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Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2024 | Viewed by 36926

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimir Prelog St. 3, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Interests: earthquake engineering; structural vibration; building; structural dynamics; finite element analysis; construction engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dorin Radu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, Turnului Street No.5, 500152 Brașov, Romania
Interests: structural integrity; steel structures; fracture mechanics; life-cycle assessment of materials and processes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce a new Special Issue of the journal Sustainability titled “Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures”.

This Special Issue covers various research topics related to safety and sustainability issues in the recent engineering built environment. The aim of this Special Issue is to publish up-to-date research contributions related to emerging civil engineering materials for sustainable built structures, including advanced reinforcing materials and concrete composites. We particularly encourage the submission of studies describing the retrofitting of existing structures by means of new materials, as well as those addressing the structural integrity assessment of existing structures. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

  • Composite materials for sustainable structures;
  • Composite materials as repair/strengthening materials;
  • Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for construction applications;
  • Geopolymer composites used as low-carbon construction materials;
  • Ecofriendly construction materials with the use of waste materials;
  • Structural integrity assessment of existing and retrofitted/consolidated structures;
  • In-service life calculation of new and existing structures;
  • Advanced machine learning techniques for the performance design and prediction of innovative construction materials.

Dr. Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko
Dr. Dorin Radu
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • sustainability
  • construction materials
  • steel structures
  • concrete structures
  • fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites
  • ecofriendly/waste materials
  • structural integrity
  • life cycle assessment of materials and processes

Published Papers (21 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 10169 KiB  
Article
Concrete CFRP-Reinforced Beam Performances, Tests and Simulations
by Christiana Emilia Cazacu, Cristian Ștefan Dumitriu and Alina Bărbulescu
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2614; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072614 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 612
Abstract
Nowadays, the increasing necessity of consolidating and renewing buildings represents a big challenge for engineers. Structural consolidation using composite materials glued on the damaged surface using high-performance adhesives could be a viable technical solution. In this context, this article’s aim is twofold. First, [...] Read more.
Nowadays, the increasing necessity of consolidating and renewing buildings represents a big challenge for engineers. Structural consolidation using composite materials glued on the damaged surface using high-performance adhesives could be a viable technical solution. In this context, this article’s aim is twofold. First, it presents the experimental results of the investigations performed on three types of reinforced concrete (RC) beams—without consolidation (G1), consolidated with carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) lamella of SikaCarboDur (G2), and consolidated with CFRP fabrics (G3)—to determine their behavior under different loads. Second, a numerical study was performed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to compare and confirm the experimental results (stress, displacement). The numerical simulation shows that the stress in the areas covered by wraps is approximately 20% lower than in those without wraps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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23 pages, 2036 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Analysis of the Criteria for Choosing Sustainable Materials for Façades in Turkey and the European Union
by Haney Bașak Daskin, Alina Bărbulescu, Radu Muntean and Emre Caner Akcay
Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041539 - 11 Feb 2024
Viewed by 953
Abstract
One of the primary contributors to energy consumption is the construction industry. To address the urgent demand for eco-friendly approaches in this field, this study conducted an investigation on Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify the criteria for selecting sustainable materials [...] Read more.
One of the primary contributors to energy consumption is the construction industry. To address the urgent demand for eco-friendly approaches in this field, this study conducted an investigation on Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify the criteria for selecting sustainable materials for façades. Three groups of criteria were derived after a systematic review: Environmental, Social/economic and Technical. The main goal of the research was to answer the question of whether there are differences in these materials’ selection between Turkey and European Union countries. After applying statistical tests, it was found that there are significant differences in selecting eco-friendly material only from the social/economic perspective. The most important sub-criterion is the economic cost. Comparisons with results from China and US confirm this finding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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22 pages, 4498 KiB  
Article
Energy-Efficient Strategies for Mitigating Airborne Pathogens in Buildings—Building Stage-Based Sustainable Strategies
by Nishant Raj Kapoor, Aman Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Harish Chandra Arora, Anuj Kumar and Sulakshya Gaur
Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020516 - 07 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1060
