Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 24118

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: solid mechanics; structural materials; structural mechanics; computational material mechanics; structural dynamics; green materials; construction and building materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Concrete structure is developing rapidly, especially nowadays with higher requirements for environmental protection and green building technology, the traditional concrete materials and construction methods can not meet the increasing requirements. Concrete structure is undergoing in-depth changes to materials and construction methods, such as different types of composite concrete, high-performance concrete and so on. A variety of different research methods have emerged one after another, and we have a deeper understanding of the properties of materials at different scales from micro to macro. From traditional construction to assembly construction and additive manufacturing, construction technology is also undergoing qualitative changes. Relevant fields have very broad application and research prospects.

About the Topics of Interest

In particular, the topic of interest includes but is not limited to

  1. Mechanical properties and calculation of concrete composites;
  2. Service performance of concrete structures and materials in complex environment;
  3. Multi scale modeling and calculation of new materials;
  4. Research on macro and micro mechanical properties of new materials;
  5. Structural performance intelligent sensing and health monitoring;
  6. Static and dynamic performance analysis of large infrastructure of concrete structure;
  7. Application and development of new construction technology;
  8. Design method of new composite structure;
  9. Multiphase field coupling performance analysis of structure and material in special environment.
  10. Fabricated buildings and additive manufacturing technology.

Prof. Dr. Ping Xiang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • building materials
  • structural mechanics
  • performance analysis
  • intelligent sensing and health monitoring

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 6445 KiB  
Article
Study on the Micro Mechanism of Failure Evolution of Desulfurization Gypsum–Fly Ash Fluidized Lightweight Soil Based on Discrete Element Method
by Xiuliang Li, Shen Zuo, Xiaoyu Xu and Haojie Li
Coatings 2024, 14(8), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14080968 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1024
Abstract
To investigate the macroscopic mechanical properties and failure evolution mechanism of desulfurization gypsum–fly ash fluid lightweight soil, a microscale numerical model using PFC2D (Particle Flow Code) was constructed. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted to determine the microscopic parameters of the model, extracting information [...] Read more.
To investigate the macroscopic mechanical properties and failure evolution mechanism of desulfurization gypsum–fly ash fluid lightweight soil, a microscale numerical model using PFC2D (Particle Flow Code) was constructed. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted to determine the microscopic parameters of the model, extracting information on the discrete fracture network type, quantity, age, and particle displacement trend. The crack morphology and propagation evolution of desulfurization gypsum–fly ash fluid lightweight soil were explored, and the destructive properties of desulfurization gypsum–fly ash fluid lightweight soil material were evaluated through energy indicators. The research findings suggest that the discrete element numerical model effectively simulates the stress–strain curve and failure characteristics of materials. Under uniaxial compression conditions, microcracks dominated by shear failure occur in the initial loading stage of desulfurization gypsum–fly ash fluid lightweight soil, with a through crack dominated by tensile failure appearing once the load exceeds the peak stress. The dissipated energy evolution in the flow state of desulfurization gypsum–fly ash fluid lightweight soil is relatively gentle, leading to delayed cracking after surpassing the peak stress point. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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27 pages, 7693 KiB  
Article
Research on the Preparation and Performance of Biomimetic Warm-Mix Regeneration for Asphalt Mixtures
by Xin Jin, Haoxuan Fu, Deli Li, Ye Yang, Yanhai Yang, Yanfeng Li, Fengchi Wang and Jiupeng Zhang
Coatings 2024, 14(7), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14070825 - 2 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1028
Abstract
To determine the formula for biomimetic warm-mix regeneration and fulfill the requirements of a “high waste asphalt mixture content, high quality, and high level” for its usage in reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), this paper first determined the suitable preparation process and formula for [...] Read more.
