Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Concrete (a collective term referring to concrete, cement mortar and cement paste as well as cementitious/cement-based material/composite) is the most widely used material for infrastructures because it has excellent mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to water, is easily formed into various shapes and sizes, and is cheap and readily available everywhere. Compared with other construction materials, the production of concrete consumes the least amount of materials and energy, produces the least amount of harmful by-products, and causes the least amount of damage to the environment. In the foreseeable future, concrete will continue to play an important role in infrastructure construction. However, traditional concrete just serving as structural materials cannot meet the continually increasing requirements in terms of safety, longevity, resilience and function of advanced engineering infrastructures as well as low carbon footprint of concrete and infrastructures. In this context, multifunctional concrete appears and becomes an important development direction in the field of concrete. Multifunctional concrete is an advanced composite with additional properties different from those of conventional concrete, such as self-sensing, self-healing, electrical conductivity, thermal, electromagnetic properties, (super)hydrophobic, light-transmitting/emitting, photocatalytic, energy harvesting and anti-bacterial/virus, or the ability to react upon an external stimulus, such as loading/deformation, temperature and humidity. The multi-functionality of concrete is achieved through material composition design, special processing, introduction of other functional components, or modification of microstructures. The concept of multifunctional concrete was developed in the late 1980s. In the past four decades, much research has been conducted on development and deployment of multifunctional concrete for smart infrastructures. This Special Issue aims at introducing new findings and summarizing recent developments in the field of multifunctional concrete for smart infrastructures, thus providing a platform for researchers to focus on the current progress and the future of multifunctional concrete for smart infrastructures.

Prof. Dr. Ashraf A. Ashour
Prof. Dr. Baoguo Han
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Construction Materials constrmater	-	-	2021	25.9 Days	CHF 1000
Infrastructures infrastructures	2.6	4.3	2016	16.9 Days	CHF 1800
Journal of Composites Science jcs	3.3	4.5	2017	14.7 Days	CHF 1800
Materials materials	3.4	5.2	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600

MDPI Topics is cooperating with Preprints.org and has built a direct connection between MDPI journals and Preprints.org. Authors are encouraged to enjoy the benefits by posting a preprint at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Immediately share your ideas ahead of publication and establish your research priority;
2. Protect your idea from being stolen with this time-stamped preprint article;
3. Enhance the exposure and impact of your research;
4. Receive feedback from your peers in advance;
5. Have it indexed in Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (8 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Construction Materials Infrastructures J. Compos. Sci. Materials

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

18 pages, 4813 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation on the Compressive Stress-Sensing Ability of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Cement-Based Composites under Varying Temperature Conditions

by Jesús N. Eiras, François Duplan and Cédric Payan

Constr. Mater. 2022, 2(4), 258-275; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/constrmater2040017 - 27 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1679

Abstract

This study investigates the piezoresistive (self-sensing) properties of short stainless-steel fiber-reinforced mortar under varying temperature conditions. Different reinforced mortars were produced by varying fiber and aggregate content. First, Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to characterize the electrical properties of the mortar [...] Read more.

This study investigates the piezoresistive (self-sensing) properties of short stainless-steel fiber-reinforced mortar under varying temperature conditions. Different reinforced mortars were produced by varying fiber and aggregate content. First, Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to characterize the electrical properties of the mortar specimens. EIS measurements were performed at temperatures of 24 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C. Second, to investigate the self-sensing capacity of the different composites, the fractional changes of electrical impedance at 1 kHz were monitored under two conditions: temperature variation alone (cooling down from 35 °C or 50 °C to room temperature), and temperature variation combined with cyclic compressive loading (up to 5 MPa). The results of the former were used to compensate for the effect of temperature variations in the latter. Both temperature and mechanical loading produced meaningful variations in the electrical impedance and piezoresistivity of the investigated composites. Conclusions are drawn with respect to the stress and temperature sensitivity of the composites. The real and imaginary parts of the electrical impedance of the mortar produced with the highest fiber volume fraction (0.01%) and higher aggregate content (volume fraction of 60%) were distinctly sensitive to temperature and stress, which suggests the possibility of using the same composite as a stress and temperature sensor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5086 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Durability Properties of Lightweight Foamed Concrete Reinforced with Lignocellulosic Fibers

by Md Azree Othuman Mydin, Mohd Nasrun Mohd Nawi, Ruba A. Odeh and Anas A. Salameh

