From Material to Member: A Structural Review on Bio-Based Construction Materials

The global construction industry is increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives to conventional structural materials to reduce environmental impacts and support circular economy goals. This review examines bio-based construction materials from a structural engineering perspective, focusing on the transition from intrinsic material properties to member-level behavior and system-scale applications. A combined bibliometric and “From Material to Member” framework is used to connect microstructural characteristics with structural performance across scales. The review covers microbial self-healing concretes, engineered bamboo, plant-aggregate concretes such as hempcrete and rice-husk composites, lignin-based polymers and resins, and mycelium composites, with emphasis on materials and systems relevant to structural and member-scale applications. Bio-based materials developed primarily for asphalt and pavement applications are outside the scope of this review. Mechanical, thermal, durability, and environmental performance are evaluated alongside emerging multi-scale modeling approaches and hybrid structural systems. The findings show that bio-concretes can provide autonomous crack repair, engineered bamboo offers high strength-to-weight efficiency, and lignin-based polymers enable renewable composite matrices with adaptable properties. However, challenges remain regarding connection design, moisture sensitivity, long-term durability, standardization, and the transfer of laboratory findings to structural-scale reliability. Life-cycle assessment studies indicate substantial embodied carbon reduction potential, although outcomes depend on processing methods, service-life assumptions, and end-of-life scenarios. Overall, performance-based design, durability assessment, standardized testing, and dynamic life-cycle approaches are essential for broader structural implementation.