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Buildings
Special Issues
The Durability of Innovative Construction Materials and Structures
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The Durability of Innovative Construction 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 May 2025 | Viewed by 4025

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mehdi Shokouhian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
Interests: structural stability; performance based design; optimization; sustainable design; structural analysis; finite element analysis; finite element modelling; civil engineering materials; structural dynamics; architecture; construction engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Farzaneh Soflaei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 23669, USA
Interests: designing; sustainable architecture; sustainable construction; sustainable development; urban planning; construction materials; building materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and research in the field of durable and sustainable construction materials and structures. With the increasing focus on environmental sustainability and the need for resilient infrastructure, this Special Issue presents a comprehensive collection of studies addressing the durability aspects of innovative materials and their impact on the long-term performance of structures. This Special Issue brings together experts from academia, industry, and research institutions to share their knowledge, insights, and practical experiences related to the durability of construction materials and structures. It covers a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

Novel construction materials: This section delves into the exploration and evaluation of new materials such as fiber-reinforced polymers, high-performance concrete, self-healing materials, green composites, and sustainable construction alternatives. It examines their durability characteristics, structural performance, and environmental impact.

Durability assessment and modelling: Researchers present advanced methods for evaluating the durability of materials and structures through accelerated aging tests, corrosion resistance analysis, service life prediction models, and non-destructive testing techniques. This section focuses on developing accurate and efficient tools to assess the long-term performance of innovative materials.

Maintenance and repair strategies: Addressing the challenges of preserving and extending the lifespan of structures, this section investigates innovative maintenance and repair techniques for durable construction materials. The topics covered include protective coatings, corrosion inhibitors, rehabilitation methods, and strategies for enhancing durability under harsh environmental conditions.

Case studies and real-world applications: This section showcases practical examples and case studies of the implementation of innovative construction materials and structures in real-world projects. It highlights successful applications, lessons learned, and the overall impact of these materials on the durability and sustainability of infrastructure.

Overall, this Special Issue serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, architects, and policymakers seeking to understand and enhance the durability of construction materials and structures. By fostering the exchange of knowledge and promoting the adoption of innovative and sustainable solutions, it contributes to the development of resilient infrastructure that can withstand the challenges of the future while minimizing environmental impact.

Dr. Mehdi Shokouhian
Dr. Farzaneh Soflaei
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

  • durability
  • innovative construction materials
  • structures sustainability
  • long-term performance
  • fiber-reinforced polymers
  • service life prediction maintenance and repair
  • environmental impact case studies

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 25475 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Strength Properties of Reinforced and Stabilized Sandy Soil as a Building Foundation Material
by Mohammad Mostafa Jafari, Mohammad Hossein Bagheripour and Ehsan Yaghoubi
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030382 - 26 Jan 2025
Viewed by 859
Abstract
Sandy soils are a type of geomaterial that may require improvements due to lack of cohesion. In this study, first, the lack of cohesion of sand was resolved using clay, and the soil was stabilized with cement and lime (4% and 3% of [...] Read more.
Sandy soils are a type of geomaterial that may require improvements due to lack of cohesion. In this study, first, the lack of cohesion of sand was resolved using clay, and the soil was stabilized with cement and lime (4% and 3% of the dry weight of materials, respectively) and finally reinforced with recycled tire fibers of 20 to 30 mm in length for improved strength and ductility. Next, 747 samples with different fiber contents at different curing temperatures and ages were prepared and a unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was carried out. Next, a novel approach employing multivariate nonlinear regression techniques and obtained empirical data was applied to formulate a mathematical model for predicting the UCS and the modulus of elasticity (Es) of the reinforced and stabilized soil. This model can serve as a valuable tool for building engineers in designing building foundations. The comparison of the obtained UCS and Es results and those predicted using the proposed model showed a correlation of >95% (R2 ≥ 0.95). The fibers effectively increased the failure strain, thus resulting in the greater ductility of the samples. As an example, in 14-day samples cured at 60 °C with 0%, 0.4%, 1%, 1.7%, and 2.5% fibers, the failure strain showed an incremental trend of 1.47%, 1.87%, 2.08%, 2.20%, and 2.92%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the microstructure of the samples and to explain the strength experimental outcomes. SEM images showed a desirable interaction between the fiber surfaces with the soil mass and the reduction in porosity and the occurrence of pozzolanic reactions through stabilization. The results also showed that the reinforcement effectively improved the ductility, as desired for building foundations; however, it resulted in reduced strength, although a greater strength compared to the untreated soil was achieved. Although soil stabilization has been widely studied, limited research focuses on stabilizing soil with clay, lime, cement, and recycled tire fibers. This study offers design engineers an estimation scheme of the strength properties of stabilized and reinforced foundations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Durability of Innovative Construction Materials and Structures)
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31 pages, 11606 KiB  
Article
Quantifying the Self-Healing Efficiency of Bioconcrete Using Bacillus subtilis Immobilized in Polymer-Coated Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregates
by Izhar Ahmad, Mehdi Shokouhian, Marshell Jenkins and Gabrielle L. McLemore
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3916; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123916 - 7 Dec 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2083
Abstract
Concrete is prone to cracking over time, leading to the deterioration of concrete structures. Using the biomineralization capabilities of bacteria, cracks in concrete can be remediated in favorable conditions. In this study, Bacillus subtilis spores were immobilized in three different healing agents, namely [...] Read more.
Concrete is prone to cracking over time, leading to the deterioration of concrete structures. Using the biomineralization capabilities of bacteria, cracks in concrete can be remediated in favorable conditions. In this study, Bacillus subtilis spores were immobilized in three different healing agents, namely lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECAs), polyvinyl acetate (PVA) fibers, and an air-entraining admixture (AEA). Bacillus subtilis spores, with a turbidity equivalent to a 4 McFarland standard, were used in three different dosages, namely 0.01, 0.1, and 1% (by weight) of cement. Based on the dosage, three groups were developed and each group consisted of a total of nine mixes, which were differentiated based on the method of delivery of the bacterial spores. The specimens were pre-cracked after 7 days, using an embedded steel rod, after being post-tensioned in a universal testing machine. The self-healing efficiency of the concrete was evaluated using ultrasonic pulse velocity testing and surface crack analysis, using ImageJ software, and the self-healing precipitate was analyzed using microstructural tests, namely scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The results verified that the self-healing efficiency of the concrete improved with the increase in the bacterial dosage and with an increase in the curing time. LECAs proved to be a promising bacterial carrier, by accommodating the spores and nutrient media over a period of 196 days. PVA fibers helped in bridging the cracks and provided nucleation sites for the bacteria, which enhanced the calcite precipitation. Similarly, the AEA also improved crack healing by encapsulating the spores and sealing cracks up to 0.25 mm, when used in conjunction with LECAs. Furthermore, microstructural tests verified the formation of calcite as a healing product within the cracks in the bioconcrete. The results of this study offer valuable insights for the construction industry, highlighting the ability of bacteria to reduce the deterioration of concrete structures and promoting a sustainable approach that minimizes the need for manual repairs, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Durability of Innovative Construction Materials and Structures)
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