Research on the Performance of Traditional, New and Potential Building Materials: 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 5850

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: FRP–concrete–steel composite structures; steel–concrete composite structures; concrete-filled steel tubes; stainless steel structures; bamboo structures; cross-section instability
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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, China
Interests: dynamic reliability; structural reliability; stochastic process; random vibration; uncertainty analysis
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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Interests: steel and composite structures
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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510000, China
Interests: high-performance steel–concrete composite
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Guest Editor
School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
Interests: FRP; UHPC; FRP-confined concrete; CFST; anti-blast structures; offshore structures
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Building materials are always new subjects as they evolve with the development of science and technology. Although traditional building materials (e.g., timber, bamboo, masonry, concrete and steel) still dominate the building industry, new materials, such as fibers, composites, 3D printing materials and materials with ultra-high strength, have also emerged as alternative solutions for new or existing structures with special requirements (e.g., high-rise, long span, within corrosive environments) that are hard to satisfy with traditional building materials. Furthermore, graphene, bio-inspired materials and other potential building materials have brilliant prospects for the building industry, which may lead to fundamental revolutions within building engineering in the future. The interests and enthusiasm of the researchers and scientists focused on these building materials resulted in the publication of the Special Issue “Research on the Performance of Traditional, New and Potential Building Materials (1st Edition)”, which aroused considerable attention.

This second edition of the Special Issue still provides an open forum to discuss the various performances of traditional, new and potential building materials. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the above examples; all traditional, new and potential materials used in building engineering are welcomed. The scopes cover the static (e.g., compression, tension, bending) mechanical behaviors, resistances against dynamic actions (e.g., impact, fatigue and seismic), ductility performance of the building materials and corresponding structural members, investigated utilizing a variety of techniques (e.g., analytical, numerical, and experimental methods).

Dr. Yue-Ling Long
Prof. Dr. Zhenhao Zhang
Dr. Ying Qin
Dr. Zhiliang Zuo
Dr. JinJing Liao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • traditional building materials (steel, concrete, masonry, timber, bamboo, etc.)
  • composite materials and fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs)
  • potential building materials (graphene, bio-inspired materials, etc.)
  • ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
  • 3D printing materials
  • concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs)
  • static and dynamic performance
  • structural reliability
  • cross-section instability
  • numerical simulation

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3555 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Construction Spoil Reactivity for Cementitious Applications: Effects of Thermal Treatment and Alkaline Activation
by Kai Wang and Xiaoxiong Zha
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2954; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092954 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 569
Abstract
Construction spoil (CS), a prevalent type of construction and demolition waste, is characterized by high production volumes and substantial stockpiles. It contaminates water, soil, and air, and it can also trigger natural disasters such as landslides and debris flows. With the advent of [...] Read more.
Construction spoil (CS), a prevalent type of construction and demolition waste, is characterized by high production volumes and substantial stockpiles. It contaminates water, soil, and air, and it can also trigger natural disasters such as landslides and debris flows. With the advent of alkali activation technology, utilizing CS as a precursor for alkali-activated materials (AAMs) or supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) presents a novel approach for managing this waste. Currently, the low reactivity of CS remains a significant constraint to its high-value-added resource utilization in the field of construction materials. Researchers have attempted various methods to enhance its reactivity, including grinding, calcination, and the addition of fluxing agents. However, there is no consensus on the optimal calcination temperature and alkali concentration, which significantly limits the large-scale application of CS. This study investigates the effects of the calcination temperature and alkali concentration on the mechanical properties of CS–cement mortar specimens and the ion dissolution performance of CS in alkali solutions. Mortar strength tests and ICP ion dissolution tests are conducted to quantitatively assess the reactivity of CS. The results indicate that, compared to uncalcined CS, the ion dissolution performance of calcined CS is significantly enhanced. The dissolution amounts of active aluminum, silicon, and calcium are increased by up to 420.06%, 195.81%, and 256.00%, respectively. The optimal calcination temperature for CS is determined to be 750 °C, and the most suitable alkali concentration is found to be 6 M. Furthermore, since the Al O bond is weaker and more easily broken than the Si O bond, the dissolution amount and release rate of active aluminum components in calcined CS are substantially higher than those of active silicon components. This finding indicates significant limitations in using CS solely as a precursor, emphasizing that an adequate supply of silicon and calcium sources is essential when preparing CS-dominated AAMs. Full article
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17 pages, 10332 KiB  
Article
Research on New Method for Safety Testing of Steel Structures—Combining 3D Laser Scanning Technology with FEA
by Kaichao Wang, Guojie Zhang, Tianqi Yi and Xiaoxiong Zha
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2583; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082583 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 562
Abstract
This paper introduces a novel approach to assessing structural safety, specifically aimed at evaluating the safety of existing structures. Firstly, a point cloud model of the existing commercial complex was captured utilizing three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning technology. Subsequently, an intelligent method for identifying [...] Read more.
