materials such as ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), geopolymer panels, fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP), ETFE membranes, and engineered bamboo. A structured methodology is adopted, including literature review, case study analysis of comparable transit infrastructure, environmental assessment of Surat’s climatic conditions, and comparative evaluation of material properties based on durability, thermal performance, and maintenance requirements (Duxson, Provis, Lukey & Van Deventer, 2007; Provis & Van Deventer, 2009). The study proposes a material integration framework that aligns material selection with functional zones such as facades, concourses, platforms, and roof systems. Findings indicate that alternative materials, particularly self-healing geopolymer systems, offer significant advantages in terms of durability, reduced maintenance cycles, and environmental performance when compared to conventional materials. The research further demonstrates how strategic material deployment can improve user comfort, reduce operational costs, and enhance the overall resilience of transport infrastructure (Gagg, 2014). The outcomes of this study provide practical guidelines for architects and planners in selecting and integrating alternative materials within infrastructure projects. Future research can explore large-scale implementation, long-term performance monitoring, and advancements in material technology to further optimize sustainable construction practices in transportation systems. (De Belie et al., 2018).

References

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Journal Articles should be like this.

[12] De Belie, N., Gruyaert, E., Al-Tabbaa, A., Antonaci, P., Baera, C., Bajare, D., Darquennes, A., Davies, R., Ferrara, L., Jefferson, A., Litina, C., Miljevic, B., Otieno, M., Ranogajec, J., Roig-Flores, M., Šavija, B., Snoeck, D., Tulliani, J. M. & Van Tittelboom, K. (2018) A Review of Self-Healing Concrete for Damage Management of Structures. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 5(17), pp. 1800074. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.201800074

[13] Duxson, P., Provis, J. L., Lukey, G. C. & Van Deventer, J. S. J. (2007) The Role of Inorganic Polymer Technology in the Development of Green Concrete. Cement and Concrete Research, 37(12), pp. 1590–1597. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.08.018

[14] Provis, J. L. & Van Deventer, J. S. J. (2009) Geopolymers: Structures, Processing, Properties and Industrial Applications. Journal of Materials Science, 44(12), pp. 2999–3014. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-009-3496-5

[15] Snoeck, D. & De Belie, N. (2015) From Straw in Bricks to Modern Use of Microfibres in Cementitious Composites for Improved Autogenous Healing. Construction and Building Materials, 95, pp. 774–787. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.07.035

[16] Van Tittelboom, K. & De Belie, N. (2013) Self-Healing in Cementitious Materials – A Review. Materials, 6(6), pp. 2182–2217. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6062182

[17] Ye, H., Radlińska, A. & Weiss, J. (2013) Quantification of Cementitious Materials Autogenous Healing Capacity. Cement and Concrete Research, 52, pp. 1–12. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.05.012

[18] Favier, A., De Wolf, C., Scrivener, K. & Habert, G. (2018) A Sustainable Future for Cement and Concrete. Journal of Cleaner Production, 202, pp. 1127–1139. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.111

[19] Favier, A., De Wolf, C., Scrivener, K. & Habert, G. (2018) A Sustainable Future for Cement and Concrete. Journal of Cleaner Production, 202, pp. 1127–1139. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.111

[20] F Gagg, C. R. (2014) Cement and Concrete as an Engineering Material: An Historic Appraisal and Case Study Analysis. Engineering Failure Analysis, 40, pp. 114–140. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2014.02.004

Thesis

[21] Dev J. Mirchandani (2026) Redevelopment of Surat Railway Station, Unpublished B.Arch. Thesis, Vivekanand Education Society College of Architecture, Mumbai.