Fiber-Reinforced Polymers and Fiber-Reinforced Concrete in Civil Engineering—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: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 1952

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
Interests: fiber-reinforced polymers; concrete structures
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School of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: innovative FRP–metal composite structures; high-performance structures for offshore engineering; smart materials and constructions
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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Interests: the bond behavior of CFRP-to-concrete/steel bonded joints under complex loading conditions; application of advanced composite materials in civil infrastructure
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Guest Editor
School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523106, China
Interests: fiber-reinforced polymers
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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212114, China
Interests: fiber-reinforced polymers; long-span bridge; cable
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Guest Editor
College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
Interests: fiber-reinforced polymers; concrete structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
College of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Interests: composite structures with new materials
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College of Civil Aviation, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, China
Interests: fatigue life prediction under couple loading and environmental condition; monitoring, inspection and maintenance
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the number of studies on fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has increased drastically. In the first edition of “Fiber-Reinforced Polymers and Fiber-Reinforced Concrete in Civil Engineering”, over ten high-level papers were collected which detailed bottlenecks in the theory and application of FRPs and FRC and contributed to research in this field. On the basis of the success of the first edition, we decided to release a second edition in order to further explore FTPs and FRC with regard to life-cycle analysis, their performance under extreme disaster conditions (earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, fires, blasts), advanced numerical models and simulations, intellectualization, standardization, and sustainability. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

  • New materials/systems/techniques;
  • Durability and long-term performance;
  • Bond behavior;
  • Strengthening of concrete, metallic, timber, and masonry structures;
  • Concrete structures reinforced/prestressed with FRPs;
  • Hybrid structures;
  • All FRP structures;
  • Structural health monitoring and intelligent sensing;
  • Codes, standards, and guidelines;
  • Field applications and case studies;
  • High performance, longevity, and sustainability of structures.

Dr. Jianzhe Shi
Dr. Lili Hu
Dr. Hao Zhou
Dr. Liangliang Wei
Prof. Dr. Weiqiang Wang
Prof. Dr. Qin Zhang
Dr. Yaqiang Yang
Dr. Haitao Wang
Dr. Zheng Huang
Dr. Xing Zhao
Dr. Xu-Yang Cao
Guest Editors

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. 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

  • fiber-reinforced polymers
  • fiber-reinforced concrete
  • experiment
  • numerical simulation
  • infrastructure
  • sustainability

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 139 KiB  
Editorial
Infrastructure-Oriented Efficient Materials Implemented with Fibers
by Jianzhe Shi, Xuyang Cao and Haitao Wang
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040609 - 16 Feb 2025
Viewed by 705
Abstract
Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs) have been widely applied in infrastructure projects. In this Editorial, the research status of FRPs is first reviewed in terms of fibers, resin matrix, and application technology, and the research progress of FRCCs is then [...] Read more.
Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs) have been widely applied in infrastructure projects. In this Editorial, the research status of FRPs is first reviewed in terms of fibers, resin matrix, and application technology, and the research progress of FRCCs is then reviewed in terms of mechanical property and durability, as well as application technology. Based on the frontiers and challenges of FRPs and FRCCs, the prospects for future studies are discussed. Full article

