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Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting...
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Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting Sustainability

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2025 | Viewed by 4643

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mohanad M. Abdulazeez

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO, USA
Interests: applications related to reliability, resilience, and life-cycle performance of structural and infrastructure systems; physics-based; data-informed computational modeling of the built environment
Dr. Haibin Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: structural health monitoring; disaster management; artificial intelligence; smart materials and structures; tropical island engineering; local damage monitoring method for reinforced concrete structures; health monitoring and multi-hazard protection of tropical island projects
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cameron Robert Rusnak

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Guest Editor
Department of Science, Technology & Mathematics, Lincoln University, 820 Chestnut St, Jefferson City, MO 65101, USA
Interests: design and analysis of structures subjected to natural phenomena; optimization and update of current design practices used in analysis; rehabilitation, repair, and strengthening of existing structures; biodegradable composite materials for use in construction applications; finite element analysis (FEA) in structural design and analysis
Dr. Mohamed Elshazli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Civil Engineering Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Interests: structures resiliency; structural dynamics; sustainable materials; concrete durability; strengthening and rehabilitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Emad Hassan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Civil, Architecture, and Environmental Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Interests: infrastructure performance under extreme loadings; natural hazard risk assessment and mitigation; community resilience; smart cities; data analytics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zeinab Bayati

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Université Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada
Interests: seismic analysis and design of different structural systems, such as reinforced concrete frames and steel structures; analysis and design of bridges; soil–structure interaction; deep and shallow foundations; seismic slope stability analysis and design; analysis of landslides
Dr. Pengfei Ma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Missouri University Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
Interests: concrete durability; corrosion; alkali-silica reaction; nondestructive detection; structural health monitoring; bridge engineering; cement; construction material science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The recent surge in the number of reinforced concrete structures approaching the end of their service life necessitates attention due to deterioration from environmental factors or increased applied loads. Many of these structures are now classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, highlighting the need for innovative design approaches and comprehensive rehabilitation or replacement strategies. Recent advancements in reinforced concrete have emphasized sustainability, durability, and resilience by integrating advanced materials and technologies. Key focus areas include sustainable infrastructure preservation and retrofitting using advanced composites like Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP). Computational modeling is vital in evaluating these methods while enhancing resilience, which is critical to preparing structures for evolving demands. Structural health monitoring (SHM) and fatigue assessments ensure safety under diverse conditions. Innovations such as durable, "maintenance-free" concrete, 3D printing, and nanotechnology are improving efficiency. At the same time, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and advanced repair techniques address damage caused by corrosion, freeze–thaw cycles, and cracking. These advancements aim to overcome the limitations of traditional concrete, including its vulnerability to cracking and environmental impact, while enhancing structural performance and longevity.

This Special Issue aims to discuss the latest reinforced concrete structural performance achievements, extend service life, and address environmental concerns. It also features work on various topics centered around the concept of smart cities applied to civil engineering systems. Papers considered for publication must articulate a clear contribution to the art and science of maintenance and rehabilitation of transport infrastructures.

Potential topics for submissions include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Sustainable strategies for infrastructure preservation and eco-efficient rehabilitation;
  2. Retrofitting reinforced concrete with advanced composite materials;
  3. Use of advanced computational modeling techniques for evaluating retrofitting methods;
  4. Enhancing infrastructure intelligence and resilience for futureproofing;
  5. Structural health monitoring (SHM) and fatigue life assessment of concrete structures;
  6. Innovation in "maintenance-free" and longer-lasting concrete materials;
  7. Safety, serviceability, and performance of concrete under varied loading and environmental conditions;
  8. Application of 3D printing and fiber-reinforced concrete technologies in modern construction;
  9. Adoption of nanotechnology, climate-friendly technologies, and advanced composite materials;
  10. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and innovative repair techniques for mitigating infrastructure damage (e.g., corrosion, freeze–thaw, cracking).

