Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure

Girmay Mengesha Aznaw

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22

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Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure

Girmay Mengesha Aznaw^*

Published in Research and Innovation (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 30 October 2025 Accepted: 10 November 2025 Published: 19 December 2025

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Abstract

This meta-analytic review discusses the disruptive changes in structural engineering practice to include advanced materials, digital design technology and a resilience-based life-cycle performance framework. The review synthesizes many recent studies, wherein authors are increasingly moving away from deterministic design towards performance-based, data-driven and sustainability-focused design practices. Novel engineered material systems, such as hybrid timber–steel and FRP–concrete composites, demonstrate they have improved mechanical performance with lower environmental impacts, compared to conventional reinforced concrete. Digital innovations such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence based finite element modelling, have further advanced structural performance optimization and real-time performance monitoring. The role of resilience and life-cycle assessment (LCA) frameworks for making design decisions for long-lasting, adaptable and carbon neutral structures continues to remain central to design discourse as well. Despite rapid advancements, research identified challenges exist in the form of data interoperability, condensate material behaviour on probabilistic principles and quantifying resilience measures. Addressing these research gaps calls for an interdisciplinary approach and the development of standardized frameworks and methodologies that link material innovations, computational models and sustainable design objectives. In summary, the results endorse that the future of structural engineering practice will be defined by the convergence of intelligent materials, digital technologies, and resilience-based design philosophies, establishing a foundation for adaptive and environmentally responsible infrastructure systems.

Published in	Research and Innovation (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22
Page(s)	100-109
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Sustainable Structures, Meta-analysis, Hybrid Composites, Digital Design, Resilient Infrastructure

References

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APA Style

Aznaw, G. M. (2025). Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure. Research and Innovation, 1(1), 100-109. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22

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ACS Style

Aznaw, G. M. Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure. Res. Innovation 2025, 1(1), 100-109. doi: 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22

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AMA Style

Aznaw GM. Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure. Res Innovation. 2025;1(1):100-109. doi: 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22

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@article{10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22,
  author = {Girmay Mengesha Aznaw},
  title = {Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure},
  journal = {Research and Innovation},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {100-109},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ri.20250101.22},
  abstract = {This meta-analytic review discusses the disruptive changes in structural engineering practice to include advanced materials, digital design technology and a resilience-based life-cycle performance framework. The review synthesizes many recent studies, wherein authors are increasingly moving away from deterministic design towards performance-based, data-driven and sustainability-focused design practices. Novel engineered material systems, such as hybrid timber–steel and FRP–concrete composites, demonstrate they have improved mechanical performance with lower environmental impacts, compared to conventional reinforced concrete. Digital innovations such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence based finite element modelling, have further advanced structural performance optimization and real-time performance monitoring. The role of resilience and life-cycle assessment (LCA) frameworks for making design decisions for long-lasting, adaptable and carbon neutral structures continues to remain central to design discourse as well. Despite rapid advancements, research identified challenges exist in the form of data interoperability, condensate material behaviour on probabilistic principles and quantifying resilience measures. Addressing these research gaps calls for an interdisciplinary approach and the development of standardized frameworks and methodologies that link material innovations, computational models and sustainable design objectives. In summary, the results endorse that the future of structural engineering practice will be defined by the convergence of intelligent materials, digital technologies, and resilience-based design philosophies, establishing a foundation for adaptive and environmentally responsible infrastructure systems.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure
AU  - Girmay Mengesha Aznaw
Y1  - 2025/12/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22
DO  - 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22
T2  - Research and Innovation
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VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Girmay Mengesha Aznaw

Civil Engineering Department, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

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http://orcid.org/0009-0009-7187-6572

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APA Style

Aznaw, G. M. (2025). Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure. Research and Innovation, 1(1), 100-109. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22

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ACS Style

Aznaw, G. M. Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure. Res. Innovation 2025, 1(1), 100-109. doi: 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22

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AMA Style

Aznaw GM. Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure. Res Innovation. 2025;1(1):100-109. doi: 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22,
  author = {Girmay Mengesha Aznaw},
  title = {Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure},
  journal = {Research and Innovation},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {100-109},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ri.20250101.22},
  abstract = {This meta-analytic review discusses the disruptive changes in structural engineering practice to include advanced materials, digital design technology and a resilience-based life-cycle performance framework. The review synthesizes many recent studies, wherein authors are increasingly moving away from deterministic design towards performance-based, data-driven and sustainability-focused design practices. Novel engineered material systems, such as hybrid timber–steel and FRP–concrete composites, demonstrate they have improved mechanical performance with lower environmental impacts, compared to conventional reinforced concrete. Digital innovations such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence based finite element modelling, have further advanced structural performance optimization and real-time performance monitoring. The role of resilience and life-cycle assessment (LCA) frameworks for making design decisions for long-lasting, adaptable and carbon neutral structures continues to remain central to design discourse as well. Despite rapid advancements, research identified challenges exist in the form of data interoperability, condensate material behaviour on probabilistic principles and quantifying resilience measures. Addressing these research gaps calls for an interdisciplinary approach and the development of standardized frameworks and methodologies that link material innovations, computational models and sustainable design objectives. In summary, the results endorse that the future of structural engineering practice will be defined by the convergence of intelligent materials, digital technologies, and resilience-based design philosophies, establishing a foundation for adaptive and environmentally responsible infrastructure systems.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Meta-analysis of Emerging Trends in Sustainable Structural Engineering: Integrating High-performance Materials, Digital Design, and Resilient Infrastructure
AU  - Girmay Mengesha Aznaw
Y1  - 2025/12/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22
DO  - 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22
T2  - Research and Innovation
JF  - Research and Innovation
JO  - Research and Innovation
SP  - 100
EP  - 109
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.22
AB  - This meta-analytic review discusses the disruptive changes in structural engineering practice to include advanced materials, digital design technology and a resilience-based life-cycle performance framework. The review synthesizes many recent studies, wherein authors are increasingly moving away from deterministic design towards performance-based, data-driven and sustainability-focused design practices. Novel engineered material systems, such as hybrid timber–steel and FRP–concrete composites, demonstrate they have improved mechanical performance with lower environmental impacts, compared to conventional reinforced concrete. Digital innovations such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence based finite element modelling, have further advanced structural performance optimization and real-time performance monitoring. The role of resilience and life-cycle assessment (LCA) frameworks for making design decisions for long-lasting, adaptable and carbon neutral structures continues to remain central to design discourse as well. Despite rapid advancements, research identified challenges exist in the form of data interoperability, condensate material behaviour on probabilistic principles and quantifying resilience measures. Addressing these research gaps calls for an interdisciplinary approach and the development of standardized frameworks and methodologies that link material innovations, computational models and sustainable design objectives. In summary, the results endorse that the future of structural engineering practice will be defined by the convergence of intelligent materials, digital technologies, and resilience-based design philosophies, establishing a foundation for adaptive and environmentally responsible infrastructure systems.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download