High-Performance Concrete: Modification Methods, Sustainability, and Multifunctional Applications—2nd Edition

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2025) | Viewed by 14567

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Guest Editor
School of Building Engineering and Mechanics, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
Interests: intelligent construction; 3D printing; concrete material research and development; structural performance
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Guest Editor
School of Science, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: ultra-high performance concrete structures; green concrete materials; seismic resistance of concrete structures
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Guest Editor
School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
Interests: 3D printing construction; 3D printing concrete; HPC
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Guest Editor
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
Interests: UHPC; dry UHPC; geopolymer UHPC; eco-friendly concrete; composite structure; impact resistance; damage mechanics; finite element analysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

High-performance concrete or ultrahigh-performance concrete (HPC/UHPC) has received extensive attention over the past few decades and, compared to traditional concrete materials, HPC/UHPC not only has extremely good mechanical properties, but also has high ductility. Meanwhile, due to the addition of SCMs and other additives, it has excellent durability. These characteristics make HPC/UHPC suitable for use in a great variety of application scenarios, such as in 3D printing construction, dry concrete construction, protective reinforcement, etc.

Although an increasing amount of research focuses on HPC/UHPC, many challenges and research barriers remain unresolved and require that further innovative exploration be conducted. This Special Issue aims to provide a platform to showcase the latest developments in HPC/UHPC at the material and structural scales.

This Special Issue will publish high-quality original research papers covering, but not limited to, the following fields:

(1) Latest modification methods and mechanism analysis;

(2) Low-carbon, energy-saving, and sustainable concrete;

(3) Three-dimensional printing performance and structural applications;

(4) Multiple application scenarios;

(5) The application of artificial intelligence in high-performance buildings.

Dr. Yekai Yang
Prof. Dr. Weiqiang Wang
Dr. Yiwei Weng
Dr. Zhaoyao Wang
Dr. Qiao Wang
Dr. Ruizhe Shao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Buildings 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

  • high-performance concrete
  • modification
  • 3D printing
  • sustainability
  • dry concrete
  • mechanism analysis
  • mechanical property
  • artificial intelligence