Dr. Mohanad M. Abdulazeez
Dr. Haibin Zhang
Dr. Cameron Robert Rusnak
Dr. Mohamed Elshazli
Dr. Emad Hassan
Dr. Zeinab Bayati
Dr. Pengfei Ma
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. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

  • sustainable infrastructure preservation
  • composite material retrofitting
  • advanced computational modeling
  • structural health monitoring (SHM)
  • eco-efficient concrete rehabilitation
  • maintenance-free concrete materials
  • resilient infrastructure design
  • 3D-printed fiber-reinforced concrete
  • nanotechnology in construction
  • building information modeling (BIM)

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 7349 KiB  
Article
Performance of High Strength Fiber Reinforced Mortar Made with Ceramic Powder, Metakaolin, and Magnetized Water
by Osama Youssf, Khalid A. Eltawil, Mohamed M. Yousry Elshikh and Mostafa M. Keshta
Infrastructures 2025, 10(5), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10050124 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 109
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a notable concern about the production of cementitious composites due to its high cement consumption and the corresponding carbon footprint. This has led to significant progress within the construction sector in integrating various waste materials as cement [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been a notable concern about the production of cementitious composites due to its high cement consumption and the corresponding carbon footprint. This has led to significant progress within the construction sector in integrating various waste materials as cement alternatives into cementitious composites. In this study, a sustainable high strength fiber reinforced mortar (HS-FRM) was designed with ceramic powder (CP) and metakaolin (MK) materials as partial replacements of the conventional HS-FRM by up to 80%. Magnetized water (MW) was used in the proposed HS-FRM as mixing water and replaced the normal tap water (TW) for producing a more sustainable and higher strength cementitious product. The HS-FRM was cured using four different curing methods, namely, tap water, seawater, air, and sunlight. Fresh, mechanical, durability, and microstructure characteristics were measured and analyzed for the proposed HS-FRM. The results showed that CP can enhance the slump of HS-FRM by up to 50% (achieved at 40% CP), while MK showed the same or less slump (by up to 33%) than that of the conventional HS-FRM. Using up to 80% of either CP or MK in the HS-FRM continuously decreased its 28-day compressive strength by up to 78% or 83%, respectively. The HS-FRM cured in tap water exhibited the highest compressive strength compared to the other curing conditions. The use of MW improved the workability of the HS-FRM by up to 225% and the compressive strength by up to 13%. The microstructure analyses interpreted the reported variation in the HS-FRM compressive strength and showed that using MW in the HS-FRM revealed a dense structure with an adequate bond between the fiber and the matrix with a relatively low number of micro-cracks and pores compared when using TW. The XRD analysis showed higher peaks of Q, C, and L with the presence of MW compared to mixtures made with TW. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting Sustainability)
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43 pages, 31984 KiB  
Article
Advanced Seismic Analysis of a 44-Story Reinforced Concrete Building: A Comparison of Code-Based and Performance Based Design Approaches
by Mistreselasie Abate, Ana Catarina Jorge Evangelista and Vivian W. Y. Tam
Infrastructures 2025, 10(4), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10040093 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1258
Abstract
Conventional seismic design regulations, even when rigorously adapted to local conditions, often fail to ensure the resilience of reinforced concrete buildings. Code-based prescriptive methods rely on simplified assumptions that do not fully capture the complex nonlinear behavior of structures during strong earthquakes, potentially [...] Read more.
Conventional seismic design regulations, even when rigorously adapted to local conditions, often fail to ensure the resilience of reinforced concrete buildings. Code-based prescriptive methods rely on simplified assumptions that do not fully capture the complex nonlinear behavior of structures during strong earthquakes, potentially underestimating seismic demands and structural vulnerabilities. This study evaluates the seismic performance of a 44-story reinforced concrete building designed per the EN-2015 code, currently adopted in Ethiopia. The building was analyzed using Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA), Linear Dynamic Time History Analysis (LDTHA), and Classical Modal Analysis in ETABS v19, with 11 ground motions from the PEER database. Ground motion scaling was performed using SeismoMatch and ETABS. Results indicate that LDTHA predicts 25.68% higher maximum story displacement, 26.49% greater inter-story drift ratios, 15.35% higher story shear, and 27.5% greater overturning moments compared to RSA. The fundamental time period for the first mode was found to be 3.956 s in Classical Modal Analysis, 3.806 s in RSA, and 3.883 s in LDTHA. These discrepancies highlight the limitations of code-based design and underscore the necessity of performance-based seismic design for achieving safer, more resilient structures in high-seismic regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting Sustainability)
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22 pages, 7837 KiB  
Article
Improved Yield Line Analysis and Innovative Methodology to Evaluate the Capacity of RC Barriers Subjected to Vehicular Collision Force
by Fahed H. Salahat, Hayder A. Rasheed, Christopher A. Jones and Isaac Klugh
Infrastructures 2025, 10(4), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10040081 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 314
Abstract
Reinforced Concrete (RC) barriers are used for different purposes in the highway inventory. An important purpose is the use of concrete barriers to act as railing that protects bridge piers against vehicular collision force (VCF). Therefore, these barriers are designed to absorb the [...] Read more.
