Bibliometric Analysis of Secondary and Green Construction Materials Research Utilizing VOSviewer
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Oct 08, 2025
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This document gives a structure of the bibliometric Analysis of Secondary and Green Construction Materials Research Utilizing VOSviewer
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Bibliometric Analysis of Secondary and Green Construction Materials Research Utilizing VOSviewer
1. Executive Summary
This report confirms the significant and growing body of bibliometric research leveraging VOSviewer to
analyze secondary construction materials (SCM) and green construction materials (GCM). Key areas of focus
include Circular Economy Business Models (CEBMs), bio- and earth-based materials, geopolymers, and the
extensive utilization of solid waste and Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW). VOSviewer is consistently
employed to map research trends, identify influential authors and institutions, visualize keyword co-
occurrence, and analyze citation patterns, drawing data primarily from Scopus, Web of Science, and
Dimensions databases. The overarching themes revolve around sustainability, waste valorization, material
performance, and the transition towards a circular economy in the construction sector. While research in
these areas is expanding rapidly, notable gaps exist, particularly concerning the reuse and recycling of C&DW
materials beyond concrete and the need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration.
2. Introduction
The global construction industry faces immense pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, driven by
concerns over resource depletion, high energy consumption, and significant waste generation. The
traditional linear "take-make-dispose" model is increasingly recognized as unsustainable, heavily reliant on
virgin materials, and producing substantial quantities of waste. In response to these pressing environmental
challenges, Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green Construction Materials (GCM) have emerged
as critical solutions. These materials promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the establishment of
closed-loop systems, aligning closely with Circular Economy (CE) principles. Their adoption is integral to
extending the lifecycle of materials, promoting modular construction techniques, prioritizing renewable
resources, and facilitating robust systems for reclaiming and recycling materials. Furthermore, the integration
of SCM and GCM is crucial for achieving broader sustainable development goals and mitigating the impacts
of climate change, as green buildings, for instance, serve as fundamental platforms for sustainable
development.
To systematically understand the evolving landscape of research in this vital domain, bibliometric analysis
serves as a powerful quantitative method. Developed by Alan Pritchard in 1969, this approach allows for the
mapping and assessment of scientific landscapes, the identification of key research trends, influential
entities, and existing knowledge gaps within specific domains. It provides objective, quantifiable insights into
the evolution and intellectual structure of scientific fields, thereby enabling researchers to discern current
states and project future trajectories.
Central to many contemporary bibliometric studies is VOSviewer, a widely recognized software tool
specifically designed for constructing, visualizing, and exploring bibliometric networks. Created in 2010,
VOSviewer addresses the challenge of managing and interpreting the increasing volume of academic data. Its
intuitive visualization capabilities make it particularly effective for illustrating complex relationships between
authors, organizations, countries, and research themes, offering clear and dynamic representations of
collaborative structures and thematic connections.
This report aims to systematically identify, synthesize, and analyze existing bibliographic research papers that
specifically focus on Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) or Green Construction Materials (GCM) and
have utilized VOSviewer for their analysis. By consolidating findings from these studies, the report seeks to
provide a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape, highlight key thematic areas, identify
prevalent methodological approaches, and pinpoint future research directions within this critical field.
3. Overview of Bibliometric Studies on Secondary and Green Construction Materials Using VOSviewer
This section details several prominent bibliometric studies that have leveraged VOSviewer to analyze
research trends in secondary and green construction materials, categorizing them by their primary material
or conceptual focus and highlighting their key contributions.
1. Executive Summary
This report confirms the significant and growing body of bibliometric research leveraging VOSviewer to
analyze secondary construction materials (SCM) and green construction materials (GCM). Key areas of focus
include Circular Economy Business Models (CEBMs), bio- and earth-based materials, geopolymers, and the
extensive utilization of solid waste and Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW). VOSviewer is consistently
employed to map research trends, identify influential authors and institutions, visualize keyword co-
occurrence, and analyze citation patterns, drawing data primarily from Scopus, Web of Science, and
Dimensions databases. The overarching themes revolve around sustainability, waste valorization, material
performance, and the transition towards a circular economy in the construction sector. While research in
these areas is expanding rapidly, notable gaps exist, particularly concerning the reuse and recycling of C&DW
materials beyond concrete and the need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration.
2. Introduction
The global construction industry faces immense pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, driven by
concerns over resource depletion, high energy consumption, and significant waste generation. The
traditional linear "take-make-dispose" model is increasingly recognized as unsustainable, heavily reliant on
virgin materials, and producing substantial quantities of waste. In response to these pressing environmental
challenges, Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green Construction Materials (GCM) have emerged
as critical solutions. These materials promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the establishment of
closed-loop systems, aligning closely with Circular Economy (CE) principles. Their adoption is integral to
extending the lifecycle of materials, promoting modular construction techniques, prioritizing renewable
resources, and facilitating robust systems for reclaiming and recycling materials. Furthermore, the integration
of SCM and GCM is crucial for achieving broader sustainable development goals and mitigating the impacts
of climate change, as green buildings, for instance, serve as fundamental platforms for sustainable
development.
To systematically understand the evolving landscape of research in this vital domain, bibliometric analysis
serves as a powerful quantitative method. Developed by Alan Pritchard in 1969, this approach allows for the
mapping and assessment of scientific landscapes, the identification of key research trends, influential
entities, and existing knowledge gaps within specific domains. It provides objective, quantifiable insights into
the evolution and intellectual structure of scientific fields, thereby enabling researchers to discern current
states and project future trajectories.
Central to many contemporary bibliometric studies is VOSviewer, a widely recognized software tool
specifically designed for constructing, visualizing, and exploring bibliometric networks. Created in 2010,
VOSviewer addresses the challenge of managing and interpreting the increasing volume of academic data. Its
intuitive visualization capabilities make it particularly effective for illustrating complex relationships between
authors, organizations, countries, and research themes, offering clear and dynamic representations of
collaborative structures and thematic connections.
This report aims to systematically identify, synthesize, and analyze existing bibliographic research papers that
specifically focus on Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) or Green Construction Materials (GCM) and
have utilized VOSviewer for their analysis. By consolidating findings from these studies, the report seeks to
provide a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape, highlight key thematic areas, identify
prevalent methodological approaches, and pinpoint future research directions within this critical field.
3. Overview of Bibliometric Studies on Secondary and Green Construction Materials Using VOSviewer
This section details several prominent bibliometric studies that have leveraged VOSviewer to analyze
research trends in secondary and green construction materials, categorizing them by their primary material
or conceptual focus and highlighting their key contributions.
Circular Economy Business Models (CEBMs) in Construction A study published in 2024 conducted a
bibliometric analysis of 120 research publications indexed in the Scopus database from 2020 to June 2024.
This research, titled "Exploring Circular Economy Business Model for Construction: A Bibliometric Analysis,"
aimed to examine the integration of Circular Economy Business Models (CEBMs) within the construction
sector. VOSviewer was extensively utilized in this study to analyze co-authorship networks, citation patterns,
and keyword co-occurrences. The objective was to identify key research clusters and trends in CEBMs for
construction and to highlight areas with limited research through keyword analysis and co-citation maps. The
findings provide valuable insights into research trends and underscore the transformative potential of CEBMs
in promoting sustainable and resource-efficient construction practices, emphasizing the importance of
scaling CEBMs to foster sustainable and resource-efficient construction. The emphasis on CEBMs in
construction, as revealed by this VOSviewer analysis, signals a notable progression in research. The focus has
shifted from merely investigating the properties of individual materials to a broader systemic approach that
considers how materials integrate into sustainable business models and closed-loop systems. This indicates
that the study of secondary and green construction materials is increasingly embedded within a larger
Circular Economy framework, highlighting the interconnectedness of material science with economic and
operational models.