Research

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18 pages, 1390 KiB  
Article
Durability and Mechanical Analysis of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Metakaolin–Red Mud-Based Geopolymer Composites
by Ouiame Chakkor
Buildings 2025, 15(12), 2010; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15122010 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 443
Abstract
Cement is widely used as the primary binder in concrete; however, growing environmental concerns and the rapid expansion of the construction industry have highlighted the need for more sustainable alternatives. Geopolymers have emerged as promising eco-friendly binders due to their lower carbon footprint [...] Read more.
Cement is widely used as the primary binder in concrete; however, growing environmental concerns and the rapid expansion of the construction industry have highlighted the need for more sustainable alternatives. Geopolymers have emerged as promising eco-friendly binders due to their lower carbon footprint and potential to utilize industrial byproducts. Geopolymer mortar, like other cementitious substances, exhibits brittleness and tensile weakness. Basalt fibers serve as fracture-bridging reinforcements, enhancing flexural and tensile strength by redistributing loads and postponing crack growth. Basalt fibers enhance the energy absorption capacity of the mortar, rendering it less susceptible to abrupt collapse. Basalt fibers have thermal stability up to about 800–1000 °C, rendering them appropriate for geopolymer mortars designed for fire-resistant or high-temperature applications. They assist in preserving structural integrity during heat exposure. Fibers mitigate early-age microcracks resulting from shrinkage, drying, or heat gradients. This results in a more compact and resilient microstructure. Using basalt fibers improves surface abrasion and impact resistance, which is advantageous for industrial flooring or infrastructure applications. Basalt fibers originate from natural volcanic rock, are non-toxic, and possess a minimal ecological imprint, consistent with the sustainability objectives of geopolymer applications. This study investigates the mechanical and thermal performance of a geopolymer mortar composed of metakaolin and red mud as binders, with basalt powder and limestone powder replacing traditional sand. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of basalt fiber incorporation at varying contents (0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% by weight) on the durability and strength of the mortar. Eight different mortar mixes were activated using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) solutions. Mechanical properties, including compressive strength, flexural strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), were tested 7 and 28 days before and after exposure to elevated temperatures (200, 400, 600, and 800 °C). The results indicated that basalt fiber significantly enhanced the performance of the geopolymer mortar, particularly at a content of 1.2%. Specimens with 1.2% fiber showed up to 20% improvement in compressive strength and 40% in flexural strength after thermal exposure, attributed to the fiber’s role in microcrack bridging and structural densification. Subsequent research should concentrate on refining fiber type, dose, and dispersion techniques to improve mechanical performance and durability. Examinations of microstructural behavior, long-term durability under environmental settings, and performance following high-temperature exposure are crucial. Furthermore, investigations into hybrid fiber systems, extensive structural applications, and life-cycle evaluations will inform the practical and sustainable implementation in the buildings. Full article
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28 pages, 6624 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Steel Fibers and Silica Fume on Concrete Exposed to High Temperatures and Gamma Radiation
by Mahmut Durmaz
Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1830; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111830 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 362
Abstract
The study explores the resistance of high-strength C40/50 concrete with steel fiber and silica fume admixture to high temperature and gamma radiation. The purpose is to create concrete composites with radiation shielding properties and high temperature resistance for use in nuclear power plants [...] Read more.
The study explores the resistance of high-strength C40/50 concrete with steel fiber and silica fume admixture to high temperature and gamma radiation. The purpose is to create concrete composites with radiation shielding properties and high temperature resistance for use in nuclear power plants and radioactive waste storage facilities. For that purpose, concrete specimens containing 0.64 wt% industrial steel fiber and different proportions of silica fume (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%) were first subjected to high temperature according to ISO 834 and ASTM E119 after 28 days of curing at a target temperature of 900 °C based on a working fire scenario and then subjected to 94 kGy gamma radiation and analyzed using compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), SEM-EDX and XRD tests. It was found that 94 kGy gamma radiation increased the compressive strength of steel fiber concrete by SFC 20.98%, SFC-5 26.36%, SFC-10 26.45%, and SFC-15 25.34%, flexural strength by SFC 24.85%, SFC-5 25.06%, SFC-10 24.11%, and SFC-15 23.65%, and led to microstructure improvement and densification. XRD analysis revealed that samples exposed to 94 kGy gamma radiation accumulated and increased their calcite peak, resulting in decreased porosity and increased compressive and flexural strength. Under high temperature (900 °C) conditions, a significant decrease in the mechanical properties of concrete was observed in the compressive strength of SFC 78.99%, SFC-5 76.71%, SFC-10 76.62% and SFC-15 76.05% and in the flexural strength of SFC 79.44%, SFC-5 78.66%, SFC-10 79.68% and SFC-15 80.11%. In conclusion, results highlight the synergistic role of silica fume in reducing porosity and enhancing radiation-induced cement matrix reactivity, as well as that of steel fibers in improving thermal shock resistance and residual mechanical integrity. The developed composite materials are promising candidates for structural and shielding components in nuclear reactors, radioactive waste storage units, and other critical infrastructures requiring long-term durability under combined thermal and radiological loading. Full article
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