Reinforced Concrete (RC) barriers are used for different purposes in the highway inventory. An important purpose is the use of concrete barriers to act as railing that protects bridge piers against vehicular collision force (VCF). Therefore, these barriers are designed to absorb the collision energy and/or redirect the vehicle away from the parts being protected. Accurate estimation of the capacity of RC barriers during crash events is an important consideration in their design and placement. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) considers yield line analysis (YLA) with the V-shape failure pattern to predict the barrier capacity. AASHTO’s analysis method involves some assumptions that are intended to simplify the analysis process. Some of these assumptions have been shown to underestimate the actual barrier capacity and might disqualify many existing RC barriers from acting as intervening structures due to structural inadequacy. Many researchers have proposed alternative failure patterns and methodologies in an attempt to better predict the capacity of RC barriers. This research shows that AASHTO’s YLA, with the current V-shape failure pattern, can be improved and still predict the barrier capacity when some of the simplifying assumptions are eliminated. Also, the research presents an alternative innovative truss analogy model to predict the capacity of RC barriers. The results of the improved YLA and the proposed truss model are validated by finite element analysis (FEA) using Abaqus. The results of this research will help structural engineers in the highway industry to initially design new barriers for the intended capacity as well as estimate the capacity of existing ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting Sustainability)
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18 pages, 12649 KiB  
Article
A Microplane Model That Considers Dynamic Fatigue Damage and Its Applications in Concrete Infrastructure
by Changjin Qin, Xiaogang Dong, Biao Wu, Lidong Cai, Shaohua Wang and Qing Xia
Infrastructures 2025, 10(3), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10030049 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 503
Abstract
In significant infrastructure, it takes more than simple fatigue load capacity calibration to meet design and analysis requirements; more importantly, fatigue damage evolution and remaining life assessments should be undertaken. Therefore, this paper proposes a dynamic fatigue damage analysis method for concrete infrastructures [...] Read more.
In significant infrastructure, it takes more than simple fatigue load capacity calibration to meet design and analysis requirements; more importantly, fatigue damage evolution and remaining life assessments should be undertaken. Therefore, this paper proposes a dynamic fatigue damage analysis method for concrete infrastructures based on an extended microplane model. This study extends the original microplane model to encompass steel fiber-reinforced concrete, fatigue, and dynamic analysis. In particular, the influence of the material rate-dependent effect (usually related to loading frequency) on the material’s properties is considered. The model’s validity is corroborated through benchmark tests and illustrative examples. Subsequently, the model is employed for the dynamic fatigue analysis of concrete members and concrete infrastructure, with a particular focus on the material rate-dependent effects and the influence of steel fiber on the fatigue behavior of concrete. It is demonstrated that incorporating steel fiber into concrete can markedly enhance its fatigue resistance, a phenomenon that can be reflected in the present model. Furthermore, accelerated fatigue experiments may overestimate the fatigue life of concrete materials. However, when conducting dynamic fatigue analysis of structures, incorporating rate-dependent materials may result in underestimating the fatigue damage experienced by concrete infrastructures. The model provides a helpful predictive tool for assessing progressive fatigue damage in concrete infrastructure under a complex range of loading scenarios, contributing to structural resilience and promoting sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting Sustainability)
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21 pages, 5147 KiB  
Article
Effects of Gypsum and Limestone on Early-Age Hydration and Strength Optimization in Belite Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement
by Sai Akshay Ponduru, Bryan K. Aylas-Paredes, Taihao Han, Advaith Neithalath, Narayanan Neithalath, Gaurav Sant and Aditya Kumar
Infrastructures 2025, 10(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10020027 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1101
Abstract
Belite calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSAB), an alternative to Portland cement, exhibits excellent strength at both early and later ages. However, due to its high belite content, the carbon reduction from this type of cement is not sufficient when compared to other alternative cements. [...] Read more.
Belite calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSAB), an alternative to Portland cement, exhibits excellent strength at both early and later ages. However, due to its high belite content, the carbon reduction from this type of cement is not sufficient when compared to other alternative cements. To further enhance CSAB’s sustainability, this study investigates the performance of CSAB when partially replaced by low-carbon mineral additives (i.e., limestone and gypsum). The primary objective is to identify the optimal mixture design by incorporating gypsum and limestone to formulate a sustainable binder that maintains high compressive strength. The CSAB is replaced (with both additives) by up to 51% at two different liquid-to-solid ratios of 0.4 and 0.5. gypsum replacements ranging from 0% to 27%, resulting in three unique gypsum-to-ye’elimite molar ratios (M). Limestone replacements range from 0% to 30% in 10% increments. The investigation focuses on the development of hydrates, hydration kinetics, and compressive strength of the sustainable binders after 3 days. The results indicate that a higher replacement level of limestone provides more free water to react with ye’elimite and belite, thereby enhancing the hydration kinetics, but decreasing the compressive strength. It also shows that the addition of gypsum enhances the formation of ettringite, enabling the maintenance of great compressive strength within the binder even at high limestone replacement levels. The binder containing 12% gypsum and 20% limestone was identified as the optimal mixture, yielding a compressive strength of 39 MPa. This performance, when compared to the plain CSAB (compressive strength of 49 MPa), demonstrates that the optimized binder achieves adequate sustainability while maintaining mechanical properties without significant compromise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting Sustainability)
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Review