Bio- and Earth-Based Building Materials A comprehensive study, "Bibliometric Analysis of Bio- and Earth-
Based Building Materials: Current and Future Trends," published in Construction Materials in November
2023, analyzed 1778 publications on bio-based and 1605 on earth-based building materials. The
bibliographic data for this research were collected from the Web of Science database. Authors Séverine Rosa
Latapie, A. Abou-Chakra Guéry, and Vincent Sabathier employed VOSviewer in conjunction with statistical
analysis to provide clear, quantifiable, and objective insights into current trends. The analysis facilitated the
identification of new, promising research perspectives by exploring connections between authors, themes,
and highly cited articles, specifically utilizing co-citation and co-occurrence links to uncover foundational
works and thematic structures. The study offers an extensive overview of key contributors, including authors,
countries, and journals, and identifies the main topics covered in these fields. It highlights emerging research
perspectives such as physics, modeling, durability, and microstructure studies as crucial levers for the future
development of these eco-friendly building materials. The deliberate decision to treat both bio- and earth-
based materials within the same bibliometric study, as explicitly stated by the researchers, suggests an
inherent recognition among the scientific community of their shared historical roots and complementary
roles in sustainable construction. This methodological choice indicates a holistic view of natural, low-impact
materials, implying a strong synergy, shared challenges, or common research trajectories for these two
categories. VOSviewer's capability to map connections and clusters within this combined dataset can
effectively reveal how these distinct areas intersect, potentially uncovering shared research communities,
common applications, or mutual influences, thereby reinforcing their collective importance in the green
building paradigm.
Geopolymers from a Circular Economy Perspective A scientometric review titled "Sustainability of Green
Building Materials: A Scientometric Review of Geopolymers from a Circular Economy Perspective," published
in Sustainability in November 2023, focused on geopolymers (GPC) as an emerging green building material.
Paolo Lorenzo Ferrara, Michele La Noce, and Gaetano Sciuto collected bibliometric data on GPCs from the
Dimensions database. VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) was instrumental in performing a scientometric analysis,
identifying high-impact articles, authors, and journals using specific query metrics and keywords such as
"geopolymer," "circular economy," and "green building materials". The study provided a detailed account of
VOSviewer's application for co-authorship, citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-citation analyses,
employing a 'Full Counting' method to emphasize collaborations due to the inherently interdisciplinary
nature of the subject. The findings highlight geopolymers as a significant contributor to the sustainability of
the construction industry, particularly in mitigating CO2 emissions, water absorption, and land depletion
associated with traditional Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The analysis comprehensively examined
publication trends, top journals, keyword co-occurrence, leading authors, highly cited articles, and the
bibliometric analysis of 120 research publications indexed in the Scopus database from 2020 to June 2024.
This research, titled "Exploring Circular Economy Business Model for Construction: A Bibliometric Analysis,"
aimed to examine the integration of Circular Economy Business Models (CEBMs) within the construction
sector. VOSviewer was extensively utilized in this study to analyze co-authorship networks, citation patterns,
and keyword co-occurrences. The objective was to identify key research clusters and trends in CEBMs for
construction and to highlight areas with limited research through keyword analysis and co-citation maps. The
findings provide valuable insights into research trends and underscore the transformative potential of CEBMs
in promoting sustainable and resource-efficient construction practices, emphasizing the importance of
scaling CEBMs to foster sustainable and resource-efficient construction. The emphasis on CEBMs in
construction, as revealed by this VOSviewer analysis, signals a notable progression in research. The focus has
shifted from merely investigating the properties of individual materials to a broader systemic approach that
considers how materials integrate into sustainable business models and closed-loop systems. This indicates
that the study of secondary and green construction materials is increasingly embedded within a larger
Circular Economy framework, highlighting the interconnectedness of material science with economic and
operational models.
Bio- and Earth-Based Building Materials A comprehensive study, "Bibliometric Analysis of Bio- and Earth-
Based Building Materials: Current and Future Trends," published in Construction Materials in November
2023, analyzed 1778 publications on bio-based and 1605 on earth-based building materials. The
bibliographic data for this research were collected from the Web of Science database. Authors Séverine Rosa
Latapie, A. Abou-Chakra Guéry, and Vincent Sabathier employed VOSviewer in conjunction with statistical
analysis to provide clear, quantifiable, and objective insights into current trends. The analysis facilitated the
identification of new, promising research perspectives by exploring connections between authors, themes,
and highly cited articles, specifically utilizing co-citation and co-occurrence links to uncover foundational
works and thematic structures. The study offers an extensive overview of key contributors, including authors,
countries, and journals, and identifies the main topics covered in these fields. It highlights emerging research
perspectives such as physics, modeling, durability, and microstructure studies as crucial levers for the future
development of these eco-friendly building materials. The deliberate decision to treat both bio- and earth-
based materials within the same bibliometric study, as explicitly stated by the researchers, suggests an
inherent recognition among the scientific community of their shared historical roots and complementary
roles in sustainable construction. This methodological choice indicates a holistic view of natural, low-impact
materials, implying a strong synergy, shared challenges, or common research trajectories for these two
categories. VOSviewer's capability to map connections and clusters within this combined dataset can
effectively reveal how these distinct areas intersect, potentially uncovering shared research communities,
common applications, or mutual influences, thereby reinforcing their collective importance in the green
building paradigm.
Geopolymers from a Circular Economy Perspective A scientometric review titled "Sustainability of Green
Building Materials: A Scientometric Review of Geopolymers from a Circular Economy Perspective," published
in Sustainability in November 2023, focused on geopolymers (GPC) as an emerging green building material.
Paolo Lorenzo Ferrara, Michele La Noce, and Gaetano Sciuto collected bibliometric data on GPCs from the
Dimensions database. VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) was instrumental in performing a scientometric analysis,
identifying high-impact articles, authors, and journals using specific query metrics and keywords such as
"geopolymer," "circular economy," and "green building materials". The study provided a detailed account of
VOSviewer's application for co-authorship, citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-citation analyses,
employing a 'Full Counting' method to emphasize collaborations due to the inherently interdisciplinary
nature of the subject. The findings highlight geopolymers as a significant contributor to the sustainability of
the construction industry, particularly in mitigating CO2 emissions, water absorption, and land depletion
associated with traditional Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The analysis comprehensively examined
publication trends, top journals, keyword co-occurrence, leading authors, highly cited articles, and the
geographical distribution of research in this field. The deliberate choice of the Dimensions database over
more commonly used databases like Scopus or Web of Science for analyzing geopolymers indicates a growing
methodological sophistication in bibliometric studies. This decision reflects a recognition that database
selection can significantly influence the comprehensiveness and interdisciplinary scope of findings,
particularly for emerging, cross-cutting material science fields. The justification for using Dimensions, citing
its "innovativeness and larger coverage" and its suitability for the "transversality and interdisciplinarity of
geopolymers," demonstrates an advanced understanding of data source characteristics and their impact on
bibliometric outcomes. This signifies that researchers are making informed choices to capture the full
breadth of an interdisciplinary topic, suggesting a move towards more tailored and robust data collection
strategies to ensure the most accurate and comprehensive mapping of complex research landscapes.
Solid Waste Utilization in Construction Industry A study titled "Progress and Prospect of Solid Waste
Utilization in Construction Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer," published in
Buildings in March 2025, analyzed research on solid waste reutilization in the construction sector from 2014
to 2024. Runrun Dong, Huixian Yu, and Jing Lu drew their data from the Web of Science Core Collection and
Scopus databases. VOSviewer (alongside CiteSpace) was utilized for systematic bibliometric analysis,
including author, institution, and country collaboration networks, and density visualization of cited journals
to identify research hotspots. VOSviewer was specifically chosen for its intuitive and clear visualization
effects, which vividly present dynamic collaborative relationships within research subgroups. The research
identified a steady increase in publications related to solid waste reuse, highlighting key research areas such
as fly ash, concrete, municipal solid waste, material performance (mechanical property, strength), life cycle
assessment, and heavy metals. It also mapped evolutionary phases of research, from an initial focus on
material properties to the current integration of automation and digitalization for high-performance
applications. The consistent pairing of VOSviewer with CiteSpace in this and other studies points to a
recognition among researchers of the complementary strengths of these tools for conducting a more robust
and less subjective bibliometric analysis. VOSviewer excels in network visualization, while CiteSpace is often
preferred for identifying emerging trends and intellectual turning points. By employing both tools,
researchers can gain a more holistic and validated view of the research landscape, leveraging VOSviewer for
structural mapping and CiteSpace for temporal dynamics and novelty detection. This indicates a
methodological maturity in the field, where researchers are combining tools to overcome individual
limitations and achieve a more comprehensive and reliable analysis.
Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) Research Patterns A global bibliographic analysis titled "Global
Patterns in Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) Research: A Bibliometric Analysis Using VOSviewer,"
published in Sustainability in February 2024, was undertaken by Emina Kristina Petrović and Caroline Ann
Thomas. The study utilized seven groups of keyword searches of Scopus data. VOSviewer was employed to
visualize the results of these keyword searches, aiding in the identification of phases in the discussion of
C&DW in terms of volume and themes. Crucially, the analysis also examined how the selection of search
terms influences the findings. The research revealed that C&DW research has seen an exponential increase
since 2016, yet it receives only modest attention compared to other waste areas. Concrete was identified as
the most researched material within C&DW, while the reuse, recycling, and circular economy applications for
other materials attract proportionally modest research attention. The finding that "search terms influence
what is found" in C&DW research highlights a critical methodological vulnerability in bibliometric studies. If
the perceived landscape of a research field, including its phases, themes, and volume, is demonstrably
shaped by the initial search terms, it means that the representation of the field can be significantly affected
by the chosen query. This directly impacts the validity, reproducibility, and generalizability of bibliometric
analyses. It implicitly suggests that future studies must either employ multiple, diverse keyword sets to
ensure robustness or provide a strong justification for their chosen terms, acknowledging potential biases
and limitations in their scope. This observation prompts critical reflection on the very foundation of
bibliometric research in this domain.
more commonly used databases like Scopus or Web of Science for analyzing geopolymers indicates a growing
methodological sophistication in bibliometric studies. This decision reflects a recognition that database
selection can significantly influence the comprehensiveness and interdisciplinary scope of findings,
particularly for emerging, cross-cutting material science fields. The justification for using Dimensions, citing
its "innovativeness and larger coverage" and its suitability for the "transversality and interdisciplinarity of
geopolymers," demonstrates an advanced understanding of data source characteristics and their impact on
bibliometric outcomes. This signifies that researchers are making informed choices to capture the full
breadth of an interdisciplinary topic, suggesting a move towards more tailored and robust data collection
strategies to ensure the most accurate and comprehensive mapping of complex research landscapes.
Solid Waste Utilization in Construction Industry A study titled "Progress and Prospect of Solid Waste
Utilization in Construction Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer," published in
Buildings in March 2025, analyzed research on solid waste reutilization in the construction sector from 2014
to 2024. Runrun Dong, Huixian Yu, and Jing Lu drew their data from the Web of Science Core Collection and
Scopus databases. VOSviewer (alongside CiteSpace) was utilized for systematic bibliometric analysis,
including author, institution, and country collaboration networks, and density visualization of cited journals
to identify research hotspots. VOSviewer was specifically chosen for its intuitive and clear visualization
effects, which vividly present dynamic collaborative relationships within research subgroups. The research
identified a steady increase in publications related to solid waste reuse, highlighting key research areas such
as fly ash, concrete, municipal solid waste, material performance (mechanical property, strength), life cycle
assessment, and heavy metals. It also mapped evolutionary phases of research, from an initial focus on
material properties to the current integration of automation and digitalization for high-performance
applications. The consistent pairing of VOSviewer with CiteSpace in this and other studies points to a
recognition among researchers of the complementary strengths of these tools for conducting a more robust
and less subjective bibliometric analysis. VOSviewer excels in network visualization, while CiteSpace is often
preferred for identifying emerging trends and intellectual turning points. By employing both tools,
researchers can gain a more holistic and validated view of the research landscape, leveraging VOSviewer for
structural mapping and CiteSpace for temporal dynamics and novelty detection. This indicates a
methodological maturity in the field, where researchers are combining tools to overcome individual
limitations and achieve a more comprehensive and reliable analysis.
Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) Research Patterns A global bibliographic analysis titled "Global
Patterns in Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) Research: A Bibliometric Analysis Using VOSviewer,"
published in Sustainability in February 2024, was undertaken by Emina Kristina Petrović and Caroline Ann
Thomas. The study utilized seven groups of keyword searches of Scopus data. VOSviewer was employed to
visualize the results of these keyword searches, aiding in the identification of phases in the discussion of
C&DW in terms of volume and themes. Crucially, the analysis also examined how the selection of search
terms influences the findings. The research revealed that C&DW research has seen an exponential increase
since 2016, yet it receives only modest attention compared to other waste areas. Concrete was identified as
the most researched material within C&DW, while the reuse, recycling, and circular economy applications for
other materials attract proportionally modest research attention. The finding that "search terms influence
what is found" in C&DW research highlights a critical methodological vulnerability in bibliometric studies. If
the perceived landscape of a research field, including its phases, themes, and volume, is demonstrably
shaped by the initial search terms, it means that the representation of the field can be significantly affected
by the chosen query. This directly impacts the validity, reproducibility, and generalizability of bibliometric
analyses. It implicitly suggests that future studies must either employ multiple, diverse keyword sets to
ensure robustness or provide a strong justification for their chosen terms, acknowledging potential biases
and limitations in their scope. This observation prompts critical reflection on the very foundation of
bibliometric research in this domain.
Green Building Sustainability A review paper titled "Sustainability Considerations of Green Buildings: A
Detailed Overview on Current Advancements and Future Considerations," published in Sustainability in 2022,
provided a systematic overview of green building sustainability. Authors Tianqi Liu, Lin Chen, Mingyu Yang,
Malindu Sandanayake, Pengyun Miao, Yang Shi, and Pow-Seng Yap used Web of Science (WoS) as the primary
database for their analysis. VOSviewer was utilized for visual analysis of the literature, specifically to
understand research hotspots. The software displays hot terms with labels and circles, where size is
determined by the term's weight, and color indicates cluster belonging, helping to identify main buzzwords
such as environmental impact, economic impact, social impact, and barriers and challenges to green building.
The study identified comprehensive benefits (environmental, economic, social, and health & safety) and
persistent challenges (e.g., high initial investment costs, lack of awareness, insufficient government
incentives, fragmented policy, technological limitations) of green building implementation. It also highlighted
current advancements in environmental performance and energy efficiency and proposed future
recommendations. The identification of "buzzwords" and "research hotspots" through VOSviewer in green
building research indicates a dynamic evolution of the field, where certain concepts gain prominence. These
prominent terms can signal areas of concentrated funding, policy interest, or academic consensus, thereby
guiding future research and investment. Understanding these hotspots can inform strategic research funding,
policy development, and industry innovation, as they represent the leading edge of the field's intellectual
inquiry and practical application.
The table below summarizes the key characteristics of these bibliometric studies, providing a consolidated
overview of their focus, methodology, and contributions.
Table 1: Summary of Bibliometric Studies on Secondary and Green Construction Materials Using
VOSviewer
Study Title Primary
Material/Concept
Focus
Publication
Year
Journal Lead
Author(s)
Database(s)
Used
Key VOSviewer
Application
Brief Note on Key
Findings/Relevance
Exploring
Circular
Economy
Business Model
for
Construction: A
Bibliometric
Analysis
Circular Economy
Business Models
(CEBMs) in
Construction
2024 HRMARS
International
Journal of
Research in
Management
Sciences &
Technology
Not
specified
in snippet
Scopus Co-authorship
networks, citation
patterns, keyword
co-occurrences,
co-citation maps
Identifies key
research clusters and
trends in CEBMs for
construction,
highlights areas with
limited research.
