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Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—2nd Edition
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Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—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 June 2025 | Viewed by 5578

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yang Li

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
Interests: structural engineering; hydraulic structures materials; mechanics and durability of hydraulic concrete
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Ruijun Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Shanxi 710048, China
Interests: hydraulic structures materials; building materials properties and simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yiping Luo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Shanxi 710048, China
Interests: concrete materials; geotechnical engineering; transmission structure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiaochun Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443005, China
Interests: hydraulic structures materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Li Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Interests: fiber reinforced concrete; geopolymer concrete
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Concrete, mortar, and geo-materials are commonly used building materials for various hydraulic structures. As we all know, the operating conditions and working environment of hydraulic structures such as dams, spillways, weirs, culverts, and canals are very complex. During the operation period, they are not only affected by various loads in different ways but are also subjected to natural factors such as abrasion, freeze–thaw, infiltration, carbonization, chemical erosion, and so on in a relatively harsh environment. These environments easily cause decay and aging of the physical and mechanical properties of building materials, thereby shortening the service life of hydraulic structures and even threatening the safe operation of hydraulic structures. Therefore, for some old and ill hydraulic structures, it is necessary to adopt high-performance repair materials and repair processes to ensure their safe operation. With the construction of high dams and reservoirs around the world, higher requirements will be placed on the material properties and restoration of hydraulic structures in the future, and there is a need to develop hydraulic structures materials.

The main aim of this Special Issue "Advanced Studies in Structure Materials" in Buildings is to provide a platform for the discussion of the major research challenges and achievements in the development of novel hydraulic structures materials. We warmly invite authors to submit their papers for potential inclusion in this Special Issue on concrete, repair materials, mortar, sustainable materials, and geo-materials in hydraulic structures such as dams, spillways, weirs, culverts, and canals.

Dr. Yang Li
Prof. Dr. Ruijun Wang
Dr. Yiping Luo
Dr. Xiaochun Lu
Dr. Li Li
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

  • structures concrete
  • durability
  • repair materials
  • sustainable materials
  • structures mortar
  • freeze–thaw
  • sulfate attack
  • mechanical property
  • geo-materials
  • environmental factor