To determine the formula for biomimetic warm-mix regeneration and fulfill the requirements of a “high waste asphalt mixture content, high quality, and high level” for its usage in reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), this paper first determined the suitable preparation process and formula for biomimetic warm-mix regeneration based on orthogonal experiments and a gray correlation analysis. Then, the optimum dosage of the warm-mix regenerant was determined by a uniaxial penetration test, low-temperature splitting test, and freeze–thaw penetration test. The rutting test was conducted to characterize the high-temperature performance of the asphalt mixture. The Immersion Marshall Test and the freeze–thaw splitting test were used to characterize the water stability of the recycled asphalt mixture. The low-temperature small beam test was employed to study the low-temperature performance of the recycled asphalt mixture. The asphalt’s short-term and long-term aging processes were simulated using the rotary thin-film oven test (RTFOT) and the pressure aging test (PAV). The action mechanism of biomimetic warm-mix regeneration was revealed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Finally, a comprehensive thermal performance test was conducted on the aged asphalt after biomimetic warm-mix regeneration. The results showed that the self-made biomimetic warm-mix regeneration agent exhibited an excellent regenerative effect on RAP and significantly reduced the mixing temperature of the styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt mixture. In addition, the self-made biomimetic warm-mix regeneration agent effectively improved the high- and low-temperature performance of the recycled asphalt mixture, but had no noticeable effect on the water stability. The suggested dosage of the biomimetic warm-mix regeneration agent was 6%, and the mixing temperature was 130 °C. The microscopic chemical analysis revealed that biomimetic warm-mix regeneration restored the performance of aged asphalt by supplementing the light component. The change rules of the chemical functional groups and the comprehensive thermal properties of the recycled mixture showed a good correlation with the change rules of its high- and low-temperature performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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18 pages, 4324 KiB  
Article
Performance and Accelerated Ageing of an Industrial Hydraulic Lime Mortar Applied on Different Substrates
by Rafael Travincas, Dora Silveira, Poliana Bellei, João Gouveia, Gina Matias, Isabel Torres and Inês Flores-Colen
Coatings 2024, 14(7), 819; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14070819 - 1 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1036
Abstract
Mortar that is typically employed for interior or exterior coatings can be characterised using laboratory-prepared specimens according to specific test standards; however, its performance undergoes changes following application on substrates. When selecting mortar, it is vital to anticipate its in-service behaviour after its [...] Read more.
Mortar that is typically employed for interior or exterior coatings can be characterised using laboratory-prepared specimens according to specific test standards; however, its performance undergoes changes following application on substrates. When selecting mortar, it is vital to anticipate its in-service behaviour after its application on substrates to make the most informed choice. Most of the research work carried out to date analyses the characteristics of mortar in laboratory specimens. Some studies analyse these characteristics after its application to support, but very few exist that compare both behaviours. With this objective in mind, this research determined the properties of mortar when cured within laboratory moulds and assessed the behaviour of the same mortar after application on diverse substrate types. This study specifically evaluated the behaviour of a pre-dosed hydraulic lime mortar when applied on concrete blocks, lightweight concrete blocks, concrete slabs, hollow ceramic bricks, and solid ceramic bricks. Later, this behaviour was compared to the same type of mortar hardened in laboratory moulds and the same type of mortar applied on substrates and subjected to accelerated ageing. Moreover, data from previous experimental work were used to compare the behaviour of the pre-dosed hydraulic lime mortar with that of pre-dosed cement mortar when applied on similar substrates. The research drew upon a comprehensive characterisation of the physical and mechanical parameters of mortar, revealing that the performance of these types of mortar undergoes significant changes after application on substrates under in-service conditions, mainly when applied on more porous substrates. It was concluded that the application of mortar to substrates increased bulk density, decreased open porosity, enhanced compressive strength, and resulted in faster capillary absorption. For mortars subjected to accelerated ageing, a notable reduction in water vapour permeability was observed, which was attributed to changes in the pore profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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16 pages, 3857 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Paste Filling Body and Study on Supported Transportation Laws Using Flac3D Simulation
by Pengfei Wu, Zhenbo Gao, Jiaxu Jin, Fengmei Lian, Yanfeng Li and Tao Liu
Coatings 2024, 14(6), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14060743 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 935
Abstract
