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Advances in Construction and Building Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 April 2021) | Viewed by 76304

Special Issue Editor

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
Interests: fiber-reinforced concrete; shape-memory alloys; corrosion; alkali-silica reactivity; extreme events

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent incidents of catastrophic failures of aging infrastructure in the United States, Italy, and other parts of the world are unfortunate examples of what is to come at an increasing rate in the next decade(s). At the same time, our society is being challenged by global warming combined with extreme events, including flooding, wildfires, earthquakes and hurricanes. Therefore, the two main challenges for civil engineers and material scientists are to understand the deterioration of existing infrastructure and develop new and high-performance materials that have multifunctionality, self-sensing capabilities and that are not only more durable but also strong, lightweight and eco-friendlier.

There has been some research in these areas, particularly related to the development of fiber-reinforced polymers, shape-memory alloys, self-sensing cement composites, fiber-reinforced cementitious materials, and green concretes. However, further advances are needed, particularly in areas that are cross-cutting and address multiple issues. Therefore, this Special Issue calls for papers in (but not limited to) the following areas:

  • Aging-induced deterioration;
  • Green concretes and alternative cement binders;
  • Shape memory and superelastic alloys;
  • Fiber-reinforced polymers;
  • Fiber-reinforced concrete;
  • High strength and ultra-high strength concretes;
  • Phase change materials;
  • Energy storage through construction materials;
  • Environmental impact studies of new construction materials.

We invite you all to submit review articles, original papers, and communications for this Special Issue. Potential authors are encouraged to send the Guest Editor a title and abstract of their intended paper to get feedback regarding the fitness of their research to this Special Issue.

Dr. Bora Gencturk
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • infrastructure materials aging
  • high-performance materials
  • fiber-reinforced concrete
  • shape-memory alloys
  • fiber-reinforced polymers
  • ultra-high strength concrete
  • green concretes
  • corrosion
  • alkali-aggregate reactivity

Published Papers (23 papers)

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24 pages, 3376 KiB  
Article
Virtual Experiments of Particle Mixing Process with the SPH-DEM Model
by Siyu Zhu, Chunlin Wu and Huiming Yin
Materials 2021, 14(9), 2199; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14092199 - 25 Apr 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2143
Abstract
Particle mixing process is critical for the design and quality control of concrete and composite production. This paper develops an algorithm to simulate the high-shear mixing process of a granular flow containing a high proportion of solid particles mixed in a liquid. DEM [...] Read more.
Particle mixing process is critical for the design and quality control of concrete and composite production. This paper develops an algorithm to simulate the high-shear mixing process of a granular flow containing a high proportion of solid particles mixed in a liquid. DEM is employed to simulate solid particle interactions; whereas SPH is implemented to simulate the liquid particles. The two-way coupling force between SPH and DEM particles is used to evaluate the solid-liquid interaction of a multi-phase flow. Using Darcy’s Law, this paper evaluates the coupling force as a function of local mixture porosity. After the model is verified by two benchmark case studies, i.e., a solid particle moving in a liquid and fluid flowing through a porous medium, this method is applied to a high shear mixing problem of two types of solid particles mixed in a viscous liquid by a four-bladed mixer. A homogeneity metric is introduced to characterize the mixing quality of the particulate mixture. The virtual experiments with the present algorithm show that adding more liquid or increasing liquid viscosity slows down the mixing process for a high solid load mix. Although the solid particles can be mixed well eventually, the liquid distribution is not homogeneous, especially when the viscosity of liquid is low. The present SPH-DEM model is versatile and suitable for virtual experiments of particle mixing process with different blades, solid particle densities and sizes, and liquid binders, and thus can expedite the design and development of concrete materials and particulate composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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14 pages, 4358 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Wood Composite Sandwich Panels as a Promising Renewable Building Material
by Mostafa Mohammadabadi, Vikram Yadama and James Daniel Dolan
Materials 2021, 14(8), 2083; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14082083 - 20 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3205
Abstract
During this study, full-size wood composite sandwich panels, 1.2 m by 2.4 m (4 ft by 8 ft), with a biaxial corrugated core were evaluated as a building construction material. Considering the applications of this new building material, including roof, floor, and wall [...] Read more.
