Fiber-reinforced concrete for complex engineering conditions: material properties, nonlinear response and sustainable applications in spaceflight
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract As space missions evolve toward longer durations and deeper missions, structural materials face unprecedented challenges in extreme extraterrestrial environments, such as extreme temperature swings, intense radiation, cyclic loading, and crack propagation. These conditions place higher demands on the ductility, energy dissipation, and adaptability of traditional brittle concrete, prompting the research community to seek material systems with enhanced nonlinear response capabilities and sustainability. As a brittle material, ordinary concrete lacks the toughness and adaptability required to sustain such nonlinear behaviors. Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has gained increasing attention for its ability to enhance material ductility, energy dissipation, and structural resilience under nonlinear conditions. This review summarizes recent research on FRC, focusing on its mechanical properties, nonlinear response mechanisms, and potential for sustainable construction. The inclusion of natural, synthetic, or hybrid fibers significantly improves compressive strength, flexural performance, and crack control. Moreover, the use of recycled fine aggregates from construction and demolition waste further promotes environmental sustainability. The combined effects of fiber type, volume fraction, and distribution on nonlinear load-bearing capacity are critically analyzed. Finally, this article proposes that future research should focus on the performance evolution and adaptive design strategies of FRCs in complex nonlinear service environments (including high strain rates and low gravity in aerospace), providing theoretical support and material pathways for building the next generation of durable, lightweight, and sustainable aerospace infrastructure. FRC presents a promising solution for developing durable, adaptive, and sustainable infrastructure systems in nonlinear engineering environments.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Innovative concrete reinforcement materials · Microbial Applications in Construction Materials · Concrete and Cement Materials Research
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
College of Civil Engineering and Transportation , Northeast Forestry University , Hexing Road No. 26 , Harbin , 150040 , Heilong Jiang Province , China
Academy of Marxism , Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance , Shangchuan Road No. 995 , Shanghai , 201209 , China
References (50)
Show source-provided references
1. Brito, JD, Kurda, R. The past and future of sustainable concrete: a critical review and new strategies on cement-based material. J Clean Prod 2021;281:123558.10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123558 ↗
2. Gu, LG, Liu, Y, Zeng, JJ, Zhang, ZY, Pham, PN, Liu, C, et al.. The synergistic effects of fibers on mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete: a comprehensive review. Constr Build Mater 2024;436:137011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137011.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137011 ↗
3. Anvari, A, Ghalehnovi, M, Brito, JD, Karimipour, A. Improved bending behaviour steel-fibers-reinforced RA beams with a concrete jacket. Mag Concr Res 2021;73:608–26.10.1680/jmacr.19.00146 ↗
4. Bayraktar, OY, Kaplan, G, Shi, JY, Benli, A, Boudur, B, Turkoglu, M. The effect of steel fiber aspect-ratio and content on the firesh, slexural, and mechanical performance of concrete made with recycled fine aggregate. Constr Build Mater 2023;368:130497.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.130497 ↗
5. Wang, KY, Chen, ZH, Wang, Z, Chen, QS, Ma, DH. Critical dynamic stress and cumulative plastic deformation of calcareous sand filler based on shakedown theory. J Mar Sci Eng 2023;11:195. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11010195.10.3390/jmse11010195 ↗
6. Gong, BB, Li, H. A couple voronoi-RBSM modeling strategy for RC structures. Struct Eng Mech 2024;91:239–50.
7. Zhang, CY, Zhang, WM. The corresponding principle of elastic response for a class of nonlinear viscoelastic problems. Eng Mech 2002;19:139–46.
8. Li, SN, Deng, ZM. Nonlinear heat analysis of composite laminated plate. J Beihang Univ 1996;22:290–5.
9. Xiong, ZX, Zhang, ZP, Tong, FS. Establishment of material derivative ratio law and its application in nonlinear failure of structural buckling fracture. Sci Propa 2011;15:377–82.
