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New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications

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A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2024) | Viewed by 20467

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Osama Youssf

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Guest Editor

Structural Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
Interests: crumb rubber concrete; geopolymer concrete; FRP confinement; sustainable structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tom Benn

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

UniSA-STEM, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
Interests: concrete technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Portland cement concrete is the most used construction material on earth to date due to the rapid increase in the world population and the development of high-rise buildings with the required infrastructure. Concrete is a construction material that is well known for its high carbon dioxide footprint and high consumption rate of natural resources such as limestone and fossil fuel. Carbon dioxide is an undesirable gas that is responsible for global warming and air pollution. Finding new building materials that can be good alternatives to Portland cement concrete traditional components has been of great interest in recent years. This includes new cementitious materials, new aggregates, as well as different sources of mixing water. This can eliminate the Portland cement demand and, hence, the corresponding carbon footprint. It can also save natural resources, especially with the current climate change environmental problem that has changed the availability and quality of concrete materials around the world.

This Special Issue deals with research and studies of new concrete materials and their structural applications. This includes but is not limited to the utilization of waste materials, the recycling of industry byproducts, the new techniques in manufacturing concrete, the new methods of concrete mixing, and the new structural systems in reinforced concrete.

Original research, case studies, and comprehensive review papers are invited for possible publication in this Special Issue. Relevant topics to this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following subjects:

New concrete technologies;
Advances in reinforced concrete structures;
New reinforcing materials;
Concrete sustainability;
Waste materials recycling;
New water resources in concrete;
Cost-effective methods;
New concrete confining materials;
Application of polymers in concrete.

Dr. Osama Youssf
Dr. Tom Benn
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. Buildings 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 2600 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

recycling
geopolymers
ECC
concrete structures
concrete technology
foam concrete
sandwich structures
double-skin columns
residential construction
magnetized water

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 10447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Efficiency of Eco-Friendly Lightweight Concrete as Simulated Repair Material in Concrete Joints

by Osama Youssf, Rajeev Roychand, Mohamed Elchalakani and Ahmed M. Tahwia

Buildings 2024, 14(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010037 - 22 Dec 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1176

Abstract

The high production of carbon dioxide from concrete cement manufacturing and the high utilization of natural resources in concrete has been a concern for research in recent decades. Eco-friendly concrete (Eco-Con) is a type of concrete that uses less energy in its production, utilizes waste materials, produces less carbon dioxide, and is durable. This study assesses the efficiency of the proposed lightweight Eco-Con mixes with 32 MPa compressive strength in repairing different types of concrete structures. Rubber and lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) were used as lightweight materials in the Eco-Con mixes. One Portland cement concrete mix (CC) and three different Eco-Con mixes, namely geopolymer rubber concrete (GR), geopolymer LECA concrete (GL), and rubber-engineered cementitious composite (RECC), were produced and compared. The concrete mixes were utilized as simulated ‘repair’ materials in several types of concrete joints, namely reinforced slab–beam joints (400 × 300 mm L-shape, 500 mm width, and 100 mm thickness) subjected to bending, concrete joints in beams (100 × 100 × 350 mm) subjected to bending, and concrete joints in unconfined and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) confined columns (100 mm diameter and 200 mm height) subjected to axial compression. The reinforced slab–beam joint and FRP-confined column joint were tested with two joint angles of 0° and 45°. The results indicated that RECC is an efficient lightweight Eco-Con alternative to Portland cement concrete in repairing concrete structural elements, especially beams and FRP-confined columns, as it increased their strength capacities by 43% and 190%, respectively. At the tested joint angles (0° or 45°), the use of Eco-Con mixes showed relatively lower slab–beam joint strength capacity than that of the CC mix by up to 14%. A joint angle of 45° was better than 0°, as it showed up to 7% better slab–beam joint strength capacity. Using shear connectors in slab–beam joints had adverse effects on concrete cracking and deformability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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29 pages, 10921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Rise Residential Timber Buildings: Emerging Architectural and Structural Design Trends

by Hüseyin Emre Ilgın

Buildings 2024, 14(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010025 - 21 Dec 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5964

