Automated and Digital Construction of Low-Carbon and High-Performance Steel-Concrete Composite Systems

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Composites Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026 | Viewed by 2203

Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Automation and digitalization are driving significant advancements in the construction industry by enabling efficient, precise, and sustainable delivery of advanced structural systems. This Special Issue focuses on recent developments in automated and digital construction technologies applied to low-carbon and high-performance steel-concrete composite systems within the framework of modern methods of construction. Emerging approaches such as robotic fabrication, automated prefabrication, modular and off-site construction, and digitally integrated workflows are transforming the design, manufacture, and assembly of composite structural components. A strong emphasis is placed on experimental investigations that enhance the understanding of material behaviour, structural performance, and composite action in steel-concrete systems. Experimental studies on high-performance and hybrid composites, including laboratory-scale tests, large-scale structural testing, and post-event assessment under extreme conditions (e.g., fire and elevated temperatures), are particularly encouraged. In parallel, the Special Issue welcomes contributions on low-carbon and sustainable materials, such as geopolymer and alkali-activated concretes, recycled aggregates, green binders, and bio-based or hybrid composite systems. Submissions integrating experimental results with numerical modelling, Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, and data-driven or AI-assisted methodologies are especially welcome.

This Special Issue invites original research articles, comprehensive review papers, experimental and numerical studies, and practical case studies that advance automated, digital, low-carbon, and high-performance steel-concrete composite construction.  

Dr. Mehran Khan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • automated and robotic construction of steel-concrete composite structures
  • digital construction technologies, BIM, and digital twins for composite systems
  • modern methods of construction (MMC), including modular, prefabricated, and off-site construction
  • experimental studies on steel-concrete composite materials and structural components
  • large-scale and laboratory testing of high-performance composite systems
  • low-carbon and sustainable materials for steel-concrete composites
  • geopolymer, alkali-activated, and recycled-material-based concretes
  • high-performance and hybrid steel-concrete composite materials
  • structural behaviour under extreme conditions, including fire and elevated temperatures
  • post-event performance and residual capacity of composite systems
  • numerical modelling and simulation validated by experimental data
  • data-driven, AI-assisted, and parametric design approaches for composite construction
  • case studies and practical applications of automated and digital composite construction