During this study, full-size wood composite sandwich panels, 1.2 m by 2.4 m (4 ft by 8 ft), with a biaxial corrugated core were evaluated as a building construction material. Considering the applications of this new building material, including roof, floor, and wall paneling, sandwich panels with one and two corrugated core(s) were fabricated and experimentally evaluated. Since primary loads applied on these sandwich panels during their service life are live load, snow load, wind, and gravity loads, their bending and compression behavior were investigated. To improve the thermal characteristics, the cavities within the sandwich panels created by the corrugated geometry of the core were filled with a closed-cell foam. The R-values of the sandwich panels were measured to evaluate their energy performance. Comparison of the weight indicated that fabrication of a corrugated panel needs 74% less strands and, as a result, less resin compared to a strand-based composite panel, such as oriented strand board (OSB), of the same size and same density. Bending results revealed that one-layer core sandwich panels with floor applications under a 4.79 kPa (100 psf) bending load are able to meet the smallest deflection limit of L/360 when the span length (L) is 137.16 cm (54 in) or less. The ultimate capacity of two-layered core sandwich panels as a wall member was 94% and 158% higher than the traditional walls with studs under bending and axial compressive loads, respectively. Two-layered core sandwich panels also showed a higher ultimate capacity compared to structural insulated panels (SIP), at 470% and 235% more in bending and axial compression, respectively. Furthermore, normalized R-values, the thermal resistance, of these sandwich panels, even with the presence of thermal bridging due to the core geometry, was about 114% and 109% higher than plywood and oriented strand board, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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19 pages, 7914 KiB  
Article
Dimensional Analysis and Optimization of IsoTruss Structures with Outer Longitudinal Members in Uniaxial Compression
by Hanna B. Opdahl and David W. Jensen
Materials 2021, 14(8), 2079; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14082079 - 20 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1955
Abstract
This study analyzes the buckling behavior of 8-node IsoTruss® structures with outer longitudinal members. IsoTruss structures are light-weight composite lattice columns with diverse structural applications, including the potential to replace rebar cages in reinforced concrete. In the current work, finite element analyses [...] Read more.
This study analyzes the buckling behavior of 8-node IsoTruss® structures with outer longitudinal members. IsoTruss structures are light-weight composite lattice columns with diverse structural applications, including the potential to replace rebar cages in reinforced concrete. In the current work, finite element analyses are used to predict the critical buckling loads of structures with various dimensions. A dimensional analysis is performed by: deriving non-dimensional Π variables using Buckingham’s Π Theorem; plotting the Π variables with respect to critical buckling loads to characterize trends between design parameters and buckling capacity; evaluating the performance of the outer longitudinal configuration with respect to the traditional, internal longitudinal configuration possessing the same bay length, outer diameter, longitudinal radius, helical radius, and mass. The dimensional analysis demonstrates that the buckling capacity of the inner configuration exceeds that of the equivalent outer longitudinal structure for the dimensions that are fixed and tested herein. A gradient-based optimization analysis is performed to minimize the mass of both configurations subject to equivalent load criteria. The optimized outer configuration has about 10.5% less mass than the inner configuration by reducing the outer diameter whilst maintaining the same global moment of inertia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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18 pages, 3803 KiB  
Article
Mechanical and Fracture Parameters of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforcement Concrete Cured via Steam and Water: Optimization of Binder Content
by Avan Ahmed Mala, Aryan Far H. Sherwani, Khaleel H. Younis, Rabar H. Faraj and Amir Mosavi
Materials 2021, 14(8), 2016; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14082016 - 16 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2944
Abstract
An investigational study is conducted to examine the effects of different amounts of binders and curing methods on the mechanical behavior and ductility of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concretes (UHPFRCs) that contain 2% of Micro Steel Fiber (MSF). The aim is to find [...] Read more.
An investigational study is conducted to examine the effects of different amounts of binders and curing methods on the mechanical behavior and ductility of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concretes (UHPFRCs) that contain 2% of Micro Steel Fiber (MSF). The aim is to find an optimum binder content for the UHPFRC mixes. The same water-to-binder ratio (w/b) of 0.12 was used for both water curing (WC) and steam curing (SC). Based on the curing methods, two series of eight mixes of UHPFRCs containing different binder contents ranging from 850 to 1200 kg/m3 with an increment of 50 kg/m3 were produced. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, static elastic module, flexural tensile strength and the ductility behavior were investigated. This study revealed that the mixture of 1150 kg/m3 binder content exhibited the highest values of the experimental results such as a compressive strength greater than 190 MPa, a splitting tensile strength greater than 12.5 MPa, and a modulus of elasticity higher than 45 GPa. The results also show that all of the improvements began to slightly decrease at 1200 kg/m3 of the binder content. On the other hand, it was concluded that SC resulted in higher mechanical performance and ductility behavior than WC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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20 pages, 7460 KiB  
Article
Material Selection and Characterization for a Novel Frame-Integrated Curtain Wall
by Mercedes Gargallo, Belarmino Cordero and Alfonso Garcia-Santos
Materials 2021, 14(8), 1896; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14081896 - 10 Apr 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 13305
Abstract
Curtain walls are the façade of choice in high-rise buildings and an indispensable element of architecture for a contemporary city. In conventional curtain walls, the glass panels are simply supported by the metal framing which transfers any imposed load to the building structure. [...] Read more.