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread global effects. The advent of novel variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, along with the spread of diverse airborne viruses across different geographical locations, has caused reflective apprehension on a [...] Read more.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread global effects. The advent of novel variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, along with the spread of diverse airborne viruses across different geographical locations, has caused reflective apprehension on a global scale. This resurgence emphasises the critical importance of carefully constructed structures installed with efficient ventilation systems, including both natural and mechanical ventilation techniques, as well as mixed-mode ventilation approaches in buildings. Building engineering and architectural designs must go beyond traditional considerations of economics and structural durability in order to protect public health and well-being. To attain a high quality of life, it is necessary to prioritise sustainability, energy efficiency, and the provision of safe, high-quality indoor environments. Empirical scientific investigations underscore the pivotal role played by conducive indoor environments in averting the transmission of viral diseases such as COVID-19 and mitigating challenges associated with sick building syndrome, primarily stemming from suboptimal indoor air quality. This work provides a summary and a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, and threat) analysis of strategies designed for engineers, architects, and other experts in the field to implement. These strategies are intended for integration into new constructions and the retrofitting of extant structures. Their overarching objective is the minimisation of viral transmission within indoor spaces, accomplished in an energy-efficient manner consonant with sustainable development objectives. The significance of these strategies lies in their ability to impact changes to national and international building codes and regulations, strengthening infrastructures against probable airborne viral threats. Encompassing both object-centric and subject-centric approaches, these strategies collectively furnish a holistic framework for mitigating the dissemination of pathogens, exemplified by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and similar airborne viruses, across diverse typologies of buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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23 pages, 10491 KiB  
Article
Engineering and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Sustainable Zeolite-Based Geopolymer Incorporating Blast Furnace Slag
by Samar Amari, Mariam Darestani, Graeme J. Millar, Bijan Samali and Ekaterina Strounina
Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010440 - 04 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1828
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the preparation of zeolite-based geopolymer composites incorporating blast furnace slag at various temperatures and varying amounts of blast furnace slag as potential sustainable building and construction materials. The primary objectives were to use mining waste streams for geopolymer [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the preparation of zeolite-based geopolymer composites incorporating blast furnace slag at various temperatures and varying amounts of blast furnace slag as potential sustainable building and construction materials. The primary objectives were to use mining waste streams for geopolymer production and assess the mechanical behavior of these hybrid geopolymers, along with performing a life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare their environmental impact with conventional concrete. It was observed that the hybrid geopolymers attained a maximum mechanical strength of 40 MPa. Remarkably, substituting just 20% of the material with blast furnace slag resulted in a 92% improvement in compressive strength. To assess environmental impacts, a cradle-to-gate LCA was performed on different geopolymer mix designs, focusing particularly on the global warming potential (GWP). The results indicated that geopolymer concrete generated a maximum of 240 kg CO2-e/m3, which was 40% lower than the emissions from ordinary cement, highlighting the environmental advantages of geopolymer materials. Further, X-ray diffraction was used to determine the mineral composition of both raw and developed composites. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was applied to study the molecular structure changes upon incorporating blast furnace slag. The initial setting time and shrinkage of the geopolymers were also investigated. Morphological characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal analyses confirmed the stability of the geopolymers up to 800 °C. Geopolymer composites with high thermal stability can be used in construction materials that require fire resistance. This study not only enhances the understanding of geopolymer composite properties but also confirms the substantial environmental advantages of utilizing geopolymerization in sustainable construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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17 pages, 3510 KiB  
Article
A Novel Approach for the Reuse of Waste from the Extractive and Processing Industry of Natural Stone Binders: Development of Stone Composites
by Paula Afonso, Vera Pires, Paula Faria, Antônio Azzalini, Luis Lopes, Paulo Mourão and Ruben Martins
Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010064 - 20 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 642
Abstract
This paper discusses the historical use of natural stone for various purposes and highlights the substantial waste generated by quarries and stone processing plants in modern industrialized production. These waste materials are typically categorized into unused rock and sludges from processing. This accumulation [...] Read more.
This paper discusses the historical use of natural stone for various purposes and highlights the substantial waste generated by quarries and stone processing plants in modern industrialized production. These waste materials are typically categorized into unused rock and sludges from processing. This accumulation of waste presents a global environmental challenge and a financial burden for the stone industry. In-depth investigation into the development of a binder incorporating carbonated sludge from marble and limestone industries, combined with polyester resin, for building stone composites was performed. This research involved chemical and microstructural characterization of the sludges, preparation of mixtures with polyester resin, stone composites manufacturing, and subsequent testing to determine and validate the optimal binder composition. Given the achieved results, and the demonstrated feasibility of using a binder composed of polyester resin and carbonated sludge for stone composite production, it was concluded that employing carbonated sludge as an economic resource is indeed viable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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29 pages, 33246 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Strong Earthquakes on Built Heritage: A Preliminary Case Study of Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik’s Old City
by Davorin Penava, Marin Valinčić, Ante Vrban, Lars Abrahamczyk, Ivica Guljaš and Ivan Kraus
Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14926; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014926 - 16 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1574
Abstract
The Old City of Dubrovnik’s historical urban heritage architecture, consisting of poorly to well-built irregular stone masonry construction, is at high risk of earthquakes. It was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage after the severely damaging 1979 Mw = 7.1 Montenegro earthquake. [...] Read more.
