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Insights into the Multifaceted Applications of Architectural Concrete: A State-of-the-Art Review

  • Review--Civil Engineering
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Abstract

The application of colour, form and texture to a concrete surface can transform the visual aspect of a structure. Such structural or non-structural elements possessing aesthetic finish exposed as an interior or exterior surface in the completed structure is usually termed as ‘Architectural Concrete’. The term ‘Architectural Concrete’ was coined in the year 1924 by a US architectural sculptor named John J. Earley. Over the years, many designers are fabricating architectural concrete blocks of several textures, colour and outline to deliver a vast range of structural appearance options. Architectural concrete is suitable for both structural and veneer applications. Archi-structural units offer economic and environmental benefits from their systematic combination of structural load-bearing, elegance and surface finish properties. Architectural concrete is often an economical and eco-friendly choice for crafting exterior or interior wall surfaces compared to the ceramic or stone finishing; however, it is unreasonable to procure at a structural concrete price. This review provides comprehensive information about the design and fabrication of architectural concrete, including forms, fabrication materials and its applications. The serviceability and durability aspects; production cost and the economy of the architectural concrete are also discussed in detail. Architectural concrete is the advanced solution, regardless of whether it is for structural engineering, economic or aesthetic reasons.

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Funding

The University of Malaya grant supported this research through the RU Geran-Fakulti Program RF027A-2018 titled “Recycling Construction Wastes into Energy-efficient Green Concrete Walls”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru, Karnataka, 572103, India

    Sujay Raghavendra Naganna

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Hussein Adebayo Ibrahim, Soon Poh Yap, Chee Ghuan Tan, Kim Hung Mo & Ahmed El-Shafie

  3. Centre for Transportation Research, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Soon Poh Yap & Kim Hung Mo

Authors
  1. Sujay Raghavendra Naganna
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  2. Hussein Adebayo Ibrahim
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  3. Soon Poh Yap
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  4. Chee Ghuan Tan
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  5. Kim Hung Mo
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  6. Ahmed El-Shafie
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Contributions

Sujay Raghavendra Naganna and Ahmed El-shafie developed the concept of the article. Sujay Raghavendra Naganna, Hussein Adebayo Ibrahim, Soon Poh Yap, Chee Ghuan Tan, Kim Hung Mo performed the literature search and writing of the original draft. Ahmed El-Shafie and Hussein Adebayo Ibrahim did the final editing of the original draft.

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Correspondence to Hussein Adebayo Ibrahim.

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Naganna, S.R., Ibrahim, H.A., Yap, S.P. et al. Insights into the Multifaceted Applications of Architectural Concrete: A State-of-the-Art Review. Arab J Sci Eng 46, 4213–4223 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-05033-0

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