Abstract

High-rise residential timber buildings (≥8 stories) are an emerging and promising domain, primarily owing to their capacity to deliver notable environmental and economic benefits over the entire span of their existence. However, it is worth noting that the current body of scholarly work falls short in providing a thorough examination of the key aspects related to architectural and structural design for these environmentally sustainable towers. In an effort to bridge this knowledge gap and deepen our comprehension of the evolving worldwide trends, this research delved into data collected from 55 case studies conducted across the globe. The primary findings unveiled the following: (1) Europe, particularly Nordic countries, stood out as the region boasting the highest number of high-rise residential timber buildings, with North America and the United Kingdom following suit; (2) central cores were the prevailing choice for the core configuration, with the peripheral type following as the second most common option; (3) prismatic forms were the most commonly favored design choices; (4) widespread prevalence of employing pure timber was observed, followed by timber and concrete composite combinations; and (5) structural systems were predominantly characterized by the utilization of shear walled frame and shear wall systems. This research aims to reveal the current attributes of high-rise residential timber buildings, with the expectation that it will offer architects valuable knowledge to assist and steer them in planning and implementing forthcoming sustainable projects within this domain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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21 pages, 10937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Drainage Performance of Long Longitudinal Slope and High Safety Permeable Asphalt Pavement

by Haocheng Liu, Bin Xu, Hongshan Wang, Aodong Gao, Xuefeng Yu, Shujiang Ping and Shiqing Zhang

Buildings 2023, 13(12), 2955; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13122955 - 28 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1111

Abstract

Permeable asphalt pavement refers to an asphalt mixture layer with an air void content of more than 18% and internal water permeability and drainage capabilities that can quickly drain away water on the road surface, improve rainy day travel safety, and improve ride comfort. This paper aims to explore the optimal asphalt mixture design for long longitudinal slope pavement (referred to as the FAM mixture). By using CT scanning technology to analyze the air void content of different rotated and compacted asphalt mixture specimens and extensively testing and evaluating the performance of permeable pavement mixtures, the following conclusions are drawn: Based on the research philosophy of functional integration, a new asphalt mixture gradation suitable for long longitudinal slope roads is proposed, with the optimal key factor composition being: 0.075 mm passing rate of 7%, 2.36 mm passing rate of 20%, 9.5 mm passing rate of 55%, and an oil-stone ratio of 4.8%. The FAM mixture was divided into three parts for air void analysis, with the upper part having a slightly higher air void content than the lower part. The air void distribution diagram of the FAM mixture is concave, with higher air void rate curves on both sides and a lower middle curve. Through dynamic modulus testing, the strength requirement for the road asphalt mixture in the pavement structure design was evaluated. It was found that at high temperature conditions (50 °C), the minimum dynamic modulus value of the FAM mixture was 323 MPa, with a peak value of 22,746 MPa at a temperature of −10 °C and a frequency of 25 HZ. The dynamic modulus value at high temperature conditions is lower than at low temperature conditions, while the dynamic modulus value at high frequency conditions is higher than at low frequency conditions. This study provides useful information and experimental data for the design of new asphalt mixtures for long longitudinal slope roads and has conducted in-depth research on the air void distribution and performance of the mixture, providing strong support for related research fields and practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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24 pages, 5489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economical Assessment of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Aggregate for Structural Concrete Production in Italy

by Arianna Peduzzi, Annalisa Franco, Giuseppina De Luca, Orsola Coppola and Antonio Bonati

Buildings 2023, 13(9), 2191; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092191 - 28 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1568