This paper proposes a new type of gangue filling body (GFB) to address the issues of the low stability, strength, poor shrinkage performance, and inadequate seepage resistance of paste filling materials in overburdened mining conditions, as well as the challenge of fully utilizing [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a new type of gangue filling body (GFB) to address the issues of the low stability, strength, poor shrinkage performance, and inadequate seepage resistance of paste filling materials in overburdened mining conditions, as well as the challenge of fully utilizing solid waste gangue. The coal gangue (CG), U-expanding agent (UEA), and amount of water added were kept constant, and the mass ratio of the various components was adjusted to the design. The standard for filling was assessed using slump tests, uniaxial compression tests, shrinkage tests, and penetration tests. A further microscopic analysis of the pastes with an optimal filling performance was conducted using SEM. The support pressure and overburden migration patterns in the GFBs were evaluated using Flac3D. The results indicate that the GFB with ratio 4 performed best, highlighting the significant role of Portland cement (OPC). The GFB with ratio 3 demonstrated the second-best performance, suggesting that GFBs with a higher early strength should be chosen to fill hollow zones for an effective filling outcome. This study introduced a new type of paste filling material and confirmed the rock transport law of this material under overburdened conditions using Flac3D, offering significant insights for the engineering field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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14 pages, 5481 KiB  
Article
Performance of Ferronickel Slag Powder Soil Cement under Freshwater Curing Conditions
by Lin Liu, Sanshan Chen, Feng Chen, Liang He and Weizhen Chen
Coatings 2024, 14(6), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14060721 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1352
Abstract
Ferronickel slag is the solid waste slag produced by smelting nickel–iron alloy. After grinding ferronickel slag into powder, it has potential chemical activity. It can partially replace cement and reduce the amount of cement, and is conducive to environmental protection. The mechanical properties [...] Read more.
Ferronickel slag is the solid waste slag produced by smelting nickel–iron alloy. After grinding ferronickel slag into powder, it has potential chemical activity. It can partially replace cement and reduce the amount of cement, and is conducive to environmental protection. The mechanical properties of soil cement were investigated through the compressive strength test and inter-split tensile test of ferronickel slag powder soil cement with different dosages. To further study the mechanism of ferronickel slag powder’s action on soil cement microscopically, the microstructure of soil cement was analyzed by using a scanning electron microscope and nuclear magnetic resonance equipment. The results of the study show that the incorporation of ferronickel slag powder can enhance the compressive and tensile strength of soil cement. The best performance enhancement of ferronickel slag powder was achieved when it was doped with 45% of its mass. The hydration products of soil cement increased with the increase in the doping amount, but the excessive doping of ferronickel slag powder would lead to a weakening of the hydration reaction and a decrease in the strength of the soil cement. At the same time, ferronickel slag powder plays the role of filling the void of soil cement. With the increase in ferronickel slag powder, the large pores inside the soil cement are reduced and the structure is denser. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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20 pages, 4191 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Thermal Insulation of Geothermal Well Cement Using Alkali-Activated Straw Ash and Natural Zeolite
by Ying Ji, Qianqian Sha, Gang Zhu, Yuze Xue and Tinghui Zhang
Coatings 2024, 14(4), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14040507 - 19 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1434
Abstract
To improve the heat extraction efficiency from the wellbore fluids to the stratum in the geothermal well, thermal insulation cement, which is prepared by alkali-excited straw ash-natural zeolite, was based on the orthogonal test. The properties of thermal insulation cement, such as compressive [...] Read more.
To improve the heat extraction efficiency from the wellbore fluids to the stratum in the geothermal well, thermal insulation cement, which is prepared by alkali-excited straw ash-natural zeolite, was based on the orthogonal test. The properties of thermal insulation cement, such as compressive strength, thermal conductivity and fluidity, were tested, and the comprehensive evaluation and range analysis of thermal insulation cement were carried out by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) as a macro reference index. The results show that the alkali equivalent of natural zeolite and water glass are the two biggest factors affecting the properties of cement. The compressive strength of the optimal mixture at 38 °C and 60 °C for 8 h is 9.26 MPa and 24.46 MPa, respectively, and the thermal conductivity reduction rates at 30 °C, 60 °C and 90 °C are 42.41%, 50.29% and 54.03%, respectively. The initial consistency of the optimal mixture is 13.9 BC and the consistency time is 123 min, which can be used for engineering cementing. In addition, the thickening time of cement can be adjusted according to water-reducing agent and retarder to meet the actual construction requirements of cementing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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16 pages, 6487 KiB  
Article
Bond Behavior of Glass Fine Aggregate Reinforcement Concrete after Chloride Erosion under Deicing Salt
by Jian Liu, Hao Guo, Fengchi Wang and Yanfeng Li
Coatings 2024, 14(4), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14040444 - 8 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1077
Abstract
This paper reports on the bond behavior of glass fine aggregate reinforced concrete (GFARC) under chloride erosion, considering the chloride solution and glass fine aggregate (GFA) exchange rates as variable parameters. The 16 groups of specimens are designed to conduct central pull-out tests [...] Read more.