Bibliometric
Analysis of Bio-
and Earth-Based
Building
Materials:
Current and
Future Trends
Bio- and Earth-
Based Building
Materials
2023 Construction
Materials
Séverine
Rosa
Latapie
Web of
Science
Co-citation and
co-occurrence
links for themes,
links between
authors, themes,
cited articles
Provides extensive
overview of
contributors and
topics; highlights
physics, modeling,
durability,
microstructure as
future trends.
Sustainability of
Green Building
Materials: A
Scientometric
Review of
Geopolymers
from a Circular
Economy
Perspective
Geopolymers
(GPC) as Green
Building Materials
2023 SustainabilityPaolo
Lorenzo
Ferrara
DimensionsCo-authorship,
citation,
bibliographic
coupling, co-
citation analyses;
keyword co-
occurrence
Geopolymers
contribute to
sustainability,
mitigating CO2
emissions; examines
trends, authors,
journals, geography.
Progress and
Prospect of
Solid Waste
Utilization in
Construction
Industry: A
Bibliometric
Analysis Based
on CiteSpace
and VOSviewer
Solid Waste
Utilization in
Construction
Industry
2025 Buildings Runrun
Dong
Web of
Science
Core
Collection,
Scopus
Author,
institution,
country
collaboration
networks; density
visualization of
cited journals
Steady increase in
publications;
identifies key
research areas (fly
ash, concrete, LCA);
maps evolutionary
phases.
Global Patterns
in Construction
Construction and
Demolition Waste
2024 SustainabilityEmina
Kristina
Scopus Visualization of
keyword searches
C&DW research
growing but modest;
Detailed Overview on Current Advancements and Future Considerations," published in Sustainability in 2022,
provided a systematic overview of green building sustainability. Authors Tianqi Liu, Lin Chen, Mingyu Yang,
Malindu Sandanayake, Pengyun Miao, Yang Shi, and Pow-Seng Yap used Web of Science (WoS) as the primary
database for their analysis. VOSviewer was utilized for visual analysis of the literature, specifically to
understand research hotspots. The software displays hot terms with labels and circles, where size is
determined by the term's weight, and color indicates cluster belonging, helping to identify main buzzwords
such as environmental impact, economic impact, social impact, and barriers and challenges to green building.
The study identified comprehensive benefits (environmental, economic, social, and health & safety) and
persistent challenges (e.g., high initial investment costs, lack of awareness, insufficient government
incentives, fragmented policy, technological limitations) of green building implementation. It also highlighted
current advancements in environmental performance and energy efficiency and proposed future
recommendations. The identification of "buzzwords" and "research hotspots" through VOSviewer in green
building research indicates a dynamic evolution of the field, where certain concepts gain prominence. These
prominent terms can signal areas of concentrated funding, policy interest, or academic consensus, thereby
guiding future research and investment. Understanding these hotspots can inform strategic research funding,
policy development, and industry innovation, as they represent the leading edge of the field's intellectual
inquiry and practical application.
The table below summarizes the key characteristics of these bibliometric studies, providing a consolidated
overview of their focus, methodology, and contributions.
Table 1: Summary of Bibliometric Studies on Secondary and Green Construction Materials Using
VOSviewer
Study Title Primary
Material/Concept
Focus
Publication
Year
Journal Lead
Author(s)
Database(s)
Used
Key VOSviewer
Application
Brief Note on Key
Findings/Relevance
Exploring
Circular
Economy
Business Model
for
Construction: A
Bibliometric
Analysis
Circular Economy
Business Models
(CEBMs) in
Construction
2024 HRMARS
International
Journal of
Research in
Management
Sciences &
Technology
Not
specified
in snippet
Scopus Co-authorship
networks, citation
patterns, keyword
co-occurrences,
co-citation maps
Identifies key
research clusters and
trends in CEBMs for
construction,
highlights areas with
limited research.
Bibliometric
Analysis of Bio-
and Earth-Based
Building
Materials:
Current and
Future Trends
Bio- and Earth-
Based Building
Materials
2023 Construction
Materials
Séverine
Rosa
Latapie
Web of
Science
Co-citation and
co-occurrence
links for themes,
links between
authors, themes,
cited articles
Provides extensive
overview of
contributors and
topics; highlights
physics, modeling,
durability,
microstructure as
future trends.
Sustainability of
Green Building
Materials: A
Scientometric
Review of
Geopolymers
from a Circular
Economy
Perspective
Geopolymers
(GPC) as Green
Building Materials
2023 SustainabilityPaolo
Lorenzo
Ferrara
DimensionsCo-authorship,
citation,
bibliographic
coupling, co-
citation analyses;
keyword co-
occurrence
Geopolymers
contribute to
sustainability,
mitigating CO2
emissions; examines
trends, authors,
journals, geography.
Progress and
Prospect of
Solid Waste
Utilization in
Construction
Industry: A
Bibliometric
Analysis Based
on CiteSpace
and VOSviewer
Solid Waste
Utilization in
Construction
Industry
2025 Buildings Runrun
Dong
Web of
Science
Core
Collection,
Scopus
Author,
institution,
country
collaboration
networks; density
visualization of
cited journals
Steady increase in
publications;
identifies key
research areas (fly
ash, concrete, LCA);
maps evolutionary
phases.
Global Patterns
in Construction
Construction and
Demolition Waste
2024 SustainabilityEmina
Kristina
Scopus Visualization of
keyword searches
C&DW research
growing but modest;
and Demolition
Waste (C&DW)
Research: A
Bibliometric
Analysis Using
VOSviewer
(C&DW) Petrović to identify themes
and influence of
search terms
concrete most
researched; need for
more research on
other materials.
Sustainability
Considerations
of Green
Buildings: A
Detailed
Overview on
Current
Advancements
and Future
Considerations
Green Building
Sustainability
2022 SustainabilityTianqi LiuWeb of
Science
Visual analysis of
literature to
understand
research hotspots
(buzzwords,
clusters)
Identifies
comprehensive
benefits and
persistent
challenges; highlights
advancements and
future
recommendations.
4. VOSviewer Methodology and Applications in SCM/GCM Research
VOSviewer is fundamentally a versatile software tool for constructing, visualizing, and exploring various types
of bibliometric networks. Its underlying algorithm, often developed in JavaScript, is configured to extract
bibliometric data from various sources and translate them into intuitive visualization maps. Within these
maps, "items"—which can represent publications, researchers, keywords, organizations, countries, or
academic sources—are depicted as nodes or map elements. The size of these nodes typically indicates their
weight, which can be based on their frequency of appearance, the number of publications associated with
them, or their total citation count, thereby reflecting their significance or influence within the analyzed
database. "Links" between items represent connections or relationships, with a positive numerical value
indicating the 'Strength' of that link. A higher value, often visualized by the width of the connecting line,
signifies a stronger relationship or greater co-occurrence. The software groups items into non-overlapping
"clusters" based on their relationships, which are visually represented by different colors. These clusters
require subsequent analysis and interpretation by researchers to reveal underlying thematic groupings,
collaborative communities, or intellectual structures within the field.
Types of Analysis Supported and Their Application in SCM/GCM VOSviewer supports several types of
bibliometric analyses, each offering unique insights into the structure and dynamics of a research field:
Co-authorship Networks: This analysis focuses on publications co-authored by two or more authors,
organizations, or countries. It is widely used to reveal the main contributors in a field and to
understand collaborative relationships and patterns of cooperation. For instance, studies on solid
waste utilization in construction have mapped author, institution, and country collaboration
networks to identify partnerships, assess research and development levels, and visualize the degree
of international cooperation.
