Advanced Materials & Sustainability

Advanced Materials & Sustainability

As civil engineering evolves, new materials are developed to address challenges in durability, strength, and environmental impact.

Geosynthetics

Geosynthetics are synthetic materials used in geotechnical engineering applications.

• Geotextiles: Permeable fabrics (woven or non-woven) used for separation, filtration, reinforcement, and drainage.
• Geogrids: Open grid structures used primarily for soil reinforcement (retaining walls, slopes).
• Geomembranes: Impermeable barriers (HDPE, PVC) used for lining landfills, ponds, and canals.
• Geocomposites: Combinations of geotextiles, geogrids, and geomembranes.

Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP)

FRP composites consist of high-strength fibers embedded in a polymer matrix.

• Types of Fibers: Carbon (CFRP), Glass (GFRP), Aramid (AFRP).
• Applications: Strengthening existing structures (wrapping columns, bonding plates to beams), internal reinforcement (GFRP bars).
• Advantages: High strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, tailored properties.
• Disadvantages: Brittle failure, low fire resistance, cost.

Green Building Materials

• Recycled Aggregates: Crushed concrete from demolition used as aggregate in new concrete or road base.
• Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs): Fly ash, slag, silica fume reduce cement consumption and CO2 emissions.
• Bamboo: Rapidly renewable, high tensile strength. used for low-cost housing and scaffolding.
• Rammed Earth: Compressed soil stabilized with cement or lime. Low embodied energy.

Nano-materials in Construction

• Nano-silica: Improves strength and durability of concrete.
• Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs): High strength and electrical conductivity. Self-sensing concrete.
• Titanium Dioxide ($TiO_2$): Photocatalytic properties (self-cleaning, air-purifying).