Shaping Tomorrow's Skylines: A Review of Emerging Methods and Technologies in Sustainable Structural Engineering

Abstract

The race to net-zero emissions and resilient infrastructure has spurred rapid innovation and demands urgent transformation in structural engineering. This review synthesizes recent advances in AI-driven design, modular construction, green materials, 3D concrete printing, and lifecycle/digital tools for sustainable structures. The author surveys state-of-the-art methods and case studies, quantifying environmental benefits and highlighting adoption barriers. In AI-based design, generative and machine-learning algorithms explore vast design spaces, yielding lighter and more efficient structures than traditional methods. Modular and prefabricated systems demonstrate dramatic schedule acceleration (e.g., a Hong Kong modular hospital built in four months) and 10–21% reductions in embodied carbon compared to conventional construction. Wood and other bio-composites (e.g., mass timber, bamboo, mycelium) are shown to sequester carbon and cut global-warming potential by >25% versus concrete materials.While advanced bio-based insulation materials offer low embodied energy. 3D concrete printing enables material and form optimization, reducing waste and formwork needs and showing lower life-cycle GHG emissions for simple structural elements. Finally, integrated life-cycle assessment (LCA) and digital twins/IoT monitoring allow real-time optimization of energy use and maintenance, further curbing carbon footprints. The author discusses cross-cutting challenges (data requirements, codes/regulations, and material durability) and proposes future directions. This comprehensive review underscores how converging technologies can reshape future skylines into greener, more efficient designs and outlines pathways for their wider implementation.