Keyword Co-occurrence: This analysis describes publications in which two keywords appear together,
making it essential for identifying main topics, research hotspots, and emerging themes. By
visualizing these co-occurrences, researchers can effectively map the intellectual structure and
thematic evolution of a field.
Citation Analysis: This involves one element (such as a document, source, author, organization, or
country) citing another. It explores citation patterns to identify influential articles, authors, or
journals that have significantly shaped the discourse within the research domain.
Co-citation Analysis: This quantifies the number of times items (such as references, sources, or
authors) are cited together in the same document. It is used to bring out foundational works and
reveal thematic links, often presented through density visualization of cited journals to highlight
research hotspots.
Waste (C&DW)
Research: A
Bibliometric
Analysis Using
VOSviewer
(C&DW) Petrović to identify themes
and influence of
search terms
concrete most
researched; need for
more research on
other materials.
Sustainability
Considerations
of Green
Buildings: A
Detailed
Overview on
Current
Advancements
and Future
Considerations
Green Building
Sustainability
2022 SustainabilityTianqi LiuWeb of
Science
Visual analysis of
literature to
understand
research hotspots
(buzzwords,
clusters)
Identifies
comprehensive
benefits and
persistent
challenges; highlights
advancements and
future
recommendations.
4. VOSviewer Methodology and Applications in SCM/GCM Research
VOSviewer is fundamentally a versatile software tool for constructing, visualizing, and exploring various types
of bibliometric networks. Its underlying algorithm, often developed in JavaScript, is configured to extract
bibliometric data from various sources and translate them into intuitive visualization maps. Within these
maps, "items"—which can represent publications, researchers, keywords, organizations, countries, or
academic sources—are depicted as nodes or map elements. The size of these nodes typically indicates their
weight, which can be based on their frequency of appearance, the number of publications associated with
them, or their total citation count, thereby reflecting their significance or influence within the analyzed
database. "Links" between items represent connections or relationships, with a positive numerical value
indicating the 'Strength' of that link. A higher value, often visualized by the width of the connecting line,
signifies a stronger relationship or greater co-occurrence. The software groups items into non-overlapping
"clusters" based on their relationships, which are visually represented by different colors. These clusters
require subsequent analysis and interpretation by researchers to reveal underlying thematic groupings,
collaborative communities, or intellectual structures within the field.
Types of Analysis Supported and Their Application in SCM/GCM VOSviewer supports several types of
bibliometric analyses, each offering unique insights into the structure and dynamics of a research field:
Co-authorship Networks: This analysis focuses on publications co-authored by two or more authors,
organizations, or countries. It is widely used to reveal the main contributors in a field and to
understand collaborative relationships and patterns of cooperation. For instance, studies on solid
waste utilization in construction have mapped author, institution, and country collaboration
networks to identify partnerships, assess research and development levels, and visualize the degree
of international cooperation.
Keyword Co-occurrence: This analysis describes publications in which two keywords appear together,
making it essential for identifying main topics, research hotspots, and emerging themes. By
visualizing these co-occurrences, researchers can effectively map the intellectual structure and
thematic evolution of a field.
Citation Analysis: This involves one element (such as a document, source, author, organization, or
country) citing another. It explores citation patterns to identify influential articles, authors, or
journals that have significantly shaped the discourse within the research domain.
Co-citation Analysis: This quantifies the number of times items (such as references, sources, or
authors) are cited together in the same document. It is used to bring out foundational works and
reveal thematic links, often presented through density visualization of cited journals to highlight
research hotspots.
Bibliographic Coupling: This measures the number of common references shared between two
documents, sources, authors, organizations, or countries, indicating intellectual similarity or shared
foundational knowledge.
Common VOSviewer Parameters and Data Processing Steps The application of VOSviewer in SCM/GCM
research follows a structured approach involving specific parameters and data processing steps. VOSviewer
version 1.6.19 is consistently cited across multiple studies, indicating its stability and widespread adoption
within the academic community for these types of analyses.
Regarding counting methods, two primary approaches are employed:
Full Counting: This method assigns a unit weight (1) to each link. For example, in a co-authorship
analysis, if an article is co-authored by 'n' researchers, the strength of the link between all 'n' authors
is counted as 1. This method is often adopted, particularly to emphasize collaborations in
interdisciplinary subjects.
Fractional Counting: This method considers a fractional value (1/n) for each co-authorship link,
distributing the weight more evenly across collaborators.
Studies commonly apply specific thresholds for minimum publications, occurrences, or citations to filter the
raw data. This is crucial for managing large datasets, ensuring effective visualization, and focusing the analysis
on the most significant entities. Examples include minimum thresholds of 10 publications and 10 citations for
journals, 10 occurrences for keywords, 5 publications and 5 citations for authors, and 30 publications and 30
citations for countries. These thresholds help mitigate the software's inherent limitation regarding excessively
large databases, which can hinder effective visualization.
Data acquisition typically involves collecting information from major scientific databases, including Scopus ,
Web of Science (WoS) , and Dimensions. While WoS is often chosen for its authoritative and comprehensive
nature, some studies note that there are no significant differences in analysis results when compared with
Scopus. Dimensions is gaining traction for its broader coverage and suitability for highly interdisciplinary
fields like geopolymers. Initial literature retrieval often yields a large number of papers (e.g., 1365 papers for
green building, which were then filtered to 150 relevant articles, with the 1000 most-cited used for
VOSviewer analysis ). These are subsequently refined based on their relevance to the study's specific topic.
Keywords for data collection are carefully identified and combined using logical operators (e.g., "AND") to
maximize relevant results. Furthermore, non-English documents are commonly excluded to maintain
consistency in language and content across the analyzed dataset.
Strengths and Limitations of VOSviewer VOSviewer offers several notable strengths in bibliometric analysis.
It excels at intuitive and clear visualization, vividly presenting dynamic collaborative relationships, thematic
structures, and research hotspots through variations in node size, color, shape, and network structures,
making complex data easily interpretable. It is highly effective in identifying current research patterns,
emerging trends, significant areas of knowledge, and areas with limited research or knowledge gaps. The tool
also provides clear, quantifiable, and objective insights into current trends, helping to understand the
intellectual structure of a field by mapping connections between authors, themes, and cited articles.
Moreover, its strategic combination with other bibliometric software like CiteSpace minimizes subjectivity
and bias, providing a more comprehensive and validated analysis.
Despite its strengths, VOSviewer does have limitations. The software can be constrained by the sheer size of
the database, necessitating careful filtering and the application of thresholds for effective visualization and
analysis. A critical observation from the analysis of C&DW research is that the selection of initial search terms
significantly influences the findings and the resulting map of the research landscape. This highlights a
potential source of bias if not carefully managed, implying that single-search studies might provide limited
insights. Additionally, while the visualization itself is objective, the interpretation of the generated clusters
and thematic connections still requires expert judgment, domain knowledge, and contextual understanding.
documents, sources, authors, organizations, or countries, indicating intellectual similarity or shared
foundational knowledge.
Common VOSviewer Parameters and Data Processing Steps The application of VOSviewer in SCM/GCM
research follows a structured approach involving specific parameters and data processing steps. VOSviewer
version 1.6.19 is consistently cited across multiple studies, indicating its stability and widespread adoption
within the academic community for these types of analyses.
Regarding counting methods, two primary approaches are employed:
Full Counting: This method assigns a unit weight (1) to each link. For example, in a co-authorship
analysis, if an article is co-authored by 'n' researchers, the strength of the link between all 'n' authors
is counted as 1. This method is often adopted, particularly to emphasize collaborations in
interdisciplinary subjects.
Fractional Counting: This method considers a fractional value (1/n) for each co-authorship link,
distributing the weight more evenly across collaborators.