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 1254 KB  
Article
Experimental Study on Acid Resistance of Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating Fly Ash and GGBS: Towards Low-Carbon and Sustainable Construction
by Kiran Kumar Poloju, Zainab Al Ajmi, Shalini Annadurai, Adil Nadeem Hussain and Mallikarjuna Rao
Buildings 2025, 15(21), 4012; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15214012 - 6 Nov 2025
Viewed by 533
Abstract
This experiment investigated the mechanical performance and acid resistance (when subjected to 28 days of exposure to sulfuric and nitric acid of five percent) of ambient-cured geopolymer concrete. Geopolymer concrete (GPC)—which is produced by using industrial by-products, including fly ash and ground granulated [...] Read more.
This experiment investigated the mechanical performance and acid resistance (when subjected to 28 days of exposure to sulfuric and nitric acid of five percent) of ambient-cured geopolymer concrete. Geopolymer concrete (GPC)—which is produced by using industrial by-products, including fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS)—is a low-carbon and strong substitute of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). This experiment examines the mechanical and acid-resisting properties of ambient GPC with different GGBS (10, 30, and 50 percent) contents. The compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths were measured at 7, 14, and 28 days, and durability was measured under an exposure of 5% sulfuric and nitric acids. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that gypsum and ettringite were formed by sulfuric acid that weakened the structure, whereas surface decalcification was mostly caused by nitric acid. Mixes with a high fly ash content had more amorphous structures and better acid resistance, whereas those having high GGBS contents had high early strength because of high densities of the C–A–S–H gel. The findings indicate a strength–durability trade-off, which can be used to control the optimized mix design to produce sustainable and long-term infrastructure. Full article
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22 pages, 3317 KB  
Article
Flexural Performance and Flexural Toughness Evaluation Method of High-Strength Engineered Cementitious Composites
by Bo Chen, Liang Hou, Rong-Guo Yan, Xiang-Yu Zhang, Hao Meng and Jing-Tian Li
Buildings 2025, 15(21), 4003; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15214003 - 6 Nov 2025
Viewed by 414
Abstract
Ordinary concrete exhibits inherent brittleness, which restricts its deformation capacity and durability under extreme loading conditions. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) have been developed to address these limitations; however, conventional ECC often suffers from relatively low compressive strength, limiting its use in demanding structural [...] Read more.
Ordinary concrete exhibits inherent brittleness, which restricts its deformation capacity and durability under extreme loading conditions. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) have been developed to address these limitations; however, conventional ECC often suffers from relatively low compressive strength, limiting its use in demanding structural applications. To overcome this drawback, high-strength ECC (HS-ECC) was prepared by incorporating high-volume mineral admixtures and three types of synthetic fibers-polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This study aimed to investigate the influence of fiber type and dosage on the flexural behavior of HS-ECC and to propose a toughness evaluation framework better suited to its strain-hardening characteristics. A comprehensive experimental program, including compressive and four-point bending tests, was conducted to evaluate failure modes, flexural performance, and post-cracking behavior. Results showed that PE fibers significantly enhanced flexural strength and toughness, PP fibers provided superior deformability at higher dosages, while PVA fibers tended to fracture due to strong matrix bonding, limiting their effectiveness in high-strength matrices. Based on the observed load–deflection responses, a physically meaningful flexural toughness evaluation method was developed, which reliably captured elastic, hardening, and softening stages of HS-ECC. The findings not only clarify the role of different fiber types in HS-ECC but also offer a new evaluation approach that can guide fiber selection and mix design for structural applications. Full article
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19 pages, 1901 KB  
Article
Probabilistic Model Optimization and Safety Assessment Methods for Existing Masonry Structures
by Fenglai Wang, Jing Zhang, Shimin Huang, Baojiang Yin and Lele Wu
Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3716; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203716 - 15 Oct 2025
Viewed by 340
Abstract
The practice of the assessment of the safety of existing masonry structures is related to the safety of people’s lives and property. However, the current assessment method, described in “GB50292-2015 Standard for appraisal of reliability of civil buildings”, fails to fully consider the [...] Read more.
The practice of the assessment of the safety of existing masonry structures is related to the safety of people’s lives and property. However, the current assessment method, described in “GB50292-2015 Standard for appraisal of reliability of civil buildings”, fails to fully consider the uncertainty-related characteristics of the structures, which easily leads to unreasonable assessment results. This paper proposes a method of safety assessment for existing masonry structures that considers the updating of resistance and load probability models and different member weights. First, based on the resistance probability model measured in the field, the resistance model in the current code (GB50292-2015) is updated through Bayesian theory. Then, the variable load model is updated for different subsequent working years through the equal-exceeding-probability method. Finally, the safety grade of the existing masonry structure is obtained by the analytic hierarchy process, using the affiliation set as the assessment index. This method of analysis solves the problem relating to the “jump” in the middle of the break-point of the traditional safety grading standard. It also fully considers the uncertainty-related characteristics of the existing structure, and its evaluation results align with the existing structure’s actual situation, which is critical to the assessment of the safety of the existing masonry structure. Full article
