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Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Materials Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2023) | Viewed by 25338

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaowei Deng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Interests: design of lightweight and deployable structure; fluid-structure interaction of renewable energy system; computational mechanics with focus on isogeometric analysis and finite element method; structural optimization
Dr. Xiaoqing Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Interests: steel and concrete composite structures; concrete; fiber-reinforced concrete; steel; corrosion; fatigue; bridge engineering; numerical modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Construction materials play a critical role in building modern infrastructures, representing an enormous investment of raw materials, energy, and capital, with the result of significant environmental burdens and social costs. In recent decades, novel advanced construction materials and their structural applications have emerged with the support of continuously developing innovative technologies. To achieve higher-performing construction materials and advanced construction technologies, their further research has drawn great attention and interest of technicians. This Special Issue of Materials invites original research articles and comprehensive reviews regarding experimental studies, numerical simulations, and structural applications of construction materials.

Dr. Xiaowei Deng
Dr. Xiaoqing Xu
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. Materials 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 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

  • mechanical properties
  • structural performance
  • high performance
  • reinforced concrete
  • structural steel
  • fiber-reinforced polymer
  • numerical modelling
  • repair and strengthening of structures

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Published Papers (19 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 5416 KiB  
Article
Influencing Factors of Porosity and Strength of Plant-Growing Concrete
by Jiashi Cai, Chunying Shen, Ming Ye, Siyang Huang, Jinxing He and Ding Cui
Materials 2024, 17(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010031 (registering DOI) - 20 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 723
Abstract
A standardized preparation process is proposed in this study for achieving optimal strength and vegetative properties in vegetated concrete, using Yunnan red soil as a growth substrate for plants. The porosity of vegetated concrete is a crucial factor influencing plant growth, while compressive [...] Read more.
A standardized preparation process is proposed in this study for achieving optimal strength and vegetative properties in vegetated concrete, using Yunnan red soil as a growth substrate for plants. The porosity of vegetated concrete is a crucial factor influencing plant growth, while compressive strength is a significant mechanical property. To assess the strength and porosity of vegetated concrete, different design porosities (22%, 24%, 26%, 28%) and cement-to-aggregate ratios (4, 5, 6, 7) were utilized in the preparation of vegetated concrete samples. The shell-making and static-pressure-molding methods were optimized for specimen preparation. Analyzing the stress–strain full curve characteristics of vegetation-type concrete under different influencing factors, an in-depth investigation into its failure mechanism was conducted. It was determined that the design porosity and cement content significantly impact the concrete’s performance, particularly in terms of 30-day compressive strength and effective porosity. Furthermore, an increase in the fly ash ratio led to an increase in porosity and a decrease in compressive strength, providing a certain guidance for optimizing concrete performance. Comparative analysis through vegetation experiments revealed that black rye grass exhibited favorable growth adaptability compared to other grass species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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21 pages, 12034 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis and Safety Evaluation of Shield Segment Structure Model under Surcharge Loading
by Xiaofeng Liu, Yan Jiang, Xiaolong Li, Quansheng Zang and Jinchao Yue
Materials 2023, 16(20), 6806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206806 - 22 Oct 2023
Viewed by 935
Abstract
In shield tunneling projects, the selection of an accurate model to calculate the mechanical response of segment structure plays a crucial role in the design and cost of the project. The shell–spring and beam–spring models are two widely used methods for this purpose. [...] Read more.
