JOURNAL OF MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION

Numerical Study on the Settlement of Soft Soil Reinforced by Soil-Cement Columns comparing to Viet Nam standard - A Case Study in Can Tho, Vietnam

2025-07-11T09:48:28+00:00

Soft clay in the Mekong Delta often settles too much under road embankments. This paper studies how the main geometric factors of soil–cement columns (SCCs)—column length and spacing—change the settlement. Forty-two 2D PLAXIS models were run for four lengths (8, 10, 12, 14 m) and nine spacing ratios (Sc/D = 2.0–4.0, column diameter 0.8 m). For the block ground reinforced by SCC, the calculated settlements were compared with Vietnamese standards TCVN 9403:2012 values and TCCS 41:2022. The results show three clear trends. First, short columns (8 m) give large settlement that grows quickly as spacing widens, while columns 12 m or longer make settlements almost constant for the same spacing range. Second, an economical spacing ratio of Sc/D is from 2.0 to 2.5. Third, the code method is inconsistent: it underestimates settlement for tight grids but overestimates it for long columns with wide grids. The study concludes that 12 m SCCs spaced at 2.0D –3.0D give deltaic clay the best balance between cost and performance. Wider grids or deeper columns should be checked with finite-element analysis to avoid unsafe or overly conservative designs.

Characterization of municipal solid waste in Vietnam: Case study in Nghe An province

2025-11-13T07:08:43+00:00

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management remains a pressing challenge in rapidly urbanizing regions of Vietnam. This study presents the first node-specific characterization of MSW in Nghe An province, based on seven composite samples collected from sources, transfer stations, and landfill sites in urban area. Material fractions, physico-chemical properties, and energy content were analyzed following international standards. Results reveal strong spatial variability: organics dominate at source (up to 66% in market waste), while downstream streams are enriched in ash and inert fractions. Moisture content in Nghe An (31–51%) is markedly lower than the national average (~79%), yielding volatile solids of ~70% of total solids. Net heating value (NHV) ranges from 4.5 to 13.0 MJ/kg (mean ≈9.97 MJ/kg), exceeding the Vietnamese average (6–9 MJ/kg) but below values reported for China (~19 MJ/kg) and high-income countries (>12 MJ/kg). These findings suggest that large-scale incineration is unlikely to be viable; instead, node-specific solutions are recommended-composting or anaerobic digestion for organic-rich fractions, and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for dry, combustible streams. The study provides a baseline for integrated MSW management in Vietnam and demonstrates the value of node-specific analysis the low collection rate in the rural areas in Nghe An in guiding technology selection for lower-middle-income contexts.

Automated RC-column design to TCVN 5574:2018 using excel VBA–CSi API integration

2025-06-27T04:37:53+00:00

In the Vietnamese structural engineering context, designing reinforced concrete columns to the updated standard TCVN 5574:2018 often involves time-consuming manual processes because mainstream software like ETABS does not yet natively support this code. This paper introduces an automated design approach directly linking ETABS with Excel through the CSi application programming interface (API), eliminating manual data export or import. The design procedure is implemented using Excel’s Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and CSi API macros, which programmatically control ETABS to control the model, retrieve analysis results and perform iterative design calculations to meet code requirements. By integrating analysis and design in a single automated loop, the workflow significantly accelerates the column design process and minimizes human errors compared to traditional manual or semi-manual methods. The verified results show that the tool can design multiple columns in just around 21 seconds instead of significant minutes. This efficient workflow saves time and provides a foundation for future enhancements, such as linking the system to AutoCAD for automatic reinforcement detailing.

