Abstract

Concrete structures are highly susceptible to deterioration from environmental, chemical, and mechanical factors, making protective coatings essential for ensuring durability and reducing maintenance demands. This study aims to compare and evaluate conventional and innovative coating systems for concrete protection across three dimensions—technical performance, environmental sustainability, and life cycle cost efficiency—and to assess whether coatings often regarded or marketed as sustainable genuinely achieve sustainability across these three pillars. Four representative coatings were selected for assessment: epoxy solvent-based, epoxy solvent-free, acrylic water-based, and cementitious. Technical performance was examined through laboratory testing, expert interviews, and multiple real project cases, providing a comprehensive understanding of durability, adhesion, application challenges, and maintenance needs. Environmental impact was assessed through a cradle-to-application life cycle assessment in accordance with ISO 14040/44 using Open LCA and the Ecoinvent database. In parallel, life cycle cost analysis was undertaken over 5- and 10-year horizons to evaluate economic efficiency under varying maintenance and repainting scenarios. Results showed that epoxy systems achieved superior durability, with solvent-free epoxy outperforming due to lower VOC emissions and stable film formation. Acrylic water-based coatings demonstrated strong environmental benefits but limited durability, while cementitious coatings offered acceptable performance in water-related structures but were penalized by high energy intensity and recurring maintenance needs. The integrated evaluation confirmed that no single system dominates across all categories. Epoxy solvent-free coatings provided the most balanced solution overall, whereas acrylic water-based coatings are suitable where environmental concerns are prioritized. The key contribution of this research lies in showing that sustainable decision-making requires evaluation across all three dimensions simultaneously, since focusing on a single aspect—durability, cost, or environmental impact—does not guarantee the best long-term outcome. This integrated framework provides stakeholders with a practical tool to distinguish the role of each coating type and make more informed choices for sustainable construction practices.

School

School of Sciences and Engineering

Department

Construction Engineering Department

Degree Name

MS in Construction Engineering

Graduation Date

Fall 2-15-2026

Submission Date

1-25-2026

First Advisor

Mohamed Nagib Abou-Zeid

Committee Member 1

Khaled Nassar

Committee Member 2

Osama A. Hodhod

Extent

163 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

Disclosure of AI Use

No use of AI

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