This paper introduces a novel approach to assessing structural safety, specifically aimed at evaluating the safety of existing structures. Firstly, a point cloud model of the existing commercial complex was captured utilizing three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning technology. Subsequently, an intelligent method for identifying holes within the point cloud model was proposed, built upon a YOLO v5-based framework, to ascertain the dimensions and locations of holes within the commercial complex. Secondly, Poisson surface reconstruction, coupled with partially self-developed algorithms, was employed to reconstruct the surface of the structure, facilitating the three-dimensional geometric reconstruction of the commercial complex. Lastly, a finite element model of the framed structure with holes was established using the reconstructed 3D model, and a safety analysis was conducted. The research findings reveal that the YOLO v5-based intelligent hole identification method significantly enhances the level of intelligence in point cloud data processing, reducing manual intervention time and boosting operational efficiency. Furthermore, through Poisson surface reconstruction and the self-developed algorithms, we have successfully achieved automated surface reconstruction, where the resulting geometric model accurately reflects the dimensional information of the commercial complex. Additionally, the maximum uniformly distributed surface load that the floor slabs within the framed structure with holes can withstand should not exceed 17.7 kN/m2, and its vertical deformation resistance stiffness is approximately 71.6% of that of a frame without holes. Full article
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20 pages, 8476 KiB  
Article
Vibration and Wave Propagation in High-Rise Industrial Buildings
by Ruoyang Zhou, Shujing Zhou and Xiaoxiong Zha
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2340; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082340 - 29 Jul 2024
Viewed by 600
Abstract
Investigations and conclusions. In the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, several high-rise industrial buildings exceeding 100 meters in height are under construction. These structures uniquely combine industrial production facilities and office spaces within a single architectural entity. This study investigates the vibration-related comfort [...] Read more.
Investigations and conclusions. In the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, several high-rise industrial buildings exceeding 100 meters in height are under construction. These structures uniquely combine industrial production facilities and office spaces within a single architectural entity. This study investigates the vibration-related comfort challenges arising from the transmission of vibrational waves across different sections of these towering complexes. Using a real-world, under-construction high-rise industrial building as a reference, a detailed structural model was developed with advanced finite-element software. Human-induced vibratory loads were applied on a designated floor, and the resulting vibration time-history data were analyzed to understand wave propagation characteristics. To validate the model’s accuracy, a combination of on-site experimental tests and theoretical calculations was conducted. Vibration-time-history data were extracted from a specific building level and analyzed in both the time and frequency domains. Comparative examination of experimental results, theoretical computations, and finite-element simulations confirmed the precision of the finite-element model. The study concludes that vibration-wave propagation in high-rise industrial structures follows a discernible pattern, and a linear regression equation encapsulating these dynamics was formulated. Full article
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14 pages, 2931 KiB  
Article
Study on Mechanical Properties of Sandy Soil Solidified by Enzyme-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (EICP)
by Lujing Yuan, Gang Li, Jia Liu, Pengzhou Wang, Cong Liu and Jinli Zhang
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1977; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071977 - 30 Jun 2024
Viewed by 729
Abstract
Earth–rock dams are widely distributed in China and play an important role in flood control, water storage, water-level regulation, and water quality improvement. As an emerging seepage control and reinforcement technology in the past few years, enzyme (urease)-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (EICP) has [...] Read more.