Materials 2022, 15(12), 4259; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15124259 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2055

Abstract

Worldwide concern and ascendancy of emissions and carbon footprints have propelled a substantial number of explorations into green concrete technology. Furthermore, construction material costs have increased along with their gradual impact on the environment, which has led researchers to recognize the importance of [...] Read more.

Worldwide concern and ascendancy of emissions and carbon footprints have propelled a substantial number of explorations into green concrete technology. Furthermore, construction material costs have increased along with their gradual impact on the environment, which has led researchers to recognize the importance of natural fibers in improving the durability and mechanical properties of concrete. Natural fibers are abundantly available making them relatively relevant as a reinforcing material in concrete. Presently, it should be recognized that most construction products are manufactured using resources that demand a high quantity of energy and are not sustainable, which may lead to a global crisis. Consequently, the use of plant fibers in lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) is deemed a practical possibility for making concrete a sustainable material that responds to this dilemma. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the addition of lignocellulosic fibers on the performance of LFC. In this investigation, four different types of lignocellulosic plant fibers were considered which were kenaf, ramie, hemp and jute fibers. A total of ten mixes were made and tested in this study. LFC samples with a density of 700 kg/m³ and 1400 kg/m³ were fabricated. The weight fraction for the lignocellulosic plant fibers was kept at 0.45%. The durability parameters assessed were flowability, water absorption capability, porosity and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). The results revealed that the presence of cellulosic plant fibers in LFC plays an important role in enhancing all the durability parameters considered in this study. For workability, the addition of ramie fiber led to the lowest slump while the inclusion of kenaf fiber provided optimum UPV. For porosity and water absorption, the addition of jute fiber led to the best results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 8884 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Research and Statistical Analysis on Impact Resistance of Steel Fiber Expanded Polystyrene Concrete and Expanded Polystyrene Concrete

by Wenlong Huo and Sherong Zhang

Materials 2022, 15(12), 4216; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15124216 - 14 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1554

Abstract

Steel fiber foamed concrete (SFFC) combines the impact resistance of steel fiber concrete (SFC) and the energy absorption characteristics of foamed concrete (FC), and it has brought attention to the impact field. Using the mechanical properties of SFFC expanded polystyrene concrete, we prepared [...] Read more.

Steel fiber foamed concrete (SFFC) combines the impact resistance of steel fiber concrete (SFC) and the energy absorption characteristics of foamed concrete (FC), and it has brought attention to the impact field. Using the mechanical properties of SFFC expanded polystyrene concrete, we prepared (EPSC) specimens with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% by volume of expanded polystyrene (V_eps), and steel fiber expanded polystyrene concrete (SFEPSC) specimens by adding 1% steel fiber (SF) based on the EPSC in this study. The relationship between compressive strength, the V_eps and apparent density was revealed. The relationship between the first crack and the ultimate failure impact of SFEPSC specimens was obtained by a drop-weight test. The impact resistance of SFEPSC and EPSC and the variation law of V_eps were studied by mathematical statistics. The log-normal and the two-parameter Weibull distributions were used to fit the probability distribution of impact resistance of the SFEPSC and EPSC specimens. Finally, both types of specimens’ destruction modes and mechanisms were analyzed. The mechanism of the EPS particles and the SFs dissipating impact load energy was analyzed from the energy point of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 6296 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Simulations of Fractures of Heterogeneous Orthotropic Fiber-Reinforced Concrete with Pre-Existing Flaws Using an Improved Peridynamic Model

by Luming Zhou, Shu Zhu, Zhende Zhu and Xinghua Xie

Materials 2022, 15(11), 3977; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15113977 - 02 Jun 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1488

Abstract

The propagation and coalescence of cracks in fiber-reinforced concretes (FRCs) is the direct cause of instability in many engineering structures. To predict the crack propagation path and failure mode of FRCs, an orthotropic-bond-based peridynamic (PD) model was established in this study. A kernel [...] Read more.