In shield tunneling projects, the selection of an accurate model to calculate the mechanical response of segment structure plays a crucial role in the design and cost of the project. The shell–spring and beam–spring models are two widely used methods for this purpose. However, it is still not clear how accurate and different these models are in calculation results under surcharge load. Therefore, to accurately calculate the internal forces and deformation of the segment structure and clarify the difference between the two models’ results, the shell–spring and beam–spring models were established based on a subway shield tunnel project in Zhengzhou city. The reliability of the models was verified by comparing and analyzing the differences in deformation results between the models and field measurements. Furthermore, the safety of the segment structure was evaluated according to the ultimate bearing capacity of the normal section. The results declare that: (1) In the shell–spring model, the internal force gradually reduces from the edges towards the center of the segment width, and the shield segment exhibits a prominent non-plane strain state. (2) The internal force of the beam–spring model is larger than that of the shell–spring model. The axial force difference between the two models is relatively small; meanwhile, there is a larger disparity in the bending moment. However, with an increase in surcharge loading, the discrepancy in internal forces between the two models gradually decreases. (3) The calculation results of the shell–spring model are close to the field-measured values and the shield tunnel model test values, which verifies the accuracy and reliability of the shell–spring model. Therefore, it is more reasonable to use the shell–spring model to calculate the mechanical response of the segment structure. (4) With an increase in surcharge loading, the safety of the shield tunnel decreases gradually. Therefore, surcharge loading above the shield tunnel should be reasonably controlled to meet the requirements of the normal use of the shield segment. This manuscript aims to provide a reference for the future design and optimization of the shield tunnels’ lining structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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31 pages, 15691 KiB  
Article
Simplified Calculation Model and Experimental Validation of the Force Transfer Ratio of Steel–Concrete Joint of Hybrid Box Girder
by Haibo Wang, Haozhe Zeng, Xun Wu and Fangcong Yu
Materials 2023, 16(14), 5091; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16145091 - 19 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1176
Abstract
The axial force transfer ratio of steel–concrete joints in hybrid box girder bridges is crucial for bridge design. However, the current standard oversimplifies the transfer ratio distribution coefficients, and both model tests and finite element analysis are time- and labor-intensive. This article proposes [...] Read more.
The axial force transfer ratio of steel–concrete joints in hybrid box girder bridges is crucial for bridge design. However, the current standard oversimplifies the transfer ratio distribution coefficients, and both model tests and finite element analysis are time- and labor-intensive. This article proposes a simplified calculation model based on the deformation coordination theory to estimate the transfer ratio of the axial force between the bearing plate and shear connectors of the steel–concrete joint under compression bending conditions. Additionally, a large-scale model (1/5 scale) is established, and the mechanical properties of the steel–concrete joint section under compression-bending conditions are experimentally tested. A three-dimensional finite element model is developed and verified using the obtained test data. Results confirm the favorable mechanical properties and ample safety reserve of the SCJ, with all components remaining within the elastic stage under 1.6 times design conditions. By comparing the axial force transfer ratios obtained from the simplified calculation model and the finite element model, a small difference is observed, validating the reliability of the simplified calculation model. This paper provides a straightforward and efficient method for the design and evaluation of steel–concrete joints in hybrid box girder bridges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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16 pages, 5798 KiB  
Article
Experimental Research Regarding the Effect of Mineral Aggregates on the Wear of Mixing Blades of Concrete Mixers
by Adrian Niță, Eugen Laudacescu, Marius Gabriel Petrescu, Teodor Dumitru, Andrei Burlacu, Dorin George Bădoiu and Maria Tănase
Materials 2023, 16(14), 5047; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16145047 - 17 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 853
Abstract
Industrial mixers are equipment used to mechanically combine different types of materials in order to obtain homogeneous mixtures. In concrete industry production, mixers play a crucial role by facilitating the efficient and consistent blending of various constituents to create high-quality concrete. Because the [...] Read more.