Curtain walls are the façade of choice in high-rise buildings and an indispensable element of architecture for a contemporary city. In conventional curtain walls, the glass panels are simply supported by the metal framing which transfers any imposed load to the building structure. The absence of composite action between glass and metal results in deep frames, protruding to the inside, occupying valuable space and causing visual disruption. In response to the limited performance of conventional systems, an innovative frame-integrated unitized curtain wall is proposed to reduce structural depth to one fifth (80%) allowing an inside flush finish and gaining nettable space. The novel curtain wall is achieved by bonding a pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) frame to the glass producing a composite insulated glass unit (IGU). This paper selects the candidate frame and adhesive materials performing mechanical tests on GFRP pultrusions to characterize strength and elasticity and on GFRP-glass connections to identify failure module and strength. The material test results are used in a computer-based numerical model of a GFRP-glass composite unitized panel to predict the structural performance when subjected to realistic wind loads. The results confirm the reduction to one fifth is possible since the allowable deflections are within limits. It also indicates that the GFRP areas adjacent to the support might require reinforcing to reduce shear stresses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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23 pages, 13218 KiB  
Article
Structural Response of Steel Jacket-UHPC Retrofitted Reinforced Concrete Columns under Blast Loading
by Mohammad Hanifehzadeh, Hadi Aryan, Bora Gencturk and Dovlet Akyniyazov
Materials 2021, 14(6), 1521; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14061521 - 20 Mar 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3052
Abstract
The lateral capacity of exterior concrete columns subjected to a blast load is the key factor in the building collapse probability. Due to potentially severe consequences of the collapse, efforts have been made to improve the blast resistance of existing structures. One of [...] Read more.
The lateral capacity of exterior concrete columns subjected to a blast load is the key factor in the building collapse probability. Due to potentially severe consequences of the collapse, efforts have been made to improve the blast resistance of existing structures. One of the successful approaches is the use of ultra-high-performance-concrete (UHPC) jacketing for retrofitting a building’s columns. The columns on the first floor of a building normally have higher slenderness due to the higher first story. Since an explosion is more likely to take place at the ground level, retrofitting the columns of the lower floors is crucial to improve a building’s blast resistance. Casting a UHPC tube around a circular RC column can increase the moment of inertia of the column and improve the flexural strength. In this study, a retrofitting system consisting of a UHPC layer enclosed by a thin steel jacket is proposed to improve the blast resistance of buildings in service. Most of the previous research is focused on design aspects of blast-resistant columns and retrofitting systems are mostly based on fiber reinforced polymers or steel jackets. A validated FE model is used to investigate the effectiveness of this method. The results showed significant improvement both at the component and building system levels against combined gravity and blast loading. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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23 pages, 7847 KiB  
Article
Feasibility and Compatibility of a Biomass Capsule System in Self-Healing Concrete
by Arkabrata Sinha, Qi Wang and Jianqiang Wei
Materials 2021, 14(4), 958; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14040958 - 18 Feb 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2595
Abstract
Cracking can facilitate deteriorations of concrete structures via various mechanisms by providing ingress pathways for moisture and aggressive chemicals. In contrast to conventional maintenance methods, self-healing is a promising strategy for achieving automatic crack repair without human intervention. However, in capsule-based self-healing concrete, [...] Read more.
Cracking can facilitate deteriorations of concrete structures via various mechanisms by providing ingress pathways for moisture and aggressive chemicals. In contrast to conventional maintenance methods, self-healing is a promising strategy for achieving automatic crack repair without human intervention. However, in capsule-based self-healing concrete, the dilemma between capsules’ survivability and crack healing efficiency is still an unfathomed challenge. In this study, the feasibility of a novel property-switchable capsule system based on a sustainable biomass component, polylactic acid, is investigated. Capsules with different geometries and dimensions were studied focusing on the compatibility with concrete, including survivability during concrete mixing, influence on mortar and concrete properties, and property evolution of the capsules. The results indicate that the developed elliptical capsules can survive regular concrete mixing with a survival ratio of 95%. In concrete containing 5 vol.% of gravel-level capsules, the compressive strength was decreased by 13.5% after 90 days, while the tensile strength was increased by 4.8%. The incorporation of 2 vol.% of sand-level capsules did not impact the mortar strength. Degradation and switchable properties triggered by the alkaline matrix of cement were observed, revealing the potential of this novel biomass capsule system in achieving both high survivability and self-healing efficiency in concrete. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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29 pages, 6545 KiB  
Article
Multiphysics and Multiscale Modeling of Coupled Transport of Chloride Ions in Concrete
by Amit Jain and Bora Gencturk
Materials 2021, 14(4), 885; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14040885 - 13 Feb 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2051
Abstract
Chloride ions (Cl)-induced corrosion is one of the main degradation mechanisms in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. In most situations, the degradation initiates with the transport of Cl from the surface of the concrete towards the reinforcing steel. The accumulation of [...] Read more.