Assessing energy consumption and operational carbon emission: A case study of office building in Hanoi

2025-11-24T10:13:52+00:00

This study investigated the energy consumption characteristics and associated operational carbon emissions of a specific office building located in Hanoi during the period from Sep 2024 to May 2025. Monthly electricity consumption, technical and operational data were collected through site surveys and engineering drawings. The analysis revealed that energy consumption was strongly influenced by seasonal climatic conditions, with cooling loads driving the increased electricity demand during the warmer months (September – November, 2024 and April – May, 2025). Plug loads were identified as the largest contributor to the total energy consumption of the office building during the study period, followed by air-conditioning systems, outdoor lighting systems, ventilation systems, indoor lighting systems, elevators, and domestic water pumps. The monthly CO₂ emission estimations showed a strong relationship with the monthly electricity consumption, resulting in the elevated operational carbon emission levels during high cooling demand periods. The findings implied that the targeted energy-saving measures such as enhanced operational management and improvements in air-conditioning systems could collectively reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of the office building. This case study contributes valuable insights for building owners and managers, designers, and policy makers aiming to improve the energy and environmental performance of office buildings.

An advanced metaheuristic algorithm for resource leveling optimization in project management

2025-09-23T02:56:22+00:00

Resource leveling is a critical method in construction project management, aimed at minimizing resource fluctuations and improving utilization efficiency across project schedules. However, addressing the complexity and high dimensionality of real-world scheduling problems remains a significant challenge. This study introduces an advanced nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm that integrates mountain gazelle optimizer (MGO) with opposition-based learning (OBL) strategy to enhance resource leveling optimization. The novel approach leverages the demonstrated advantages of MGO and the population diversity benefits of OBL to prevent premature convergence, avoid entrapment in local optima, and improve solution quality. A case study is conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. Experimental results indicate that the hybrid algorithm outperforms benchmark algorithms in terms of convergence speed, solution accuracy, and overall stability. These findings underscore the potential of developed method to support efficient and reliable scheduling in construction project environments.

Recycled aluminum can fibers for concrete reinforcement: Standardized testing of compressive strength and static elastic modulus

2025-11-11T03:57:11+00:00

This study examines the feasibility of repurposing post-consumer aluminum beverage-can scrap into macro-fibers for concrete reinforcement as a pathway toward more sustainable construction materials. Although aluminum offers low density, inherent corrosion resistance in many environments, and abundant waste streams, data on concrete reinforced with fibers cut from recycled cans remain limited. Cleaned cans were slit into strips of 100 × 10 × 1 mm and added at a 2% fiber volume fraction to a B15 concrete. Cube compressive strength was determined on 150 mm cubes in accordance with TCVN 3118:2022, and the static modulus of elasticity was measured on 150 × 300 mm cylinders following TCVN 5726:2022. Measured moduli were also compared with code-based predictions from ACI 318-19, AS 3600:2018, BS 8110-2:1985, and Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1). Relative to the plain control, the aluminum fiber–reinforced concrete exhibited ~22% lower cube strength (20.6 → 16.1 MPa) and ~11% lower modulus (23.99 → 21.31 GPa). The absolute differences between measured and code-predicted moduli were 5.8% (ACI), 11.3% (AS), 12.6% (BS), and 27.1% (EC2), indicating that current equations are not calibrated for concrete reinforced with recycled aluminum-can fibers. Compared with steel-fiber concrete, aluminum fibers did not enhance compressive strength but may offer benefits in post-cracking toughness, corrosion performance, and circularity. Recycled aluminum-can fibers appear feasible for non-structural or weight-sensitive concrete applications. Future work should optimize fiber geometry and dosage, improve dispersion and constructability, and include standardized flexural tests (ASTM C1609, EN 14651) to quantify post-cracking behavior.

Evaluation of the application potential of coral concrete for marine infrastructures

2025-08-13T01:59:44+00:00

The growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective marine infrastructure in remote island regions has stimulated interest in locally sourced construction materials. This study investigates the feasibility of producing coral concrete using on-site marine resources, specifically coral coarse aggregates, coral sand, and seawater that are collected from offshore islands. A coral concrete mix was experimentally developed by optimizing the water-to-cement ratio and aggregate proportions, resulting in a compressive strength of 35.7 MPa after 28 days of curing, which corresponds to the strength grade B25. Physical and mechanical properties of the coral-derived aggregates were thoroughly characterized, and the estimated elastic modulus was computed using several empirical models to evaluate strength characteristics. In addition to mix development and material testing, the study explores potential applications of coral concrete in marine infrastructure. The study identifies key technical challenges, including dynamic resistance performance, limited long-term durability data under marine exposure, and a lack of design codes. The findings of this research contribute to expanding the application potential of coral concrete in Vietnam’s marine and coastal infrastructure systems.