This paper reports on the bond behavior of glass fine aggregate reinforced concrete (GFARC) under chloride erosion, considering the chloride solution and glass fine aggregate (GFA) exchange rates as variable parameters. The 16 groups of specimens are designed to conduct central pull-out tests after chloride erosion. The experimental results are analyzed, such as the τ–s curve, ultimate bond strength, peak slip, and bond stiffness. The results indicated that the degree of reinforcement corrosion in GFARC is low under the action of chloride corrosion. Compared with natural aggregate-reinforced concrete (NARC), the ultimate bond strength and bond stiffness of GFARC improve under the same chloride corrosion. The ultimate bond strengths of 25% GFARC, 50% GFARC, and 75% GFARC increased by 7%, 7.85%, and 17.31%, respectively, under natural conditions. Under 3.5% chlorine erosion, the GFARC group increased by 4.67%, 4.83%, and 13.53%, respectively. Under 5% chlorine erosion, the GFARC group increased by 5.54%, 6.24%, and 12.64%, respectively. Glass fine can improve the bonding performance between concrete and steel bars, and its effect is related to the replacement rate. The shape and chemical characteristics of glass sand play an important role in this process and became more prominent with the deepening of the effect. Through the analysis of the experimental results, this paper further elaborated on the bonding mechanism of GFARC under the influence of chloride corrosion. The research indicates that the use of GFA has a great advantage in improving the bond performance under chloride erosion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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22 pages, 4638 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Impermeability and Micromechanisms of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Soil-Cement in Marine Environments
by Zhiyuan Li, Feng Chen, Jianhua Ren and Zhibo Chen
Coatings 2023, 13(3), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13030532 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1846
Abstract
In coastal areas, structures such as cement-soil dams are often eroded by seawater, so it is significant to study how to improve the impermeability of cement-soil. Basalt fiber with a strong tensile property, good stability and a high-performance price ratio was selected as [...] Read more.
In coastal areas, structures such as cement-soil dams are often eroded by seawater, so it is significant to study how to improve the impermeability of cement-soil. Basalt fiber with a strong tensile property, good stability and a high-performance price ratio was selected as the additive to study the influence of the basalt fiber content on the permeability of soil-cement. The permeability test and the chloride ion permeability test were used to evaluate the best mixing amount. The results of the permeability test showed that, although the permeability coefficient of soil-cement decreased with the increase in the basalt fiber content, the decreased rate of the permeability coefficient showed a slowing trend. The results of the chloride ion permeability test indicated that the chloride ion-related impermeability of soil-cement was enhanced with the increase in the basalt content, which was confirmed by the consistent findings of the contrast permeability test. The comprehensive analysis shows that the optimal content ratio of the basalt fiber was 1.5%. Furthermore, a SEM analysis established that the addition of the basalt fiber reduced the soil-cement porosity, improved the structural compactness and formed a more stable whole. This study could serve as a valuable reference for soil-cement used in projects with impermeability requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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11 pages, 3832 KiB  
Article
Influence of Seawater Erosion on The Strength and Pore Structure of Cement Soil with Ferronickel Slag Powder
by Feng Chen, Shenghao Tong, Hao Wang and Weizhen Chen
Coatings 2023, 13(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13010100 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1634
Abstract
To promote the recycling of industrial waste residues in the reinforcement of foundation soil, the anti−seawater erosion of cement soil with ferronickel slag powder in the marine environment was studied. Specifically, this paper employed ferronickel slag powder to partially replace the cement. Then, [...] Read more.