10. Prakash, V, Debono, CJ, Musarat, MA, Borg, RP, Seychell, D, Ding, W, et al.. Structural health monitoring of concrete bridges through artificial intelligence: a narrative review. Appl Sci 2025;15:4855. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094855.10.3390/app15094855 ↗
11. Shaikh, I, Memon, BA, Memon, MA, Oad, M. Effect of steel fibers on compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete. J App Eng Sci 2023;13:123–30. https://doi.org/10.2478/jaes-2023-0016.10.2478/jaes-2023-0016 ↗
12. Wang, JC, Li, YC, Qiu, ZM, Zhang, Y. Experimental research on compressive properties or recycling polypropylene (PP) fiber recycled coarse aggregate concrete. J Build Eng 2023;76:107403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107403.10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107403 ↗
13. Fu, B, Xu, GT, Peng, WS, Huang, JZ, Zou, QQ, Kuang, YD. Performance enhancement of recycled coarse aggregate concrete by incorporating with macro fibers processed from waste GFRP. Constr Build Mater 2024;411:134166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134166.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134166 ↗
14. Ahmed, W, Lim, CW. Multicriteria performance assessment of sustainable recycled concrete produced via hybrid usage of basalt, polypropylene and glass fiber. Constr Build Mater 2023;397:132462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132462.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132462 ↗
15. Ratanachu, P, Toolkasikorn, P, Tangchirapat, W, Chindaprasirt, P, Jaturapitakkul, C. Performance of recycled aggregate concrete with rice husk ash as cement binder. Cement Concr Compos 2020;108:103533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103533.10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103533 ↗
16. Yan, ZW, Bai, YL, Zhang, Q, Zeng, JJ. Experimental study on dynamic properties of flax fiber reinforced recycled aggregate concrete. J Build Eng 2023;80:108135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108135.10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108135 ↗
17. Zhao, CG, Zhu, ZY, Guo, QY, Zhan, YL, Zhao, RD. Research on fiber reinforced concrete and its performance prediction method and mix design method. Constr Build Mater 2023;365:130033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130033.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.130033 ↗
18. Mohana, R, Krishna, KA, Karthiga, B. Flexural behaviour of geopolymer concrete beams with hybrid natural-synthetic fiber. Mag Concr Res 2024;76:1290–301.10.1680/jmacr.23.00343 ↗
19. Gulzar, MA, Ali, B, Barakat, O, Azab, M, Najemalden, AM, Mohammed, AS, et al.. Influence of jute fiber on tensile, electrical, and permeability characteristics of slag concrete: a better, cheaper, and eco-friendly substitute for conventional concrete. J Nat Fibers 2023;20:2170947. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2023.2170947.10.1080/15440478.2023.2170947 ↗
20. Mastali, M, Dalvand, A, Sattarifard, AR, Abdollahnejad, Z, Nematollahi, B, Sanjayan, JG, et al.. A comparison of the effects of pozzolanic binders on the hardened-state properties of high-strength cementitious composites reinforced with waste tire fibers. Composer part B 2019;162:134–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.10.100.10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.10.100 ↗
21. Choi, Y, Yuan, RL. Experimental relationship between splitting tensile strength and compressive strength of GFRC and PFRC. Cement Concr Compos 2020;108:103533.
22. Zhao, C, Yang, QY, Zhong, XG, Shu, XJ, Shen, MY. Research on Voronoi-RBSM coupled concrete meso modelling method. Eng Mech 2024;41:191–9.
23. Lim, JH, Hwang, S, Kim, H, Sohn, H. Steel bridge corrosion inspection with combined vision and thermographic images. Struct Health Monit 2021;20:3424–35.10.1177/1475921721989407 ↗
24. Bibekananda, D, Madhab, B, Debashish, B, Ray, BC, Mukherjee, S. A comprehensive review on fier-reinforced polymer composites: raw materials to applications, recycling, and waste management. Process Mater Sci 2024;146:101326.10.1016/j.pmatsci.2024.101326 ↗
25. Kern, L, Singh, S, Patnaik, A. A review on natural fiber reinforced composites. Mater Today Proc 2020;28:1616–21.10.1016/j.matpr.2020.04.851 ↗
26. Wang, WJ, Zhang, YP, Mo, ZL, Chouw, N, Jayaraman, K, Xu, ZD. A critical review on the properties of natural fiber reinforced concrete composites subjected to impact loading. J Build Eng 2023;77:107497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107497.10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107497 ↗
27. Kusum, S, Vasant, AM, Venkatesh, RK. Recent advances in the use of natural fibers in civil engineering structures. Constr Build Mater 2024;411:134364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134364.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134364 ↗
28. Karatas, MA, Gokkaya, H. A review on machinability of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite materials. Def Technol 2018;14:318–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2018.02.001.10.1016/j.dt.2018.02.001 ↗
29. Wu, JN. Study on the effect of fiber surface modification on cement-based composite properties [Master’s thesis]. Shandong: Shandong Jiaotong University; 2005.