Influence of modulus, thickness and material type on the mechanical behavior of pavement structures

2025-10-21T03:27:47+00:00

This study investigates the effects of elastic modulus, layer thickness and material type on pavement structures using simulations with the Alizé-LCPC software. Two pavement types were analyzed: (i) flexible and (ii) high-grade pavements. The evaluated indicators include tensile strain at the bottom of the asphalt layer (εT), vertical strain at the top of the subgrade (εZ) and surface deflection (D0). The results indicate a nonlinear relationship between asphalt layer thickness and tensile strain, with a “critical thickness zone” where εT reaches its maximum before decreasing as the layer becomes thicker. Asphalt thickness strongly influences all three indicators, while its elastic modulus primarily governs εT. The unbound granular base mainly affects subgrade strain but has limited impact on surface deflection and tensile strain. Pavements with only unbound granular bases show low structural efficiency, whereas high-modulus base layers in high-grade pavements substantially reduce εT, εZ and D0, enhancing overall structural strength and stability.

Promoting cooperation between enterprises and universities in the digital age

2025-08-25T10:29:41+00:00

In the context of global competition and the development of the 4.0 industrial revolution, collaboration between enterprises and universities is a growing trend worldwide. For enterprises, effective cooperation with universities helps them improve their scientific and technological level, enhance production processes and product quality, and increase the productivity and quality of their human resources. Therefore, the level of cooperation between enterprises and universities is increasingly important. This article points out some characteristics of cooperation between enterprises and universities in the context of Vietnam, clarifies the theoretical basis of the relationship between enterprises and universities, proposes factors affecting the level of cooperation between enterprises and universities, and then recommends some solutions to enhance cooperation between enterprises and universities in the context of Industry 4.0.

Reuse of phosphogypsum as a sustainable retarder in PCB40 cement production

2025-10-17T08:56:38+00:00

Vietnam faces a significant challenge due to its limited natural gypsum resources, which have been imported to meet the demand of cement production. Besides, the country is grappling with the environmental issue of thousands of tons of phosphogypsum waste discharged annually from Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer production. This industrial byproduct poses substantial environmental concerns, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable waste management solutions. This study addresses these critical issues by reusing phosphogypsum as a sustainable alternative to natural gypsum in the manufacturing of PCB 40 cement. This work investigates the effect of varying phosphogypsum content, ranging from 1.5% to 5%, on cement properties, including standard water content, soundness, setting time, and compressive strength. To establish a comparative analysis, the experimental results were compared against a reference cement that incorporates 4% natural gypsum. The findings demonstrate that phosphogypsum can effectively substitute natural gypsum without compromising the quality or performance of the cement. Furthermore, the study confirms that cement produced with phosphogypsum consistently meets all established Vietnamese national standards for the examined properties. In an innovative step, the study also leveraged a 4^th-degree polynomial regression model to predict the optimal phosphogypsum content. The model identified an optimal dosage of 3.5% phosphogypsum for maximizing compressive strength. The optimized 3.5% phosphogypsum formulation achieved a compressive strength of 58.3 MPa, which is 3% higher than that of the natural gypsum control. This prediction illustrated remarkable alignment with the experimental data, underscoring the potential of predictive modeling in cement production. This study paves a promising way in the reuse of phosphogypsum in construction materials, aiming at reducing impact on environment and sustainable development.