Studies commonly apply specific thresholds for minimum publications, occurrences, or citations to filter the
raw data. This is crucial for managing large datasets, ensuring effective visualization, and focusing the analysis
on the most significant entities. Examples include minimum thresholds of 10 publications and 10 citations for
journals, 10 occurrences for keywords, 5 publications and 5 citations for authors, and 30 publications and 30
citations for countries. These thresholds help mitigate the software's inherent limitation regarding excessively
large databases, which can hinder effective visualization.
Data acquisition typically involves collecting information from major scientific databases, including Scopus ,
Web of Science (WoS) , and Dimensions. While WoS is often chosen for its authoritative and comprehensive
nature, some studies note that there are no significant differences in analysis results when compared with
Scopus. Dimensions is gaining traction for its broader coverage and suitability for highly interdisciplinary
fields like geopolymers. Initial literature retrieval often yields a large number of papers (e.g., 1365 papers for
green building, which were then filtered to 150 relevant articles, with the 1000 most-cited used for
VOSviewer analysis ). These are subsequently refined based on their relevance to the study's specific topic.
Keywords for data collection are carefully identified and combined using logical operators (e.g., "AND") to
maximize relevant results. Furthermore, non-English documents are commonly excluded to maintain
consistency in language and content across the analyzed dataset.
Strengths and Limitations of VOSviewer VOSviewer offers several notable strengths in bibliometric analysis.
It excels at intuitive and clear visualization, vividly presenting dynamic collaborative relationships, thematic
structures, and research hotspots through variations in node size, color, shape, and network structures,
making complex data easily interpretable. It is highly effective in identifying current research patterns,
emerging trends, significant areas of knowledge, and areas with limited research or knowledge gaps. The tool
also provides clear, quantifiable, and objective insights into current trends, helping to understand the
intellectual structure of a field by mapping connections between authors, themes, and cited articles.
Moreover, its strategic combination with other bibliometric software like CiteSpace minimizes subjectivity
and bias, providing a more comprehensive and validated analysis.
Despite its strengths, VOSviewer does have limitations. The software can be constrained by the sheer size of
the database, necessitating careful filtering and the application of thresholds for effective visualization and
analysis. A critical observation from the analysis of C&DW research is that the selection of initial search terms
significantly influences the findings and the resulting map of the research landscape. This highlights a
potential source of bias if not carefully managed, implying that single-search studies might provide limited
insights. Additionally, while the visualization itself is objective, the interpretation of the generated clusters
and thematic connections still requires expert judgment, domain knowledge, and contextual understanding.
The increasing adoption of VOSviewer, often in conjunction with other tools and rigorous data filtering,
signifies a maturation of bibliometric research in SCM/GCM, moving towards more sophisticated and
validated analytical approaches. The consistent use of specific software versions, detailed descriptions of
counting methods, and the explicit application of thresholds for data filtering all point to a standardized and
refined methodological approach. Furthermore, the deliberate choice of specialized databases like
Dimensions for its broader coverage and the strategic pairing with other tools like CiteSpace specifically to
"minimize subjectivity and bias" underscore that researchers are not merely using VOSviewer as a
standalone, basic tool. Instead, they are integrating it into a more robust, multi-faceted methodological
framework. This evolution suggests a growing awareness of bibliometric best practices and a drive for higher
quality, more reliable, and less biased analyses in the complex and interdisciplinary field of sustainable
construction materials.
5. Key Research Themes and Emerging Trends
The bibliometric analyses conducted using VOSviewer reveal several overarching themes and discernible
evolutionary phases within the research landscape of Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green
Construction Materials (GCM).
Overarching Themes
Circular Economy (CE) and Waste Valorization: This is a dominant and increasingly central theme,
emphasizing strategies for extending material lifecycles, promoting resource efficiency, and
facilitating systems for reclaiming and recycling materials within a closed-loop system. Studies on
Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW) and the broad utilization of solid waste in construction are
core to this theme, aiming to reduce waste volume and enhance resource utilization. Reverse
logistics in construction is also a related area of focus.
Sustainability Assessments: Research consistently focuses on the multi-dimensional benefits of
SCM/GCM, encompassing environmental aspects (e.g., CO2 emission reduction, water conservation,
biodiversity), economic advantages (e.g., life cycle cost savings, increased asset value), social impacts
(e.g., corporate reputation, user satisfaction), and health & safety considerations (e.g., improved
indoor environmental quality). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) frameworks are critical methodologies
applied to optimize waste management and material flow, providing a holistic view of environmental
impacts.
Material Performance and Characterization: A fundamental and ongoing focus involves the detailed
examination of properties for novel and secondary materials. This includes mechanical strength,
compressive strength, behavior, durability, and microstructure, particularly for materials like
geopolymers, fly ash, and other solid waste applications.
Policy and Implementation Challenges: Studies frequently identify recurring barriers to the
widespread adoption of green building and SCM. These include high initial investment costs, a
persistent lack of awareness among stakeholders, insufficient government financial incentives, and
fragmented legal and institutional frameworks.
Emerging Research Hotspots and Interdisciplinary Connections Several areas are emerging as significant
research hotspots, often characterized by their interdisciplinary nature:
Geopolymers: Identified as a significant emerging green building material, extensive research
explores its sustainability from a circular economy perspective, particularly as a promising alternative
to Ordinary Portland Cement. Its inherently interdisciplinary nature, spanning engineering, geology,
chemistry, economics, and architecture, positions it as a key area of concentrated study.
Bio- and Earth-Based Materials: Despite being relatively recent in formal academic study, these
materials are gaining growing interest. Emerging research perspectives are focusing on their physics,
signifies a maturation of bibliometric research in SCM/GCM, moving towards more sophisticated and
validated analytical approaches. The consistent use of specific software versions, detailed descriptions of
counting methods, and the explicit application of thresholds for data filtering all point to a standardized and
refined methodological approach. Furthermore, the deliberate choice of specialized databases like
Dimensions for its broader coverage and the strategic pairing with other tools like CiteSpace specifically to
"minimize subjectivity and bias" underscore that researchers are not merely using VOSviewer as a
standalone, basic tool. Instead, they are integrating it into a more robust, multi-faceted methodological
framework. This evolution suggests a growing awareness of bibliometric best practices and a drive for higher
quality, more reliable, and less biased analyses in the complex and interdisciplinary field of sustainable
construction materials.
5. Key Research Themes and Emerging Trends
The bibliometric analyses conducted using VOSviewer reveal several overarching themes and discernible
evolutionary phases within the research landscape of Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green
Construction Materials (GCM).
Overarching Themes
Circular Economy (CE) and Waste Valorization: This is a dominant and increasingly central theme,
emphasizing strategies for extending material lifecycles, promoting resource efficiency, and
facilitating systems for reclaiming and recycling materials within a closed-loop system. Studies on
Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW) and the broad utilization of solid waste in construction are
core to this theme, aiming to reduce waste volume and enhance resource utilization. Reverse
logistics in construction is also a related area of focus.
Sustainability Assessments: Research consistently focuses on the multi-dimensional benefits of
SCM/GCM, encompassing environmental aspects (e.g., CO2 emission reduction, water conservation,
biodiversity), economic advantages (e.g., life cycle cost savings, increased asset value), social impacts
(e.g., corporate reputation, user satisfaction), and health & safety considerations (e.g., improved
indoor environmental quality). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) frameworks are critical methodologies
applied to optimize waste management and material flow, providing a holistic view of environmental
impacts.
Material Performance and Characterization: A fundamental and ongoing focus involves the detailed
examination of properties for novel and secondary materials. This includes mechanical strength,
compressive strength, behavior, durability, and microstructure, particularly for materials like
geopolymers, fly ash, and other solid waste applications.
Policy and Implementation Challenges: Studies frequently identify recurring barriers to the
widespread adoption of green building and SCM. These include high initial investment costs, a
persistent lack of awareness among stakeholders, insufficient government financial incentives, and
fragmented legal and institutional frameworks.
