Degradation, Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures play a vital role in modern infrastructure, yet they are prone to degradation due to environmental exposure, mechanical stress, and chemical interactions. Common deterioration mechanisms include chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion, carbonation, sulfate attack, alkali–silica reaction (ASR), and freeze–thaw cycles. These factors contribute to the cracking, spalling, reinforcement loss, and overall reduction in structural integrity, posing significant challenges for maintenance and safety. We invite researchers and industry experts to submit their latest findings on the degradation, assessment, repair, and rehabilitation of RC structures. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, deterioration mechanisms, non-destructive testing (NDT), digital monitoring, predictive modeling, innovative repair materials, and sustainability-focused rehabilitation strategies. By advancing our understanding of degradation processes and exploring novel solutions, we can enhance the durability and resilience of RC structures. We look forward to your contributions to this important field.

Dr. Hugo Rodrigues
Dr. Ana Luísa Velosa
Dr. Daniel V. Ribeiro
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.9	6.1	2011	15 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Buildings buildings	3.4	5.6	2011	14.7 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
CivilEng civileng	2.8	4.4	2020	23.5 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Construction Materials constrmater	2.7	3.1	2021	24.4 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Materials materials	3.7	7.0	2008	14.4 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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15 pages, 1984 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Hydraulic Conductivity of Cracked Concrete Linings

by Jean-Pierre Giroud

Constr. Mater. 2026, 6(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater6030025 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 344

Abstract

Concrete linings are used for water containment, in particular in reservoirs and canals. When the soil underlying a concrete lining has a high permeability, seepage into the ground of water from concrete-lined reservoirs and canals is essentially governed by leakage of water through [...] Read more.

Concrete linings are used for water containment, in particular in reservoirs and canals. When the soil underlying a concrete lining has a high permeability, seepage into the ground of water from concrete-lined reservoirs and canals is essentially governed by leakage of water through the concrete linings. Therefore, it is essential to properly evaluate the hydraulic conductivity of concrete linings. It is known that cracks generally develop in concrete linings. This article provides material data and a method for the evaluation of the hydraulic conductivity of concrete linings, in particular cracked concrete linings, through two approaches. The first approach consists of a review of selected published values of the measured hydraulic conductivity of intact and cracked concrete. The second approach consists in developing an original analytical method to determine the hydraulic conductivity of cracked concrete using the results of an experimental evaluation of the influence, on water flow, of the tortuosity and rugosity of concrete cracks. The results obtained with the two approaches are compared and numerical examples are presented. Based on these results, practical guidance is provided to design engineers for a safe evaluation of the hydraulic conductivity of concrete linings, cracked or not cracked. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Degradation, Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures)

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22 pages, 7121 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Post-Fire Assessment in a Precast Concrete Industrial Building: Case Study

by Mehmet Gesoglu, Yavuz Yardim and Marco Corradi

Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1306; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071306 - 25 Mar 2026

Viewed by 620

Abstract

An investigation employing multiple diagnostic techniques was conducted to evaluate the post-fire condition and residual structural safety of a fire-damaged precast concrete industrial building. The evaluation included a detailed visual inspection, mechanical testing of extracted concrete cores, and mineralogical and microstructural analysis through [...] Read more.

An investigation employing multiple diagnostic techniques was conducted to evaluate the post-fire condition and residual structural safety of a fire-damaged precast concrete industrial building. The evaluation included a detailed visual inspection, mechanical testing of extracted concrete cores, and mineralogical and microstructural analysis through thermo-chemical methods, namely X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, alongside tensile strength tests of reinforcement bars sampled from the affected structure. The building was divided into five sections according to the severity and extent of observed fire damage. Results indicated that the highest in situ temperatures were attained in the most heavily damaged section, whereas the remaining sections experienced progressively lower temperatures, remained below approximately 600 °C. Despite the severe fire exposure in localized areas, all assessed structural elements maintained adequate residual integrity. The reinforcing steel exhibited satisfactory residual mechanical properties, exhibiting yield strengths ranging from 550 to 600 MPa. The integration of visual, mechanical, and microstructural assessments provides a reliable framework for estimating fire temperatures and supporting structural rehabilitation decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Degradation, Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures)

