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Concrete in Structural Engineering: Fabrication and Mechanical Behavior (Third Edition)

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 3368

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Inha Technical College, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Interests: concrete and composite materials; fracture mechanics; finite element analysis; reinforced concrete design; seismic qualification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to publish papers that advance the field of concrete materials and structures through the approach of numerical analyses and experimental tests. The proposed approaches should include new or enhanced insights into constructions for reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, cementitious material fabrication, and the mechanical behavior of concrete members.

Given the comprehensiveness of the suggested topic, we encourage you to send manuscripts containing scientific findings within the broad field of concrete research, which can be combined into the following topics: material effects, material behaviors, structural analysis, seismic design, earthquake engineering, structural monitoring, composite structures, lab and field testing, hazard reduction systems, and smart structures. Both theoretical and practice-oriented papers, including case studies and reviews, are also encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Jong Wan Hu
Prof. Dr. Seong Tae Yi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nano concrete
  • FRP concrete
  • self-healing concrete
  • multi-functional concrete
  • reinforced concrete
  • pre-stressed concrete
  • composite materials
  • cementitious materials
  • concrete fabrication
  • mechanical behavior
  • concrete design
  • concrete test
  • fracture mechanics
  • concrete frame (building)

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 6864 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Analysis of HPFRCC Precast Composite Column
by Tingting Lu, Bin Wang, Haowei Jin and Yuxiang Wen
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1567; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071567 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 183
Abstract
In order to improve the physical and mechanical properties and the ability to perform in practical applications of prefabricated monolithic composite columns, high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCC) material was prefabricated into mold shells to form HPFRCC precast monolithic composite columns. Through the axial [...] Read more.
In order to improve the physical and mechanical properties and the ability to perform in practical applications of prefabricated monolithic composite columns, high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCC) material was prefabricated into mold shells to form HPFRCC precast monolithic composite columns. Through the axial compression test, the axial compression failure form, failure mechanism, bearing capacity, deformation ability, and influencing factors were studied. The results showed that compared with RC precast monolithic composite column, the HPFRCC specimens showed better deformation performance. HPFRCC prefabricated shells provided additional restraint beyond stirrups. The HPFRCC composite columns’ yield compressive strain increased by 11.59% on average compared with the RC composite column, and the peak compressive strain increased by 10.92%. The larger the ρv of stirrups was, the larger the compressive strain of the key point of the columns was. Compared with the FC-P-01 (ρv was 1.05%), the yield compressive strain of FC-P-02 (ρv was 1.48%) increased by 21.63%, and the yield compressive strain of FC-P-03 (ρv was 0.74%) decreased by 11.20%. The calculation model of the axial bearing capacity of the HPFRCC composite column was established through theoretical mechanical analysis, and the calculated values of the model fit with the experimental values. Full article
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19 pages, 4223 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Desert Sand Concrete Under Freeze–Thaw Cycles
by Wenjie Xi, Zhiqiang Li, Yang Zhou, Gang Li and Feng Ji
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071546 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 351
Abstract
This study aims to explore the mechanical behavior of Desert Sand Concrete (DSC) under freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles. By adjusting the number of F-T cycles, the research analyzed the impact of various desert sand replacement ratios on the frost resistance of concrete. The study [...] Read more.
This study aims to explore the mechanical behavior of Desert Sand Concrete (DSC) under freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles. By adjusting the number of F-T cycles, the research analyzed the impact of various desert sand replacement ratios on the frost resistance of concrete. The study focused on the dynamic changes in mass loss of concrete specimens, relative dynamic elastic modulus, cubic compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and axial compressive strength. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to analyze the micro-morphology of specimens after F-T cycles. This analysis aimed to predict the service life of DSC and provide practical recommendations for the maximum compressive strength loss rate within the designed service life. The results indicated that although the frost resistance of DSC was similar to that of ordinary concrete before 50 F-T cycles, it subsequently exhibited a nonlinear degradation trend correlated with increasing desert and replacement ratios, with both frost resistance and compactness reaching optimal levels at a 40% replacement rate. Additionally, the F-T damage model proposed in this study demonstrated high applicability and fitting accuracy. This model provided effective theoretical support for understanding and predicting the mechanical behavior of DSC. Full article
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20 pages, 4070 KiB  
Article
An Investigation of the Influence of Paste’s Rheological Characteristics on the Tensile Creep of HVFAC at Early Ages