To promote the recycling of industrial waste residues in the reinforcement of foundation soil, the anti−seawater erosion of cement soil with ferronickel slag powder in the marine environment was studied. Specifically, this paper employed ferronickel slag powder to partially replace the cement. Then, the apparent morphology, unconfined compressive strength, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests were performed on specimens of cement soil with ferronickel slag powder soaked in purified water and seawater. The research results reveal that with the rise in the content of ferronickel slag powder, the erosive effect of seawater on cement soil weakens, while the compressive strength of cement soil increases first and then decreases. With an excessive amount of ferronickel slag powder added to the cement soil, its chemically active effect decreases, leading to a decrease in the strength of the cement soil. When the admixture of ferronickel slag powder in cement soil is 45%, it achieves good performance. The addition of ferronickel slag powder improves the plasticity of cement soil. The higher the content of ferronickel slag powder, the greater the failure strain and residual strength of the cement soil. Microscopic studies indicate that with the increase in the content of ferronickel slag powder, the pores in the cement soil become smaller and smaller, the total pore volume decreases, the continuity of the pore size distribution improves, and the structure becomes more compact, thus enhancing the erosion resistance of cement soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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29 pages, 15965 KiB  
Article
Restoring Force Model of Precast Segmental Reinforced Concrete Piers after Seawater Freeze–Thaw Cycles
by Fei Teng, Yueying Zhang, Weidong Yan, Xiaolei Wang and Kexin Zhang
Coatings 2023, 13(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13010016 - 22 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1871
Abstract
Precast segmental reinforced concrete (RC) piers have been widely used in the construction of offshore bridges to speed up construction. Offshore bridges in cold regions are inevitably affected by the seawater freeze–thaw cycles under the periodic movement of tides, which could reduce the [...] Read more.
Precast segmental reinforced concrete (RC) piers have been widely used in the construction of offshore bridges to speed up construction. Offshore bridges in cold regions are inevitably affected by the seawater freeze–thaw cycles under the periodic movement of tides, which could reduce the mechanical property of RC piers. Based on the low cyclic loading test on 12 specimens with different seawater freeze–thaw cycles, axial compression ratio, diameters of longitudinal reinforcement, and stirrup spacing, the hysteresis characteristics of precast segmental RC piers were analyzed. The test results show that the peak load decreased by 11%, while the peak displacement increased by 40% after 125 seawater freeze–thaw cycles. The hysteresis curves became fuller and the residual displacement became smaller with the accumulation of freeze–thaw damage. In the same 125 freeze–thaw cycles, the peak load increased by 15% and 27% while increasing the axial compression ratio and the longitudinal reinforcement diameter. Combined with the regression analysis of the experimental results, the restoring force model of RC piers considering the seawater freeze–thaw damage and design parameters was established, and the calculation method of each characteristic point in the model was given. The deviation values of flexural capacity are not more than 6.5%, and the deviation values of peak displacement are not more than 12%. The restoring force model determined in this paper could provide a reference for seismic response analysis of offshore bridges in cold regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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32 pages, 16023 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation of Reinforced Concrete Piers after Seawater Freeze–Thaw Cycles
by Fei Teng, Yueying Zhang, Weidong Yan, Xiaolei Wang and Yanfeng Li
Coatings 2022, 12(12), 1825; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12121825 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1793
Abstract
The reinforced concrete (RC) piers of offshore bridges inevitably experience seawater freeze–thaw cycles due to the periodic movement of tides in cold climates. The damage caused by seawater freeze–thaw cycles will reduce the durability and mechanical properties of concrete, and then affect the [...] Read more.