Solutions to improve construction progress management at the construction investment project management board

2025-08-06T12:59:20+00:00

Projects that progress slowly will have a considerable impact on the socio-economic landscape, leading to the loss and misallocation of state budget resources. It is essential to examine the factors influencing progress in order to identify solutions that enhance the management of construction progress in Tan Thanh district. To ensure the project is implemented on time and to enhance its effectiveness, this study has identified 25 factors that influence the management of construction progress, categorizing them into five distinct groups. The factors will undergo testing for Cronbach's Alpha reliability, utilizing SPSS software for data analysis. The author conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) by calculating the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient for the observed variables. Based on the identified influencing factors, the author suggests several solutions aimed at enhancing the management of construction progress in Tan Thanh. These solutions are tailored to address specific groups of factors, including those related to the consulting unit's subjective factors, management and operation methods, investors and project management boards, other contributing factors, construction contractors, and design contractors.

Deformation characteristics of foundations on expansive soils

2025-10-02T07:41:47+00:00

This paper focuses on evaluating the influence of expansive soils on shallow and pile foundations. The calculated results are analyzed to predict the magnitude of structural deformation when the subgrade beneath foundations becomes wetted, and to show that piles may be heaved during the construction stages.

Lessons from ancient houses in Dong Hoa Hiep village – sustainable architecture in the face of climate change

2025-08-06T01:35:11+00:00

Climate change is increasingly having a significant and evident impact on the Mekong Delta, in Vietnam, negatively affecting various aspects of daily life, culture, and society for the local communities. In particular, housing is a type of architectural structure that is directly influenced by extreme weather phenomena. These impacts include (i) heat causing thermal discomfort; (ii) heavy rains, flooding, and erosion leading to landslides and the collapse of riverside structures; and (iii) droughts causing saltwater intrusion, freshwater shortages affecting the house-garden ecosystem. In this context, the ancient houses in the Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village, located in Cai Be District, Tien Giang Province, which have been recognized for their cultural and artistic heritage values, have demonstrated their ability to adapt to climate change in the current era through architectural solutions developed by previous generations over hundreds of years. This study aims to synthesize and analyze the climate-adaptive design solutions found in the ancient houses of Dong Hoa Hiep village, thereby drawing lessons on climate-adaptive architecture for housing in the Mekong Delta region.

Investigation of selected properties of porous asphalt using recycled concrete aggregates and fly ash

2025-11-24T08:58:17+00:00

The increasing frequency of urban flooding highlights the urgent need for effective surface drainage solutions, among which the Permeable Pavement System is considered a promising approach. Porous asphalt (PA) is commonly employed as the surface layer in such systems due to its high permeability. This study evaluates the impact of replacing natural aggregates (NA) with recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) in PA mixtures and examines how this substitution influences key mechanical and hydraulic properties of the material. A series of PA samples were fabricated and divided into two groups: one group incorporating RCA, and the other employing NA as the control. The investigated properties include bulk density, permeability coefficient, Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, Cantabro loss, and resistance to clogging. The results indicate that PA mixtures incorporating RCA exhibit lower bulk density, Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, and Cantabro resistance, with reductions of 11%, 14%, 5%, and 38.5%, respectively, compared with the NA samples. Conversely, the permeability coefficient of the RCA mixtures increases by approximately 9%. Despite the decrease in several mechanical indicators, all evaluated properties satisfy the technical requirements specified in TCVN 13048. Overall, the findings confirm the feasibility of using RCA in PA mixtures, offering benefits in reducing construction waste while enhancing surface drainage performance in urban infrastructure.

An assessment of terrazzo tile properties: effect of waste incineration bottom ash content