Industrial mixers are equipment used to mechanically combine different types of materials in order to obtain homogeneous mixtures. In concrete industry production, mixers play a crucial role by facilitating the efficient and consistent blending of various constituents to create high-quality concrete. Because the mixers in the concrete industry work in conditions characterized by abrasive and erosive loadings, the authors of this paper tried to establish a dependence between the quality of the material from which the mixing elements are made and their wear resistance. Three types of cast irons alloyed with chromium, specific to the construction of mixing blades, were used in this research. The working environment was a mixture of crushed mineral aggregates corresponding to the granulometric class 4–8 mm. The tests were carried out on an experimental stand designed and built by the authors of this paper. The stand reproduces on a scale of 1:2 a drum made up of a double-axis horizontal mixer. The stand had the possibility to change the value of the attack angle of the mixing blades, corresponding to the following values: 30, 45, and 60 degrees. The results of the tests established the dependence between the type of material and the wear rate of the blades as well as the influence exerted by the angle of attack on the wear of the mixing blades. It was shown that when the inclination angle of the blade relative to the shaft axis increases, the cumulative mass loss decreases, with values between 43% and 55.83%, as a function of the quality of blade material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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16 pages, 12362 KiB  
Article
Full-Scale Fatigue Test and Finite Element Analysis on External Inclined Strut Welded Joints of a Wide-Flanged Composite Box Girder Bridge
by Bin Wang, Laijun Liu, Yuqing Liu, Xudong Jia, Xiaoqing Xu, Kaixiang Miao and Jiandong Ji
Materials 2023, 16(10), 3637; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103637 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1474
Abstract
For a wide-flanged composite box girder bridge, the risk of fatigue cracking in the external inclined strut welded joint under the fatigue vehicle load is a problem. The main purposes of this research are to verify the safety of the main bridge of [...] Read more.
For a wide-flanged composite box girder bridge, the risk of fatigue cracking in the external inclined strut welded joint under the fatigue vehicle load is a problem. The main purposes of this research are to verify the safety of the main bridge of the Linyi Yellow River Bridge, a continuous composite box girder bridge, and to propose suggestions for optimization. In this research, a finite element model of one segment of the bridge was established to investigate the influence surface of the external inclined strut, and, using the nominal stress method, it was confirmed that the fatigue cracking of the welded details of the external inclined strut was risky. Subsequently, a full-scale fatigue test of the external inclined strut welded joint was carried out, and the crack propagation law and S-N curve of the welded details were obtained. Finally, a parametric analysis was conducted with the three-dimensional refined finite element models. The results showed that the welded joint in the real bridge has a fatigue life larger than that of the design life, and methods such as increasing the flange thickness of the external inclined strut and the diameter of the welding hole are beneficial to improve its fatigue performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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18 pages, 6740 KiB  
Article
Effects of Waste Glass Powder on Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Calcium Carbide Residue Alkali-Activated Composite Cementitious Materials System
by Youzhi Chen, Xiuqi Wu, Weisong Yin, Shichang Tang and Ge Yan
Materials 2023, 16(9), 3590; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093590 - 08 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1512
Abstract
As a municipal solid waste, waste glass undergoes pozzolanic activity when ground to a certain fineness. In this paper, calcium carbide residue (CCR) and Na2CO3 were used as composite alkali activators for a glass powder-based composite cementitious system. A total [...] Read more.
As a municipal solid waste, waste glass undergoes pozzolanic activity when ground to a certain fineness. In this paper, calcium carbide residue (CCR) and Na2CO3 were used as composite alkali activators for a glass powder-based composite cementitious system. A total of 60% fly ash (FA) and 40% ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) were used as the reference group of the composite cementitious material system, and the effects of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% glass powder (GP) replacing FA on the rheological behavior, mechanical properties, and microstructure of alkali-activated composite cementitious systems were investigated. The results showed that with the increase in GP replacing FA, the fluidity of the alkali-activated materials gradually decreased, the shear stress and the equivalent plastic viscosity both showed an increasing trend, and the paste gradually changed from shear thinning to shear thickening. Compared with the reference sample, the fluidity of the alkali-activated material paste with a 20% GP replacement of FA was reduced by 15.3%, the yield shear stress was increased by 49.6%, and the equivalent plastic viscosity was elevated by 32.1%. For the 28d alkali-activated material pastes, the compressive strength and flexural strength were increased by 13% and 20.3%, respectively. The microstructure analysis showed the substitution of FA by GP promoted the alkali-activated reaction to a certain extent, and more C-A-S-H gel was formed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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15 pages, 8080 KiB  
Article
Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam Retrofitted with Modularized Steel Plates
by Min Sook Kim and Young Hak Lee
Materials 2023, 16(9), 3419; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093419 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1189
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a shear test on a reinforced concrete beam retrofitted with modularized steel plates. A total of five retrofitted concrete beams with various span-depth ratios as a variable were fabricated and tested. A companion beam without retrofitting was [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of a shear test on a reinforced concrete beam retrofitted with modularized steel plates. A total of five retrofitted concrete beams with various span-depth ratios as a variable were fabricated and tested. A companion beam without retrofitting was used as the control specimen. The results of this experiment confirmed that the method proposed in this study improved the shear performance by approximately 1.8 times compared with the non-retrofitted reinforced concrete beam. The test results indicate that the shear retrofitting method using modularized steel plates can be effective in retrofitting the concrete beams, resulting in improvement in the strength, stiffness and deformations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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16 pages, 4125 KiB  
Article
Algorithm of Estimation of the Degree of Porosity Homogeneity of Foamed Concretes by Local Volumes by X-ray Computed Tomography Method
by Sergey Osipov and Inga Prischepa
Materials 2023, 16(8), 3244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16083244 - 20 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 825
Abstract
X-ray CT is widely used to study the structure of foam concrete, the quality of which depends on the uniformity in porosity in local volumes (LV) of the samples. The purpose of this work is to substantiate the need to assess the degree [...] Read more.
