Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments
This study aims to investigate the impact of intertidal and subtidal marine environments on the bio-colonisation, durability, and microstructural evolution of concrete designed for marine infrastructure, such as dyke modules. Concrete samples were deployed in the Port of Cherbourg, France, for a 12-...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009179 |
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| author | Mohammed Zelloufi Violeta Ramos Badreddine El Haddaji Amel Bourguiba Sam Broom-Fendley Gavyn K. Rollinson Alexandra Guedes Jens Andersen Nassim Sebaibi Mohamed Boutouil |
| author_facet | Mohammed Zelloufi Violeta Ramos Badreddine El Haddaji Amel Bourguiba Sam Broom-Fendley Gavyn K. Rollinson Alexandra Guedes Jens Andersen Nassim Sebaibi Mohamed Boutouil |
| author_sort | Mohammed Zelloufi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aims to investigate the impact of intertidal and subtidal marine environments on the bio-colonisation, durability, and microstructural evolution of concrete designed for marine infrastructure, such as dyke modules. Concrete samples were deployed in the Port of Cherbourg, France, for a 12-month of exposure time, a critical period during which the material is subjected to various physical, chemical, and biological stresses. Biological assessments revealed a greater biomass accumulation in the intertidal zone, dominated by green algae, while barnacles were more prevalent in the subtidal environment. Intertidal exposure led to surface roughening and partial binder loss due to physical deterioration, whereas subtidal samples retained smoother surfaces. Despite the more aggressive conditions, the intertidal zone showed a slight increase in compressive strength, likely due to matrix densification from carbonation. Subtidal samples showed stable mechanical performance, limited carbonation, and early signs of magnesium-induced decalcification without significant strength loss. The results suggest that biological colonisation and environmental exposure jointly influence early-stage concrete performance in marine settings. These findings support the potential of bio-receptive concrete for use in eco-designed marine structures, though further long-term evaluation is recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3b277dca1b10403b8aae0887ffcd4478 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-5095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
| spelling | doaj-art-3b277dca1b10403b8aae0887ffcd44782025-08-20T04:02:26ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-12-0123e0511910.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05119Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environmentsMohammed Zelloufi0Violeta Ramos1Badreddine El Haddaji2Amel Bourguiba3Sam Broom-Fendley4Gavyn K. Rollinson5Alexandra Guedes6Jens Andersen7Nassim Sebaibi8Mohamed Boutouil9BUILDERS Ecole d′Ingénieurs, Unité de Recherche ''Builders Lab'', ComUE NU, Campus Caen, Epron, FranceCamborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK; Corresponding author.BUILDERS Ecole d′Ingénieurs, Unité de Recherche ''Builders Lab'', ComUE NU, Campus Caen, Epron, France; Institut de Recherche de la Construction, ESTP, 28 Avenue du Président Wilson, Cachan F-94230, France; ESITC Paris, Arcueil 94110, FranceBUILDERS Ecole d′Ingénieurs, Unité de Recherche ''Builders Lab'', ComUE NU, Campus Caen, Epron, France; Master Builders Solutions, 10 Rue des Cévennes, Lisses 91090, FranceCamborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UKCamborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UKDepartamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto and Instituto de Ciências da Terra, Pólo Porto, Portugal, Rua do Campo Alegre, Porto 4169-007, PortugalCamborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UKBUILDERS Ecole d′Ingénieurs, Unité de Recherche ''Builders Lab'', ComUE NU, Campus Caen, Epron, FranceBUILDERS Ecole d′Ingénieurs, Unité de Recherche ''Builders Lab'', ComUE NU, Campus Caen, Epron, FranceThis study aims to investigate the impact of intertidal and subtidal marine environments on the bio-colonisation, durability, and microstructural evolution of concrete designed for marine infrastructure, such as dyke modules. Concrete samples were deployed in the Port of Cherbourg, France, for a 12-month of exposure time, a critical period during which the material is subjected to various physical, chemical, and biological stresses. Biological assessments revealed a greater biomass accumulation in the intertidal zone, dominated by green algae, while barnacles were more prevalent in the subtidal environment. Intertidal exposure led to surface roughening and partial binder loss due to physical deterioration, whereas subtidal samples retained smoother surfaces. Despite the more aggressive conditions, the intertidal zone showed a slight increase in compressive strength, likely due to matrix densification from carbonation. Subtidal samples showed stable mechanical performance, limited carbonation, and early signs of magnesium-induced decalcification without significant strength loss. The results suggest that biological colonisation and environmental exposure jointly influence early-stage concrete performance in marine settings. These findings support the potential of bio-receptive concrete for use in eco-designed marine structures, though further long-term evaluation is recommended.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009179ConcreteIntertidal zoneSubtidal zoneBiofoulingMicrostructureDurability |
| spellingShingle | Mohammed Zelloufi Violeta Ramos Badreddine El Haddaji Amel Bourguiba Sam Broom-Fendley Gavyn K. Rollinson Alexandra Guedes Jens Andersen Nassim Sebaibi Mohamed Boutouil Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments Case Studies in Construction Materials Concrete Intertidal zone Subtidal zone Biofouling Microstructure Durability |
| title | Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments |
| title_full | Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments |
| title_short | Assessment of bio-colonisation, durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments |
| title_sort | assessment of bio colonisation durability and microstructure of concrete exposed to intertidal and subtidal marine environments |
| topic | Concrete Intertidal zone Subtidal zone Biofouling Microstructure Durability |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009179 |
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