Vol.2,No.1,2026-Table of Contents
- OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE
- Dowel-bearing properties of bolted joints in eucalyptus-based wood scrimber composites: An experimental and numerical investigation
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.2,No.1,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2026.000019 Online published:2026-6-9
- Abstract Understanding the dowel-bearing behavior of engineered wood products is essential for the design of reliable mechanical connections in sustainable timber structures. This study investigates the embedment performance of eucalyptus-based wood scrimber (EBWS), a high-density and low-carbon engineered composite, under various dowel diameters and loading directions. A total of 240 specimens were tested using both half-hole and full-hole embedment methods across four orthotropic configurations. The influence of dowel diameter, loading orientation, and test configuration on bearing strength and initial stiffness was analyzed. Finite element simulations incorporating the Hill yield criterion and localized “weak zones” were conducted using ABAQUS to capture stress evolution and failure mechanisms. Results show that dowel diameter significantly affects stiffness and strength evolution, and that half-hole tests yield higher and more stable embedment performance than full-hole tests. The findings provide experimental insight and modeling strategies for the reliable application of EBWS in dowel-connected structural systems.… More
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- Enhancing eco-concrete: the role of natural fibres and water content to improve the strength and lifespan of sustainable pavement materials
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.2,No.1,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2026.000018 Online published:2026-6-9
- Abstract Many concerns have been raised about the adverse environmental impacts of conventional concrete. Using natural sponge fibre (NSF) in concrete to improve mechanical and durability properties makes it a sustainable innovation in construction materials. Hence, this study aims to explore the combine effects of NSF content (0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%) and water-to-binder (wb) ratios (0.45, 0.50, 0.55) on the performance of natural sponge fibre reinforced concrete (NSFRC) for pavement applications. Experimentally, concrete mixtures were prepared by adding NSF and wb ratios. The impact of fibre content (Fc) and wb on the physical and mechanical properties of NSFRC was evaluated and compared with those of plain concrete (Pc). The results indicate that advancing NSF content decreases flowability, density, and compressive strength compared to the Pc. However, tensile splitting strength increases significantly enhances at 0.75% fibre and wb 0.50, improving crack resistance and toughness, as shown by the stress-strain curves and evidenced by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructure. Research indicates NSFRC serves as a sustainable pavement material suitable for engineering applications, warranting further research into its long-term field performance and standardization.… More
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- Predicting compressive strength of fly ash blended sandcrete using machine learning models
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.2,No.1,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2026.000017 Online published:2026-6-9
- Abstract Cement-based materials, particularly sandcrete, play a crucial role in the construction industry, where demand for sustainable and high-performance materials is increasing. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, has gained attention as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to improve the sustainability of these materials. However, predicting the compressive strength of fly ash-blended mortars, which is essential for ensuring the structural integrity and durability of construction materials, remains a challenge. This study aims to address this gap by leveraging advanced machine learning techniques to predict the compressive strength of fly ash blended sandcrete, using key input variables such as aggregate-to-binder ratio (Agg/B), fly ash-to-binder ratio (FA/B), water-to-binder ratio (W/B), and curing time. While previous research has focused on conventional cement mortars, few studies have integrated these key variables using machine learning models. The goal of this research is to develop a reliable and accurate predictive model for compressive strength, filling a gap in existing literature regarding the influence of multiple input variables on mortar performance. The study employs four machine learning models - Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) - to evaluate their performance in predicting compressive strength. The results show that XGB outperforms other models, achieving an R² of 0.84 for training data and 0.74 for testing data, along with the lowest prediction errors. These findings demonstrate the potential of machine learning models, particularly XGB, in optimizing mix designs and improving sustainability in construction, offering valuable insights for future material innovations.… More
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- Unveiling the impact of steel fiber type on self-compacting concrete performance under intense fire
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.2,No.1,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2026.000016 Online published:2026-6-9
