The effect of using basalt fibers on the fresh, mechanical, durability, and corrosion properties of reinforced concrete was investigated in this study. The study was performed using different basalt fiber volume fractions of 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, and 0.50%, while two different water/cement (w/c) ratios of 0.35 and 0.40 were utilized. The results were compared to conventional concrete (PC) as well as steel fiber concrete (SFC) with 0.30% and 0.50% steel fibers volume fractions. An extensive experimental program of 336 samples was conducted in four stages as follows: testing for fresh properties included slump and unit weight tests; mechanical properties testing included compressive strength tests, split tensile strength tests, flexural strength tests, and average residual strength tests; durability testing included unrestrained shrinkage and surface resistivity tests; and a Rapid Macrocell corrosion evaluation test for corrosion properties. The test results showed that the use of basalt fibers reduces slump values as the fiber volume fraction increases; however, with the use of the appropriate amount of High Range Water Admixture (HRWA), target slump values can be achieved. Moreover, a considerable improvement in the compressive, tensile, flexural, average residual strength and durability properties was achieved in case of using basalt fibers. On the other hand, corrosion rates increased with the increase in fiber volumes. However, it can be concluded that utilizing a 0.30% fibers volume fraction is the optimum ratio with an overall acceptable performance with respect to mechanical and corrosion properties.

Accidental collisions involving over-height trucks that exceed vertical clearance limits and bridge superstructures frequently happen, resulting in compromised girders and potential threats to structural safety and performance. The numerical simulation of large-scale prestressed girder bridge collisions poses challenges due to the associated nonlinearities, as well as the limited availability of large-scale experimental testing data in the literature due to cost and complexity constraints. This study introduces a numerical modeling approach to efficiently capture the response of prestressed girder bridges under lateral impact loads. A finite element (FE) model was developed using LS-DYNA and meticulously validated against experimental data from the literature. The study explored four methods for applying prestressing forces and evaluated the performance of four concrete material constitutive models, including the Continuous Surface Cap Model (CSCM), Concrete Damage Plastic Model (CDPM), Karagozian & Case Concrete (KCC) model, and Winfrith concrete model, under impact loads. Furthermore, an impact study was conducted to investigate the influence of impact speed, impact mass, and prestressing force on the behavior of prestressed girder bridges. Utilizing the dynamic relaxation (DR) approach, the developed FE model precisely captured the response of prestressed girders under impact loads. The CSCM yielded the most accurate predictions of impact forces, with an error of less than 8%, and demonstrated a strong ability to predict damage patterns. Impact speed, mass, and the presence of prestressing force showed a significant influence on the resulting peak impact force experienced by the girder. Furthermore, the study underscores the composite nature of the bridge’s response and emphasizes the importance of analyzing the bridge as a whole rather than focusing solely on individual girders.

In recent years, the alarming number of terrorist attacks has highlighted the critical need for extensive research aimed at fortifying structures against explosion-induced loads. However, the insufficient energy absorption and brittleness of conventional concrete make it ineffective in withstanding blast loading, encouraging researchers to explore innovative strategies for augmenting the energy dissipation capabilities of construction materials. This study specifically delves into the incorporation of recycled rubber, a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to the pressing issue of scrap tire disposal. The primary focus of this research revolves around the integration of rubber recycling and steel fibers into concrete, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the dynamic response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This novel approach not only contributes to the structural resilience required for resisting blast impacts, but also aligns with eco-friendly practices by reusing recycled rubber. A meticulous numerical investigation was undertaken to comprehensively assess the static and blast response of these augmented beams. The numerical study involved developing finite element (FE) models using ABAQUS version 6.14 for static implicit analysis and LS-DYNA R11 for blast explicit simulations. The ABAQUS model was validated against previous experimental testing for load–displacement and failure patterns. Similarly, the LS-DYNA model was validated for blast pressure in accordance with UFC-3-340 standards and for material response under blast loading, utilizing existing experimental data. The numerical models were designed to accommodate varying weight percentages of rubber, ranging from 5% to 20%, and a consistent 1.0% incorporation of steel fibers. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of these materials in improving the structural integrity and blast resistance of RC beams, thereby contributing to the development of more secure and sustainable construction practices. By reducing the reinforcement ratio in order to meet the minimum code requirements, it became evident that the failures of the rubberized RC beams tended to exhibit ductility on the tension side under static loading. In addition, the increase in the reinforcement ratio correlated with a higher failure load and decreased deflection. Furthermore, the findings indicated an optimal concrete mixture characterized by improved ductility, energy absorption, and blast load capacity, achieved by combining 5–10% rubber with steel fibers.

Nowadays energy saving has become one of the most compelling sectors in the world. Thermal insulation of buildings presents an effective solution for energy conservation. Aerogel insulation is the most advanced insulation material for building application. Having low thermal conductivity around 15 mW/(m.K), high resistance to perforation, and flexibility to be cut and adapt at building site make Aerogel one of the most promising thermal insulations. In this paper, the feasibility of using Aerogel blankets as a super insulator has been experimentally verified using small scale laboratory test, large scale field test and high-fidelity computer simulations using Energy-Plus. A reduction in energy use by 23% and 38% was observed when using single (10 mm) and double (20 mm) layers of aerogel, respectively for a period of one year. Furthermore, payback analysis confirmed the effectiveness of using Aerogel. Aerogel insulation will help engineers to build energy efficient buildings.