The propagation and coalescence of cracks in fiber-reinforced concretes (FRCs) is the direct cause of instability in many engineering structures. To predict the crack propagation path and failure mode of FRCs, an orthotropic-bond-based peridynamic (PD) model was established in this study. A kernel function reflecting long-range force was introduced, and the fiber bond was used to describe the macroanisotropy of the FRC. The crack propagation process of the FRC plate with flaws was simulated under uniaxial tensile loading. The results showed that under homogeneous conditions, the cracks formed along the centerline of the isotropic concrete propagate in a direction perpendicular to the load. Under anisotropic conditions, the cracks propagate strictly in the direction of the fiber bond. The failure degree of the FRC increases with the increase in heterogeneity. When the shape parameter is 10 and the fiber bond is 0°, the failure mode changes from tensile to shear failure. When the fiber bond is 45°, the FRC changes from a state where outer cracks penetrate the entire specimen to a state where cracks coalesce at the middle. It was found that the improved model can effectively simulate the crack propagation processes of orthotropic FRC materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3245 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Study on Mechanical Properties of Basalt Fiber Shotcrete in High Geothermal Environment

by Yueping Tong, Yan Wang, Shaohui Zhang, Yahao Chen, Zhaoguang Li and Ditao Niu

Materials 2021, 14(24), 7816; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14247816 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1840

Abstract

With the development of infrastructure, there are growing numbers of high geothermal environments, which, therefore, form a serious threat to tunnel structures. However, research on the changes in mechanical properties of shotcrete under high temperatures and humid environments are insufficient. In this paper, [...] Read more.

With the development of infrastructure, there are growing numbers of high geothermal environments, which, therefore, form a serious threat to tunnel structures. However, research on the changes in mechanical properties of shotcrete under high temperatures and humid environments are insufficient. In this paper, the combination of various temperatures (20 °C/40 °C/60 °C) and 55% relative humidity is used to simulate the effect of environment on the strength and stress–strain curve of basalt fiber reinforced shotcrete. Moreover, a constitutive model of shotcrete considering the effect of fiber content and temperature is established. The results show that the early mechanical properties of BFRS are improved with the increase in curing temperature, while the compressive strength at a later age decreases slightly. The 1-day and 7-day compressive strength of shotcrete at 40 °C and 60 °C increased by 10.5%, 41.1% and 24.1%, 66.8%, respectively. The addition of basalt fiber can reduce the loss of later strength, especially for flexural strength, with a increase rate of 11.9% to 39.5%. In addition, the brittleness of shotcrete increases during high temperature curing, so more transverse cracks are observed in the failure mode, and the peak stress and peak strain decrease. The addition of basalt fiber can improve the ductility and plasticity of shotcrete and increase the peak strain of shotcrete. The constitutive model is in good agreement with the experimental results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5984 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Study on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Cement-Based Materials by Direct Electric Curing and Steam Curing

by Zhihan Yang, Youjun Xie, Jionghuang He, Fan Wang, Xiaohui Zeng, Kunlin Ma and Guangcheng Long

Materials 2021, 14(23), 7407; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14237407 - 02 Dec 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2079

Abstract

Direct electric curing (EC) is a new green curing method for cement-based materials that improves the early mechanical properties via the uniform high temperature produced by Joule heating. To understand the effects of EC and steam curing (SC) on the mechanical properties and [...] Read more.