Emerging Research Hotspots and Interdisciplinary Connections Several areas are emerging as significant
research hotspots, often characterized by their interdisciplinary nature:
Geopolymers: Identified as a significant emerging green building material, extensive research
explores its sustainability from a circular economy perspective, particularly as a promising alternative
to Ordinary Portland Cement. Its inherently interdisciplinary nature, spanning engineering, geology,
chemistry, economics, and architecture, positions it as a key area of concentrated study.
Bio- and Earth-Based Materials: Despite being relatively recent in formal academic study, these
materials are gaining growing interest. Emerging research perspectives are focusing on their physics,
advanced modeling techniques, long-term durability, and microstructure, which are crucial for their
widespread adoption and reliable performance in construction.
Integration of Advanced Technologies: The current phase of solid waste research demonstrates a
clear trend towards integrating automation and digitalization. This includes the application of
emerging technologies such as 3D printing and artificial intelligence to optimize material
performance and develop high-performance and diversified solid waste applications.
Hazardous Waste Recycling: Specific attention is increasingly being given to the high-value-added
and resourceful reuse of hazardous solid wastes, such as heavy-metal-stabilized bottom ash and
sludge residues. These materials can be recycled as road base materials after undergoing appropriate
stabilization techniques.
Evolutionary Phases of Research in SCM/GCM Bibliometric analyses have revealed distinct evolutionary
phases in the research trajectory of SCM and GCM, particularly evident in studies on solid waste utilization:
Initial Phase (e.g., 2014–2016 for solid waste): This period was characterized by a foundational focus
on solid waste properties and their environmental impacts, with particular attention to mechanical
properties and municipal solid waste. For alternative building materials broadly, a significant surge in
publications was observed in the last decade, indicating a growing academic interest.
Intermediate Phase (e.g., 2017–2020 for solid waste): This phase saw an expanded exploration into
broader concepts such as the circular economy, anaerobic digestion, and the nascent applications of
technologies like 3D printing in the context of waste utilization.
Current Phase (e.g., 2021–2024 for solid waste): This phase strongly aligns with a green and low-
carbon framework, emphasizing the integration of automation and digitalization. The focus has
shifted towards developing high-performance and diversified solid waste applications, including
artificial aggregates, microstructural evaluation, demolition waste, and advanced cementitious
materials. Throughout these evolutionary phases, sustainability consistently remains the core
thematic driver.
A critical observation from the analysis of Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) research is the
observed exponential increase in publications since 2016. However, this growth is juxtaposed with the
finding that C&DW still receives "only modest research attention compared to other areas of waste". While
an exponential increase might suggest rapid progress, when contextualized against the immense volume of
construction solid waste—projected to exceed 2 billion tons by 2025 and accounting for over 70% of total
municipal solid waste —the term "modest attention" reveals a significant disparity. This implies that despite
the rapid acceleration in academic interest, the research effort is still disproportionately low compared to the
environmental and economic scale of the C&DW problem. This situation signals a need for an even greater,
perhaps unprecedented, acceleration of research to match the urgency of the waste management challenge.
6. Research Gaps and Future Directions
Based on the collective findings from the reviewed bibliometric studies, several key research gaps persist
within the domain of Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green Construction Materials (GCM),
which in turn inform crucial avenues for future research.
Identified Research Gaps
Limited Scope in Green Building Research: Many existing research papers on green building tend to
focus on only one or two aspects, indicating a significant research gap where a truly comprehensive,
systematic review integrating multi-dimensional considerations (environmental, economic, social,
health & safety) has been lacking until recently. This narrow focus can hinder a holistic understanding
of green building's full impact and potential.
widespread adoption and reliable performance in construction.
Integration of Advanced Technologies: The current phase of solid waste research demonstrates a
clear trend towards integrating automation and digitalization. This includes the application of
emerging technologies such as 3D printing and artificial intelligence to optimize material
performance and develop high-performance and diversified solid waste applications.
Hazardous Waste Recycling: Specific attention is increasingly being given to the high-value-added
and resourceful reuse of hazardous solid wastes, such as heavy-metal-stabilized bottom ash and
sludge residues. These materials can be recycled as road base materials after undergoing appropriate
stabilization techniques.
Evolutionary Phases of Research in SCM/GCM Bibliometric analyses have revealed distinct evolutionary
phases in the research trajectory of SCM and GCM, particularly evident in studies on solid waste utilization:
Initial Phase (e.g., 2014–2016 for solid waste): This period was characterized by a foundational focus
on solid waste properties and their environmental impacts, with particular attention to mechanical
properties and municipal solid waste. For alternative building materials broadly, a significant surge in
publications was observed in the last decade, indicating a growing academic interest.
Intermediate Phase (e.g., 2017–2020 for solid waste): This phase saw an expanded exploration into
broader concepts such as the circular economy, anaerobic digestion, and the nascent applications of
technologies like 3D printing in the context of waste utilization.
Current Phase (e.g., 2021–2024 for solid waste): This phase strongly aligns with a green and low-
carbon framework, emphasizing the integration of automation and digitalization. The focus has
shifted towards developing high-performance and diversified solid waste applications, including
artificial aggregates, microstructural evaluation, demolition waste, and advanced cementitious
materials. Throughout these evolutionary phases, sustainability consistently remains the core
thematic driver.
A critical observation from the analysis of Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) research is the
observed exponential increase in publications since 2016. However, this growth is juxtaposed with the
finding that C&DW still receives "only modest research attention compared to other areas of waste". While
an exponential increase might suggest rapid progress, when contextualized against the immense volume of
construction solid waste—projected to exceed 2 billion tons by 2025 and accounting for over 70% of total
municipal solid waste —the term "modest attention" reveals a significant disparity. This implies that despite
the rapid acceleration in academic interest, the research effort is still disproportionately low compared to the
environmental and economic scale of the C&DW problem. This situation signals a need for an even greater,
perhaps unprecedented, acceleration of research to match the urgency of the waste management challenge.
6. Research Gaps and Future Directions
Based on the collective findings from the reviewed bibliometric studies, several key research gaps persist
within the domain of Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green Construction Materials (GCM),
which in turn inform crucial avenues for future research.
Identified Research Gaps
Limited Scope in Green Building Research: Many existing research papers on green building tend to
focus on only one or two aspects, indicating a significant research gap where a truly comprehensive,
systematic review integrating multi-dimensional considerations (environmental, economic, social,
health & safety) has been lacking until recently. This narrow focus can hinder a holistic understanding
of green building's full impact and potential.
Under-researched Materials in C&DW: While concrete is extensively studied as a component of
Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW), there is proportionally modest research attention on the
reuse, recycling, and circular economy applications for other materials within C&DW. This represents
a significant missed opportunity for diversification in SCM research to address the full spectrum and
vast volume of C&DW.
Fragmented Collaboration Networks: Despite a general increase in international collaboration, some
studies highlight that research teams, particularly from active countries like China, can be relatively
small and form isolated research networks. This suggests a need for more stable core groups of
authors and broader, more integrated international partnerships to foster deeper knowledge
exchange and accelerate progress on complex global challenges.
Policy and Regulatory Deficiencies: Recurring challenges identified include insufficient government
financial incentives, a persistent lack of education and training programs for stakeholders, and
fragmented legal and institutional frameworks that do not adequately address regional differences in
economic development or provide stringent penalties for non-compliance. These systemic issues
impede the widespread adoption of sustainable construction practices.
Technological Integration and Research & Development: There is a recognized gap in the full
integration of new tools and technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) due to high
upfront costs and poor inter-software interoperability, often leading to information transmission
deviations and communication problems. Furthermore, a general lack of research in key energy-
saving technologies for green buildings persists, limiting their full potential for energy efficiency.
Suggestions for Future Research Avenues Addressing the identified gaps necessitates strategic redirection
and intensification of research efforts:
Accelerated Research on Diverse C&DW Materials: A strong and urgent need exists for increased
research on the reuse, recycling, and circular economy principles applied to construction materials
beyond concrete, to address the vast volume and diversity of C&DW. This includes exploring novel
applications and processing techniques for underutilized waste streams.