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4748 KiB  
Article
Investigation on Thermal Conductivity of Soil Under Freeze–Thaw Action Based on Machine Learning Models
by Yuwei Chen, Yadi Min, Haiqiang Jiang, Jing Luo, Mengxin Liu, Enliang Wang, Xingchao Liu, Ke Shi and Xiaoqi Li
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050750 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Thermal conductivity is a crucial factor for the soil, which is significantly affected by environmental conditions. Based on the variation in the thermal conductivity and the influencing factors of silty clay obtained by the freeze–thaw cycle test, this paper adopted four machine learning [...] Read more.
Thermal conductivity is a crucial factor for the soil, which is significantly affected by environmental conditions. Based on the variation in the thermal conductivity and the influencing factors of silty clay obtained by the freeze–thaw cycle test, this paper adopted four machine learning models optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO), including the artificial neural network model (ANN), random forest model (RF), support vector machine model (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting model (XGBoost) to predict the thermal conductivity of the soil. Meanwhile, mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient(R2) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the models. The accuracy of the machine learning model and empirical model were also compared. Then, the Monte Carlo simulation was used to analyze the stability of the models. The research results showed that the predicted performance of the machine learning models is significantly better than the empirical models. Among all the machine learning models, the R2 of the PSO-ANN model is above 0.95, while both RMSE and MAE values are below 0.02 (W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹). In addition, the stability order of the machine learning models is PSO-XGBoost, PSO-ANN, PSO-RF, and PSO-SVM. Therefore, comprehensively considering the accuracy and stability of the four machine learning models, the PSO-ANN model is recommended to predict soil’s thermal conductivity under freeze–thaw action. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 6602 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study of Alkali-Activated Cementitious Materials Using Thermally Activated Red Mud: Effect of the Si/Al Ratio on Fresh and Mechanical Properties
by Kai Guo, Haifeng Dong, Junyi Zhang, Liqing Zhang and Zhiping Li
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040565 - 12 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 685
Abstract
Bayer red mud (RM)-based geopolymers are economical and ecofriendly alternatives to cement because of their superior performance. This study investigated alkali-activated cementitious materials by combining RM, fly ash (FA) and slag, and the mixtures were used to produce ecofriendly composites. The influence of [...] Read more.
Bayer red mud (RM)-based geopolymers are economical and ecofriendly alternatives to cement because of their superior performance. This study investigated alkali-activated cementitious materials by combining RM, fly ash (FA) and slag, and the mixtures were used to produce ecofriendly composites. The influence of the Si/Al molar ratio (3.30–3.79) on the initial properties (setting time and flowability) and hardened properties (compressive strength, drying shrinkage and water permeability) of the composite materials was studied. The Na2O content was fixed at 4 wt%, and the thermal activation temperature was 800 °C. The phase evolution and geopolymerization mechanism of the effect of the initial Si/Al molar ratio on the material properties was investigated by FTIR, XRD, TG–DTG and SEM–EDS. The results of M1.2Si333 indicated that the compressive strength of the blends can reach 33.5 MPa at 28 days, with a drying shrinkage rate of 1.20%. Compressive strength decreases, while drying shrinkage increases with a higher initial Si/Al ratio. Microstructural analyses revealed that a low Si/Al ratio and alkali activator modulus enhance the dissolution of precursors to form C–(A)–S–H gels, which increase the compressive strength. The results promoted the application of RM-based geopolymer-engineered cementitious composite and enhanced the resource efficiency of the bauxite residue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 5918 KiB  
Article
Impact of Various Erosive Environments on the Durability of POM Fiber-Reinforced Ultra-High-Performance Concrete
by Jingliang Dong, Yingliang Zong, Xiaopeng Shang, Xiaolei Chen, Zhen Tu, Ren Jiang and Zebing Zhu
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 4048; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124048 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 652
Abstract
To address the durability challenges faced by traditional concrete in marine environments, this study focuses on polyoxymethylene (POM) fiber-reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete (PFUHPC) and, for the first time, systematically investigates the inhibitory effects of POM fibers on microstructural degradation and mechanical performance deterioration of [...] Read more.
To address the durability challenges faced by traditional concrete in marine environments, this study focuses on polyoxymethylene (POM) fiber-reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete (PFUHPC) and, for the first time, systematically investigates the inhibitory effects of POM fibers on microstructural degradation and mechanical performance deterioration of ultra-high-performance concrete under various erosive environments. The results indicated the following: (1) The mass loss rate and compressive strength degradation in PFUHPC under different erosive environments initially increased and then decreased, demonstrating that the inclusion of POM fibers delayed corrosion and significantly improved the durability and stability of the material’s performance. (2) Compared to the natural environment, after 180 days of immersion in different erosive environments (seawater immersion, wet–dry cycles in seawater, chloride salt immersion, sulfate salt immersion, and complex salt immersion), the compressive strength degradations were observed to be 4.8%, 9.7%, 6.8%, 11.7%, and 10.7%. (3) Microscopic analysis after 180 days revealed that the main corrosion products were gypsum, ettringite, and Friedel’s salt (calcium chloroaluminate). Under the environments of seawater immersion and cyclic wetting and drying, the low concentrations of chloride and sulfate ions resulted in fewer corrosion products and a denser matrix. The primary corrosion product under the chloride salt immersion was Friedel’s salt, which led to surface cracking and microporosity, while under the sulfate immersion, gypsum and ettringite were predominant, resulting in more porous and loosely bound hydration products and more severe corrosions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 9725 KiB  