X-ray CT is widely used to study the structure of foam concrete, the quality of which depends on the uniformity in porosity in local volumes (LV) of the samples. The purpose of this work is to substantiate the need to assess the degree of homogeneity of samples in terms of porosity according to LV. To achieve the goal, an appropriate algorithm has been developed and programmed in MathCad. To illustrate the capabilities of the algorithm, foam concrete modified with fly ash and thermally modified peat (TMP) was tested by CT. The information obtained by CT was processed by the proposed algorithm with variations in LV dimensions in order to estimate the distributions of mean values and standard deviations of porosity. Based on the data obtained, a conclusion was made about the high quality of foam concrete with TMP. The proposed algorithm can be used at the stage of improving the technologies for the production of high-quality foam concretes and other porous materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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21 pages, 2211 KiB  
Article
Physico-Mechanical Performances of Mortars Prepared with Sorted Earthquake Rubble: The Role of CDW Type and Contained Crystalline Phases
by Antonio Galderisi, Miguel Bravo, Gianluca Iezzi, Giuseppe Cruciani, Eleonora Paris and Jorge de Brito
Materials 2023, 16(7), 2855; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072855 - 03 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1485
Abstract
Construction and demolition waste (CDW) from earthquake rubbles was used here as recycled aggregates (RA) in cementitious binders. The materials were sorted in six groups: concrete (CO), natural stone (NS), tile (TI), brick (BR), perforated brick (PF) and roof tile (RT). The abundance [...] Read more.
Construction and demolition waste (CDW) from earthquake rubbles was used here as recycled aggregates (RA) in cementitious binders. The materials were sorted in six groups: concrete (CO), natural stone (NS), tile (TI), brick (BR), perforated brick (PF) and roof tile (RT). The abundance (wt.%) of crystalline phases in each RA type was determined by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD). Each group of RAs was used alone (100 wt.% of RA) and mixed with quartz-rich virgin aggregates (VA) to prepare 13 types of mortars (12 specimens per type): one reference mortar (RM) with only VA, six recycled aggregate mortars (RAM) and six recycled-plus-virgin aggregate mortars (RVAM). The physical and mechanical properties of aggregates and mortars reflect the type and abundance of crystalline phases in each CDW group. Recycled mortars rich in concrete, natural stones and tiles have better mechanical performance than mortars prepared with recycled bricks, perforated bricks and roof tiles. For each RA, RVAMs have superior mechanical characteristics than the corresponding RAM. Since the type and amount of phases contained in recycled aggregates strongly control the mechanical performance of new construction materials, they should be routinely quantified as reported here, in addition to other physical features (water absorption, density, etc.). The separation of heterogeneous CDW into homogeneous RA groups is necessary for the production of new construction materials with stable and predictable performances to ensure CDW recycling, especially in areas hit by major adverse events, where large amounts of still valuable materials could be used for reconstruction processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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9 pages, 1014 KiB  
Article
Numerical Designing of Fiber Reinforced Concrete Eco-Constructions
by Pierre Rossi
Materials 2023, 16(7), 2576; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072576 - 24 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 839
Abstract
This paper focuses on the use of numerical tools, as a finite elements method, to conceive fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) eco-constructions. It highlights the fact that these are the most suitable tools (much more than the Eurocodes, for example) to predict the cracking [...] Read more.