Chloride ions (Cl)-induced corrosion is one of the main degradation mechanisms in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. In most situations, the degradation initiates with the transport of Cl from the surface of the concrete towards the reinforcing steel. The accumulation of Cl at the steel-concrete interface could initiate reinforcement corrosion once a threshold Cl concentration is achieved. An accurate numerical model of the Cl transport in concrete is required to predict the corrosion initiation in RC structures. However, existing numerical models lack a representation of the heterogenous concrete microstructure resulting from the varying environmental conditions and the indirect effect of time dependent temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the water adsorption and Cl binding isotherms. In this study, a numerical model is developed to study the coupled transport of Cl with heat, RH and oxygen (O2) into the concrete. The modeling of the concrete microstructure is performed using the Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Laboratory (VCCTL) code developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The concept of equivalent maturation time is utilized to eliminate the limitation of simulating concrete microstructure using VCCTL in specific environmental conditions such as adiabatic. Thus, a time-dependent concrete microstructure, which depends on the hydration reactions coupled with the temperature and RH of the environment, is achieved to study the Cl transport. Additionally, Cl binding isotherms, which are a function of the pH of the concrete pore solution, Cl concentration, and weight fraction of mono-sulfate aluminate (AFm) and calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H), obtained from an experimental study by the same authors are utilized to account for the Cl binding of cement hydration products. The temperature dependent RH diffusion was considered to account for the transport of Cl with moisture transport. The temperature and RH diffusion in the concrete domain, composite theory, and Cl binding and water adsorption isotherms are used in combination, to estimate the ensuing Cl diffusion field within the concrete. The coupled transport process of heat, RH, Cl, and O2 is implemented in the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) developed by the U.S. Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The model was verified and validated using data from multiple experimental studies with different concrete mixture proportions, curing durations, and environmental conditions. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to identify that the water-to-cement (w/c) ratio, the exposure duration, the boundary conditions: temperature, RH, surface Cl concentration, Cl diffusion coefficient in the capillary water, and the critical RH are the important parameters that govern the Cl transport in RC structures. In a case study, the capabilities of the developed numerical model are demonstrated by studying the complex 2D diffusion of Cl in a RC beam located in two different climatic regions: warm and humid weather in Galveston, Texas, and cold and dry weather in North Minnesota, Minnesota, subjected to time varying temperature, RH, and surface Cl concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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15 pages, 6907 KiB  
Article
Modeling of Bridging Law for Bundled Aramid Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite and its Adaptability in Crack Width Evaluation
by Daiki Sunaga, Takumi Koba and Toshiyuki Kanakubo
Materials 2021, 14(1), 179; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14010179 - 02 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2350
Abstract
Tensile performance of fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC) after first cracking is characterized by fiber-bridging stress–crack width relationships called bridging law. The bridging law can be calculated by an integral calculus of forces carried by individual fibers, considering the fiber orientation. The objective of [...] Read more.
Tensile performance of fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC) after first cracking is characterized by fiber-bridging stress–crack width relationships called bridging law. The bridging law can be calculated by an integral calculus of forces carried by individual fibers, considering the fiber orientation. The objective of this study was to propose a simplified model of bridging law for bundled aramid fiber, considering fiber orientation for the practical use. By using the pullout characteristic of bundled aramid fiber obtained in the previous study, the bridging laws were calculated for various cases of fiber orientation. The calculated results were expressed by a bilinear model, and each characteristic point is expressed by the function of fiber-orientation intensity. After that, uniaxial tension tests of steel reinforced aramid-FRCC prism specimens were conducted to obtain the crack-opening behavior and confirm the adaptability of the modeled bridging laws in crack-width evaluation. The experimental parameters are cross-sectional dimensions of specimens and volume fraction of fiber. The test results are compared with the theoretical curves calculated by using the modeled bridging law and show good agreements in each parameter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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15 pages, 8404 KiB  
Article
Organic Contaminant-Triggered Self-Healing Soil Mix Cut-Off Wall Materials Incorporating Oil Sorbents
by Benyi Cao, Livia Ribeiro de Souza and Abir Al-Tabbaa
Materials 2020, 13(24), 5802; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13245802 - 18 Dec 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2079
Abstract
Soil mix cut-off walls have been increasingly used for containment of organic contaminants in polluted land. However, the mixed soil is susceptible to deterioration due to aggressive environmental and mechanical stresses, leading to crack-originated damage and requiring costly maintenance. This paper proposed a [...] Read more.
Soil mix cut-off walls have been increasingly used for containment of organic contaminants in polluted land. However, the mixed soil is susceptible to deterioration due to aggressive environmental and mechanical stresses, leading to crack-originated damage and requiring costly maintenance. This paper proposed a novel approach to achieve self-healing properties of soil mix cut-off wall materials triggered by the ingress of organic contaminants. Oil sorbent polymers with high absorption and swelling capacities were incorporated in a cementitious grout and mixed with soil using a laboratory-scale auger setup. The self-healing performance results showed that 500 µm-wide cracks could be bridged and blocked by the swollen oil sorbents, and that the permeability was reduced by almost an order of magnitude after the permeation of liquid paraffin. It was shown by micro-CT scan tests that the network formed by the swollen oil sorbents acted as attachments and binder, preventing the cracked mixed soil sample from crumbling, and that the oil sorbents swelled three times in volume and therefore occupied the air space and blocked the cracks in the matrix. These promising results exhibit the potential for the oil sorbents to provide soil mix cut-off walls in organically-contaminated land with self-healing properties and enhanced durability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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21 pages, 6840 KiB  
Article
Pultruded GFRP Reinforcing Bars Using Nanomodified Vinyl Ester
by Shreya Vemuganti, Rahulreddy Chennareddy, Amr Riad and Mahmoud M. Reda Taha
Materials 2020, 13(24), 5710; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13245710 - 14 Dec 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3518
Abstract
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars have relatively low shear strength, which limits their possible use in civil infrastructure applications with high shear demand, such as concrete reinforcing dowels. We suggest that the horizontal shear strength of GFRP bars can be significantly improved [...] Read more.