2025-09-23T02:50:37+00:00

The increasing scarcity of natural aggregates and the rising cost of raw materials in the construction industry are driving the demand for sustainable alternatives. At the same time, municipal solid waste incineration generates significant volumes of bottom ash, which is typically landfilled, posing environmental and economic challenges. This study explores the technical and economic feasibility of using waste incineration bottom ash (WIBA), blended with coal thermal fly ash (FA), as a partial or full substitute for crushed sand in the production of terrazzo tiles—a high-value, architectural cementitious product requiring strong mechanical performance and a polished surface finish. Five mix designs were developed, with WIBA-FA blends at a fixed WIBA:FA ratio of 75:25 by mass were used to replace 0% (control), 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% crushed sand in the mixtures. The tiles were fabricated using a semi-dry pressing method and cured for 28 days before testing. Experimental evaluation included flexural and compressive strengths, full and surface water absorption, surface abrasion resistance, and material cost analysis. Results showed that the mix (X5) with 70% WIBA inclusion achieved a 30.1% reduction in cost while meeting all technical requirements, with compressive and flexural strengths of 28.6 MPa and 3.8 MPa, respectively. Moreover, a multivariate overall performance score was developed to identify the optimal formulation by integrating normalized strength, durability, and cost metrics. The experimental outcomes demonstrate the viability of using WIBA–FA blends in high-finish terrazzo tiles and contribute a quantitative framework for material optimization under sustainability and performance constraints.

Determination of municipal solid waste characteristics and proposal of a household-scale management model in Sam Son ward, Thanh Hoa province

2025-11-13T07:49:04+00:00

Sam Son Ward, Thanh Hoa Province is an area where Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is under significant pressure from seasonal tourism activities. The survey results show that the volume of generated MSW exhibits a significant seasonal fluctuation (increasing from 117.42m3 per day to 144m3 per day during the peak season), and the waste composition is predominantly organic matter (60%–70%) with high moisture content (52.15%). Current management efforts still face many shortcomings, particularly severe overload at the Trung Son Landfill and an absence of effective solutions for organic waste resource utilization. Therefore, the study proposes the core solution of implementing an at-source composting model (at the household/residential group scale) to alleviate the landfill burden, utilize resources, and enhance the effectiveness of sustainable tourism environmental management.

Designing reinforced concrete structures in bridge, port, railway construction: solutions to improve the quality of the protective concrete cover

2025-08-08T01:55:12+00:00

This study presents an experimental investigation into the development of concrete suitable for structural components used in coastal environments. Due to the aggressive conditions in marine settings—such as high salinity, moisture, and temperature fluctuations—concrete durability is a critical concern. The research focuses on optimizing concrete mix designs by incorporating supplementary cementitious materials—specifically 10% fly ash and 30–40% ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) to enhance the mechanical performance and durability of the concrete. A series of laboratory tests were conducted, including compressive strength, chloride ion penetration, to evaluate the behavior of the proposed concrete mixtures. The results indicate that certain combinations of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and admixtures significantly improve resistance to chloride ingress and corrosion, making them suitable candidates for use in coastal structural components. These concrete mixtures achieved a minimum compressive strength of 30 MPa at 28 days and demonstrated excellent durability with charge passed values below 1000 Coulombs, indicating low chloride ion penetrability. These findings contribute to the development of more durable and sustainable concrete structures in marine environments.

Delayed-Expansion MgO in mass concrete for Thermal-Stress control in arch dams: A comprehensive review and roadmap for Vietnam

2025-10-24T02:11:36+00:00

Temperature cracking poses a major challenge in arch dams and other massive concrete structures. During cement hydration, heat accumulation followed by cooling creates tensile stresses that may exceed the material’s tensile strength, leading to cracking and structural weakening. For arch dams, where compressive integrity is essential to transfer loads to abutments, even small thermal cracks can endanger global stability. Magnesium oxide (MgO) has been proven over decades to be an effective internal expansive agent for controlling thermal stress in mass concrete. Its delayed hydration to magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂] generates gradual expansion that compensates for thermal contraction during cooling. This review summarizes mechanisms, laboratory results, field experiences, and modeling of MgO expansion, emphasizing its application in arch dams. Studies from projects such as Baishan, Qingxi, and Three Gorges show that 3-6% MgO can reduce peak thermal stress by up to 40% and crack density by about 50%. Microstructural analyses confirm a denser matrix and improved durability, while numerical models indicate lower tensile stress and higher stability. For Vietnam’s hydropower projects, this paper proposes applying MgO-based temperature-stress control through optimized dosage, particle-size refinement, and long-term validation to develop future TCVN standards for mass concrete in arch dams.