Effects of Cellulose Nanocrystals on Construction Materials: Meta-analyses Quantification using RevMan Software

Producing ordinary Portland cement is unsustainable due to its energy intensity and substantial greenhouse gas emissions. There is a need for alternative green building materials to ensure the sustainability of the construction sector. Further development is needed to optimize the industrial feasibility of green building materials. The commercial viability of green construction materials can be improved by cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)- a novel reinforcing agent. The overall effects of CNC on construction materials must be quantified to strengthen its application in green construction materials. Although the literature qualitatively reviewed the CNC effects in conventional construction materials, its overall magnitude was not quantified. Hence, this study aimed to quantify the aggregate influence of CNC on the mechanical characteristics of building materials using meta-analyses. Based on systematic reviews, the results of qualifying studies were inserted into the meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) software. The forest plots showed that CNC exhibited positive effects on the mechanical properties of building matter with negligible publication biases. Sensitivity analyses confirmed that CNC improved construction materials' compressive and flexural strengths. The study implied that CNC could be applied to enhance the mechanical properties of green construction materials to strengthen their commercial viability. Meta-analyses were found to optimize engineering research and development. Therefore, this study presents an empirical framework to use meta-analyses as a research tool.