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25 pages, 3301 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Self-Healing of Medium-Strength Concrete Using Paenibacillus polymyxa and Calcium Carbonate: Assessment of Crack Closure and Mechanical Recovery for Vulnerable Housing

by Jenniffer Salazar-Enriquez, Pierina Reyes-Villar and Gonzalo Díaz-García

Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071297 - 25 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 670

Abstract

Concrete infrastructure in coastal regions is prone to premature degradation due to crack formation under aggressive environmental exposure. Conventional repair methods remain costly and often ineffective. This study evaluates a biomineral self-healing system incorporating Paenibacillus polymyxa spores and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) [...] Read more.

Concrete infrastructure in coastal regions is prone to premature degradation due to crack formation under aggressive environmental exposure. Conventional repair methods remain costly and often ineffective. This study evaluates a biomineral self-healing system incorporating Paenibacillus polymyxa spores and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) to improve the durability and mechanical performance of medium-strength concrete with a design compressive strength of 21 MPa, intended for vulnerable coastal housing. A full factorial experimental program was conducted using three bacterial concentrations (1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% of mixing water volume) and three CaCO₃ dosages (3%, 5%, 7% as cement replacement). Specimens were pre-cracked under compressive loading, exposed to a simulated coastal environment, and monitored for 28 days. The optimal formulation (2% bacteria + 5% CaCO₃) yielded an 8.8% increase in compressive strength and a 24% increase in flexural strength compared with the control. Crack width reduction reached up to 0.23 mm (65.7%) under wet curing, with effective sealing observed for cracks ≤ 0.5 mm. Recovered compressive strength after healing reached 17.3 MPa, equivalent to 71% of the design strength. These findings demonstrate the potential of P. polymyxa as a viable non-ureolytic agent for self-healing concrete, offering a simple and scalable strategy to extend service life in resource-limited coastal regions while supporting Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 11. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Degradation, Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures)

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24 pages, 4704 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Machine Learning-Enhanced Hybrid Framework to Quantify Rebar Effects on Chloride Ingress

by Xingyu Li, Qiyang Chi and Jiarui Qi

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 2594; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052594 - 9 Mar 2026

Viewed by 474

Abstract

Accurate quantification of the apparent chloride diffusion coefficient is pivotal for predicting the service life and assessing the durability of coastal infrastructure. While existing empirical models are informative, they fundamentally overlook the influence of reinforcement. This study establishes an integrated computational framework combining [...] Read more.

Accurate quantification of the apparent chloride diffusion coefficient is pivotal for predicting the service life and assessing the durability of coastal infrastructure. While existing empirical models are informative, they fundamentally overlook the influence of reinforcement. This study establishes an integrated computational framework combining XGBoost machine learning with finite element (FE) analysis to elucidate chloride transport mechanisms in reinforced concrete (RC), explicitly accounting for the presence of reinforcement. Based on 171 experimental datasets, this study developed a prediction model to estimate the apparent chloride diffusion coefficient in reinforced concrete subjected to dry–wet cycles. The diameter of rebar was innovatively incorporated as a parameter, systematically integrating seven other key influencing factors into the model. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) analysis reveals that exposure duration, sampling depth, coarse-to-total aggregate ratio, and rebar diameter constitute the dominant influencing parameters. Furthermore, FE analysis reveals that the presence of rebar redistributes aggregates, forming preferential pathways that increase chloride concentration at the steel-concrete interface. This study shows that the influence of reinforcement on chloride diffusion cannot be ignored. The proposed methodology advances durability science by data-driven modeling with physics-based modeling, providing actionable strategies for marine infrastructure optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Degradation, Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures)

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20 pages, 4286 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Flexural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with Novel BFRP Plates

by Xingzhan Ye, Zheng Li, Huijun Shen and Hehui Zheng

Buildings 2026, 16(5), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16051031 - 5 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 544

Abstract

Conventional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials may exhibit certain performance uncertainties in harsh environments, limiting their reliability for structural strengthening. To address this, Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) plates fabricated with silicate-modified epoxy resin are proposed for the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. [...] Read more.