Earth–rock dams are widely distributed in China and play an important role in flood control, water storage, water-level regulation, and water quality improvement. As an emerging seepage control and reinforcement technology in the past few years, enzyme (urease)-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (EICP) has the qualities of durability, environmental friendliness, and great economic efficiency. For EICP-solidified standard sand, this study analyzes the effect of dry density, amount of cementation, standing time, perfusion method, and other factors on the permeability and strength characteristics of solidified sandy soil by conducting a permeability test and an unconfined compression test and then working out the optimal solidification conditions of EICP. Furthermore, a quantitative relationship is established between the permeability coefficient (PC), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and CaCO3 generation (CG). The test findings indicate that the PC of the solidified sandy soil decreases and the UCS rises as the starting dry density, amount of cementation, and standing time rise. With the increase of CG, the PC of the solidified sandy soil decreases while the UCS increases, indicating a good correlation among PC, UCS, and CG. The optimal condition of solidification by EICP is achieved by the two-stage grouting method with an initial dry density of 1.65 g/cm3, cementation time of 6 d, and standing time of 5 d. Under such conditions, the permeability of the solidified sandy soil is 6.25 × 10−4 cm/s, and the UCS is 1646.94 kPa. The findings of this study are of great theoretical value and scientific significance for guiding the reinforcement of earth–rock dams. Full article
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14 pages, 8582 KiB  
Article
Evolution of High Toughness Cementitious Composites Gas Permeability after Thermal-Mechanical Coupling Damage
by Zhe Zeng and Dengxiang Zhang
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1923; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071923 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2413
Abstract
High-toughness cementitious composite (HTCC) may be considered for use as a concrete lining material for underground lined rock caverns in compressed air energy storage (CAES) power stations. This experiment investigated the effect of coupled thermal-mechanical cycling on the changes in the gas permeability [...] Read more.
High-toughness cementitious composite (HTCC) may be considered for use as a concrete lining material for underground lined rock caverns in compressed air energy storage (CAES) power stations. This experiment investigated the effect of coupled thermal-mechanical cycling on the changes in the gas permeability and pore structure of HTCC. According to the different operating conditions of CAES power stations, nine test conditions were selected with a compressive stress of 10 MPa and a temperature of 150 °C. The test results show that the HTCC have a peak tensile strain of up to 1.6% and an average crack width of 41~49 μm, providing good toughness and crack control. The permeabilities of HTCC were all significantly larger after loading by thermal-mechanical coupling cycles, but the change in permeability was more sensitive to compressive stresses. When the compressive stress is lower than 7.5 MPa and the temperature is lower than 100 °C, the permeability of HTCC can be maintained within 10−18 m2 orders of magnitude after the thermal-mechanical coupling cycle, which can satisfy the requirement of CAES impermeability performance. When the compressive stress reaches 10 MPa, the HTCC’s critical pore size increases, the pore size coarsens, and the permeability resistance deteriorates rapidly. Full article
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26 pages, 7382 KiB  
Article
The Axial Compressive Properties of Long Columns of In-Service Brick Masonry Reinforced by Channel Steel
by Kui Chen, Yi Ao and Jianguo Liang
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1794; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061794 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 495
Abstract
Channel steel-reinforced brick column technology has gained significant popularity in rural China due to its convenience and cost effectiveness. However, current research on channel steel reinforcement is sparse, and engineering applications often rely solely on construction experience. This reliance leads to significant construction [...] Read more.
Channel steel-reinforced brick column technology has gained significant popularity in rural China due to its convenience and cost effectiveness. However, current research on channel steel reinforcement is sparse, and engineering applications often rely solely on construction experience. This reliance leads to significant construction errors, inconsistent reinforcement effects, and, in some cases, tragedies such as the collapse of Changsha’s “4.29” self-built houses. Therefore, in this paper, experimental and simulation studies on brick columns reinforced with external channel steel were conducted, and the results show that channel steel reinforcement can significantly enhance the axial load capacity of brick columns. However, increased initial stress levels and height-to-thickness ratios substantially reduce the reinforcement effect. Under axial pressure, the outer channel steel fails mainly through bending and buckling instability. Still, due to its good ductility, its failure occurs later than the brick column after being restrained by sufficient wall screws. Based on the experimental and simulation results, a method for calculating the axial compressive bearing capacity of the reinforced column is proposed, providing theoretical support and engineering guidance for applying this reinforcement method. Full article
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