Abstract

Structural concrete aggregate can be substituted with sustainable alternatives from construction and demolition waste, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). This contribution assesses the RAP aggregate production chain and aims to investigate the economic aspect of RAP aggregate, evaluating the costs associated with its production and comparing them with the ones necessary to produce NA and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). This analysis aims to provide additional information on the possible advantages of RAP aggregate use in order to promote sustainable construction. The evaluation was developed using a four-step methodology consisting of (i) determining the RAP aggregate production procedure; (ii) selecting a case study; (iii) defining the mix design; and (iv) performing a cost evaluation and comparing it to the cost of NA and RCA production. The results of the cost analysis of three concretes containing different RAP percentages (0%, 30%, and 45%) demonstrated that RAP’s presence led to more expensive admixtures, with the RAP unit cost being higher than NA (+155.39%). Some strategies were proposed to diminish RAP’s cost, resulting in a reduction of −39.64% with respect to NA’s cost and ranging from 45.13% to 67.30% when compared to RCA’s cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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29 pages, 6730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Space Efficiency in Finnish Mid-Rise Timber Apartment Buildings

by Antti Tuure and Hüseyin Emre Ilgın

Buildings 2023, 13(8), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13082094 - 17 Aug 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2373

Abstract

As in many other building types, space efficiency in mid-rise timber apartment buildings is one of the critical design parameters to make a project feasible. Space efficiency depends on varying selection criteria related to construction materials, construction methods, and proper planning. To date, no study provides a comprehensive understanding of space efficiency in mid-rise timber apartment buildings. This paper examined data from 55 Finnish mid-rise timber apartment buildings built between 2018 and 2022 under the Finnish Land Use and Building Act to increase the understanding of which factors and design parameters influence the space efficiency of mid-rise timber apartment buildings. The main findings of this study indicated that: (1) among the case studies, the space efficiency ranged from 77.8% to 87.9%, and the average was 83%; (2) the mean values of the ratios of structural wall area to gross floor area, vertical circulation area to gross floor area, and technical spaces (including shafts) to gross floor area were found to be 12.9%, 2.6%, and 1.5%, respectively; (3) construction methods or shear wall materials make no significant difference in terms of space efficiency, and there is no scientific correlation between the number of stories and space efficiency; (4) the best average space efficiency was achieved with central core type, followed by peripheral core arrangement. This research will contribute to design guidelines for clients, developers, architects, and other construction professionals of mid-rise timber apartment building projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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28 pages, 6111 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Jute Fiber on Fresh and Hardened Characteristics of Concrete with Environmental Assessment

by Muhammad Basit Khan, Nasir Shafiq, Ahsan Waqar, Dorin Radu, Ciprian Cismaș, Muhammad Imran, Hamad Almujibah and Omrane Benjeddou

Buildings 2023, 13(7), 1691; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13071691 - 30 Jun 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2180

Abstract

Concrete is a widely utilized construction material globally; however, it is characterized by a fundamental deficiency in its tensile strength when it is not reinforced. The incorporation of diverse novel materials into concrete is being pursued with the aim of mitigating its limitations while concurrently enhancing its reliability and sustainability. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that concrete embodies a significant quantity of carbon. The primary cause of this phenomenon can be attributed to the utilization of cement as the principal binding component in concrete. Recent advancements in research have indicated that jute fiber, commonly referred to as JF, exhibits considerable potential as a novel material for enhancing the mechanical robustness of concrete. Although there is a significant body of literature on the application of jute fiber in concrete, there has been a dearth of research on the capacity of jute fiber (JF) to improve the mechanical strength of concrete and mitigate its carbon emissions. This study aims to cover a gap in the existing literature by analyzing and enhancing the application of JF in relation to its mechanical properties and environmental impact. The study involved conducting experiments wherein JF was added at varying weight percentages, specifically at 0%, 0.10%, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. The investigation encompassed a number of examinations of both the fresh and hardened states of concrete, in addition to assessments of its durability. The fresh concrete tests included the slump test, while the hardened concrete tests involved measuring compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (STS), and flexural strength (FS). Additionally, the durability tests focused on water absorption (WA). The study involved the computation of embodied carbon (EC) ratios for various mix combinations. The findings suggest that incorporating JF into concrete results in a decrease in environmental impact relative to alternative fiber types, as demonstrated by a rise in eco-strength efficiency (ESE). Based on the findings of the conducted tests, an optimal proportion of 0.10% JF has been determined to be conducive to enhancing the CS, STS, and FS by 6.77%, 6.91%, and 9.63%, respectively. The aforementioned deduction can be inferred from the results of the examinations. Using data obtained from extensive experimentation, the RSM (Response Surface Methodology) was used to construct a model. The model was optimized, resulting in the establishment of definitive equations that can be used to evaluate the effects of incorporating JF into concrete. Potential benefits have been identified for the advancement of concrete in the future through the utilization of JF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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20 pages, 10749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Sustainable Concrete Containing Metakaolin and Magnetized Water