Conventional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials may exhibit certain performance uncertainties in harsh environments, limiting their reliability for structural strengthening. To address this, Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) plates fabricated with silicate-modified epoxy resin are proposed for the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The research aims to evaluate their short-term strengthening performance and establish a reliable calculation method for flexural capacity. Four-point bending tests were conducted to investigate the effects of BFRP plate thickness and end anchorage configuration on failure modes, flexural capacity, and ductility. Finite element simulations incorporating interfacial bond–slip behavior reproduced typical debonding failures, followed by a comprehensive parametric analysis. Based on the experimental and numerical results, a modified BFRP plate strain formula at debonding was proposed to establish a calculation method for the flexural capacity of BFRP-strengthened beams governed by debonding failure. The results indicate that beams without end anchorage were prone to interfacial debonding, where increasing the plate thickness from 0.5 mm to 2 mm raised the flexural capacity gain from 4.5% to 15% but intensified the ductility reduction from 42.9% to 64.9%. Conversely, applying mechanical anchorage improved the ductility index by over 20% compared to unanchored counterparts. The adopted FRP–concrete bond–slip constitutive model accurately characterizes interfacial debonding behavior, and the proposed flexural capacity model demonstrates high accuracy with overall deviations within 5%. It can be concluded that the novel BFRP plates exhibit strengthening behavior comparable to existing FRP systems. Effective end anchorage further enhances flexural capacity and prevents brittle failure. The proposed debonding strain formula for the novel BFRP system offers a reliable basis for capturing the critical onset of interfacial failure. Building upon this, the developed flexural capacity model provides a reliable theoretical basis for the design and assessment of RC beams strengthened with the novel BFRP plates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Degradation, Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures)

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15 pages, 2362 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Seismic Vulnerability of Single-Story Precast Industrial Buildings in Romania

by Viorel Popa, Eugen Lozincă, Dietlinde Köber and Mihai Pavel

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 13274; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152413274 - 18 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 849

Abstract

The paper investigates the seismic vulnerability of single-story precast industrial buildings constructed in Romania during the 1970s, with particular reference to the damage observed following the 1977 Romanian earthquake. More than 800 structures were analytically assessed using a displacement-based evaluation procedure grounded in [...] Read more.

The paper investigates the seismic vulnerability of single-story precast industrial buildings constructed in Romania during the 1970s, with particular reference to the damage observed following the 1977 Romanian earthquake. More than 800 structures were analytically assessed using a displacement-based evaluation procedure grounded in their original design specifications. Several displacement capacity models for flexure-controlled concrete columns were applied, and their suitability for the analyzed buildings is critically discussed. The study also includes a detailed case study that illustrates the practical application of the assessment methodology and highlights specific structural behaviors under seismic loading. The results demonstrate that the displacement-based assessment provides realistic predictions of seismic performance, consistent with observations from similar buildings constructed after the 1977 Vrancea earthquake. The conclusions indicate that the analyzed buildings generally exhibit favorable seismic behavior, with flexural hinging preceding shear failure and displacement-based methods offering more realistic and less conservative assessments than traditional force-based approaches. The scientific contribution of this work lies in using a comprehensive framework for evaluating the seismic response of existing precast industrial structures, offering insights into the effectiveness of different column capacity models, and establishing a foundation for future research on retrofitting strategies and the interaction of structural and non-structural components under seismic actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Degradation, Repair and Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures)

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