This paper focuses on the use of numerical tools, as a finite elements method, to conceive fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) eco-constructions. It highlights the fact that these are the most suitable tools (much more than the Eurocodes, for example) to predict the cracking process of FRC constructions at their service limit state and, therefore, to predict their durability. Following a critical analysis of the existing finite element models for FRC cracking, it describes in more detail a probabilistic one. This model appears very suitable for providing precise information about crack openings that are inferior or equal to 300 microns. Finally, it presents an example of the use of this numerical model to optimize an FRC track slab in order to reduce its carbon footprint. This study, although partial and incomplete, shows that the best way to reduce the carbon footprint of this type of construction is to reduce its thickness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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18 pages, 14568 KiB  
Article
Fatigue Behaviors of Joints between Steel Girders with Corrugated Webs and Top RC Slabs under Transverse Bending Moments
by Yun Zhang, Tao Yang, Tingyi Luo, Mingyu Chen and Xiaobin Chen
Materials 2023, 16(6), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062427 - 18 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1183
Abstract
Steel–concrete composite box beams are widely used in bridge engineering, which might bear transverse and longitudinal bending moments simultaneously under vehicle loads. To investigate the fatigue performance of joints between the steel girders and the top reinforced concrete (RC) slabs under transverse bending [...] Read more.
Steel–concrete composite box beams are widely used in bridge engineering, which might bear transverse and longitudinal bending moments simultaneously under vehicle loads. To investigate the fatigue performance of joints between the steel girders and the top reinforced concrete (RC) slabs under transverse bending moments, a reduced scale joint between the weathering steel girder with the corrugated steel web (CSW) and the top RC slab was designed and tested under constant amplitude fatigue loads. Test results show that the joint initially cracked in the weld metal connecting the CSW with the bottom girder flange during the fatigue loading process. The initial crack propagated from the longitudinal fold to the adjacent inclined folds after the specimen was subjected to 7.63 × 105 loading cycles and caused the final fatigue failure. Compared with the calculated fatigue lives in the methods recommended by EC3 and AASHTO, the fatigue performance of the details involved in the joint satisfied the demands of fatigue design. Meanwhile, finite element (FE) models of joints with different parameters were established to determine their effect on the stress ranges at the hot spot regions of the joints. Numerical results show that improving the bending radius or the thickness of the CSW helps to reduce the stress ranges in the hot spot regions, which is beneficial to enhance the fatigue resistance of the investigated fatigue details accordingly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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16 pages, 5253 KiB  
Article
Flexural Behavior Characteristics of Steel Tubes Filled with SFRCCs Incorporating Recycled Materials
by Hyun-Do Yun, Wan-Shin Park, Young-Il Jang and Sun-Woo Kim
Materials 2023, 16(5), 1958; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16051958 - 27 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1051
Abstract
This study deals with the effect of fly ash and recycled sand on the flexural behavior of SFRCCs (steel fiber-reinforced cementitious composites)-filled steel tubes. As a result of the compressive test, the elastic modulus was reduced by the addition of micro steel fiber, [...] Read more.