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23 pages, 7814 KB  
Article
Low-Carbon Alkali-Activated Gangue-Based Solid Waste Filling Materials: Geopolymerization–Mineralization Mechanism and Mechanical Property Regulation
by Jianye Feng, Guangqing Bao, Xiaodong Zheng, Kun Niu, Laolao Wang and Yikun Liu
Buildings 2025, 15(18), 3365; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15183365 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
In this study, gangue-based solid waste was utilized as the primary raw material to prepare filling materials using a composite alkali activator comprising calcium oxide (CaO) and sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3). By varying the proportions and total content of the [...] Read more.
In this study, gangue-based solid waste was utilized as the primary raw material to prepare filling materials using a composite alkali activator comprising calcium oxide (CaO) and sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3). By varying the proportions and total content of the alkali activators, with the total content fixed at 12 wt% of coal gangue, the resulting filling materials were systematically investigated. The mineralogical composition, morphology, and hydration degree of the materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). In addition, the compressive strength of the materials was measured. The results demonstrated that both the type and dosage of alkali activators significantly influenced the mineral phases and surface morphology of the filling materials. CaO and Na2SiO3 exhibited distinct effects on the degree of hydration, and the curing age was also found to be a critical influencing factor. For single-component activators, the compressive strength of the filling materials initially increased and then decreased with increasing activator content, with optimal values observed at CaO contents between 6% and 9% and Na2SiO3 content around 2%. In the case of the composite CaO–Na2SiO3 system, the uniaxial compressive strength exhibited a similar trend, increasing first and then decreasing with the CaO-to-Na2SiO3 ratio, with the optimal ratio determined to be 3:1. Furthermore, a positive correlation between curing age and compressive strength was observed. This study elucidates the synergistic mechanism of CaO and Na2SiO3, identifies optimal mix proportions, and quantifies empirical relationships between raw material properties, reaction conditions (activator ratio/content, curing age), and compressive strength. These relationships serve as core data for subsequent construction of a “raw material–reaction condition–strength” correlation model, providing support for formulation optimization of gangue-based filling materials. Full article
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26 pages, 2981 KB  
Article
Mechanical Properties of Fly Ash Ceramsite Concrete Produced in a Single-Cylinder Rotary Kiln
by Weitao Li, Xiaorui Jia, Guowei Ni, Bo Liu, Jiayue Li, Zirui Wang and Juannong Chen
Buildings 2025, 15(17), 3124; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173124 - 1 Sep 2025
Viewed by 761
Abstract
Fly ash, as the main solid waste of coal-fired power plants, is an environmental problem that needs to be solved due to its massive accumulation. The mechanical properties and optimization mechanism of lightweight aggregate concrete prepared by using new single-cylinder rotary kiln fly [...] Read more.
Fly ash, as the main solid waste of coal-fired power plants, is an environmental problem that needs to be solved due to its massive accumulation. The mechanical properties and optimization mechanism of lightweight aggregate concrete prepared by using new single-cylinder rotary kiln fly ash ceramic granules as aggregate were systematically investigated. Through orthogonal experimental design, combined with macro-mechanical testing and microscopic characterization techniques, the effects of cement admixture and ceramic granule admixture on the properties of concrete, such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity, were analyzed, and the optimization scheme of key parameters was proposed. The results show that the new single rotary kiln fly ash ceramic particles significantly improve the mechanical properties of concrete by optimizing the porosity (water absorption ≤ 5%), and its 28-day compressive strength reaches 46~50.9 MPa, which is 53.3~69.7% higher than that of the ordinary ceramic concrete, and the apparent density is ≤1900 kg/m3, showing lightweight and high-strength characteristics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the new ceramic grains form a more uniform, dense structure through the synergistic effect of internal mullite crystals and dense glass phase; computed tomography (CT) scanning shows that the total volume rate of cracks of the new ceramic concrete was reduced by up to 63.8% compared with that of ordinary ceramic concrete. This study provides technical support for the utilization of fly ash resources, and the prepared vitrified concrete meets the demand of green building while reducing structural deadweight (20~30%), which has significant environmental and economic benefits. Full article
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18 pages, 3165 KB  
Article
Prediction of FRP–Concrete Bond Strength Using a Genetic Neural Network Algorithm
by Yi Yang, Tan-Tan Zhu, Wu-Er Ha, Xin Zhao, Hong Qiu, Xiao-Lei Liu, Rui-Gang Ma, Jun-Nian Li, Jun Tao and Fei Zhang
Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2939; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162939 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 844
Abstract