30. Vigneshwaran, S, Sundarakannan, R, John, KM, Johnson, RDJ, Prasath, KA, Ajith, S, et al.. Recent advancement in the natural fiber polymer composites: a comprehensive review. J Clean Prod 2020;277:124109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124109.10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124109 ↗
31. Malkapuran, R, Kumar, V, Negi, YS. Recent development in natural fiber reinforced polypylene composites. J Reinf Plst Comp 2009;28:1169–89.10.1177/0731684407087759 ↗
32. Murali, G, Wong, L, Abid, SR. A comprehensive review of drop weight impact testing: evaluating the pros and cons in fiber-reinforced concrete performance assessment. J Build Eng 2024;94:1009934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109934.10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109934 ↗
33. Wang, YZ, Qiao, PZ, Sun, J, Chen, A. Influence of fibers on tensile behaviour of ultra-high performance concrete: a review. Constr Build Mater 2024;430:136432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136432.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136432 ↗
34. Das, SC, Paul, D, Grammatikos, SA, Siddiquee, MAB, Papatzani, S, Koralli, P, et al.. Effect of stacking sequence on the performance of hybrid natural/synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composite laminates. Compos Struct 2021;276:114525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114525.10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114525 ↗
35. Ahmad, SM, Gowrishankar, MC, Shettar, M, Sharma, S. Experimental investigation of mechanical properties and morphology of bamboo-glass fiber-nanoclay reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. Cogent Eng 2023;10:2279209.10.1080/23311916.2023.2279209 ↗
36. Frauk, O, Bledzki, AK, Fink, HP, Sain, M. Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000-2010, pro. Polym Sci 2012;37:1552–96.10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2012.04.003 ↗
37. Das, SC, Khoda, SAE, Suruzzman, SMA, Paul, D, Dhar, SA, Grammatikos, SA. On the use of wood charcoal filler to improve the properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Mater Today Proc 2021;44:926–9.10.1016/j.matpr.2020.10.808 ↗
38. Vinod, A, Sanjay, MR, Suchart, S, Jyotishkumar, P. Renewable and sustainable biobased materials: an assessment on biofibers, biofilms, biopolymers and biocomposites. J Clean Prod 2020;258:120978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120978.10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120978 ↗
39. Li, KM, Wang, XP, Wang, XY, Tu, SH, Song, YF, Shi, T, et al.. A comprehensive benefit evaluation of recycled carbon fiber reinforced cement mortat based on combined weighting. Constr Build Mater 2025;489:142196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142196.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.142196 ↗
40. Wang, J, Wu, ZL, Han, JY, Wang, G, Lv, SZ. Experimental study on axial load-bearing capacity of grout-lifted compressible concrete-filled steel tube composite column. Tunn Undergr Space Technol 2025;165:106864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2025.106864.10.1016/j.tust.2025.106864 ↗
41. Gu, JX. Research on application of fiber reinforcement material. Mater Eng 2025;7:36–8.
42. El-Messiry, M, El-Tarfawy, S, Deeb, RE. Enhanced impact properties of cementitious composites reinforced with pultruded flax/polymeric matrix fabric. Alex Eng J 2017;56:297–307.10.1016/j.aej.2017.03.032 ↗
43. Satheeskumar, N, Kajanan, S, Darshana, J, Pathmanathan, R, Sanjayan, J. Applications of natural and synthetic fiber reinforced polymer in infrastructure: a suitability assessment. J Build Eng 2023;66:105835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.105835.10.1016/j.jobe.2023.105835 ↗
44. Habibunisa, S, Ruben, N, Sri, RCM. Role of coconut coir fiber in concrete. Mater Today Proc 2020;27:1104–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.01.477.10.1016/j.matpr.2020.01.477 ↗
45. Shi, T, Li, KM, Wang, CZ, Jin, Z, Hao, XK, Sun, P, et al.. Fracture toughness of recycled carbon fibers reinforced cement mortar and its environmental impact assessment. Case Stud Constr Mater 2025;22:e04866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04866.10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04866 ↗
46. Liu, F, Li, QC, Wang, HW, Xheng, XC, Yuan, XS, Zhang, DZ. Sudy on frost resistence and delay effect of mPCMs-modified concrete. J Buil Eng 2024;97:110783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110783.10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110783 ↗
47. Wei, YC. Effect of Nano calcium carbonate and polypropylene fiber onproperties of recycled concrete [Master’s thesis]. Wuhan: Wuhan Institute of Technology; 2022.
48. Chandrathilaka, ERK, Bauduge, SK, Mendis, P, Thilakarathna, PSM. Structural applications of synthetic fibers reinforced cementitious composites: a review on materials properties, fire behaviour, durability and structural performance. Structure 2021;34:550–74.10.1016/j.istruc.2021.07.090 ↗
49. Yang, CX, Nan, Z, Huo, YJ, Yang, YH, Xy, P, Xiao, YH, et al.. Design, characterisation, and crushing performance of hexagonal- quadrilateral lattice-filled steel/CFRP hybrid structures. Composites Patr B: Eng 2025;304:112631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112631.10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112631 ↗
50. Yang, LH, Gao, Y, Chen, H, Jiao, HZ, Dong, MM, Bier, TA, et al.. Thre-dimensional concrete printing technology from a rheology perspective:a review. Adv Cement Res 2024;36:567–86. https://doi.org/10.1680/jadcr.23.00205.10.1680/jadcr.23.00205 ↗