International Concrete Abstracts Portal

This study employs advanced nonlinear finite element modeling to investigate Interface Shear Transfer (IST) behavior in RC connections, a crucial factor for bridge durability and safety. The research examines shear transfer mechanisms at the interface between precast girders and cast-in-place deck segments through three experimental methods: beam, push-off, and Iosipescu four-point bending tests. FE simulations evaluated stress distributions, IST capacity, and failure mechanisms. Validation against experimental data shows that the Iosipescu test provides the most accurate representation of IST behavior, exhibiting a stress distribution error margin of only 1%, closely aligning with observed failure patterns. In contrast, the push-off test showed a 30% deviation from empirical data, indicating reduced accuracy in predicting real-world IST behavior. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating the Iosipescu test into IST evaluation protocols, as its greater precision enhances design methodologies for concrete bridges, reduces structural failure risks, and informs future updates to IST-related codes.

This study investigates the impact of air-entraining admixtures (AEA) on mortar performance, focusing on fresh-state and hardened-state properties critical to durability and engineering applications. Ten distinct mortar mixtures were analyzed, following guidelines established by EFNARC (European Federation of National Associations Representing Producers and Applicators of Specialist Building Products for Concrete). AEAs were introduced at varying proportions (0.01–0.5% of cement weight) to evaluate their effects on intrinsic properties (density, void ratio, water absorption), rheological parameters (plastic viscosity, yield stress), and mechanical characteristics (compressive strength, ultrasonic velocity, modulus of elasticity).

Regression models were developed, yielding high predictive accuracy with R² values exceeding 0.98. Notably, ultrasonic velocity and modulus of elasticity demonstrated strong correlations with intrinsic properties across all curing ages. Similarly, compressive strength showed significant associations with rheological parameters, highlighting the influence of air content and flow behavior on structural performance. These findings offer precise quantitative models for predicting mortar behavior and optimizing formulations for enhanced performance.

Coastal reinforced concrete bridges are critical infrastructures, yet they face significant threats from corrosion due to saline environments and extreme loads like wave-induced forces and seismic events. This state-of-the-art review examines the resilience of corrosion-damaged RC bridges under such conditions. It compiles advanced methodologies and technological innovations to assess and enhance durability and safety. Key highlights include synthesizing loss estimation models with advanced reliability methods for a robust resilience assessment framework. Analyzing catastrophic bridge failures and environmental deterioration, the review underscores the urgent need for innovative materials and protective technologies. It emphasizes advanced analytical models like Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) and Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) to evaluate combined impacts. The findings advocate for engineered cementitious composites (ECC) and advanced sensor systems for improved real-time monitoring and resilience. Future research should focus on developing comprehensive resilience models accounting for corrosion, seismic, and wave-induced loads to enhance infrastructure safety and sustainability.

Past researchers have concentrated on the durability characteristics of textile-reinforced cementitious composites with quartz and silica sand. However, to make it easily available for construction, this study explores the durability characteristics of cementitious composites (CC) with the available manufactured sand before applying it to textile reinforcement. It is more important to study the durability characteristics as the main aim of application is to construct thin structures without coarse aggregate. Thus, the durability and microstructural characteristics of basalt fiber (BF)-reinforced fine-grained CC incorporated with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) as a partial substitution of cement (BFRFGC) were studied. The CC were exposed to different exposure conditions, such as acidic environment, alkaline environment, and elevated temperature. Then, their visual appearance and change in weight and strength were studied as per the codal provisions at several exposure ages. In addition, microstructural studies were also performed at different exposure conditions and were compared with the specimens before exposure. The BFRFGC showed 61.93% and 27.58% lower strength and weight change than controlled fine-grained CC (CFGC) under extreme conditions (that is, exposure to sulfuric acid). Also, the results from microstructural studies reveal that BF and BFRFGC are resistant to all these conditions. Subsequently, BFRFGC has superior resistance under various exposure conditions and excellent durability characteristics.