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars have relatively low shear strength, which limits their possible use in civil infrastructure applications with high shear demand, such as concrete reinforcing dowels. We suggest that the horizontal shear strength of GFRP bars can be significantly improved by nanomodification of the vinyl ester resin prior to pultrusion. The optimal content of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) well dispersed into the vinyl ester resin was determined using viscosity measurements and scanning electron micrographs. Longitudinal tension and short beam shear tests were conducted to determine the horizontal shear strength of the nanomodified GFRP reinforcing bars. While the tensile strength of the GFRP reinforcing bars was improved by 20%, the horizontal shear strength of the bars was improved by 111% compared with the shear strength of neat GFRP bars pultruded using the same settings. Of special interest is the absence of the typical broom failure observed in GFRP when MWCNTs were used. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements and fiber volume fraction confirmed the quality of the new pultruded GFRP bars. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) measurements demonstrated the formation of carboxyl stretching in nanomodified GFRP bars, indicating the formation of a new chemical bond. The new pultrusion process using nanomodified vinyl ester enables expanding the use of GFRP reinforcing bars in civil infrastructure applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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11 pages, 1281 KiB  
Article
Structural Ceramics Modified by Water Treatment Plant Sludge
by Alexander Orlov, Marina Belkanova and Nikolay Vatin
Materials 2020, 13(22), 5293; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13225293 - 23 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2403
Abstract
Water treatment plant (WTP) sludge is actively used in building materials production. The object of this research was modifying additives for ceramic bricks from WTP aluminium-containing sludge. The research aim of this study was to determine the suitability of a million-plus population city’s [...] Read more.
Water treatment plant (WTP) sludge is actively used in building materials production. The object of this research was modifying additives for ceramic bricks from WTP aluminium-containing sludge. The research aim of this study was to determine the suitability of a million-plus population city’s WTP sludge as a burning-out additive in the production of structural ceramics and to establish the optimal conditions for obtaining products with the best characteristics. The raw water belongs to water belongs to the hydrocarbonate class, the calcium group, and it is of low turbidity (1.5–40 mg/L kaolin). Sludge, sourced from WTP sedimentation tanks, was dewatered by adding lime or by using the freezing-thawing method. The spray-dried WTP sludge is introduced into the clay in amounts of 5% to 20% by weight. The addition of 20% reduces the sensitivity of the clay to drying, reduces the density of ceramic by 20% and simultaneously increases its compressive strength from 7.0 to 10.2 MPa. The use of WTP sludge as a modifying additive, pretreated by the freezing-thawing method, makes it possible to obtain ceramic bricks with improved properties. The results can be used for WTP sludge containing aluminium obtained by treating water of medium turbidity and medium colour. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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10 pages, 2691 KiB  
Article
Comparing Rubber Bearings and Eradi-Quake System for Seismic Isolation of Bridges
by Chang Beck Cho, Young Jin Kim, Won Jong Chin and Jin-Young Lee
Materials 2020, 13(22), 5247; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13225247 - 20 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2438
Abstract
Seismic isolation systems have been used worldwide in bridge structures to reduce vibration and avoid collapse. The seismic isolator, damper, and Shock Transmission Unit (SUT) are generally adopted in the seismic design of bridges to improve their seismic safety with economic efficiency. There [...] Read more.
Seismic isolation systems have been used worldwide in bridge structures to reduce vibration and avoid collapse. The seismic isolator, damper, and Shock Transmission Unit (SUT) are generally adopted in the seismic design of bridges to improve their seismic safety with economic efficiency. There are several seismic isolation systems, such as Natural Rubber Bearing (NRB), Lead Rubber Bearing (LRB), and the Eradi-Quake System (EQS). EQS as a new technology is expected to effectively reduce both seismic force and displacement, but there is still some need to verify whether it might provide an economical and practical strategy for a bridge isolation system. Moreover, it is important to guarantee consistent performance of the isolators by quality control. A comparative evaluation of the basic properties of the available seismic isolators is thus necessary to achieve a balance between cost-effectiveness and the desired performance of the bridge subjected to extreme loading. Accordingly, in this study, the seismic response characteristics of the seismic isolation systems for bridges were investigated by conducting compressive test and compressive-shear test on NRB, LRB, and EQS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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15 pages, 4072 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Interfacial Shear Bonding Between Basalt Fiber and Mortar Matrix
by Li Hong, Tadan Li, Yadi Chen, Peng Gao and Lizhi Sun
Materials 2020, 13(21), 5037; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13215037 - 09 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1864
Abstract
Basalt fibers have been adopted as reinforcements to improve mechanical performance of concrete materials and structures due to their excellent corrosion resistance, affordable cost, and environmental-friendly nature. While the reinforcing efficiency is significantly dependent on fiber–matrix interfacial properties, there is a lack of [...] Read more.