The Old City of Dubrovnik’s historical urban heritage architecture, consisting of poorly to well-built irregular stone masonry construction, is at high risk of earthquakes. It was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage after the severely damaging 1979 Mw = 7.1 Montenegro earthquake. Retrofitting strategies to a certain degree of earthquake protection have been made to the monument heritage architecture after repeating destructive earthquakes for several centuries. The originally 13th-century Rector’s Palace underwent several major modifications throughout history after disastrous events: fire in 1435, a gunpowder explosion in 1463, and earthquakes in 1520, 1667, and 1979. The design and construction information were collected from historical records and studies performed by various researchers, including field measurements and laboratory tests. Based on the data gathered, the building’s resistance to destructive earthquakes in compliance with contemporary building codes was determined using simulations on a calibrated spatial structural model. The study revealed that the building’s critical parts are most susceptible to a certain degree of damage or even collapse. The presented case study is the basis for decision-making and implementing the building’s earthquake risk reduction measures. Additionally, it will serve as a guide for earthquake risk evaluation on similar buildings, even though they may differ in degree or detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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16 pages, 5295 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Biochar Impact on the Mechanical Properties of Cement-Based Mortar: An Optimization Study Using Response Surface Methodology for Particle Size and Content
by Zhongrui Zhou, Junsong Wang, Kanghao Tan and Yifei Chen
Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14787; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014787 - 12 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 868
Abstract
The utilization of agricultural waste, specifically biochar (BC), as an alternative material to conventional Portland cement offers substantial potential for enhancing sustainability within the construction industry. This study investigates how variations in BC particle size and content affect the properties of cement mortar [...] Read more.
The utilization of agricultural waste, specifically biochar (BC), as an alternative material to conventional Portland cement offers substantial potential for enhancing sustainability within the construction industry. This study investigates how variations in BC particle size and content affect the properties of cement mortar using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). By manipulating BC’s content and particle size in the mortar mixture and analyzing the data with RSM, this study establishes response surface models to predict the relationship between BC characteristics and cement mortar strength. The results demonstrate that the optimal combination for enhancing the mechanical performance of the mortar is achieved when BC particles have a median particle diameter of 51.08 μm and a content of 2.69% of the mixture. Additionally, utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it is revealed that BC serves as a nucleation site for cement hydration, thereby inducing a more compact and dense microstructure within the cement mortar. Furthermore, BC particles contribute to enhancing the interfacial transition zone between the cement paste and aggregate, leading to increased compressive strength and fracture toughness of the mortar while simultaneously curbing crack propagation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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25 pages, 7009 KiB  
Article
Optimisation of Mechanical Characteristics of Alkali-Resistant Glass Fibre Concrete towards Sustainable Construction
by Hammad Tahir, Muhammad Basit Khan, Nasir Shafiq, Dorin Radu, Marijana Hadzima Nyarko, Ahsan Waqar, Hamad R. Almujibah and Omrane Benjeddou
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11147; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411147 - 17 Jul 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1114
Abstract
Concrete is a worldwide construction material, but it has inherent faults, such as a low tensile strength, when not reinforced with steel or other forms of reinforcement. Various innovative materials are being incorporated into concrete to minimise its drawbacks while concurrently improving its [...] Read more.
Concrete is a worldwide construction material, but it has inherent faults, such as a low tensile strength, when not reinforced with steel or other forms of reinforcement. Various innovative materials are being incorporated into concrete to minimise its drawbacks while concurrently improving its dependability and sustainability. This study addresses the research gap by exploring and enhancing the utilisation of glass fibre (GF) concerning its mechanical properties and reduction of embodied carbon. The most significant advantage of incorporating GF into concrete is its capacity to reduce the obstruction ratio, forming clusters, and subsequent material solidification. The study involved experiments wherein GF was incorporated into concrete in varying proportions of 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, 1.50%, 1.75%, and 2% by weight. Mechanical tests and tests for durability were conducted, and Embodied carbon (EC) with eco-strength efficiency was also evaluated to assess the material’s sustainability. The investigation found that the optimal percentage of GF to be used in concrete is 1.25% by weight, which gives the optimum results for concrete’s mechanical strength and UPV. Adding 1.25% GF to the material results in increases of 11.76%, 17.63%, 17.73%, 5.72%, and 62.5% in C.S, STS, F.S, MoE, and impact energy, respectively. Concrete blended with 1.25% of GF has the optimum value of UPV. The carbon footprint associated with concrete positively correlates with the proportion of GF in its composition. The optimisation of GF in concrete is carried out by utilising the response surface methodology (RSM); equations generated through RSM enable the computation of the effects of incorporating GF in concrete. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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16 pages, 5632 KiB  
Article
Advanced Design for Experimental Optimisation of Physico-Mechanical Characteristics of Sustainable Local Hemp Concrete
by Laurentiu Adam, Loredana Judele, Iuliana Motrescu, Ion Rusu, Daniel Lepadatu and Roxana Dana Bucur
Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8484; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118484 - 23 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1168
Abstract
The meaning of technological progress is to produce economic development and to increase the level of personal comfort. Sustainability can only be achieved if, at the microsystem level as well as at the macrosystem level, the secondary effects of the activities undertaken by [...] Read more.
