JOURNAL OF MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION

Effect of the concrete compressive strength on the structural behaviour of the steel concrete composite cloumn

2025-11-11T02:13:18+00:00

Composite column has been popularly used in buildings, which are mainly subjected to forces and end moments. There are two types of the steel concrete composite columns: open sections partially or fully encased in concrete, and concrete-filled hollow steel sections. The first type of section has used for fireproof and the slender structural steel can be protected buckling by the exterior concrete, while the remaining type can prevent the transverse deformation of the concrete inside and enhance the load capacity. The steel tube serves as a formwork for casting the concrete, which reduces the construction cost. In this study, four the steel concrete composite columns with concrete-filled hollow steel sections were tested to investigate the effect of the concrete compressive strength on the structural behaviour of the steel concrete composite columns. The parameters observed are load capacity, longitudinal and transverse deformation of the tube steel and the concrete, and the column failure.

Design guide for ferrocement floating pontoons for flood-adapted housing in the Mekong Delta

2026-02-02T02:49:10+00:00

Climate change, sea-level rise, and increasingly severe floods have intensified the demand for flood-adapted housing solutions in the Mekong Delta. Ferrocement floating pontoons are a promising option because they can be locally fabricated, provide adequate structural performance for thin-walled water-retaining tanks, and enable multifunctional use (e.g., flotation during floods and water storage in dry seasons). This study develops a practical calculation and design guide for ferrocement floating pontoons serving as buoyant foundations for floating/amphibious houses. The guide defines representative pontoon cross-sections (rectangular and U-shaped) and preliminary buoyancy sizing based on floor-area loading, equilibrium flotation, and freeboard requirements; formulates actions and load combinations consistent with pontoon working stages, including: pontoons resting on the ground subjected to external hydrostatic pressure and ground reaction, initial flotation under buoyancy, lateral water pressure and wave effects, and special accidental conditions including impact; and provides structural checks for strength and serviceability, emphasizing crack-width control for durability in non-aggressive and aggressive/water-retaining environments. For house systems guided by four corner posts or restrained by four flexible mooring lines, the guide highlights controlled vertical movement and connection detailing to prevent pontoon separation. The proposed workflow supports safer, more consistent engineering design and local deployment of ferrocement pontoons for flood resilience in the Mekong Delta.

Evaluation of the strength, dimensional stability, and microstructure of lightweight alkali-activated mortar incorporating used coffee grounds

2026-02-11T09:45:50+00:00

Due to the shortage of natural river sand and the uncontrolled disposal of coffee waste, this study investigates the use of used coffee grounds (UCG) as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in producing lightweight alkali-activated mortar (LAAM). Coal bottom ash (BA) was replaced with UCG at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by volume. Experimental evaluations included segregation resistance, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), drying shrinkage, and microstructural analysis. The results showed that all mixtures exhibited acceptable homogeneity without significant segregation. A 5% UCG replacement increased compressive strength and UPV compared with the control mixture, owing to improved matrix compactness and internal curing. However, higher UCG contents led to reduced compressive strength and UPV values. Drying shrinkage decreased in UCG-modified mixtures, with LC-15 exhibiting the lowest shrinkage (best dimensional stability). SEM observations confirmed denser gel formation and better particle matrix bonding in LC-05, whereas LC-10 and LC-15 showed weaker interfaces and more voids. A 5% UCG content is recommended for practical application. These findings highlight the potential of UCG as an environmentally friendly alternative to fine aggregate for lightweight composites, supporting waste valorization and reducing the consumption of natural sand.

The importance of teaching English for Specific Purposes in architecture and construction in Hanoi Architectural University

2025-12-08T08:23:48+00:00

This paper discusses the importance of teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in the fields of architecture and construction in HAU (Hanoi Architectural University), where effective communication and access to updated knowledge are crucial for academic and professional success. As globalization reshapes the construction industry, English has become the lingua franca for international collaboration, technical documentation, and design innovation. The study highlights how ESP contributes to students’ academic performance by improving their reading comprehension of technical texts, writing skills for project documentation, and presentation abilities in design studios. Moreover, it emphasizes the professional advantages of ESP, such as negotiating contracts, preparing tenders, and networking in international forums. The paper also examines the role of ESP in facilitating access to global research, technology, and sustainable practices, which are often published in English. Challenges in teaching ESP in HAU including limited resources, lack of subject-specific expertise among teachers, and varying student motivation—are also solved. Finally, the article suggests strategies such as needs analysis, collaboration with subject experts, and task-based learning to enhance ESP instruction. Overall, the paper argues that integrating ESP into architecture and construction education is vital for preparing future professionals to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and competitive global environment.

Modified space-truss model for predicting the torsional capacity of ultra-high-performance concrete beams

2026-02-03T03:04:48+00:00

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) beams exhibit enhanced post-cracking stress transfer due to fiber bridging, a mechanism not adequately represented in conventional torsion design provisions. This study develops a modified space-truss model (MSTM) to predict the ultimate torsional capacity of UHPC beams under pure torsion. The proposed formulation retains the three-dimensional space-truss analogy and thin-walled tube idealization, while explicitly incorporating the tensile contribution of UHPC through equivalent longitudinal and transverse tensile components. In addition, the inclination angle of the concrete strut is refined using equilibrium and strain-compatibility considerations rather than fixed code-recommended values. The reliability of the MSTM is validated using a compiled database of 40 UHPC beams from previous experimental studies and benchmarked against the truss-based provisions in ACI 318-19 and GB 50010. The results indicate that both code-based approaches tend to provide conservative predictions. In contrast, the proposed MSTM achieves improved agreement with experiments (mean value = 0.90 for T_u,cal/T_u,exp) while remaining slightly conservative for design.

Can blockchain replace auditors?

2026-01-15T10:57:15+00:00

Blockchain technology is a modern application of the 4.0 industrial revolution, applied in many fields; auditing is not exempt from its influence. Blockchain is a general ledger that records all transactions of parties participating in the system. With Blockchain, double-entry has been moved to a completely new era - Triple-entry. All parties can view and check information on the Blocks. With automatic recording and checking of transactions, Blockchain will reduce a large amount of work for accountants. At the same time, with the advantage of high accuracy, the difficulty in falsifying information will significantly reduce the sample size in the detailed testing of auditors. The article summarizes the development process and operation of Blockchain in general and Blockchain for accounting records, studies the transformation of accounting from single entry to double entry, and develops into Triple entry under Blockchain technology conditions. From there, the article analyzes and evaluates the impacts and challenges on auditing work.

Experimental study on the influence of non-fired brick walls on the behavior of multi-span reinforced concrete frames

2025-11-18T09:40:46+00:00

In construction projects, the infill wall within the frame primarily serves the purpose of providing coverage. Nonetheless, this infill wall also plays a role in enhancing the stiffness of the frame, thereby minimizing the horizontal displacement of the structure. Infill walls are commonly constructed using fired clay bricks. However, in recent years, the extraction of clay for brick production has led to the depletion of clay resources and has had a significant negative impact on the environment. This study involved the use of non-fired brick to create infill walls within two-span reinforced concrete frames. The research findings indicate that the bearing capacity of the frame improved by 220% when utilizing non-fired brick measuring 40×80×180mm and 80×80×180mm. Utilizing 40×80×180mm non-fired brick results in an 8.4 times reduction in the horizontal displacement of the frame. In contrast, employing 80×80×180mm non-fired brick leads to an 8.9 times reduction in horizontal displacement, both measured against the case without brick filling at a load level of 50kN, which represents the destructive load level of the frame absent infill walls.