The bond strength at the interface between fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and concrete is a critical factor affecting the mechanical performance of strengthened structures. To investigate this behavior, a comprehensive database of 1032 single-shear test results was compiled. A genetic algorithm-optimized backpropagation (GA-BP) [...] Read more.
The bond strength at the interface between fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and concrete is a critical factor affecting the mechanical performance of strengthened structures. To investigate this behavior, a comprehensive database of 1032 single-shear test results was compiled. A genetic algorithm-optimized backpropagation (GA-BP) neural network was developed using six input parameters: concrete width and compressive strength, and the FRP plate’s width, elastic modulus, thickness, and effective bond length. The optimized network, with a 6-13-1 architecture, achieved the highest prediction accuracy, with R2 = 0.93 and MAPE as low as 15.96%, outperforming all benchmark models. Eight existing bond strength prediction models were evaluated against the experimental data, revealing that models incorporating effective bond length achieved up to 35% lower prediction error than those that did not. A univariate sensitivity analysis showed that concrete compressive strength was the most influential parameter, with a normalized sensitivity coefficient of 0.325. The final trained weights and biases can be directly applied to similar prediction tasks without retraining. These results demonstrate the proposed model’s high accuracy, generalizability, and interpretability, offering a practical and efficient tool for evaluating FRP–concrete bond performance and supporting the design and rehabilitation of strengthened structures. Full article
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27 pages, 6356 KB  
Article
A Fast Fragility Analysis Method for Seismically Isolated RC Structures
by Cholap Chong, Mufeng Chen, Mingming Wang and Lushun Wei
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2449; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142449 - 12 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1024
Abstract
This paper presents an advanced seismic performance evaluation of reinforced concrete (RC) seismically isolated frame structures under the conditions of rare earthquakes. By employing an elastic–plastic analysis in conjunction with a nonlinear multi-degree-of-freedom model, this study innovatively assesses the incremental dynamic vulnerability of [...] Read more.
This paper presents an advanced seismic performance evaluation of reinforced concrete (RC) seismically isolated frame structures under the conditions of rare earthquakes. By employing an elastic–plastic analysis in conjunction with a nonlinear multi-degree-of-freedom model, this study innovatively assesses the incremental dynamic vulnerability of isolated structures. A novel equivalent linearization method is introduced for both single- and two-degree-of-freedom isolation structures, providing a simplified yet accurate means of predicting seismic responses. The reliability of the modified Takeda hysteretic model is verified through comparative analysis with experimental data, providing a solid foundation for the research. Furthermore, a multi-degree-of-freedom shear model is employed for rapid elastic–plastic analysis, validated against finite element software, resulting in an impressive 85% reduction in computation time while maintaining high accuracy. The fragility analysis reveals the staggered upward trend in the vulnerability of the upper structure and isolation layer, highlighting the importance of comprehensive damage control to enhance overall seismic performance. Full article
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21 pages, 6620 KB  
Article
Optimizing Recycled Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)-Excavated Materials as Aggregates in Shotcrete Mix Design
by Wei Zhang, Rusheng Hao, Zhijun Men, Jingjing He, Yong Zhang and Wei Hu
Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1483; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091483 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1031
Abstract
Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) excavation materials were recycled by sieving and separating particles into sizes 5–10 mm (coarse aggregates) and below 5 mm (manufactured sand) to explore their potential as aggregates in shotcrete production, with the aim of reducing environmental harm from waste [...] Read more.
Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) excavation materials were recycled by sieving and separating particles into sizes 5–10 mm (coarse aggregates) and below 5 mm (manufactured sand) to explore their potential as aggregates in shotcrete production, with the aim of reducing environmental harm from waste disposal. Mix proportion experiments were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties—including failure patterns, compressive strength, flexural strength, and deflection—of the shotcrete specimens through cubic axial compression and four-point bending tests; furthermore, rebound tests were conducted on shotcrete mixed with the recycled TBM aggregates in foundation pit engineering. These tests assessed the effects of key parameters (water–binder ratio, sand ratio, fly ash content, synthetic fibers, and liquid alkali-free accelerator) on shotcrete composed of recycled TBM sand and gravel. The results indicated that crushing and grading flaky TBM-excavated rock fragments, and subsequently blending them with pre-screened fine aggregates in a 4:1 ratio, yielded manufactured sand with an optimized particle gradation and controlled stone powder content (18%). Adjusting the water–binder ratio (0.4–0.5), fly ash dosage (mixed with 0–20%), and sand ratio (0.5–0.6) are feasible steps in preparing shotcrete with a compressive strength of 29.1 MPa to 50.4 MPa and slump of 9 cm to 20 cm. Moreover, the rebound rate of the shotcrete reached 11.3% by applying polyoxymethylene (POM) fibers with a 0.15% volume fraction and a liquid-state alkali-free setting accelerator (8% dosage), demonstrating that the implemented approach enables a decrease in the rebound rate of shotcrete. Full article
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Review

