Digital transformation of sustainable construction materials: a systematic scoping review and technology–life cycle matrix

Digital technologies are transforming the development, production, monitoring and management of sustainable construction materials, yet their contribution across the material life cycle remains fragmented in the literature. This systematic scoping review addresses this gap by mapping digital technology applications to sustainable and additively manufactured construction materials, including geopolymers, recycled aggregate concretes, fibre-reinforced composites, bio-based materials and 3D-printable mixes. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Population–Concept–Context (PCC) framework, 131 studies (2007–June 2026) from five databases were analysed through a Technology–Life Cycle Matrix (TLM) and a Technology–Benefit Matrix (TBM), supported by principal component analysis, quadrant analysis, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessment and a Research Gap Matrix. Artificial intelligence/machine learning (65.6%) and Building Information Modelling (45.0%) are the dominant technologies, concentrated in production and design respectively, while end-of-life applications remain the least mature (TRL 1–2, an exploratory, author-assigned estimate) despite accounting for 14.1% of all documented technology–stage intersections. The resulting integrated digital ecosystem framework links materials science, digital construction and the circular economy, providing a structured, partially reproducible tool for future research and industrial practice, particularly in closing the end-of-life gap.