Basalt fibers have been adopted as reinforcements to improve mechanical performance of concrete materials and structures due to their excellent corrosion resistance, affordable cost, and environmental-friendly nature. While the reinforcing efficiency is significantly dependent on fiber–matrix interfacial properties, there is a lack of studies focusing on the bonding behavior of basalt fibers in the mortar matrix. In this paper, a series of experiments were carried out to investigate the characteristics of single basalt fiber pulled out from the mortar matrix. Three embedment lengths and three types of mortar strength were considered. As references, the pull-out behavior of single polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber and glass fiber in mortar matrix were also tested for comparison. Results from the pull-out test revealed that the average bonding strength is more effective than the equivalent shear bonding strength to illustrate the interfacial bond behavior of single basalt fiber in mortar matrix, which can be improved by either longer embedment length or the stronger mortar matrix. Finally, the tensile and compressive strengths of basalt/PVA/glass fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) were measured to investigate the influence of interfacial shear bonding strengths. It was shown that, while PVA fiber developed the highest shear bonding strength with mortar, the basalt fiber exhibited the best reinforcing efficiency of FRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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24 pages, 11134 KiB  
Article
Shear Cap Size Selection Method Based on Parametric Analysis of ACI-318 Code and Eurocode 2 Standard
by Maciej Grabski and Andrzej Ambroziak
Materials 2020, 13(21), 4938; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13214938 - 03 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2371
Abstract
The scope of the paper is to propose a method for determining the size of shear caps in a slab–column-connections-reinforced concrete structure. Usually, shear heads are used to enhance slab–column connection, especially when the transverse reinforcement does not give the required punching shear [...] Read more.
The scope of the paper is to propose a method for determining the size of shear caps in a slab–column-connections-reinforced concrete structure. Usually, shear heads are used to enhance slab–column connection, especially when the transverse reinforcement does not give the required punching shear load capacity. The dimensions of the shear head should provide the punching shear resistance of the connection inside and outside the enhanced region. The process of selecting the size of the shear head is iterative. The parametric analysis of the ACI 318 code and EC2 standard has the objective of indicating which control perimeter (inside or outside the shear head) has a decisive impact on the punching shear capacity of the connection. Based on the analysis, the authors propose methods for selecting the dimensions of the shear head with practical application examples. The paper is intended to provide scientists, civil engineers, and designers with guidelines to design the process of the slab–column connections with the shear caps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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19 pages, 7745 KiB  
Article
Research Summary on Characterizing Impact of Environment on Adhesion of Sealed Joints in Façade Applications
by Barbora Nečasová and Pavel Liška
Materials 2020, 13(21), 4847; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13214847 - 29 Oct 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2069
Abstract
The presented paper summarizes the main research findings on the impact of the environment concerning the durability and service life of building joint sealants. The focus is placed on sealed joints in façade applications, which can serve different purposes and can also be [...] Read more.
The presented paper summarizes the main research findings on the impact of the environment concerning the durability and service life of building joint sealants. The focus is placed on sealed joints in façade applications, which can serve different purposes and can also be several meters long which often intensifies the stresses that the joint needs to withstand and therefore its service life can be significantly shortened. Different approaches, test sample geometries and high-performance sealants, were used in this context to determine the most critical aspects for the studied application sector. The research was divided into three phases where the joints were subjected to (I) artificial weathering in a laboratory environment, (II) real weathering in an external environment, and (III) weathering via a real application that was monitored for almost 4 years. The extensive research scope confirmed one commonly known presumption, that standardized artificial weathering/aging methods are not able, from a long-term perspective, to simulate the impact of a real environment. The most valuable results were obtained in the third phase of the research, where the monitoring of a real façade brought to light completely different conclusions. The joints exposed to the real environment were either completely deteriorated or showed signs of advanced aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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19 pages, 1936 KiB  
Article
Stabilization of a Clayey Soil with Ladle Metallurgy Furnace Slag Fines
by Alexander S. Brand, Punit Singhvi, Ebenezer O. Fanijo and Erol Tutumluer
Materials 2020, 13(19), 4251; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13194251 - 24 Sep 2020
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 2868
Abstract
The research study described in this paper investigated the potential to use steel furnace slag (SFS) as a stabilizing additive for clayey soils. Even though SFS has limited applications in civil engineering infrastructure due to the formation of deleterious expansion in the presence [...] Read more.
The research study described in this paper investigated the potential to use steel furnace slag (SFS) as a stabilizing additive for clayey soils. Even though SFS has limited applications in civil engineering infrastructure due to the formation of deleterious expansion in the presence of water, the free CaO and free MgO contents allow for the SFS to be a potentially suitable candidate for clayey soil stabilization and improvement. In this investigation, a kaolinite clay was stabilized with 10% and 15% ladle metallurgy furnace (LMF) slag fines by weight. This experimental study also included testing of the SFS mixtures with the activator calcium chloride (CaCl2), which was hypothesized to accelerate the hydration of the dicalcium silicate phase in the SFS, but the results show that the addition of CaCl2 was not found to be effective. Relative to the unmodified clay, the unconfined compressive strength increased by 67% and 91% when 10% and 15% LMF slag were utilized, respectively. Likewise, the dynamic modulus increased by 212% and 221% by adding 10% and 15% LMF slag, respectively. Specifically, the LMF slag fines are posited to primarily contribute to a mechanical rather than chemical stabilization mechanism. Overall, these findings suggest the effective utilization of SFS as a soil stabilization admixture to overcome problems associated with dispersive soils, but further research is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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17 pages, 7571 KiB  
Article
Study of Hydration and Microstructure of Mortar Containing Coral Sand Powder Blended with SCMs
by Xingxing Li, Ying Ma, Xiaodong Shen, Ya Zhong and Yuwei Li
Materials 2020, 13(19), 4248; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13194248 - 24 Sep 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1874
Abstract
The utilization of coral waste is an economical way of using concrete in coastal and offshore constructions. Coral waste with more than 96% CaCO3 can be ground to fines and combined with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, silica fume, [...] Read more.