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34 pages, 10007 KB  
Review
Mechanical and Durability Properties of Concrete Prepared with Coal Gangue: A Review
by Xiaorui Jia, Weitao Li, Xin Dong, Bo Liu, Juannong Chen, Jiayue Li and Guowei Ni
Buildings 2025, 15(17), 3048; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15173048 - 26 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1347
Abstract
Coal gangue, an industrial byproduct of coal mining, was traditionally utilized in concrete production as a coarse aggregate. However, recent advancements have expanded its application by processing it into fine powder for use as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), partially replacing cement. This [...] Read more.
Coal gangue, an industrial byproduct of coal mining, was traditionally utilized in concrete production as a coarse aggregate. However, recent advancements have expanded its application by processing it into fine powder for use as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), partially replacing cement. This approach not only enhances the sustainable reuse of coal gangue but also contributes to reducing cement consumption and associated carbon emissions. Nevertheless, the incorporation of coal gangue may adversely affect the mechanical strength and long-term durability of concrete. This review provides a systematic analysis of recent research on coal gangue-modified concrete. It begins by classifying the functional roles of coal gangue in concrete mixtures, followed by a critical evaluation of its impact on mechanical properties and durability—both as an aggregate an as a mineral admixture. When 30% of the aggregate is replaced with activated coal gangue, the average compressive strength of concrete increases by 15%. When coal gangue replaces less than 20% of the cement, the compressive strength of concrete can reach 95% of the reference strength. Second, the review evaluates the modification effects of various mineral admixtures, elucidating their mechanisms for enhancing mechanical properties and durability in coal gangue-based concrete. Finally, it examines the underlying interaction mechanisms between these admixtures and coal gangue, while identifying key future research directions for optimizing admixture formulations. By providing a comprehensive and critical analysis of current research, this paper serves as a valuable reference for developing high-performance coal gangue concrete with increased substitution rates and tailored admixture systems. Ultimately, this work advances the design of sustainable, low-cement concrete using industrial byproducts, enabling performance-driven applications and supporting next-generation green construction materials. Full article
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33 pages, 4016 KB  
Review
Advancing Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: Performance, Crack Resistance Mechanism, and Future Innovations
by Zehra Funda Akbulut, Taher A. Tawfik, Piotr Smarzewski and Soner Guler
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081247 - 10 Apr 2025
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 7082
Abstract
This research investigates the effects of steel (ST) and synthetic (SYN) fibers on the workability and mechanical properties of HPFRC. It also analyzes their influence on the material’s microstructural characteristics. ST fibers improve tensile strength, fracture toughness, and post-cracking performance owing to their [...] Read more.
This research investigates the effects of steel (ST) and synthetic (SYN) fibers on the workability and mechanical properties of HPFRC. It also analyzes their influence on the material’s microstructural characteristics. ST fibers improve tensile strength, fracture toughness, and post-cracking performance owing to their rigidity, mechanical interlocking, and robust adhesion with the matrix. SYN fibers, conversely, mitigate shrinkage-induced micro-cracking, augment ductility, and enhance concrete performance under dynamic stress while exerting negative effects on workability. Hybrid fiber systems, which include ST and SYN fibers, offer synergistic advantages by enhancing fracture management at various scales and augmenting ductility and energy absorption capability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been crucial in investigating fiber–matrix interactions, elucidating the effects of ST and SYN fibers on hydration, crack-bridging mechanisms, and interfacial bonding. ST fibers establish thick interfacial zones that facilitate effective stress transfer, whereas SYN fibers reduce micro-crack formation and enhance long-term durability. Nonetheless, research deficiencies persist, encompassing optimal hybrid fiber configurations, the enduring performance of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC), and sustainable fiber substitutes. Future investigations should examine multi-scale reinforcing techniques, intelligent fibers for structural health assessment, and sustainable fiber alternatives. The standardization of testing methodologies and cost–benefit analyses is essential to promote industrial deployment. This review offers a thorough synthesis of the existing knowledge, emphasizing advancements and potential to enhance HPFRC for high-performance and sustainable construction applications. The findings facilitate the development of new, durable, and resilient fiber-reinforced concrete systems by solving current difficulties. Full article
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