The meaning of technological progress is to produce economic development and to increase the level of personal comfort. Sustainability can only be achieved if, at the microsystem level as well as at the macrosystem level, the secondary effects of the activities undertaken by people on the environment are in a state of neutrality compared to the impact they can produce on natural conditions. This neutrality can be intrinsic or can be achieved through coercive and compensatory measures. If we take into account the production of carbon dioxide that accompanies a product from the stages of conceptualisation, design, procurement of materials, execution, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and recycling the waste produced at the end of use, then nothing can be sustainable in pure form. Nevertheless, there are products whose production, both as a raw material and as a technological process, can be neutral in terms of carbon emissions. Moreover, they can even become carbon negative over time. This is also the case with eco-sustainable hemp concrete, whose capacity to absorb carbon dioxide starts from the growth phase of the plant from which the raw material is obtained and continues throughout the existence of the constructed buildings. Not only does it absorb carbon dioxide, but it also stores it for a period of at least 50 years as long as the construction is guaranteed, being at the same time completely recyclable. However, in order to obtain an optimal mixture from the point of view of raw material consumption, represented by industrial hemp wood chips and the binder based on lime and cement, multiple experiments are necessary. The study presented in this work is based on the use of an advanced method of experimental planning (design of experiments method), which makes possible the correlation between the values obtained experimentally and the algorithm that generated the matrix arrangement of the quantities of materials used in the recipes. This approach helps to create the necessary framework for parametric optimisation with a small number of trials. Thus, it is possible to obtain the mathematical law valid within the minimum and maximum limits of the studied domain that defines the characteristics of the material and allows the achievement of optimisation. The material is thus designed to satisfy the maximum thermal insulation requirements that it can achieve depending on a certain minimum admissible compressive strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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18 pages, 18757 KiB  
Article
Innovative Solutions for the Rehabilitation of Bridges Using Flexible Galvanized Steel Structures: A Case Study
by Doina Negrea, Christiana Emilia Cazacu and Mircea Conțiu
Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6200; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076200 - 04 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1650
Abstract
The objective of the project was the rehabilitation and expansion of one bridge, located on the DN28 (a national road) in Sarca, Iasi County. The solution includes an atypical use of the flexible galvanized steel structure. The main challenge in this case was [...] Read more.
The objective of the project was the rehabilitation and expansion of one bridge, located on the DN28 (a national road) in Sarca, Iasi County. The solution includes an atypical use of the flexible galvanized steel structure. The main challenge in this case was to finish the works without any traffic interruption on this section of the national road, as well as the assembly of the said corrugated steel structure under the existing bridge. The work was executed in record time and with reduced costs in comparison with the classic alternative solutions, such as concrete bridges. The paper highlights practical aspects from the key moments of the project and presents the major challenges and how they were solved for both the design and the construction stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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18 pages, 9856 KiB  
Article
Classification of Elastic Wave for Non-Destructive Inspections Based on Self-Organizing Map
by Katsuya Nakamura, Yoshikazu Kobayashi, Kenichi Oda and Satoshi Shigemura
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 4846; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064846 - 09 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 979
Abstract
An arrival time of an elastic wave is the important parameter to visualize the locations of the failures and/or elastic wave velocity distributions in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). The arrival time detection is conducted generally using automatic picking algorithms in a [...] Read more.
