I focus on evaluating the use of environmentally-friendly methods for waste utilization and by-product recycling. This approach not only aims to improve the geotechnical properties of problematic soils but also contributes significantly to sustainable development and the production of net-zero construction materials. The emission of greenhouse gases resulting from the large-scale production of cement has become a pressing concern for humanity today. Therefore, my research primarily revolves around assessing the behavior of soils under severe climate changes, including freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles, as well as investigating thermal soil mechanics in response to such conditions. The findings from my work are crucial in understanding how to effectively address soil-related issues such as swelling, dispersibility, and erosion. These issues are of utmost importance to be addressed because a significant portion of soils worldwide fall under the category of problematic soils. Failure to address their stability can result in severe and irreversible damage to structures constructed on top of them. Neglecting this aspect hinders the development of traditional soil improvement methods, which have already caused numerous detrimental environmental effects. It is crucial to highlight that the production of each ton of cement emits one ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, substituting these commonly used additives with by-products would greatly contribute to achieving the goals of net-zero construction development.