The utilization of coral waste is an economical way of using concrete in coastal and offshore constructions. Coral waste with more than 96% CaCO3 can be ground to fines and combined with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash, silica fume, granulated blast furnace slag in replacing Portland cement to promote the properties of cement concrete. The effects of coral sand powder (CSP) compared to limestone powder (LSP) blended with SCMs on hydration and microstructure of mortar were investigated. The result shows CSP has higher activity than LSP when participating in the chemical reaction. The chemical effect among CSP, SCMs, and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) results in the appearance of the third hydration peak, facilitating the production of carboaluminate. CSP-SCMs mortar has smaller interconnected pores on account of the porous character of CSP as well as the filler and chemical effect. The dilution effect of CSP leads to the reduction of compressive strength of OPC-CSP and OPC-CSP-SCMs mortars. The synergic effects of CSP with slag and silica fume facilitate the development of compressive strength and lead to a compacted isolation and transfer zone (ITZ) in mortar. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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27 pages, 7533 KiB  
Article
Impact of Laboratory-Accelerated Aging Methods to Study Alkali–Silica Reaction and Reinforcement Corrosion on the Properties of Concrete
by Arezou Attar, Bora Gencturk, Hadi Aryan and Jianqiang Wei
Materials 2020, 13(15), 3273; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13153273 - 23 Jul 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2578
Abstract
This study focuses on two separate investigations of the main aging mechanisms: alkali–silica reactivity (ASR) and the corrosion of reinforcing steel (rebar) concrete, both of which may result in a premature failure to meet the serviceability or strength requirements of a concrete structure. [...] Read more.
This study focuses on two separate investigations of the main aging mechanisms: alkali–silica reactivity (ASR) and the corrosion of reinforcing steel (rebar) concrete, both of which may result in a premature failure to meet the serviceability or strength requirements of a concrete structure. However, these processes occur very slowly, spanning decades. The impact of direct chemical additives to fresh concrete to accelerate ASR and the corrosion of reinforcing steel on the fresh and hardened properties of the ensuing material are investigated to inform the potential use of chemicals in large-scale studies. The deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) is determined by means of expansion, cracking, bulk diffusivity and surface resistivity measurements, and compressive, split tensile and flexural strength tests. The results indicate that the addition of sodium hydroxide and calcium chloride can effectively accelerate the crack formation and propagation in concrete due to ASR and the corrosion of rebar, respectively. The ASR-induced cracks maintained a constant crack width from 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm over the measurement period regardless of the intensity of aging acceleration. Adding 4% chloride by weight of cement for accelerating rebar corrosion resulted in an average crack that was 82% larger than in the case of ASR accelerated with the addition of sodium hydroxide. The addition of alkali resulted in an increase in early-age (7-day) strength. At a total alkali loading of 2.98 kg/m3, 3.84 kg/m3 and 5.57 kg/m3, the 28-day compressive strength of concrete decreased by 3%, 10% and 24%, respectively. Similarly, a higher early-age strength and a lower later-age strength was observed for the concrete in the presence of corrosive calcium chloride. The results from this research are expected to inform future studies on the long-term performance of RC structures under accelerated ASR and corrosion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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16 pages, 10343 KiB  
Article
Water Retention Mechanism of HPMC in Cement Mortar
by Ning Chen, Peiming Wang, Liqun Zhao and Guofang Zhang
Materials 2020, 13(13), 2918; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13132918 - 29 Jun 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3563
Abstract
In this paper, the effect of HPMC (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether) on the cement mortar water retention (WR) and composition was studied. The relationship between the plastic viscosity and water retention of cement mortar was revealed. The results showed that HPMC formed a [...] Read more.
In this paper, the effect of HPMC (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether) on the cement mortar water retention (WR) and composition was studied. The relationship between the plastic viscosity and water retention of cement mortar was revealed. The results showed that HPMC formed a colloidal film with a 3D network structure in water, which changed the ability of water to migrate. The HPMC colloid adsorbed on the surface of cement and sand particles and played a bridging role due to the influence of the spatial network structure of the thin film. Fine particles formed a grid-like distribution, and the hydration products formed a unique fibrous tree-like structure. A positive correlation was observed between the plastic viscosity and the water holding capacity of cement mortar. Finally, the mechanism responsible for the improved water retention of cement mortar by HPMC was analyzed using the changing water migration capacity, migration channels, and mortar cohesion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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12 pages, 4035 KiB  
Article
Influence of Fly Ash on Mechanical Properties and Hydration of Calcium Sulfoaluminate-Activated Supersulfated Cement
by Zhengning Sun, Jian Zhou, Qiulin Qi, Hui Li, Na Zhang and Ru Mu
Materials 2020, 13(11), 2514; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13112514 - 31 May 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2608
Abstract
This paper aimed to report the effects of fly ash (FA) on the mechanical properties and hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate-activated supersulfated cement (CSA-SSC). The CSA-SSC comprises of 80% granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), 15% anhydrite, and 5% high-belite calcium sulfoaluminate cement (HB-CSA) clinker. [...] Read more.