An arrival time of an elastic wave is the important parameter to visualize the locations of the failures and/or elastic wave velocity distributions in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). The arrival time detection is conducted generally using automatic picking algorithms in a measured time-history waveform. According to automatic picking algorithms, it is expected that the detected arrival time from low S/N signals has low accuracy if low S/N signals are measured in elastic wave measurements. Thus, in order to accurately detect the arrival time for NDT, the classification of measured elastic waves is required. However, the classification of elastic waves based on algorithms has not been extensively conducted. In this study, a classification method based on self-organizing maps (SOMs) is applied to classify the measured waves. SOMs visualize relation of measured data wherein the number of classes is unknown. Therefore, using SOM selects high and low S/N signals adequately from the measured waves. SOM is validated on model tests using the pencil lead breaks (PLBs), and it was confirmed that SOM successfully visualize the classes consisted of high S/N signal. Moreover, classified high S/N signals were applied to the source localization and it was noteworthy that localized sources were more accurate in comparison with using all of the measured waves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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27 pages, 6089 KiB  
Article
Architecture, Engineering and Building Science: The Contemporary Relevance of Vitruvius’s De Architectura
by Lino Bianco
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4150; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054150 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3053
Abstract
Conferences worldwide focus on a range of disciplines relating to the construction of the built environment. They tend to emphasize either the art or the science of building, the former focusing on architectural theory and design while the latter targets a range of [...] Read more.
Conferences worldwide focus on a range of disciplines relating to the construction of the built environment. They tend to emphasize either the art or the science of building, the former focusing on architectural theory and design while the latter targets a range of topics from civil and/or building engineering to building physics. Vitruvius’s De Architectura Libri Decem is a seminal treatise more than two millennia old which addresses these themes in a holistic manner. This text remains valid today for students and professionals engaged in architecture and building engineering. Translated as Ten Books on Architecture, it not only presents an overall view of the disciplines of town planning, architecture and civil engineering, along with the qualifications required to practice them, but also addresses building materials, civil-engineering structures and the science influencing buildings. Although grounded in the practice and technology of Ancient Rome, the principles put forward in this treatise are still valid nowadays for effective, sustainable architectural-engineering design based on rigorous education and good knowledge of building materials and construction. Vitruvius’s definition of architecture—the one still customarily used—is an inclusive philosophical statement on the essence of building for humanity to house humanity. It recalls the symbiotic relation between architecture and building engineering that is often forgotten in the contemporary emphasis on specialization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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19 pages, 13626 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Behavior of Sandy Soil Reinforced by Disposable Face Mask Chips under Different Stress Paths
by Xiangqi Hu, Mingliang Chen, Bo Hu, Guangzhen Du and Kaihui Li
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4059; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054059 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1449
Abstract
Since 2020, with the global spread of major respiratory infectious diseases, such as COVID–19, the demand and consumption of personal protective equipment, such as masks, have increased dramatically worldwide. The environmental pollution caused by numerous waste disposable face masks has gradually attracted people’s [...] Read more.
Since 2020, with the global spread of major respiratory infectious diseases, such as COVID–19, the demand and consumption of personal protective equipment, such as masks, have increased dramatically worldwide. The environmental pollution caused by numerous waste disposable face masks has gradually attracted people’s attention. In this study, the mechanical properties of mask–chip–reinforced soil are evaluated from a new perspective, through the uniaxial, biaxial, conventional triaxial, and true triaxial compression tests on reshaped sandy soil samples mixed with different contents of mask chips. The experimental results show that the mechanical properties of the sandy soil can be improved by the mask chips. With the proper content of mask chips, the failure strength is substantially improved, and the failure of soil is delayed. Meanwhile, the strength and stiffness are significantly affected by the stress path and the content of mask chips, even if the soil samples with the same mask–chip content can also show different mechanical properties under different stress paths. Additionally, the mechanical properties of soil are not necessarily improved constantly with the increasing content of mask chips. The failure strength of sandy soil samples under conventional and true triaxial stress paths decreases when the mass content of mask chips exceeds 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively. This study confirms the potential of mask chips applied to subgrade, slope, and other engineering construction fields in a sustainable way. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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14 pages, 4672 KiB  
Article
Fractal Characterization of Brass Corrosion in Cavitation Field in Seawater
by Alina Bărbulescu and Cristian Ștefan Dumitriu
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3816; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043816 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1148
Abstract
Cavitation is a physical process that produces complex effects on the machines and components working in conditions where it acts. One effect is the materials-mass loss by corrosion–erosion when components are introduced into fluids under cavitation. The analysis of the damages produced by [...] Read more.
