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Engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) have garnered significant attention within the construction industry, owing to their exceptional mechanical properties and durability. This thorough review presents a meticulous analysis of the progress and prospects in ECC research. It begins by introducing the background and rationale for investigating ECCs, while outlining the objectives of the review. The review provides an encompassing overview of ECCs, encompassing their definition, characteristics, historical development, composition and constituent materials. Emphasis is placed on the examination of ECCs' mechanical properties, specifically their flexural behaviour, tensile behaviour, compressive strength and resistance to environmental factors. Furthermore, the rheological properties of ECCs, including workability, flowability, self-healing, crack mitigation, viscosity and thixotropy, are discussed in detail. The review delves into the influence of fibre reinforcement on ECCs, encompassing the types of fibres utilised and their impact on mechanical and structural properties, as well as fibre dispersion and orientation. Additionally, it explores the diverse applications of ECCs across various fields, such as structural applications and sustainable building practices. The challenges and limitations associated with ECCs, such as cost and availability, are addressed, alongside an exploration of future trends and research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive overview of fracture propagation in concrete, covering various aspects ranging from fundamentals to applications and future directions, is presented. The introduction presents an overview of fracture propagation in concrete, emphasising its importance in understanding the behaviour of concrete structures. The fundamentals of fracture propagation are then explored, including concrete as a composite material, crack initiation and propagation mechanisms, types of fractures and the factors that influence fracture propagation. Next, experimental techniques for studying fracture propagation are discussed, encompassing both destructive and non-destructive testing methods, such as acoustic emission, ultrasonic testing, digital image correlation and advanced imaging techniques like X-ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Modelling approaches, including continuum damage mechanics, the finite-element method, the discrete-element method, the lattice discrete particle model and hybrid models, for simulating and predicting fracture propagation behaviour are then reviewed. The applications of fracture propagation in concrete are highlighted, including structural health monitoring, design optimisation, failure analysis and repair and rehabilitation strategies. Research opportunities for further improvement are addressed. This article should serve as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers and professionals in the field, providing a comprehensive understanding of fracture propagation in concrete and guiding future research endeavours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation to evaluate the contribution of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer sheets in enhancing the shear strength of continuous reinforced concrete beams. A total of five, two-span concrete continuous beams with rectangular cross-section were tested. One beam without strengthening was used as the control and the other four beams were strengthened with different arrangements of polymer sheets. The variables selected were various wrapping schemes and anchorage length of the polymer sheet. The aim was to develop a better understanding of the shear contribution of polymer and to investigate the potential for cost savings by minimising the area of externally bonded polymer sheets. Test results were compared with four existing shear prediction models available in the literature. The results indicate that the polymer sheet significantly enhanced the shear strength of the beams, and that the area of polymer sheet can be minimised with marginal compromise on the shear carrying capacity of strengthened concrete beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]