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 5968 KB  
Article
Parametric Assessment of Composite Strengthening Efficiency in RC T-Beams Using Bonded Steel Wire Rope Systems
by Anggun Tri Atmajayanti, Yanuar Haryanto, Hsuan-Teh Hu, Fu-Pei Hsiao, Gathot Heri Sudibyo, Paulus Setyo Nugroho, Laurencius Nugroho and Nicolas Arya Baskara
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050263 - 13 May 2026
Viewed by 599
Abstract
This study involved a numerical parametric assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams strengthened with bonded steel wire ropes (SWRs), with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of this strengthening system in terms of improving flexural performance. Since extensive experimental investigations are costly and [...] Read more.
This study involved a numerical parametric assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams strengthened with bonded steel wire ropes (SWRs), with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of this strengthening system in terms of improving flexural performance. Since extensive experimental investigations are costly and time-consuming, a three-dimensional finite element model was constructed to represent the structural response of strengthened RC T-beams. This numerical model was verified using earlier experimental data to ensure its predictive capability for the flexural behavior of strengthened members. Following validation, the model was applied in a comprehensive parametric study to examine the effects of key design variables on structural performance. These variables included the SWR diameter, the compressive strength of the bonding mortar, and the strength of the bonding material. Their effects on load-carrying capacity, stiffness, deformation behavior, and energy absorption were systematically evaluated. The results indicated that SWR diameter was the dominant parameter, increasing ultimate load up to 1.93 times, with stiffness and energy absorption reaching 1.48 and 1.74 times those of the control beam, respectively. In contrast, higher concrete compressive strength provided moderate gains, with load capacity and stiffness increasing by up to 16% and 21%, while having a limited influence on ductility. Variations in bonding material strength showed minimal impact and negligible changes in stiffness. Strength and stiffness enhancements were accompanied by reduced ductility, indicating a trade-off between capacity and deformation. These findings confirmed that SWR efficiency was governed primarily by reinforcement size, while other parameters exhibited diminishing returns beyond threshold levels. Full article
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15 pages, 928 KB  
Article
Parameter-Free Metaheuristic-Based Method for Reinforced Concrete Frame Cost Optimization
by Elmas Rakıcı Güldal, Sinan Melih Nigdeli, Gebrail Bekdaş and Zong Woo Geem
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050231 - 26 Apr 2026
Viewed by 744
Abstract
This study proposes a parameter-free metaheuristic optimization framework using the Jaya and Rao algorithms for the cost-based design of reinforced concrete (RC) frames in accordance with ACI 318-25. Beam and column dimensions are treated as design variables within predefined bounds, and the objective [...] Read more.
This study proposes a parameter-free metaheuristic optimization framework using the Jaya and Rao algorithms for the cost-based design of reinforced concrete (RC) frames in accordance with ACI 318-25. Beam and column dimensions are treated as design variables within predefined bounds, and the objective was to minimize the total construction cost including concrete and reinforcing steel. Structural analysis was performed using the matrix displacement method. The performance of the Jaya, Rao-1, Rao-2, and Rao-3 algorithms was evaluated through multiple independent runs. All methods achieved optimal or near-optimal solutions; however, Rao-2 demonstrated competitive performance with low mean values and favorable statistical performance. The results confirm the effectiveness of parameter-free metaheuristic methods for RC structural cost optimization. Unlike previous studies, this study explicitly focuses on parameter-free metaheuristic algorithms and evaluates their robustness through statistical analysis on reinforced concrete frame systems. The main contribution lies in demonstrating the comparative performance and practical applicability of parameter-free algorithms without the need for algorithm-specific parameter tuning. Full article
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18 pages, 3443 KB  
Article
Synergistic Hybrid Strengthening of RC Beams: Integrating Externally Bonded CFRP with Elastomeric Polyurea Coatings
by Ahmed Ibrahim Hassanin Mohamed and Hesham Shaaban
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(4), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10040178 - 27 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 485
Abstract
This study presents an experimental investigation into a novel hybrid strengthening system for reinforced concrete (RC) beams that combines externally bonded carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets with a spray-applied polyurea coating (Linex XS-350). Seven beams were tested under four-point bending to evaluate the effects [...] Read more.
This study presents an experimental investigation into a novel hybrid strengthening system for reinforced concrete (RC) beams that combines externally bonded carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets with a spray-applied polyurea coating (Linex XS-350). Seven beams were tested under four-point bending to evaluate the effects of two main parameters, CFRP thickness and single vs. double layers, and polymer coating configurations, i.e., none, thin with 2 mm, thick with 4 mm, and embedded. The coating was intended to act as an elastic confinement layer that mitigates peeling stresses and enhances CFRP concrete bond performance. The results demonstrated significant improvements in strength, ductility, and strain capacity for coated specimens compared with CFRP-only beams. The inclusion of Linex increased the ultimate load by up to 24% in single-layer beams and 20% in double-layer beams, while bottom-fiber strain at failure increased by more than fivefold, indicating enhanced CFRP utilization. The uncoated beams failed prematurely by CFRP peeling, whereas the coated and embedded specimens transitioned to CFRP rupture with more gradual and ductile behavior. The combined use of multiple CFRP layers and polymer coating produced the most effective performance, with the double-layer embedded configuration (B7) achieving the highest load, strain, and energy absorption. The findings confirm that integrating polyurea coatings with CFRP can effectively delay debonding and significantly improve the reliability and toughness of strengthened RC members, offering a practical solution for more resilient structural retrofitting. Full article
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