by Tongyuan Ni, Kang Chen, Fangshi Gao, Xingrui Li, Yang Yang, Deyu Kong and Shuifeng Yao
Materials 2025, 18(2), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020305 - 11 Jan 2025
Viewed by 690
Abstract
The rheological properties of concrete paste significantly influence its tensile creep behavior. In this study, the tensile creep behavior of high-volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC) employing the same cementitious pastes was experimentally investigated, and the rheological properties of the paste containing a high [...] Read more.
The rheological properties of concrete paste significantly influence its tensile creep behavior. In this study, the tensile creep behavior of high-volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC) employing the same cementitious pastes was experimentally investigated, and the rheological properties of the paste containing a high volume of fly ash using the nanoindentation (NI) technique was investigated in order to explore the influence of the paste’s rheological properties (such as micro-mechanical properties and microscopic creep) on the early-age tensile creep of HVFAC. The results demonstrated that the micro-strain of paste containing a high volume of fly ash (HVFA) showed a larger value than that without fly ash. As the test age extends, a decreasing trend in microscopic creep was observed which could be attributed to the growth of the content of HD C–S–H (high density C–S–H) gel. Moreover, within the same age period, the experimental data revealed that the incorporation of fly ash resulted in the reduction of the values of the creep modulus C and characteristic time τ. The effects of fly ash dosages and loading age on the creep properties of concrete was consistent with the micro-creep properties of the cementitious paste. The tensile specific creep values derived from the ZC (“ZC” are initials for the word ‘‘self-developed” in Chinese) model based on nanoindentation data closely match those obtained from experiments. Full article
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15 pages, 6516 KiB  
Article
Reversed Cyclic Behavior of Carbon Nanofiber-Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls
by Liang Lu, Musaab Suliman and Wanqiu Xia
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5786; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235786 - 26 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 575
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of integrating carbon nanofibers (CNF) into concrete to enhance the mechanical properties and reversed cyclic behavior of framed shear walls, addressing the need for improved seismic performance and durability. Despite the known benefits of CNF in improving concrete [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effects of integrating carbon nanofibers (CNF) into concrete to enhance the mechanical properties and reversed cyclic behavior of framed shear walls, addressing the need for improved seismic performance and durability. Despite the known benefits of CNF in improving concrete properties and enabling structural health monitoring, its application in framed shear walls has been limited. Through the design and testing of nineteen CNFC formulations, this research established a constitutive relationship allowing the Cyclic Softened Membrane Model (CSMM) to be applied to CNFC. Finite element analysis of shear walls under reversed cyclic loading revealed notable improvements in shear force capacity and ductility when CNF was incorporated. These findings highlight the dual role of CNFC in advancing both material performance and structural resilience, offering a significant contribution to the fields of material science and earthquake engineering. Full article
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22 pages, 4773 KiB  
Article
Shear Strengthening of RC Beams Using Prestressed Near-Surface Mounted Bars Reducing the Probability of Construction Failure Risk
by Sabry Fayed, Mohamed Ghalla, Jong Wan Hu, Ehab A. Mlybari, Abdullah Albogami and Saad A. Yehia
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5701; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235701 - 21 Nov 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1075
Abstract
In this study, shear-critical reinforced concrete (RC) beams were strengthened by combining the prestressing and near-surface mounted (NSM) rods approaches. The potential danger of failure in such RC beams is a substantial concern as it is considered a potential threat. This study addresses [...] Read more.
In this study, shear-critical reinforced concrete (RC) beams were strengthened by combining the prestressing and near-surface mounted (NSM) rods approaches. The potential danger of failure in such RC beams is a substantial concern as it is considered a potential threat. This study addresses its careful mitigation through experimental identification and numerical analysis to enhance the safety and sustainability of buildings by reducing the probability of failure risk for these RC beams. Nine of the ten RC beams that were tested had strengthened, and one had not. Internal prestressing (IP) within the beam body, external prestressing NSM (PNSM), internal embedment (IE) inside the beam with or without prestressing, and NSM are the strengthening technologies that were employed. The range of the extra shear reinforcement ratios (μs) was 0.87% to 1.60%. We investigated how strengthened beams behaved structurally in terms of the cracking load, ultimate load, load–deflection response, ultimate deflection, and stiffness. The insertion of five pairs of PNSM rods (μs = 1.45%) and five pairs of IP rods (μs = 1.6%), respectively, increased the beams’ shear capacity by 57.8% and 70.4%. Shear capacity increased by 23.2% when three pairs of IE rods (μs = 1.02%) were installed. The prestressing location had an impact on shear capacity, with the interior case surpassing the external one. Compared to the control, the stiffness of the strengthened beams rose by 20%, 82%, and 84.4% when three, four, or five pairs of internal prestressing rods were added. A formula is proposed to calculate the shear capacity of all beams strengthened using various methods. Full article
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