The reinforced concrete (RC) piers of offshore bridges inevitably experience seawater freeze–thaw cycles due to the periodic movement of tides in cold climates. The damage caused by seawater freeze–thaw cycles will reduce the durability and mechanical properties of concrete, and then affect the seismic performance of RC piers. The method of seismic performance analysis on RC piers by numerical simulation is gradually emerging because the process of the conventional experiment is relatively complicated, and the heterogeneity and degradation of concrete after seawater freeze–thaw cycles should be considered. In this study, the method of meso-element equivalent and layered modeling was used to simulate a low cyclic loading test on an RC pier after seawater freeze–thaw cycles with ABAQUS software. The numerical simulation results were compared with the experimental results; the deviation value of peak load was not more than 6%, and the deviation value of peak displacement was not more than 10%. The result of the numerical simulation matched well with the experimental results, and the influence of different parameters was analyzed through the practical method of numerical simulation. It can be determined that the peak load decreased by 11%, while the peak displacement increased by 40% after 125 seawater freeze–thaw cycles. In the same 125 freeze–thaw cycles, the peak load increased by 15% and 27% while the axial compression ratio and the longitudinal reinforcement diameter increased. As the stirrup spacing of specimens decreased, the peak load remained unchanged, but the ductility coefficient of the specimens increased by 20%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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23 pages, 7023 KiB  
Article
Assessing Dynamic Load Allowance of the Negative Bending Moment in Continuous Girder Bridges by Weighted Average Method
by Yelu Wang, Jun Tian, Yongjun Zhou, Yu Zhao, Wei Feng and Keqiang Mao
Coatings 2022, 12(9), 1233; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12091233 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2119
Abstract
Accurate acquisition of dynamic load allowance (DLA) based on measurement data is essential to the safety assessment of a bridge. When static load tests cannot be achieved, and filtering fails, the estimated DLAs from the experimental method vary widely due to the choice [...] Read more.
Accurate acquisition of dynamic load allowance (DLA) based on measurement data is essential to the safety assessment of a bridge. When static load tests cannot be achieved, and filtering fails, the estimated DLAs from the experimental method vary widely due to the choice of a left or right band. In this paper, the proposed weighted average method (WAM) is used to possibly solve the above problem in continuous gird bridges. Two-span and three-span precast concrete box-gird bridges were selected to optimize intercepted segments of WAM for the first time with the assistance of standard deviation and coefficient of variation in statistics. Then, a DLA measurement case of the negative bending moment was utilized to verify the validity of the WAM. The results show that the intercepted segments of 10/16 to 1 times the span length were suitable for the WAM to calculate the DLA of the negative bending moment due to small offset moments and stable variation coefficients. The WAM had a strong anti-interference ability of outliers filtering in “bad data,” which differed significantly from the experimental method. In three measurements of a field bridge, DLAs obtained by the WAM had less dispersion than the experimental and low-pass filtering methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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20 pages, 7023 KiB  
Article
Flexural Behavior of Precast RC Deck Panels with Cast-in-Place UHPFRC Connection
by Zhe Zhang, Yang Zhang and Ping Zhu
Coatings 2022, 12(8), 1183; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12081183 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1854
Abstract
Precast concrete bridge structures have been extensively used because of the mature construction techniques, fast construction, and their economy. Considerable practical applications, however, present certain disadvantages, such as cracking and water infiltration in their normal strength concrete (NSC, compressive strength 40 MPa) joints [...] Read more.
Precast concrete bridge structures have been extensively used because of the mature construction techniques, fast construction, and their economy. Considerable practical applications, however, present certain disadvantages, such as cracking and water infiltration in their normal strength concrete (NSC, compressive strength 40 MPa) joints connecting prefabricated deck panels. Ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC, compressive strength 143 MPa) has been proven highly effective in replacing the conventional cementitious grout materials in precast bridge structures. In the present study, three types of UHPFRC connections, rectangular, zigzag-shaped, and diamond-shaped, were experimentally evaluated on their flexural capacities, interface bonding performances, and failure modes through four-point bending tests (loading rate 0.1 kN/s). The results showed that all the UHPFRC connections exhibited apparently higher flexural capacities than an intact precast NSC member and had such strong UHPFRC-NSC interfacial bonding that the interfacial first-crack strengths were not less than the NSC member. Having the capability of modeling the UHPFRC connections and their interface properties, the developed finite element (FE) models of the precast slabs with UHPFRC connections produce numerical results in good agreement with the flexural tests. By means of the FE models, parametric investigations were carried out to make suggestions on optimizing the UHPFRC connection designs for practical use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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18 pages, 5883 KiB  
Article
Numerical Analysis on the Structure Design of Precast Cement Concrete Pavement Slabs
by Shuangquan Jiang, Yuan Wang, Xuhao Wang, Zexin Liu, Qianqian Liu, Cheng Li and Peng Li
Coatings 2022, 12(8), 1051; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12081051 - 25 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2266
Abstract
The performance of cast-in-place cement concrete pavement can be greatly influenced by the surrounding environment and the quality of construction, and it requires longer curing time before opening to the traffic. The precast cement concrete pavement has the potential to address the disadvantages [...] Read more.