Cavitation is a physical process that produces complex effects on the machines and components working in conditions where it acts. One effect is the materials-mass loss by corrosion–erosion when components are introduced into fluids under cavitation. The analysis of the damages produced by cavitation is generally performed by using different destructive and non-destructive experimental techniques. Most studies on materials’ behavior in cavitation refer to the erosion–corrosion mechanism, and very few investigate the fissure propagation by fractal methods. None have investigated the fractal characteristics of the sample surface after erosion–corrosion or the multifractal characteristics of materials’ mass variation in time in a cavitation field. Therefore, this research proposes a computational approach to determine the pattern of materials’ damages produced by ultrasound cavitation. The studied material is a brass, introduced in seawater. Fractal and multifractal techniques are applied to the series of the absolute mass loss per surface and the sample’s micrography after corrosion. Such an approach has not been utilized for such a material in similar experimental conditions. This study emphasizes that the box dimension of the series of the absolute mass loss per surface is close to one, and its behaviour is close to a non-/monofractal. It is demonstrated that the material’s surface corrosion is not uniform, and its multifractal character is highlighted by the f(α)− spectrum and the multifractal dimensions, which have the following values: the capacity dimension = 1.5969, the information dimension = 1.49836, and the correlation dimension = 1.4670. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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12 pages, 9674 KiB  
Article
Fracture Behavior of AlMg4.5Mn Weld Metal at Different Temperatures under Impact Loading
by Radica Prokić Cvetković, Olivera Popović, Ljubica Radović, Aleksandar Sedmak and Ivana Cvetković
Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021550 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1185
Abstract
This paper deals with a three-component aluminum alloy AlMg4.5Mn that was welded using a GTAW process in the shielded atmosphere of Ar+70%He+0.015%N2. The weld-metal toughness was evaluated at three different temperatures using instrumental Charpy pendulum impact testing to measure not only [...] Read more.
This paper deals with a three-component aluminum alloy AlMg4.5Mn that was welded using a GTAW process in the shielded atmosphere of Ar+70%He+0.015%N2. The weld-metal toughness was evaluated at three different temperatures using instrumental Charpy pendulum impact testing to measure not only the total energy, but also the crack initiation energy and the crack growth energy. Fractographic analysis of the fracture surfaces and EDS analysis of large second-phase particles on fractured surfaces at each temperature were also carried out. Fractographic analysis at different temperatures indicated a clearly distinguishable fracture mechanism. It was inferred that the absorbed energy was closely correlated with the fracturing of surfaces. Moreover, it was concluded that with decrease in the amount of microscopic voids and dimples, the total energy absorbed also decreased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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18 pages, 6194 KiB  
Article
Effects of Multiple Defects on Welded Joint Behaviour under the Uniaxial Tensile Loading: Fem and Experimental Approach
by Mihajlo Aranđelović, Ana Petrović, Branislav Đorđević, Simon Sedmak, Aleksandar Sedmak, Stefan Dikić and Dorin Radu
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010761 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2666
Abstract
The research represents the ongoing investigation of the welded joints behavior made of low-carbon low-alloyed steel in the presence of different multiple defects. Following the initial experimental and numerical analyses performed on low-grade steel, a set of experiments were performed with specimens made [...] Read more.
The research represents the ongoing investigation of the welded joints behavior made of low-carbon low-alloyed steel in the presence of different multiple defects. Following the initial experimental and numerical analyses performed on low-grade steel, a set of experiments were performed with specimens made of steel EN 1.0044 (commercial designation S275JR), along with development of new numerical models. Four combinations were made, including defects like undercuts, excess weld metal, misalignment, weld face sagging and incomplete root penetration, considering that these defects are often encountered in practice, and can appear simultaneously. The finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the experiments. Tensile properties of the HAZ and weld metal were calculated using strain measurements by the digital image correlation (DIC) method. The finite element method (FEM) results were in good agreement with the experimental ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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22 pages, 10079 KiB  
Article
Effects of Waste Powder, Fine and Coarse Marble Aggregates on Concrete Compressive Strength
by Bogachan Basaran, Ilker Kalkan, Ceyhun Aksoylu, Yasin Onuralp Özkılıç and Mohanad Muayad Sabri Sabri
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14388; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114388 - 03 Nov 2022
Cited by 53 | Viewed by 2752
Abstract
The use of marble wastes in concrete mixtures, causing air and water pollution, has been promoted in the academic and practical spheres of the construction industry. Although the effects of various forms (powder, fine, coarse and mixed) of this waste on the concrete [...] Read more.
