Mechanical Properties and Durability of Concrete Materials and Structures

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1137

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Interests: UHPC; concrete structures; precast concrete structures; steel–concrete composite structures; seismic design and analysis of structures
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in understanding and improving the mechanical properties and durability of concrete materials and structures. The collection presents cutting-edge research addressing critical challenges in concrete technology, from material composition to structural performance. Key topics include innovative testing methodologies, degradation mechanisms, durability enhancement strategies, and sustainable concrete solutions. The published papers explore various aspects, such as fiber-reinforced concrete, alternative cementitious materials, advanced characterization techniques, and long-term performance prediction models. Particular attention is given to emerging technologies for improving concrete durability and mechanical properties while considering environmental impact. The research findings contribute significantly to the development of more resilient and sustainable concrete infrastructure, offering practical solutions for civil engineering applications. This Special Issue serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in the field of concrete technology, providing valuable insights into the latest developments and future directions in concrete materials and structural engineering. The collected works demonstrate the ongoing evolution of concrete technology in response to modern construction challenges and sustainability requirements.

Prof. Dr. Yuan Huang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • concrete durability
  • mechanical properties
  • structural performance
  • material characterization
  • service life prediction
  • sustainable concrete
  • fiber-reinforced concrete
  • cementitious materials
  • mix design optimization
  • non-destructive testing
  • high-performance concrete
  • construction materials
  • concrete technology
  • experimental methods

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

28 pages, 6226 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Biogenic Healing Capability, Mechanical Properties, and Freeze–Thaw Durability of Bacterial-Based Concrete Using Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sphaericus, and Bacillus megaterium
by Izhar Ahmad, Mehdi Shokouhian, David Owolabi, Marshell Jenkins and Gabrielle Lynn McLemore
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060943 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 896
Abstract
Microbial-induced carbonate precipitation technology allows concrete to detect and diagnose cracks autonomously. However, the concrete’s compact structure and alkaline environment necessitate the adoption of a proper carrier material to safeguard microorganisms. In this study, various bacterial strains, including Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sphaericus, and [...] Read more.
Microbial-induced carbonate precipitation technology allows concrete to detect and diagnose cracks autonomously. However, the concrete’s compact structure and alkaline environment necessitate the adoption of a proper carrier material to safeguard microorganisms. In this study, various bacterial strains, including Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sphaericus, and Bacillus megaterium, were immobilized in lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA) to investigate their effect on the self-healing performance, mechanical strength, and freeze–thaw durability. Self-healing concrete specimens were prepared using immobilized LECA, directly added bacterial spores, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) fibers, and air-entraining admixture (AEA). The pre-cracked prisms were monitored for 224 days to assess self-healing efficiency through ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and surface crack analysis methods. A compressive strength restoration test was conducted by pre-loading the cube specimens with 60% of the failure load and re-testing them after 28 days for strength regain. Additionally, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to analyze the precipitate material. The findings revealed that self-healing efficiency improved with the biomineralization activity over the healing period demonstrated by the bacterial strains. Compression and flexural strengths decreased for the bacterial specimens attributed to porous LECA. However, restoration in compression strength and freeze–thaw durability significantly improved for the bacterial mixes compared to control and reference mixes. XRD and SEM analyses confirmed the formation of calcite as a self-healing precipitate. Overall, results indicated the superior performance of Bacillus megaterium followed by Bacillus sphaericus and Bacillus subtilis. The findings of the current study provide important insights for the construction industry, showcasing the potential of bacteria to mitigate the degradation of concrete structures and advocating for a sustainable solution that reduces reliance on manual repairs, especially in inaccessible areas of the structures. Full article
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