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Development and Application of High-Performance Support Structures and Functional Materials for Extreme Environment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 1230

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: marine geotechnical engineering; service performance of engineering materials on islands and reefs; dynamic behavior of brittle materials

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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: dynamic mechanical behavior and constitutive model of concrete materials; microstructure evolution of concrete; development and application of functional materials
School of Civil Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
Interests: UHPC; sustainable development technologies for underground engineering; deep rock mass dynamic disasters

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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing 211167, China
Interests: geopolymer concrete; resource utilization of solid waste; environmental geotechnical engineering; machine learning; molecular dynamics simulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As globalization and technological advancements progress, the demand for infrastructure that is capable of withstanding extreme environments—such as high temperatures and humidity, freeze–thaw cycles, severe corrosion, and deep-sea high pressure—continues to rise. Key projects, including polar research bases, deep-sea energy exploration, island reef protection, and disaster response facilities, face unprecedented challenges in meeting stringent requirements for adaptability and durability. Traditional structural support systems and conventional building materials often exhibit significant limitations in such environments, including rapid performance degradation, insufficient durability, poor corrosion resistance, and a lack of intelligent functionality. These shortcomings make them inadequate for the long-term service life required in extreme conditions. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop high-performance support structures and functional materials that can adapt to environmental changes and dynamically adjust their performance to maintain structural integrity.

This Special Issue aims to explore topics related to the development and application of high-performance support structures and functional materials for extreme environment adaptability. We welcome submissions of literature reviews and the latest research findings in this field.

Prof. Dr. Yi Luo
Dr. Hangli Gong
Dr. Gang Wang
Dr. Wangwen Huo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • high-performance concrete
  • service performance
  • multi-field coupling environment
  • supporting structure
  • dynamic mechanical properties
  • damage constitutive model
  • corrosion resistance
  • explosive shock
  • protective structure
  • self-healing material

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 2468 KiB  
Article
Study on the Bonding Performance of Reinforced Concrete with Reef Limestone Under the Combined Effects of Dry and Wet Carbonation
by Yiyang Xiong, Fei Meng, Dengxing Qu, Mingju Mao and Jinrui Zhang
Materials 2025, 18(9), 1963; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091963 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 99
Abstract
To elucidate the mechanism underlying the changes in the bonding performance of reinforced reef limestone concrete under dry–wet carbonation cycles, and to establish a foundation for its durability analysis and design, experiments were conducted with varying dry–wet carbonation cycles (0, 20, 40, 60, [...] Read more.
To elucidate the mechanism underlying the changes in the bonding performance of reinforced reef limestone concrete under dry–wet carbonation cycles, and to establish a foundation for its durability analysis and design, experiments were conducted with varying dry–wet carbonation cycles (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 cycles) and loading rates (0.01 mm/min, 0.1 mm/min, 1 mm/min, 2 mm/min, and 5 mm/min) through pull-out tests. The results demonstrate that as the number of dry–wet carbonation cycles increases, the damage to reinforced reef limestone concrete intensifies progressively, reaching a mass loss rate of 3.05% by the end of the cycles, while the ultrasonic wave velocity decreases by 17.4%. The effects of different loading rates and cycle counts on reinforced reef limestone concrete are primarily observed through alterations in peak bond stress. Utilizing the experimental data, this study established an equation to analyze the influence of dry–wet carbonation cycles and loading rates on the bond strength and slip behavior between steel bars and reef limestone concrete. This equation offers a theoretical framework for the durability analysis and design of reinforced reef limestone concrete. Full article
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25 pages, 8644 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Causes of Substandard Concrete Strength: A Macro- and Microanalysis
by Xi Du, Youliang Chen, Lantao Xu, Aiping Shen, Bo Lu, Jie Wu, Tomas Manuel Fernandez-Steeger and Rafig Azzam
Materials 2025, 18(5), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050953 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 386
Abstract
This study investigates the root causes of substandard concrete quality in a newly constructed residential complex, addressing the critical issue of compressive strength failure in structural elements. To tackle this problem, twelve core samples were extracted from affected areas and analyzed using a [...] Read more.
This study investigates the root causes of substandard concrete quality in a newly constructed residential complex, addressing the critical issue of compressive strength failure in structural elements. To tackle this problem, twelve core samples were extracted from affected areas and analyzed using a combination of macro-scale techniques (high-temperature heating, acid-immersion tests) and advanced microscopic methods (SEM-EDS, XRF, XRD, FTIR, TGA). The results revealed that while material proportions generally met specifications, uneven aggregate gradation and excessive use of mineral admixtures were key factors compromising strength. Microscopic analysis further identified harmful phases and chemical corrosion products, such as sulfates, which weakened the concrete matrix. These findings underscore the necessity of stringent quality control in raw material selection, aggregate gradation, and admixture dosage. The research demonstrates that integrating macro- and microanalytical methods can significantly optimize concrete mix designs, enhance durability, and prevent premature deterioration in reinforced concrete structures. This approach has broad implications for improving construction quality and ensuring the longevity of residential and infrastructure projects. Full article
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18 pages, 6343 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Dynamic Properties of Granite with Filled Joints of Different Thicknesses
by Zhide Wang, Jiaxing An, Yuanyou Xia and Yingying Si
Materials 2025, 18(5), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050936 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 343
Abstract
To investigate the dynamic characteristics, energy dissipation patterns, and failure modes of granite with filled joints of varying thicknesses under impact loading, we utilized the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test setup for impact tests on both unfilled and filled granite samples. Additionally, [...] Read more.
To investigate the dynamic characteristics, energy dissipation patterns, and failure modes of granite with filled joints of varying thicknesses under impact loading, we utilized the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test setup for impact tests on both unfilled and filled granite samples. Additionally, a high-speed camera was used to capture the dynamic failure and crack propagation processes of the rock samples in real time. The results indicate that the thickness of the filling material significantly affects the stress–strain behavior of jointed rock masses, particularly in terms of characteristics of stress variation and post-peak morphology. In comparison to unfilled jointed rock samples, a distinct “stress bimodal” phenomenon is present, and the rebound of strain following the peak gradually decreases. The fracture patterns observed in the jointed rock samples are primarily characterized by tensile failure. Damage is notably more pronounced on the left side of the samples (near the incident bar), the lower side, and in the areas filled with gypsum. The most severe degree of damage occurs when the filling thickness is 7.56 mm. As the thickness of the filling increases, the dynamic compressive strength of the rock mass diminishes, and the peak strain first increases and then decreases. Concurrently, the energy reflection coefficient of the rock mass increases linearly, while the energy transmission coefficient declines linearly. Furthermore, the energy dissipation ratio first increases and then decreases. The test data reveal that the critical filling thickness influencing the dynamic properties, energy absorption characteristics, and damage degree of jointed rock samples falls within 4.91 mm to 7.56 mm. Full article
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