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22 pages, 1296 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Strategies for Concrete Infrastructure Preservation: A Comprehensive Review and Perspective
by Cameron R. Rusnak
Infrastructures 2025, 10(4), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10040099 - 20 Apr 2025
Viewed by 408
Abstract
The growing number of reinforced concrete (RC) structures nearing the end of their service life demands innovative strategies for preservation and retrofitting. Environmental degradation, aging infrastructure, and increased loading demands highlight the need for sustainable, durable, and cost-effective solutions. This paper reviews advancements [...] Read more.
The growing number of reinforced concrete (RC) structures nearing the end of their service life demands innovative strategies for preservation and retrofitting. Environmental degradation, aging infrastructure, and increased loading demands highlight the need for sustainable, durable, and cost-effective solutions. This paper reviews advancements in preserving and retrofitting RC and concrete infrastructure systems. Innovations include low-carbon binders, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), geopolymer concrete, and self-healing technologies to enhance durability and reduce environmental impact. Advanced retrofitting techniques, particularly fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems, modularized steel reinforcement, and hybrid approaches, effectively improve resilience against environmental and operational stresses. Computational tools and machine learning offer promising pathways for optimizing mixture designs and enhancing sustainability. However, critical challenges remain, including scalability issues, performance variability, economic feasibility, and the lack of standardized guidelines. Addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts across academia, industry, and regulatory bodies to establish performance-based guidelines, develop standardized testing protocols, and conduct comprehensive lifecycle assessments. The findings of this review contribute valuable insights for enhancing infrastructure resilience, reducing environmental impacts, and supporting global sustainability initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero emissions and climate resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure: Enhancing Structural Resilience and Promoting Sustainability)
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