Enhanced Interdisciplinary Approaches: Future research should foster greater interdisciplinary
collaboration, integrating fields like environmental science, materials science, physics, chemistry, and
potentially venturing into advanced computational fields such as artificial intelligence and 3D printing
for optimizing material performance and waste utilization. This will enable more holistic solutions to
complex problems.
Development of Comprehensive LCA Frameworks: To address the exponential growth of Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) and construction solid waste, developing comprehensive life cycle assessment
(LCA) frameworks is critical. These frameworks should aim to optimize closed-loop systems
encompassing waste generation, collection, treatment, and reuse, ensuring sustainability across the
entire material lifecycle.
Targeted Policy Development and Awareness Campaigns: Research should actively inform and
advocate for stronger government support, including financial incentives (like tax cuts) and improved
legislation with clear penalties for non-compliance. Concurrently, public awareness campaigns are
crucial to encourage developers and tenants to embrace green building and SCM, bridging the
knowledge-practice divide.
Focus on Durability, Modeling, and Microstructure: For bio- and earth-based materials, continued
and intensified research into their physics, advanced modeling, long-term durability, and
microstructure is crucial for overcoming current limitations and facilitating their widespread adoption
and reliable performance in diverse construction applications.
Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW), there is proportionally modest research attention on the
reuse, recycling, and circular economy applications for other materials within C&DW. This represents
a significant missed opportunity for diversification in SCM research to address the full spectrum and
vast volume of C&DW.
Fragmented Collaboration Networks: Despite a general increase in international collaboration, some
studies highlight that research teams, particularly from active countries like China, can be relatively
small and form isolated research networks. This suggests a need for more stable core groups of
authors and broader, more integrated international partnerships to foster deeper knowledge
exchange and accelerate progress on complex global challenges.
Policy and Regulatory Deficiencies: Recurring challenges identified include insufficient government
financial incentives, a persistent lack of education and training programs for stakeholders, and
fragmented legal and institutional frameworks that do not adequately address regional differences in
economic development or provide stringent penalties for non-compliance. These systemic issues
impede the widespread adoption of sustainable construction practices.
Technological Integration and Research & Development: There is a recognized gap in the full
integration of new tools and technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) due to high
upfront costs and poor inter-software interoperability, often leading to information transmission
deviations and communication problems. Furthermore, a general lack of research in key energy-
saving technologies for green buildings persists, limiting their full potential for energy efficiency.
Suggestions for Future Research Avenues Addressing the identified gaps necessitates strategic redirection
and intensification of research efforts:
Accelerated Research on Diverse C&DW Materials: A strong and urgent need exists for increased
research on the reuse, recycling, and circular economy principles applied to construction materials
beyond concrete, to address the vast volume and diversity of C&DW. This includes exploring novel
applications and processing techniques for underutilized waste streams.
Enhanced Interdisciplinary Approaches: Future research should foster greater interdisciplinary
collaboration, integrating fields like environmental science, materials science, physics, chemistry, and
potentially venturing into advanced computational fields such as artificial intelligence and 3D printing
for optimizing material performance and waste utilization. This will enable more holistic solutions to
complex problems.
Development of Comprehensive LCA Frameworks: To address the exponential growth of Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) and construction solid waste, developing comprehensive life cycle assessment
(LCA) frameworks is critical. These frameworks should aim to optimize closed-loop systems
encompassing waste generation, collection, treatment, and reuse, ensuring sustainability across the
entire material lifecycle.
Targeted Policy Development and Awareness Campaigns: Research should actively inform and
advocate for stronger government support, including financial incentives (like tax cuts) and improved
legislation with clear penalties for non-compliance. Concurrently, public awareness campaigns are
crucial to encourage developers and tenants to embrace green building and SCM, bridging the
knowledge-practice divide.
Focus on Durability, Modeling, and Microstructure: For bio- and earth-based materials, continued
and intensified research into their physics, advanced modeling, long-term durability, and
microstructure is crucial for overcoming current limitations and facilitating their widespread adoption
and reliable performance in diverse construction applications.
The repeated identification of "lack of awareness" among stakeholders as a significant barrier, despite
increasing academic research, points to a critical disconnect between scientific advancement and practical
implementation in the SCM/GCM sector. This situation suggests a pressing need for more effective
knowledge translation strategies. If knowledge generation is accelerating, but practical awareness remains
low, it implies that the scientific insights are not effectively translating into real-world practice. This highlights
a crucial gap in knowledge dissemination, policy translation, or industry engagement. Future efforts,
therefore, need to bridge this divide more effectively, perhaps through more applied research,
demonstration projects, targeted educational initiatives, or improved communication strategies tailored to
non-academic stakeholders.
7. Conclusion
This report has comprehensively confirmed the robust and expanding landscape of bibliometric research on
Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green Construction Materials (GCM) that actively utilizes
VOSviewer. These studies collectively map the intellectual structure of the field, identifying key contributors,
research hotspots, and thematic evolution across diverse material categories such as Circular Economy
Business Models, bio- and earth-based materials, geopolymers, and various forms of solid and construction &
demolition waste.
VOSviewer proves to be an indispensable tool for visualizing complex research networks, enabling detailed
analyses of co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and citation patterns. Its capabilities are often
complemented by other bibliometric software like CiteSpace for enhanced rigor and a more holistic
understanding of research dynamics. The overarching narrative in this domain is unequivocally driven by the
imperative for sustainable development, emphasizing waste valorization, material performance, and the
transition towards a circular economy in the construction sector.
While significant progress has been made, critical research gaps persist. These include the need for a broader
material scope in C&DW research beyond concrete, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle
complex challenges, and, crucially, more effective translation of scientific knowledge into practical awareness
and supportive policy implementation. The continued application of sophisticated bibliometric techniques,
coupled with a strategic focus on identified gaps and a concerted effort to bridge the research-practice
divide, will be crucial in accelerating the adoption and impact of SCM and GCM in fostering a truly
sustainable construction industry.
increasing academic research, points to a critical disconnect between scientific advancement and practical
implementation in the SCM/GCM sector. This situation suggests a pressing need for more effective
knowledge translation strategies. If knowledge generation is accelerating, but practical awareness remains
low, it implies that the scientific insights are not effectively translating into real-world practice. This highlights
a crucial gap in knowledge dissemination, policy translation, or industry engagement. Future efforts,
therefore, need to bridge this divide more effectively, perhaps through more applied research,
demonstration projects, targeted educational initiatives, or improved communication strategies tailored to
non-academic stakeholders.
7. Conclusion
This report has comprehensively confirmed the robust and expanding landscape of bibliometric research on
Secondary Construction Materials (SCM) and Green Construction Materials (GCM) that actively utilizes
VOSviewer. These studies collectively map the intellectual structure of the field, identifying key contributors,
research hotspots, and thematic evolution across diverse material categories such as Circular Economy
Business Models, bio- and earth-based materials, geopolymers, and various forms of solid and construction &
demolition waste.
VOSviewer proves to be an indispensable tool for visualizing complex research networks, enabling detailed
analyses of co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and citation patterns. Its capabilities are often
complemented by other bibliometric software like CiteSpace for enhanced rigor and a more holistic
understanding of research dynamics. The overarching narrative in this domain is unequivocally driven by the
imperative for sustainable development, emphasizing waste valorization, material performance, and the
transition towards a circular economy in the construction sector.
While significant progress has been made, critical research gaps persist. These include the need for a broader
material scope in C&DW research beyond concrete, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle
complex challenges, and, crucially, more effective translation of scientific knowledge into practical awareness
and supportive policy implementation. The continued application of sophisticated bibliometric techniques,
coupled with a strategic focus on identified gaps and a concerted effort to bridge the research-practice
divide, will be crucial in accelerating the adoption and impact of SCM and GCM in fostering a truly
sustainable construction industry.
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