This study deals with the effect of fly ash and recycled sand on the flexural behavior of SFRCCs (steel fiber-reinforced cementitious composites)-filled steel tubes. As a result of the compressive test, the elastic modulus was reduced by the addition of micro steel fiber, and the fly ash and recycled sand replacement decreased the elastic modulus and increased the Poisson’s ratio. As a result of the bending and direct tensile tests, strength enhancement by the incorporation of micro steel fibers was observed, and a smooth descending curve was confirmed after initial cracking. As a result of the flexural test on the FRCC-filled steel tube, the peak load of all specimens was similar, and the applicability of the equation presented by AISC was high. The deformation capacity of the steel tube filled with SFRCCs was slightly improved. As the elastic modulus of the FRCC material lowered and the Poisson’s ratio increased, the denting depth of the test specimen deepened. This is believed to be due to the large deformation of the cementitious composite material under local pressure due to the low elastic modulus. From the results of the deformation capacities of the FRCC-filled steel tubes, it was confirmed that the contribution of indentation to the energy dissipation capacity of steel tubes filled with SFRCCs was high. From the comparison of the strain values of the steel tubes, in the steel tube filled with SFRCC incorporating recycled materials, the damage was properly distributed between the loading point and both ends through crack dispersion, and consequently, rapid curvature changes did not occur at both ends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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17 pages, 10313 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Shear Performance of Multi-Bolt Shear Connectors
by Rongtian Xie, Tao Yang, Baojun Li, Shiyuan Liu and Yongbing Zhang
Materials 2023, 16(3), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16031032 - 23 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1347
Abstract
Bolt shear connectors used in prefabricated steel–concrete composite beams can be arranged into a group to enhance the construction efficiency, which will cause the multi-bolt effect and further affect the shear performance of bolt connectors. This paper developed three-dimensional finite element models of [...] Read more.
Bolt shear connectors used in prefabricated steel–concrete composite beams can be arranged into a group to enhance the construction efficiency, which will cause the multi-bolt effect and further affect the shear performance of bolt connectors. This paper developed three-dimensional finite element models of push-out specimens to investigate the shear performance of multi-bolt connectors. Numerical results showed that the friction coefficient at the interfaces between the steel girders and precast concrete (PC) slabs and bolt preload dramatically improved the initial stiffness of bolts; when the longitudinal spacing of bolts was reduced from 100 mm to 60 mm, the decrease in the average peak load per bolt was 3.5%, 9.2%, and 11.4% for bolts of 16 mm, 20 mm, and 24 mm diameters. A modified calculation method for the shear resistance of multi-bolt shear connectors was proposed based on the numerical analysis, and a simplified model of shear load versus relative slip was further developed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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27 pages, 10781 KiB  
Article
Behaviour of Soil–Steel Composite Bridges under Strong Seismic Excitation with Various Boundary Conditions
by Tomasz Maleska and Damian Beben
Materials 2023, 16(2), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020650 - 09 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1607
Abstract
Soil–steel composite bridges typically range from 3 to 32 m, and they can be applied as an effective alternative for reinforced concrete bridges with short spans. They are able to meet the same design and safety requirements as traditional bridges more rapidly and [...] Read more.
Soil–steel composite bridges typically range from 3 to 32 m, and they can be applied as an effective alternative for reinforced concrete bridges with short spans. They are able to meet the same design and safety requirements as traditional bridges more rapidly and at a lower cost. The behaviour of such bridges under seismic events is not yet recognized, because seismic excitations are completely different from the static and dynamic loads that have been analysed so far. This paper presents the results of the numerical study of two various types of soil–steel composite bridges under strong seismic excitation. The first soil–steel composite bridge has a span of 17.67 m and a height of 6.05 m, and the second consists of two shells with a span of 4.4 m each and a height of 2.8 m. Numerical analysis was performed for three models for each bridge, taking into account different boundary conditions. The applied boundary conditions are intended to represent the commonly used reinforcements of this type of bridges (reinforced concrete collar, reinforced concrete front wall). The obtained results were compared with the model in which such reinforcements were not used. Calculations were conducted using the DIANA program based on a finite element method. The non-linear models with seismic excitation of El Centro from 1940 and Time History analysis were applied. The conclusions from the study can be useful in making a decision regarding the design of the soil–steel composite bridges located in seismic zones. In addition, it was found that the effect of the applied strengthening is significant in the behaviour of soil–steel composite bridges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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22 pages, 6018 KiB  
Article
Research on Pavement Performance of Cement-Stabilized Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash Base
by Chenglin Shi, Jia Li, Shuang Sun and Hong Han
Materials 2022, 15(23), 8614; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238614 - 02 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1450
Abstract
In order to clarify the influence of the municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA) content on the pavement performance of the cement-stabilized macadam, the MSWI BA with 0%, 25%, 38% and 50% content was used instead of fine aggregates. To explore [...] Read more.
