Shengkang Zhang¹, Yong Jin^2,*, Soon Poh Yap^1,*, Haoyun Fan¹, Shiyuan Li³, Ahmed El-Shafie⁴, Zainah Ibrahim¹, Amr El-Dieb⁵

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.146, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.075351 - 29 January 2026

Abstract Concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST) are widely utilized in civil engineering due to their superior load-bearing capacity, ductility, and seismic resistance. However, existing design codes, such as AISC and Eurocode 4, tend to be excessively conservative as they fail to account for the composite action between the steel tube and the concrete core. To address this limitation, this study proposes a hybrid model that integrates XGBoost with the Pied Kingfisher Optimizer (PKO), a nature-inspired algorithm, to enhance the accuracy of shear strength prediction for CFST columns. Additionally, quantile regression is employed to construct prediction intervals for… More >

Kang-Jia Wang¹, Hongzhi Zhang², Runsheng Lin^3,*, Jiabin Li⁴, Xiao-Yong Wang^1,5,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.146, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.074787 - 29 January 2026

Abstract Conventional low-carbon concrete design approaches have often overlooked carbonation durability and the progressive loss of cover caused by surface scaling, both of which can increase the long-term risk of reinforcement corrosion. To address these limitations, this study proposes an improved design framework for low-carbon slag concrete that simultaneously incorporates carbonation durability and cover scaling effects into the mix proportioning process. Based on experimental data, a linear predictive model was developed to estimate the 28-day compressive strength of slag concrete, achieving a correlation coefficient of R = 0.87711 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of… More >

Hyeon-Sik Choi¹, Min Kyu Kim¹, Jiuk Shin², Thomas H.-K. Kang^1,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.146, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.074029 - 29 January 2026

Abstract Unbonded post-tensioned (PT) concrete systems are widely used in safety-critical structures, yet modeling practices for prestress implementation and tendon-concrete interaction remain inconsistent. This study investigates the effects of sheath (duct) implementation and confinement assumptions through nonlinear finite element analysis. Four modeling cases were defined, consisting of an explicit sheath without tendon-concrete confinement (S) and three no-sheath variants with different confinement levels (X, N, A). One-way beams and two-way panels were analyzed, and panel blast responses were validated against experimental results. In both beams and panels, average initial stress levels were similar across models, through local More >

Marwa M. Eid^1,2,*, Amel Ali Alhussan³, Ebrahim A. Mattar⁴, Nima Khodadadi^5,*, El-Sayed M. El-Kenawy^6,7

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.146, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.073555 - 29 January 2026

Abstract Accurate prediction of concrete compressive strength is fundamental for optimizing mix designs, improving material utilization, and ensuring structural safety in modern construction. Traditional empirical methods often fail to capture the non-linear relationships among concrete constituents, especially with the growing use of supplementary cementitious materials and recycled aggregates. This study presents an integrated machine learning framework for concrete strength prediction, combining advanced regression models—namely CatBoost—with metaheuristic optimization algorithms, with a particular focus on the Somersaulting Spider Optimizer (SSO). A comprehensive dataset encompassing diverse mix proportions and material types was used to evaluate baseline machine learning models,… More >

Safwan Al-sayed¹, Xi Wang¹, Yijiang Peng^1,*, Esraa Hyarat², Ahmad Ali AlZubi³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.86, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.074068 - 12 January 2026

Abstract In modern construction, Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) has been recognized as a vital material of concern because of its unique properties, such as reduced density and improved thermal insulation. Despite the extensive knowledge regarding its macroscopic properties, there is a wide knowledge gap in understanding the influence of microscale parameters like aggregate porosity and volume ratio on the mechanical response of LWAC. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap, spurred by the need to enhance the predictability and applicability of LWAC in various construction environments. With the help of advanced numerical methods, including the… More >

Wu Feng^1,2,*, Tengku Anita Raja Hussin¹, Xu Yang³

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.20, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.071664 - 08 January 2026

Abstract This study investigates the thermo–mechanical behavior of C40 concrete and reinforced concrete subjected to elevated temperatures up to 700°C by integrating experimental testing and advanced numerical modeling. A temperature-indexed Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) framework incorporating bond–slip effects was developed in Abaqus to capture both global stress–strain responses and localized damage evolution. Uniaxial compression tests on thermally exposed cylinders provided residual strength data and failure observations for model calibration and validation. Results demonstrated a distinct two-stage degradation regime: moderate stiffness and strength reduction up to ~400°C, followed by sharp deterioration beyond 500°C–600°C, with residual capacity at… More >

Pengwei Guo¹, Xiao Tan^2,3,*, Yiming Liu⁴

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.20, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.071317 - 08 January 2026

Abstract Crack detection accuracy in computer vision is often constrained by limited annotated datasets. Although Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have been applied for data augmentation, they frequently introduce blurs and artifacts. To address this challenge, this study leverages Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models (DDPMs) to generate high-quality synthetic crack images, enriching the training set with diverse and structurally consistent samples that enhance the crack segmentation. The proposed framework involves a two-stage pipeline: first, DDPMs are used to synthesize high-fidelity crack images that capture fine structural details. Second, these generated samples are combined with real data to train… More >

Hüseyin Bilgin^*, Bredli Plaku

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.20, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.071007 - 08 January 2026

Abstract Nonlinear static procedures are widely adopted in structural engineering practice for seismic performance assessment due to their simplicity and computational efficiency. However, their reliability depends heavily on how the nonlinear behaviour of structural components is represented. The recent earthquakes in Albania (2019) and Türkiye (2023) have underscored the need for accurate assessment techniques, particularly for older reinforced concrete buildings with poor detailing. This study quantifies the discrepancies between default and user-defined component modelling in pushover analysis of pre-modern reinforced concrete structures, analysing two representative low- and mid-rise reinforced concrete frame buildings. The lumped plasticity approach… More > Graphic Abstract

Mahmoud Alhashash¹, Abdullah Alariyan², Ameen Mokhles Youns³, Favzi Ghreivati⁴, Ahed Habib^5,*, Maan Habib⁶

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.20, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.070194 - 08 January 2026

Abstract Concrete production often relies on natural aggregates, which can lead to resource depletion and environmental harm. In addition, improper disposal of thermoplastic waste exacerbates ecological problems. Although significant attention has recently been given to recycling various waste materials into concrete, studies specifically addressing thermoplastic recycled aggregates are still trending. This underscores the need to comprehensively review existing literature, identify research trends, and recognize gaps in understanding the mechanical performance of thermoplastic-based recycled aggregate concrete. Accordingly, this review summarizes recent investigations focused on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic-based recycled aggregate concrete, emphasizing aspects such as compressive… More >

Quanzhou Yao^*, Wenxin Chang, Lin Ye

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.34, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2025, DOI:10.32604/icces.2025.011903

Abstract With the rapid advancement of global infrastructure development and the deepening of sustainable development principles, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement bars have emerged as an innovative alternative to traditional steel reinforcement due to their lightweight, high-strength, corrosion resistance, and fatigue-resistant properties. However, the practical engineering application of FRP bars in concrete structures still faces critical challenges in optimizing the interfacial bond performance between the reinforcement and concrete. This study addresses the scientific bottleneck in rib height design for FRP bars by systematically investigating the evolution mechanism of fiber strain during the rib-forming process through theoretical analysis… More >