Vol.5,No.3,2025-Table of Contents
- OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE
- Experimental and theoretical study of replaceable energy-dissipation devices for beam-column joints under cyclic loads
- Sustainable Structures Vol.5,No.3,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2025.000085 Online published:2025-8-28
- Abstract This paper presents two types of metal dampers for beam-column joints based on the replaceability design concept after an earthquake. A low-cyclic loading test of slit/corrugated dampers was conducted, revealing the failure and load-bearing mechanisms. The distribution of shear loads on steel hinges, slit plates, and corrugated plates at varying displacements was examined. A finite element (FE) model incorporating the Chaboche constitutive was established. The influence of geometrical parameters, including the T-stiffened plate, slit plate, and corrugated plate, on the peak bearing capacity and initial stiffness of metal dampers is discussed in detail. The results show that the peak bearing capacity of the damper is negatively correlated with the aspect ratio of the T-stiffening plate, which is recommended to be limited to 1.27. Increasing the thickness of the T-stiffened plate can effectively delay damage to the slit plate and corrugated plate. It is advised that the thickness of the T-stiffened plate should exceed that of the corresponding slit and corrugated plates. Increasing the thickness of corrugated plates from 3mm to 9mm delays buckling and increases initial stiffness by 15.34% and 10.91%, respectively. The skeleton curve model for the metal damper was established, providing both experimental and theoretical references for slit and corrugated metal dampers in engineering applications.… More
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- Investigating MICP sand stabilization with Bacillus thuringiensis: nutrient concentration and availability
- Sustainable Structures Vol.5,No.3,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2025.000084 Online published:2025-8-28
- Abstract This study investigates Bacillus thuringiensis TISTR 126 in Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) for sand stabilization in neutral pH environments. It addresses a gap in research on non-alkali-tolerant bacteria. Most MICP studies focus on ureolytic bacteria, which thrive in alkaline conditions. B. thuringiensis is cost-effective, widely available, non-pathogenic, and suitable for neutral pH, making it a promising alternative. The study investigates the effects of nutrient availability and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on calcium carbonate formation and the mechanical properties of sand, including water permeability, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and internal friction angle. Results show that optimizing the cementation solution enhances sand properties, leading to a 12.1% increase in density, a ten-fold reduction in water permeability, and a UCS of approximately 339.6 kPa. The highest cementation ratio produced an internal friction angle of 48°, indicating a dense structure. This research addresses the critical gap in nutrient optimization for MICP processes. It introduces B. thuringiensis as a viable, sustainable, and non-pathogenic alternative to traditional ureolytic bacteria for sand stabilization, broadening the scope of MICP applications.… More
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- Experimental study on the suitability of highland bamboo sawdust in improving expansive soil
- Sustainable Structures Vol.5,No.3,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2025.000083 Online published:2025-8-28
- Abstract Soils are naturally existing materials that challenges civil engineering structures such as roads and buildings. However, not all soils are suitable materials to uses due to their changing in strength and stability under fluctuating environmental conditions. Expansive soils, in particular, pose substantial challenges due to their propensity to experience considerable volumetric changes with variations in moisture content. This instability can lead to structural damage and increased maintenance costs. The study aims on improving soil's engineering properties using highland bamboo sawdust as a stabilizing agent in Jimma City. This study considered two soil samples collected from Jimma City, around the Jimma University Institute of Technology campus and Urael area. The soil samples were mixed-up with the highland bamboo sawdust in proportions of 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, and 20 %by weight. Tests in lab, such as Atterberg limit, specific gravity, free swell, compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR), and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) were performed for the improvement of subgrade soil. The laboratory tests were performed on mixed soil samples according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and ASTM laboratory test procedures. The designated soil samples were categorized as A-7-5 soil based on the AASHTO and CH based on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), which is clay soil with poor engineering characteristics. Tolerable strength was attained with 16%, which is the ideal Highland bamboo sawdust (HBSD) content in improvement of the expansive soil nature. Maximum Dry Density (MDD) improved from 1.45g/cm3 in natural soil to 1.57g/cm3 in 16% HBSD-treated soil. There is a significant change in CBR values from 1.31% to 9.8% with and without highland bamboo sawdust, respectively. Thus, the optimum values were attained at 16% HBSD.… More
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- A review on contemporary developments in biofiber and its prospective applications in civil engineering
- Sustainable Structures Vol.5,No.3,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2025.000082 Online published:2025-8-28
- Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing focus among researchers on exploring the viability of biobased fibers as sustainable alternatives to conventional building materials. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape concerning the utilization of biofibers in civil engineering. It offers insights into the existing and potential applications of biofibers across various domains within civil engineering, encompassing structural, geotechnical, transportation, and environmental engineering. The article delves into the fundamental properties of biofibers, including their mechanical and chemical characteristics, shedding light on their potential for diverse engineering applications. Additionally, it addresses both the challenges and potential advantages associated with integrating biofibers into civil engineering practices. Through an in-depth examination of the current state of research, this review aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding sustainable materials in the field of civil engineering.… More
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- Optimizing ceramic waste powder ratios for cost and CO2 emission reduction in high-strength concrete to enhance efficiency and sustainability
- Sustainable Structures Vol.5,No.3,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2025.000081 Online published:2025-8-28
- Abstract Ceramic waste abundant in construction, is typically landfilled due to its brittleness but emerges as a promising cement substitute because of its unique chemical constitution. This investigation aims to expand the utilization of ceramic waste, exceptionally eco-friendly sanitary ceramic waste powder (SCWP) and tiles ceramic waste powder (TCWP), as a substitute for cement to produce sustainable HSC. Eleven HSC mixes incorporating ceramic waste at up to 50% were examined, assessing mechanical properties as compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength alongside elasticity modulus. Additionally, durability factors were conducted, including chloride penetration resistance, Sorptivity coefficient, microstructure analysis, and EDX tests. Economic and environmental evaluations encompassed cost analysis, CO2 emissions, and energy consumption. Results demonstrate that incorporating up to 50% of ceramic waste does not compromise concrete's compressive strength, exceeding 60 MPa targets. Relative tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity showed enhancement, notably with 40% TCWP. After 28-day curing, chloride ion penetration decreased by 6.16% compared to conventional mixes with 30% SCWP and TCWP. Economic and environmental analyses revealed significant reductions in CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and the binder OPC/ CWP cost by more than 47 %, 39 %, and 34.9 %, respectively, with 50% SCWP and TCWP. Ceramic waste proves viable as a binder material in sustainable HSC up to 40%, offering cost reductions.… More
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- Effect of rice husk ash on compressive strength of sustainable pervious concrete and prediction model using machine learning algorithms
- Sustainable Structures Vol.5,No.3,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2025.000080 Online published:2025-8-28
- Abstract This study investigates the effect of rice husk ash (RHA) on compressive strength of pervious concrete and explores the use of machine learning (ML) for forecasting its strength. An inclusive dataset encompassing various parameters of pervious concrete with RHA was compiled from published research. This data was utilized to develop and assess ML models for predicting compressive strength. Six different algorithms, including Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Boosted tree regression (BT), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Linear regression (LR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), were investigated. The findings indicate an optimal RHA content for achieving maximum strength, with compressive strength generally increasing to a 10% replacement level and then decreasing with further RHA substitution. The analysis showed that the SVR model was the most effective and reliable option for prediction. SVR model achieved greater performance related to other models, exhibiting a higher coefficient of determination and lower values for Root Mean Square Error and Mean Absolute Error. The study shows that SVR model can accurately identify how different factors in data influence each other. This makes it a valuable tool for predicting how strong pervious concrete is with RHA under compression. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis showed that aggregate size significantly affects compressive strength, followed by water-to-binder ratio and curing period.… More
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- Improving the load-carrying capacity of structures consisting of multiple elements
- Sustainable Structures Vol.5,No.3,2025 DOI:10.54113/j.sust.2025.000079 Online published:2025-8-28
- Abstract The paper presents a very powerful method in structural engineering, referred to as the method of aggregation, for reducing the weight and increasing load capacity of structures. Rigorous results have been stated and proved, forming the foundation of the aggregation method for structures composed of beams with arbitrarily shaped cross-sections. The essence of this method, overlooked in modern stress analysis, lies in consolidating loaded elements into a reduced number of elements with larger cross-sections, thereby significantly decreasing the material required to support a given total load. For instance, in a five-to-one aggregation of cantilever and simply supported beams, material usage can be reduced by a factor of 1.71. For cantilever and simply supported beams, the reduction in material volume, deflection, and stress depends only on the scaling factor of the cross-section along the y-axis and is independent of the scaling factor along the x-axis. The aggregation method was tested by a case study and finite element experiments involving structures built on statically determinate cantilever beams and statically indeterminate portal frames. These studies confirmed that aggregating elements loaded in bending leads to a drastic increase of the load capacity of the structures and a drastic decrease of both the maximum von Mises stress and the maximum deflection.… More
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