This paper aimed to report the effects of fly ash (FA) on the mechanical properties and hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate-activated supersulfated cement (CSA-SSC). The CSA-SSC comprises of 80% granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), 15% anhydrite, and 5% high-belite calcium sulfoaluminate cement (HB-CSA) clinker. The hydration products of CSA-SSC with or without FA were investigated by X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The experimental results indicated that the addition of FA by 10% to 30% resulted in a decrease in the rate of heat evolution and total heat evolution of CSA-SSC. As the content of FA was increased in the CSA-SSC system, the compressive and flexural strengths of the CSA-SSC with FA after 1 day of hydration were decreased. After 7 days of hydration, the compressive and flexural strength of CSA-SSC mixed with 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% of FA rapidly increased and exceeded that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), especially the flexural strength. Moreover, the compressive strength of CSA-SSC mixed with 30 wt.% of FA after 90 days of hydration was close to that of OPC, and flexural strength of CSA-SSC mixed with 30 wt.% of FA after 7 days of hydration was close to that of OPC. The hydration products of the CSA-SSC and CSA-SSC mixed with FA were mainly ettringite and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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Review

Jump to: Research

44 pages, 2571 KiB  
Review
State-of-the-Art Review of Capabilities and Limitations of Polymer and Glass Fibers Used for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
by Behrouz Shafei, Maziar Kazemian, Michael Dopko and Meysam Najimi
Materials 2021, 14(2), 409; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14020409 - 15 Jan 2021
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 5669
Abstract
The concrete industry has long been adding discrete fibers to cementitious materials to compensate for their (relatively) low tensile strengths and control possible cracks. Extensive past studies have identified effective strategies to mix and utilize the discrete fibers, but as the fiber material [...] Read more.
The concrete industry has long been adding discrete fibers to cementitious materials to compensate for their (relatively) low tensile strengths and control possible cracks. Extensive past studies have identified effective strategies to mix and utilize the discrete fibers, but as the fiber material properties advance, so do the properties of the cementitious composites made with them. Thus, it is critical to have a state-of-the-art understanding of not only the effects of individual fiber types on various properties of concrete, but also how those properties are influenced by changing the fiber type. For this purpose, the current study provides a detailed review of the relevant literature pertaining to different fiber types considered for fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) applications with a focus on their capabilities, limitations, common uses, and most recent advances. To achieve this goal, the main fiber properties that are influential on the characteristics of cementitious composites in the fresh and hardened states are first investigated. The study is then extended to the stability of the identified fibers in alkaline environments and how they bond with cementitious matrices. The effects of fiber type on the workability, pre- and post-peak mechanical properties, shrinkage, and extreme temperature resistance of the FRC are explored as well. In offering holistic comparisons, the outcome of this study provides a comprehensive guide to properly choose and utilize the benefits of fibers in concrete, facilitating an informed design of various FRC products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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34 pages, 10087 KiB  
Review
Synthesis of Repair Materials and Methods for Reinforced Concrete and Prestressed Bridge Girders
by Azin Ghaffary and Mohamed A. Moustafa
Materials 2020, 13(18), 4079; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13184079 - 14 Sep 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4963
Abstract
Bridge structures nationwide across the United States are aging and in need of repair or, in some cases, full replacement. Repair decisions are common among bridge owners because of the economic feasibility when compared to the higher cost of full replacement of damaged [...] Read more.
Bridge structures nationwide across the United States are aging and in need of repair or, in some cases, full replacement. Repair decisions are common among bridge owners because of the economic feasibility when compared to the higher cost of full replacement of damaged or deteriorated bridge components such as girders. Using a proper repair approach, as a long-term or just a short-term solution, can lead to benefits that could not be achieved otherwise such as considerable savings in both time and cost. Additionally, an appropriate repair approach can help avoid adverse environmental impacts, interruptions to service, overburdening of nearby infrastructure, and local opposition to construction. The main objective of this paper is to provide a synthesis of the repair methods and materials for reinforced concrete bridge girders proposed in research studies, i.e., state-of-the-art as well as state-of-the-practice established methods. Different steps in the general repair procedure are explained first. Next, a detailed description of three common bridge girder deficiencies, i.e., shear, flexural, and fire damage, is provided. For each damage type, the main causes and common solutions found in the literature are presented. The authors then provide specific recommendations to each repair procedure. This is intended to enable researchers, engineers, and decision makers to compare the available repair methods more conveniently to find the optimal repair approach for specific projects based on economic and environmental requirements as well as structural and construction conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Construction and Building Materials)
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