by Ahmed M. Elkerany, Mostafa M. Keshta, Mohamed M. Yousry Elshikh, Ahmed A. Elshami and Osama Youssf

Buildings 2023, 13(6), 1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13061430 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2831

Abstract

In this study, fourteen sustainable concrete mixes containing metakaolin (MK) as supplementary cement material (SCM) and magnetized water (MW) as concrete mixing water were designed, prepared, tested, analyzed, and compared. The MK was used as a partial replacement of cement weight by 5%, 10%, and 20%, and as an additive to cement by 5%, 10%, and 20% of cement weight. The MW was used to fully replace tap water (TW) in concrete mixes and was prepared using two different magnetic fields of 1.4 tesla (T) and 1.6 T. This experimental research aimed to assess the characteristics of concrete manufactured with MK and MW. The mechanical and durability characteristics of fresh and hardened concrete were measured for the assessment. Microstructural and chemical analyses were carried out on selected materials and concrete mixes. The workability and compressive strength of the materials at 7, 28, and 365 days were measured, in addition to the splitting tensile strength at 28 days and the flexural strength at 28 days. The compressive strength at 365 days was conducted at 18 °C and 100 °C to study the effect of the applied variables on the concrete durability at different elevated temperatures. The microstructural and chemical analyses were conducted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that using 10% MK as a cement additive was the best ratio in this study, which enhanced all the measured mechanical characteristics when the TW or MW was used. Using MW instead of TW in MK concrete increased all the mechanical properties measured at 28 days by about 32–35%. The results of the microstructural and chemical analyses supported the compressive strength increase by showing indications of more C-S-H gel production and less CH when using MW in MK concrete. In addition, fewer micro-cracks and pores, and relatively denser concrete, were detected when using MW with 10% MK as a cement additive. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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19 pages, 15720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Supports on the Low-Velocity Impact Response of Square RC Slab of Standard Concrete and Ultra-High Performance Concrete: FEM-Based Computational Analysis

by S. M. Anas, Mohd Shariq, Mehtab Alam, Ahmed M. Yosri, Ahmed Mohamed and Mohamed AbdelMongy

Buildings 2023, 13(5), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13051220 - 5 May 2023

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2248

Abstract

Structural members with low-flexural stiffness, such as slabs, are more susceptible to impulsive loadings induced by falling machines/tools during construction and installation, and also from rolling boulders/rocks triggered by wind/earthquake, especially in mountainous areas. The impact resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) slabs supported on two opposite edges (often called the one-way slab) and on all four edges (i.e., two-way slab) has been adequately studied experimentally as well as computationally, and is available in the literature. However, the slabs supported on three edges have not been studied under low-velocity impact for their impact response. For this purpose, a computational study is performed through finite elements by implementing ABAQUS software on the validated model, resulting in the slab, which is supported on (i) three edges and (ii) two opposite edges, to be subjected to low-velocity impact, induced by dropping a 105 kg non-deformable steel mass from a height of 2500 mm onto the slab centroid. Furthermore, the role of the material strength of the concrete of the slab is investigated via replacing the ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) for standard or normal-strength concrete (NSC). The impact load is modeled by considering the explicit module of the software. Failure mechanism, stress/strain contour, displacement distribution, and crack pattern of the slabs are compared and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Building Materials in Structural Engineering Applications)

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