**5. Conclusions and future works**

*Design of Cities and Buildings - Sustainability and Resilience in the Built Environment*

Production of esthetically pleasing SCFRC mixtures was a major objective of this study. For each SCFRC batch, several samples were cast to evaluate the esthetic characteristics of SCFRC. **Figure 5** shows a desired surface appearance of the SCFRC samples made from the selected batches. Overall, the color variation from a specimen to another was negligible. The specimens were easily removed from the molds, but the quality of the artworks in terms of sharpness and details varied

As can be seen in the SCFRC specimen from batch 5 (**Figure 5a**), the artwork was clear but some minor surface voids were present. The quality of the artwork was significantly improved after several trials. Slight air voids on the surface of concrete from batch 7 were observed (**Figure 5b**). Excellent results were obtained for the concrete shapes made from the SCFRC mixtures in batch 9. As shown in **Figure 5c**, the artwork had almost no surface voids and a smooth finish. **Figure 5d**

*Smooth finish appearance of SCFRC samples made from different batches: (a) batch 5, (b) batch 7, (c) batch* 

**4.4 Esthetic characteristics**

significantly among the concrete batches.

**96**

**Figure 5.**

*9, (d) batch 14.*

Several mix designs of self-consolidating fiber-reinforced concrete (SCFRC) were experimentally examined. Properties of SCFRC mixtures made from micro silica, fly ash, and PP fibers were evaluated. The trial-and-adjustment method was employed to seek finding favorable performances of the SCFRC mixtures. The fresh concrete properties, including filling ability and air content, were evaluated. In addition, both the hardened concrete properties and esthetic characteristics of the mixture designs were examined. The trial-and-adjustment process produced SCFRC mixtures with desired material properties and esthetic appearance. The seven-day compressive strength of SCFRC ranged from 36.31 MPa and 51.48 MPa, and the average air content was approximately 4.5 percent. The developed mixture designs in this study were proven to be advantageous for potential SCFRC applications in architectural structures including building façades and esthetically-pleasing bridges.

Future work will focus on building a comprehensive database for desired SCFRC mixtures taking into account additional variables including fiber type (natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or the combination thereof) and chemical admixtures (e.g., plasticizers and superplasticizers). Such a study could assist with mass application of SCFRC in sustainable architectural structures.

## **Acknowledgements**

The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by all the members of the Concrete Materials Laboratory at Marshall University. Special acknowledgement is due to Dr. Tu Nguyen for his earlier contribution to drafting text that summarizes the research records compiled by the research team.