Direct electric curing (EC) is a new green curing method for cement-based materials that improves the early mechanical properties via the uniform high temperature produced by Joule heating. To understand the effects of EC and steam curing (SC) on the mechanical properties and microstructure of cement-based materials, the mortar was cured at different temperature-controlled curing regimes (40 °C, 60 °C, and 80 °C). Meanwhile, the mechanical properties, hydrates and pore structures of the specimens were investigated. The energy consumption of the curing methods was compared. The results showed that the EC specimens had higher and more stable growth of mechanical strength. The hydration degree and products of EC samples were similar to that of SC samples. However, the pore structure of EC specimens was finer than that of SC specimens at different curing ages. Moreover, the energy consumption of EC was much lower than that of SC. This study provides an important technical support for the EC in the production of energy-saving and high early-strength concrete precast components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

40 pages, 5314 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Review of the Effects of Supplementary Cementitious Materials and Chemical Additives on the Physical, Mechanical and Durability Properties of Hydraulic Concrete

by Muralidharan Raghav, Taejoon Park, Hyun-Min Yang, Seung-Yeop Lee, Subbiah Karthick and Han-Seung Lee

Materials 2021, 14(23), 7270; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14237270 - 28 Nov 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3701

Abstract

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and chemical additives (CA) are incorporated to modify the properties of concrete. In this paper, SCMs such as fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica fume (SF), rice husk ash (RHA), sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), and [...] Read more.

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and chemical additives (CA) are incorporated to modify the properties of concrete. In this paper, SCMs such as fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica fume (SF), rice husk ash (RHA), sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), and tire-derived fuel ash (TDFA) admixed concretes are reviewed. FA (25–30%), GGBS (50–55%), RHA (15–20%), and SBA (15%) are safely used to replace Portland cement. FA requires activation, while GGBS has undergone in situ activation, with other alkalis present in it. The reactive silica in RHA and SBA readily reacts with free Ca(OH)₂ in cement matrix, which produces the secondary C-S-H gel and gives strength to the concrete. SF addition involves both physical contribution and chemical action in concrete. TDFA contains 25–30% SiO₂ and 30–35% CaO, and is considered a suitable secondary pozzolanic material. In this review, special emphasis is given to the various chemical additives and their role in protecting rebar from corrosion. Specialized concrete for novel applications, namely self-curing, self-healing, superhydrophobic, electromagnetic (EM) wave shielding and self-temperature adjusting concretes, are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4321 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation of Flexural Behavior of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete with Coarse Aggregate-Filled Steel Tubes

by Fanghong Wu, Yanqin Zeng, Ben Li and Xuetao Lyu

Materials 2021, 14(21), 6354; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14216354 - 24 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1781

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation of flexural behavior of circular ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (CA-UHPC)-filled steel tubes (CA-UHPCFSTs). A total of seven flexural members were tested under a four-point bending load. The failure modes, overall deflection curves, moment-versus-curvature relationships, moment-versus-strain curves, [...] Read more.

This paper presents an experimental investigation of flexural behavior of circular ultra-high-performance concrete with coarse aggregate (CA-UHPC)-filled steel tubes (CA-UHPCFSTs). A total of seven flexural members were tested under a four-point bending load. The failure modes, overall deflection curves, moment-versus-curvature relationships, moment-versus-strain curves, strain distribution curves, ductility, flexural stiffness and ultimate flexural capacity were evaluated. The results indicate that the CA-UHPCFSTs under bending behaved in a good ductile manner. The CA-UHPC strength has a limited effect on the ultimate flexural capacity, while the addition of steel fiber can improve the ultimate flexural capacity. Increasing the steel tube thickness leads to higher flexural stiffness and ultimate flexural capacity. There is a significant confinement effect between the steel tube and the CA-UHPC core in the compressive zone and centroidal plane after the specimen enters the elastic-plastic stage, while the confinement effect in the tensile zone is minimal. Moreover, the measured flexural stiffness and ultimate flexural capacity were compared with the predictions using various design specifications. Two empirical formulas for calculating the initial and serviceability-level flexural stiffness of CA-UHPCFSTs are developed. Further research is required to propose the accurate design formula for the ultimate flexural capacity of CA-UHPCFSTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multifunctional Concrete for Smart Infrastructures)

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-8