Article
Development and Characterization of Alkali-Activated Lithium Slag-Fly Ash Composite Cement
by Jingliang Dong, Zhen Tu, Xiaopeng Shang, Hao Wu, Zhiping Li and Haibin Ding
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3766; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123766 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 860
Abstract
As the demand for environmental sustainability grows in the global construction industry, traditional cement production faces significant challenges due to high energy consumption and substantial CO2 emissions. Therefore, developing low-carbon, high-performance alternative cementitious materials has become a research focus. This paper proposes [...] Read more.
As the demand for environmental sustainability grows in the global construction industry, traditional cement production faces significant challenges due to high energy consumption and substantial CO2 emissions. Therefore, developing low-carbon, high-performance alternative cementitious materials has become a research focus. This paper proposes a new low-carbon cement (alkali-activated lithium slag-fly ash composite cement, ALFC) as a substitute for traditional cement. First, the alkali activation reactivity of lithium slag (LS) is enhanced through calcination and grinding, revealing the reasons behind its improved reactivity. Then, alkali-activated LS and fly ash were partially used to replace cement to prepare ALFC, and the effects of the water-to-binder ratio (W/B), LS content, and NaOH addition on the flowability and mechanical properties of ALFC were investigated. XRD, SEM/EDS, and TG/DTG analyses were conducted to examine its hydration products and microstructure, revealing the hydration mechanism. The results show that the flowability of ALFC increases with W/B but decreases with a higher LS content. When W/B is 0.325 and the LS content is 25 wt.%, flowability reaches 200 mm, meeting construction requirements. LS calcined at 700 °C for 1 h significantly enhanced ALFC’s 90-day flexural and compressive strengths by 39.73% and 58.47%, respectively. The primary hydration products of ALFC are C-S-H, N-A-S-H, and C-A-S-H gels, with their content increasing as the NaOH concentration rises. The optimal NaOH concentration and LS content for ALFC are 2 mol/L and 25 wt.%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 9143 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Steel-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Freeze–Thaw Cycles
by Ruijun Wang, Nan Tian, Jun Liu, Ruibao Jin, Gang Liang, Yan Li, Jing Hu, Hekuan Zhou, Yaofei Jia and Yanxiong Liu
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2880; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092880 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1024
Abstract
This study investigates the structural characteristics of SFRC with different amounts of steel fibers following exposure to freeze–thaw cycles, while taking into account various levels of confinement pressure and rates of deformation. The focus of the research is to examine the dynamic mechanical [...] Read more.
This study investigates the structural characteristics of SFRC with different amounts of steel fibers following exposure to freeze–thaw cycles, while taking into account various levels of confinement pressure and rates of deformation. The focus of the research is to examine the dynamic mechanical properties of SFRC exposed to freeze–thaw cycles. The inclusion of steel fibers improves the strength of concrete during freeze–thaw cycles, with 1% steel fiber content being the most effective. Strain rate and confining pressure significantly impact the strength and failure mode of SFRC. The strength of concrete increases linearly with the strain rate. With no confining pressure, the cracks in the concrete specimen align with the direction of the applied stress. And with confining pressure, concrete exhibits diagonal shear failure. Microstructural analysis results from scanning electron microscopy are consistent with the macroscopic properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 8482 KiB  
Article
Mesoscopic Numerical Simulation of Freeze–Thaw Damage in Hydraulic Concrete
by Ruijun Wang, Yunhui Liu, Jun Liu, Yang Li, Ruibao Jin, Gang Liang, Ningning Yu, Jing Hu, Hekuan Zhou, Yaofei Jia and Yanxiong Liu
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2694; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092694 - 28 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1079
Abstract
To investigate the impact of freeze–thaw damage on the mechanical properties of concrete, this study utilized Python in combination with ABAQUS 2016 to generate a two-dimensional meso-scale model of concrete. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on the concrete after freeze–thaw cycles to study [...] Read more.
To investigate the impact of freeze–thaw damage on the mechanical properties of concrete, this study utilized Python in combination with ABAQUS 2016 to generate a two-dimensional meso-scale model of concrete. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on the concrete after freeze–thaw cycles to study the evolution of its mechanical properties. Using “relative compressive strength” as a variable, the relationships between this variable and the parameters of the freeze–thaw damage model were determined, leading to the establishment of the freeze–thaw damage model and the simulation of compressive tests on concrete after freeze–thaw cycles. This study also explored the changes in the mechanical properties of concrete with variations in ITZ parameters and coarse aggregate content. The conclusions drawn are as follows: A comparison with experimental data showed that the model ensures that the relative error of each mechanical property parameter does not exceed 7%, verifying the model’s rationality. Increasing the ratio of ITZ parameters improved the mechanical properties of the ITZ, enhancing the overall mechanical performance, but had almost no effect on the elastic modulus. Compared to ratios of 0.7 and 0.8, concrete with a ratio of 0.9 showed slower rates of decrease in compressive strength and elastic modulus and slower rates of increase in peak compressive strain after freeze–thaw cycles. The increase in coarse aggregate content had a similar effect on the strength and freeze–thaw resistance of concrete as the ratio of ITZ parameters. Concrete with a coarse aggregate content of 60% exhibited slower rates of change in mechanical properties after freeze–thaw cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Structure Materials—2nd Edition)
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