The use of marble wastes in concrete mixtures, causing air and water pollution, has been promoted in the academic and practical spheres of the construction industry. Although the effects of various forms (powder, fine, coarse and mixed) of this waste on the concrete compressive strength has been subject to a decent number of studies in the literature, the difficulties in reaching specific conclusions on the effect of each test parameter constitute a major restraint for the proliferation of the use of marble wastes in the concrete industry. Most of these studies are far from underscoring all of the parameters affecting the concrete compressive strength. Due to the urgent need in the literature for comprehensive studies on concrete mixtures with marble wastes, the results of the axial compression tests on a total of 429 concrete mixtures with marble aggregates were compiled by paying special attention to reporting all test variables (form and content of marble wastes, water–cement ratio, cement content, proportion of coarse and fine aggregates in all aggregates) affecting the concrete strength. In this context, multivariate regression analyses were carried out on the existing test results. These regression analyses yielded to relationships between the change in concrete compressive strength and the test parameters for each and every form of marble waste (powder, fine and coarse aggregate). The study indicated that independent from the form of marble wastes (as powder, fine aggregate or coarse aggregate), aggregate replacements of up to 50% can yield to significant changes in the concrete compressive strength. In addition, the analytical estimates from the developed equations exhibited a high correlation (a least r value of 0.91) with the experimental results from the previous studies, yielding to rather low error values (RMSE value is 5.06 MPa at max). For this reason, the developed equations can consistently predict the changes in concrete compressive strength with varying amounts and forms of the marble aggregates as well as the other test variables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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32 pages, 16092 KiB  
Article
Performance of Strengthened, Reinforced Concrete Shear Walls with Opening
by Hala Mamdouh, Nasr Zenhom, Mahmoud Hasabo, Ahmed Farouk Deifalla and Amany Salman
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14366; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114366 - 02 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2454
Abstract
Shear walls are one of the primary lateral resisting structural elements. Due to architectural and technical needs, openings in the structural wall are almost inevitable. Discontinuity regions and a reduction in wall stiffness result from these openings. The use of fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) systems [...] Read more.
Shear walls are one of the primary lateral resisting structural elements. Due to architectural and technical needs, openings in the structural wall are almost inevitable. Discontinuity regions and a reduction in wall stiffness result from these openings. The use of fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) systems is a sustainable construction solution for strengthening these areas and is a viable method to restore their integrity and serviceability. This paper presents an experimental and analytical study on the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls with openings of various sizes and positions strengthened using glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP) sheets. Ten RC shear walls were cast and tested; initially without strengthening; and then retested with a layer of bi-directional GFRP sheet added around the opening. The finite-element (FE) program ANSYS was used for modeling since using FE contributes to sustainability. The results showed that for un-strengthened walls with a 6.25% opening and strengthened walls with an 11.11% opening, the rate of stiffness degradation was reasonably low. As the opening size was enlarged, the strength and stiffness values were drastically reduced; and the shear walls with an opening at the mid-height position also have smaller load capacities compared to the bottom and top opening positions. In addition, the ability of the GFRP sheets to control stress redistribution and crack propagation improved the overall performance of the walls. The FE and experimental results match well. Furthermore, the ACI and ECP calculations revealed a good prediction of lateral load capacity without considering the opening position, whereas the other proposed models were inaccurate. Finally, the author proposed a reduction factor (β) to the shear strength equation provided by ECP-203-2020 depending on openings sizes and locations; and suggests that FRP sheets be used around openings to assure the appropriate performance and avoid unexpected failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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24 pages, 4762 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Sodium and Magnesium Sulfate on Physico-Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Kaolin and Ceramic Powder-Based Geopolymer Mortar
by Mehmet Kaya, Fuat Köksal, Mehrab Nodehi, Muhammed Bayram, Osman Gencel and Togay Ozbakkaloglu
Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13496; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013496 - 19 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1779
Abstract
Recent trends in reducing the ecological footprint of the construction industry have increased the attention surrounding the use of alternative binding systems. Among the most promising are geopolymer binders, which were found to have the capability to substantially reduce the environmental impact of [...] Read more.