The performance of cast-in-place cement concrete pavement can be greatly influenced by the surrounding environment and the quality of construction, and it requires longer curing time before opening to the traffic. The precast cement concrete pavement has the potential to address the disadvantages of using the cast-in-place cement concrete as the pavement surface material, and it also provides an alternative solution for the rapid repair of pavement damage. The current study aimed to assess the influences of geometry of full-scaled precast concrete slabs with various load transfer joint types. A numerical analysis was conducted using the finite element method to analyze the mechanical responses of the single and double slabs in accordance with the elastic thin-plate theory and the Specifications for Design of Highway Cement Concrete Pavement. Under the premise of determining the most unfavorable load position for different mechanical parameters, the mechanical response regularity under the critical loads was determined. The precast concrete pavement slab with dimensions 4 m long, 3 m wide and 0.28 m thick exhibited better mechanical responses when considering the maximum deflection and flexural stress as the evaluation index. The results indicated that the variation of joint forms has marginal influences on the maximum deflection and displacement transfer coefficient. When considering the maximum flexural stress and load transfer coefficient of the precast slabs, the circular tongue-and-groove joint form was recommended for application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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Review

Jump to: Research

32 pages, 2425 KiB  
Review
Development, Challenges, and Applications of Concrete Coating Technology: Exploring Paths to Enhance Durability and Standardization
by Hongbin Zhao, Qingzhou Wang, Ruipeng Shang and Shengkai Li
Coatings 2025, 15(4), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15040409 - 30 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Concrete coating technology is a key measure that enhances the durability of concrete structures. This paper systematically studies the performance, applicability, and impact of different types of anti-corrosion coatings on concrete durability, focusing on their resistance to chloride ion penetration, freeze–thaw cycles, carbonation, [...] Read more.
Concrete coating technology is a key measure that enhances the durability of concrete structures. This paper systematically studies the performance, applicability, and impact of different types of anti-corrosion coatings on concrete durability, focusing on their resistance to chloride ion penetration, freeze–thaw cycles, carbonation, and sulfate corrosion. The applicability of existing testing methods and standard systems is also evaluated. This study shows that surface-film-forming coatings can create a dense barrier, reducing chloride ion diffusion coefficients by more than 50%, making them suitable for humid and high-chloride environments. Pore-sealing coatings fill capillary pores, improving the concrete’s impermeability and making them ideal for highly corrosive environments. Penetrating hydrophobic coatings form a water-repellent layer, reducing water absorption by over 75%, which is particularly beneficial for coastal and underwater concrete structures. Additionally, composite coating technology is becoming a key approach to addressing multi-environment adaptability challenges. Experimental results have indicated that combining penetrating hydrophobic coatings with surface-film-forming coatings can enhance concrete’s resistance to chloride ion penetration while ensuring weather resistance and wear resistance. However, this study also reveals that there are several challenges in the standardization, engineering application, and long-term performance assessment of coating technology. The lack of globally unified testing standards leads to difficulties in comparing the results obtained from different test methods, affecting the practical application of these coatings in engineering. Moreover, construction quality control and long-term service performance monitoring remain weak points in their use in engineering applications. Some engineering case studies indicate that coating failures are often related to an insufficient coating thickness, improper interface treatment, or lack of maintenance. To further improve the effectiveness and long-term durability of coatings, future research should focus on the following aspects: (1) developing intelligent coating materials with self-healing, high-temperature resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance capabilities; (2) optimizing multilayer composite coating system designs to enhance the synergistic protective capabilities of different coatings; and (3) promoting the creation of global concrete coating testing standards and establishing adaptability testing methods for various environments. This study provides theoretical support for the optimization and standardization of concrete coating technology, contributing to the durability and long-term service safety of infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Reinforced Concrete and Building Materials)
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