- Abstract One of the problems that concrete structures may face is fire exposure, which can cause several issues for concrete structures, deterioration, reduction in serviceability, and potentially demolition. In this study, self-compacting concrete was used and reinforced with steel fiber as a volume fraction Vf by 0.75, 1.25, and 1.75% for both hook and micro steel fiber. The fresh and mechanical properties of all the tested mixes were examined. It was observed that the addition of fibers reduced the fresh properties and increased the mechanical properties for both types of fibers, especially for hook steel fiber. To study the effect of fire exposure on the properties of concrete, the samples were subjected to direct burning at temperatures reaching 300, 400, and 500°C for one hour of exposure, followed by gradual cooling to ambient temperature. It was noted that the mechanical properties significantly decreased with increasing burning temperatures, and the presence of fibers mitigated the deterioration that concrete is subjected to during burning. This enhancement was directly proportional to the augmentation of fiber volume fraction for both types, except for 1.75% hook steel fiber at 400 and 500°C, where there was a decrease in the improvement rates. Moreover, as for 1.75% micro steel fibers, this behavior was observed at 500°C only.… More
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- Recycling carbon-glass fiber composites via thermal process: mechanical property evaluation
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.2,No.1,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2026.000015 Online published:2026-6-9
- Abstract Polymer composites are not readily biodegradable in nature, resulting in significant material waste. The growing use of polymer composites has led to increased material waste due to their limited recyclability. This research recycles a carbon-glass fiber-reinforced hybrid composite (CGFRC) and investigates the mechanical properties of the recycled specimen, comparing them with those of the new specimen. The work focuses on recovering carbon and glass fiber from the epoxy matrix through a thermal recycling method and remanufacturing the composite with recycled fibers. New and recycled composite specimens underwent tensile and flexural strength tests to assess their mechanical properties. The findings showed that the recycled specimens had reduced physical and mechanical properties compared to the new ones. The new specimen demonstrates a tensile strength of 36.85 MPa and a flexural strength of 37.19 MPa. In contrast, the recycled specimens exhibit a tensile strength of only 11.15 MPa and a flexural strength of 29.82 MPa. This indicates a notable reduction in mechanical properties for the recycled material, which retains approximately 80% of its initial flexural strength but only 30% of its tensile strength. SEM analysis revealed the presence of voids, poor distribution of fibers, and epoxy residue in the recycled specimen.… More
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- Mechanical and durability properties of ultra-high-performance concrete of spent nuclear fuel dry storage systems: a review
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.2,No.1,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2026.000014 Online published:2026-6-9
- Abstract Dry storage systems are used for interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). However, with the growing need to extend the operational periods of these systems, there are concerns about the degradation of their concrete overpacks, which could compromise the system's structural integrity and safety during hazardous events. Traditional concrete mixtures used in SNF dry storage systems have remained largely unchanged since their inception and often use conventional ingredients. These materials are susceptible to degradation mechanisms such as chemical attacks, alkali-silica reactions (ASR), and freeze–thaw cycles, which can lead to a loss of strength and durability over time. To address these challenges, this paper reviews the application of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) as a promising alternative for spent nuclear fuel dry storage system overpacks. UHPC offers superior mechanical properties, exceptional durability, and reduced susceptibility to degradation mechanisms compared to conventional concrete. This paper focuses on the role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as silica fume, fly ash, and metakaolin in enhancing UHPC performance for SNF storage applications. These SCMs have been shown to significantly improve the material’s microstructure, strength, and resistance to environmental stressors typically encountered in SNF storage environments. Moreover, incorporating SCMs supports sustainable construction by reducing cement consumption and associated carbon emissions. The review brings together existing research and experimental data, providing insights for engineers and researchers on developing UHPC mixtures that meet the rigorous demands of spent nuclear fuel dry storage systems, extending their service life and minimizing inspection intervals.… More
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- The investigation of using waste plastic fiber in economic concrete production
- Sustainable Engineering Materials Vol.2,No.1,2026 DOI:10.54113/j.suem.2026.000013 Online published:2026-6-9
- Abstract Much research has been done on concrete using new materials, especially when reinforced with fibers, but researchers did not know how to include the plastic fibers in concrete. However, this study has investigated the effect of replacing natural aggregate with recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) at 25%, 50% or 75%, and adding plastic fiber (PF) at 0.5%, 1%, or 2% in concrete. Compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and elastic modulus were tested to gain knowledge of concrete behavior, and the study comprehensively covers hardened properties of concrete. The most important results were reached from the analysis of concrete properties, such as substituting a low amount of RCA by 25% and adding a small proportion of fiber by 1% can enhance the strength of a concrete; on the other hand, substituting larger amounts of RCA by higher than 50% and adding greater proportions of fiber up 2% can decrease of strength. The highest increase in compressive strength was recorded when a mixture of 25% of RCA with 1%PF by 10.92% compared to the control mixture.… More
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