In order to clarify the influence of the municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA) content on the pavement performance of the cement-stabilized macadam, the MSWI BA with 0%, 25%, 38% and 50% content was used instead of fine aggregates. To explore the feasibility of building pavement base with cement stabilized MSWI BA, the cement-stabilized MSWI BA mixture was prepared by mixing the MSWI BA at the mass fraction of 50%, 75% and 100% with fine crushed stuff. Subsequently, the compaction test and 7 days unconfined compression test were conducted with 4%, 5% and 6% cement dosage. The compaction test, unconfined compressive strength test, splitting strength test, compressive resilient modulus test and frost resistance tests were carried out based on the long-age samples with an optimal cement dosage of 5%. Furthermore, the unconfined compressive constitutive model was established based on the test data. Afterwards, the test road was built to measure the practical effect of MSWI BA on road construction. Meanwhile, energy-saving and emission-reduction analyses were conducted on the MSWI BA road. The results showed that under 5% cement dosage, the mechanical properties and frost resistance of the mixture with different MSWI BA content both satisfied the specification requirements; during the construction, the appropriate MSWI BA content could be selected according to the requirements of different highway grades in the specification. The established segmented constitutive model could well simulate the stress–strain relationship of the mixture in the compressive process. Using cement-stabilized MSWI BA to build the pavement base was feasible, which provided not only an important reference for the engineering design but also had positive significance for promoting carbon peaking, carbon neutrality and sustainable development of highway engineering construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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9 pages, 2720 KiB  
Article
Microstructure and Electrical Conductivity of Cement Paste Reinforced with Different Types of Carbon Nanotubes
by Alicia Páez-Pavón, Andrea García-Junceda, Andrea Galán-Salazar, Rosario G. Merodio-Perea, José Sánchez del Río and Isabel Lado-Touriño
Materials 2022, 15(22), 7976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15227976 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1446
Abstract
Over the last few years, the addition of small amounts of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to construction materials has become of great interest, since it enhances some of the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of the cement. In this sense, single-walled and multi-walled carbon [...] Read more.
Over the last few years, the addition of small amounts of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to construction materials has become of great interest, since it enhances some of the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of the cement. In this sense, single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs, respectively) can be incorporated into cement to achieve the above-mentioned improved features. Thus, the current study presents the results of the addition of SWCNTs and MWCNTs on the microstructure and the physical properties of the cement paste. Density was measured through He pycnometry and the mass change was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The microstructure and the phases were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Finally, the electrical conductivity for different CNT concentrations was measured, and an exponential increase of the conductivity with concentration was observed. This last result opens the possibility for these materials to be used in a high variety of fields, such as space intelligent systems with novel electrical and electronic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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15 pages, 3629 KiB  
Article
Effect of Shear and Pure Bending Spans on the Behaviour of Steel Beams with Corrugated Webs
by Ibrahim A. Sharaky, Yasir M. Alharthi and Ahmed S. Elamary
Materials 2022, 15(13), 4675; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134675 - 03 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1315
Abstract
The shear span-to-effective depth ratio is known to modulate the shear behaviour of steel beams with corrugated webs (SBCWs). However, present design standards for SBCWs do not adequately address this issue. The impact of shear span-to-effective depth ratio and pure bending spans on [...] Read more.