Recent trends in reducing the ecological footprint of the construction industry have increased the attention surrounding the use of alternative binding systems. Among the most promising are geopolymer binders, which were found to have the capability to substantially reduce the environmental impact of Portland cement use. However, even the use of this alternative binding system is known to be heavily dependent on the use of industrial byproducts, such as precursors and an alkaline source, produced through an energy intensive process. To address this and provide a greener route for this binding system, this study adopts the use of natural kaolin and raw ceramic powder as the main precursors. The activation process is performed by using solid potassium hydroxide in conjunction with sodium and magnesium sulfate, which are naturally available, to produce geopolymers. To assess the resulting geopolymer samples, 28 mixes are produced and a series of physico-mechanical and microstructural analyses is conducted. The results show that the use of ceramic powder can improve the physico-mechanical properties by reducing porosity. This, however, requires a relatively higher alkalinity for activation and strength development. These findings are further confirmed with the XRD and FTIR results. Nonetheless, the use of ceramic powder with sodium and magnesium sulfate is found to result in a more coherent and homogenous microstructure, compared to the geopolymers produced with potassium hydroxide and kaolin. The findings of this study point to the suitability of using sodium and magnesium sulfate for the cleaner production of kaolin and ceramic powder-based geopolymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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17 pages, 52362 KiB  
Article
Improvement in Bending Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams Produced with Waste Lathe Scraps
by Memduh Karalar, Yasin Onuralp Özkılıç, Ahmed Farouk Deifalla, Ceyhun Aksoylu, Musa Hakan Arslan, Mahmood Ahmad and Mohanad Muayad Sabri Sabri
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12660; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912660 - 05 Oct 2022
Cited by 70 | Viewed by 2518
Abstract
In this study, the impacts of different proportions of tension reinforcement and waste lathe scraps on the failure and bending behavior of reinforced concrete beams (RCBs) are clearly detected considering empirical tests. Firstly, material strength and consistency test and then ½ scaled beam [...] Read more.
In this study, the impacts of different proportions of tension reinforcement and waste lathe scraps on the failure and bending behavior of reinforced concrete beams (RCBs) are clearly detected considering empirical tests. Firstly, material strength and consistency test and then ½ scaled beam test have been carried out. For this purpose, a total of 12 specimens were produced in the laboratory and then tested to examine the failure mechanism under flexure. Two variables have been selected in creating text matrix. These are the longitudinal tension reinforcement ratio in beams (three different level) and volumetric ratio of waste lathe scraps (four different level: 0%, 1%, 2% and 3%). The produced simply supported beams were subjected to a two-point bending test. To prevent shear failure, sufficient stirrups have been used. Thus, a change in the bending behavior was observed during each test. With the addition of 1%, 2% and 3% waste lathe scraps, compressive strength escalated by 11.2%, 21.7% and 32.5%, respectively, compared to concrete without waste. According to slump test results, as the waste lathe scraps proportion in the concrete mixture is increased, the concrete consistency diminishes. Apart from the material tests, the following results were obtained from the tests performed on the beams. It is detected that with the addition of lathe waste, the mechanical features of beams improved. It is observed that different proportions of tension reinforcement and waste lathe scraps had different failure and bending impacts on the RCBs. While there was no significant change in stiffness and strength, ductility increased considerably with the addition of lathe waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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17 pages, 8643 KiB  
Article
Performance Assessment of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Produced with Waste Lathe Fibers
by Ali İhsan Çelik, Yasin Onuralp Özkılıç, Özer Zeybek, Nebi Özdöner and Bassam A. Tayeh
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11817; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911817 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 76 | Viewed by 3493
Abstract
The amount of steel waste produced is on the increase due to improvements in steel manufacturing industries. The increase in such wastes causes significant environmental problems and, furthermore, a large area is also required to store these waste products. Instead of disposing of [...] Read more.
The amount of steel waste produced is on the increase due to improvements in steel manufacturing industries. The increase in such wastes causes significant environmental problems and, furthermore, a large area is also required to store these waste products. Instead of disposing of these wastes, the reuse of them in different industries is an important success in terms of both reducing environmental pollution and providing low-cost products. From this motivation, the effect of lathe scrap fibers generated from Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lathe machine tools on concrete performance was investigated in this study. Pursuant to this aim and considering different fiber content, an experimental study was conducted on some test specimens. Workability and slump values of concrete produced with different lathe scrap fibers were determined, and these properties were compared with those of plain concrete. For the hardened concrete, 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm cubic specimens and cylindrical specimens with a diameter of 100 mm and a height of 200 mm were tested to identify compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of the concrete produced with different volume fracture of lathe waste scrap (0%, 1%, 2% and 3%). With the addition of the lathe scrap, the compressive and splitting tensile strength of fiber-reinforced concrete increases, but after a certain value of steel fiber content, there is a decrease in workability. Next, a three-point bending test was carried out on samples with dimensions of 100 × 100 × 400 mm and a span length of 300 mm to obtain the flexure behavior of different mixtures. It has been shown that the flexural strength of fiber-reinforced concrete increases with an increasing content of waste lathe. Furthermore, microstructural analysis was performed to observe the interaction between lathe scrap fiber and concrete. Good adhesion was observed between the steel fiber and cementitious concrete. According to the results obtained, waste lathe scrap fiber also worked as a good crack arrestor. Lastly, practical empirical equations were developed to calculate the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of fiber-reinforced concrete produced with waste lathe scrap. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction Materials for Safe and Sustainable Built Structures)
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