The shear span-to-effective depth ratio is known to modulate the shear behaviour of steel beams with corrugated webs (SBCWs). However, present design standards for SBCWs do not adequately address this issue. The impact of shear span-to-effective depth ratio and pure bending spans on the failure mechanism of SBCWs was investigated in this study. Under four-point bending, three beams with shear-span-to-effective-depth-ratios ranging from 1.65 to 2.5 were examined to investigate the relationship between shear and bending spans and failure mechanisms. ANSYS software was used to create finite element models for the tested SBCWs using the finite element technique. In addition, the experimental findings are compared to two codes, specifically DASt-Rishtlinie015 and EN 1993-1-5. Moreover, an analytical section comprised of the creation of a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) was implemented. Finally, a parametric study using the verified FE model was conducted to assess the impact of shear and pure bending spans on the overall behaviour of SBCWs. As a result, the shear span and horizontal fold length of CWSBs are key components for determining the strength and failure modes of beams. Furthermore, the load capabilities and stiffness of CWSBs were more greatly affected by increasing the shear span than by increasing the pure bending one. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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12 pages, 2153 KiB  
Article
Shear Capacity Evaluation of the Recycled Concrete Beam
by Qiuwei Yang, Xi Peng and Yun Sun
Materials 2022, 15(10), 3693; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15103693 - 21 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1501
Abstract
Compared with traditional concrete beams, recycled concrete beams are more prone to cracking and shear failure. Generally, shear failure is a brittle failure and its failure consequences are often very serious. Thus, the shear capacity is an important parameter in the design and [...] Read more.
Compared with traditional concrete beams, recycled concrete beams are more prone to cracking and shear failure. Generally, shear failure is a brittle failure and its failure consequences are often very serious. Thus, the shear capacity is an important parameter in the design and testing for beam structures. In this work, the computation method and size effect on shear capacity of recycled concrete beams without stirrups are studied. Four recycled aggregate concrete beams with different sizes are tested by the bending experiment to obtain their ultimate shear capacities. By keeping the shear span ratio unchanged, the variation laws of mechanical parameters such as cracking load, ultimate shear capacity and shear strength for these beam specimens are studied. From the experiment results, it is concluded that the shear capacities of beams with lengths of 740 mm, 1010 mm, 1280 mm and 1550 mm are 86.3 kN, 106 kN, 124.7 kN and 177.7 kN, respectively. The corresponding shear strengths are 6.84 MPa, 5.59 MPa, 4.9 MPa, and 5.56 MPa, respectively. Nine computation formulas of shear capacity in the literature, such as ACI 318M-14, EN 1992-1-1, GB50010-2010 and so on, are used to calculate the shear capacities of these recycled concrete beams for comparison. The comparative study shows that it is feasible to consider the size effect in the computation of shear capacity for the recycled concrete beam. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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20 pages, 8573 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on the Tensile Performance of Headed Stud Shear Connectors with Head-Sectional Damage
by Xiaoqing Xu, Shanwen Zeng, Wei He, Zhujian Hou, Dongyang He and Tao Yang
Materials 2022, 15(8), 2802; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15082802 - 11 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1940
Abstract
An extensive numerical study was carried out due to the concern that head-sectional damage caused by corrosion poses a threat to the tensile performance of headed stud connectors. Three-dimensional finite element models of pull-out tests were established, with both material and geometric nonlinearities [...] Read more.
An extensive numerical study was carried out due to the concern that head-sectional damage caused by corrosion poses a threat to the tensile performance of headed stud connectors. Three-dimensional finite element models of pull-out tests were established, with both material and geometric nonlinearities being considered. In particular, the concrete weak region due to bleeding was simulated. The simulation method was verified by the results of pull-out tests on two connectors with different damage degrees. Tensile performance of headed stud shear connectors of various shaft diameters (ds = 10 to 25 mm) with various damage degrees (up to 50%) was simulated. It was observed that the connector with a high damage degree exhibited low capacity and a failure closer to pull-out failure than concrete cone breakout failure. Based on the numerical results, reduction factors for quantitatively assessing the influence of head-sectional damage degree on the loading capacity and stiffness of connectors were proposed. With reference to the Concrete Capacity method, the reduction in tensile capacity of connectors with head-sectional damage was found to be caused by the decrease in the projected area of the concrete cone due to the reduction in head diameter, concrete cone angle, and embedment depth. Meanwhile, numerical results showed that the stiffness of a connector at a high embedment depth or in high strength concrete was more sensitive to head-sectional damage. It was also found that the elastic modulus of the weak region significantly affected the stiffness of connectors, while the influence of its thickness on the capacity and stiffness was insignificant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Study, Numerical Simulation & Structural Applications of Construction Materials)
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