Sustainable Marine Structures

Recent Advances in Sustainable Concrete and Steel Alternatives for Marine Infrastructure

Kiran Napte

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, PCET’s Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering and Research, Ravet, Pune 412101, Maharashtra, India

Ganesh E. Kondhalkar

Department of Mechanical Engineering, ABMSP’s Anantrao Pawar College of Engineering and Research, Parvati, Pune 411009, Maharashtra, India

Shilpa Vishal Patil

Department of Civil Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411048, Maharashtra, India

Pallavi Vishnu Kharat

Department of Civil Engineering, Ajeenkya D Y Patil School of Engineering, Via Lohegaon, Charoli Budruk, Pune 412105, Maharashtra, India

Snehal Mayur Banarase

Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India School of Technology and Research, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India

Dr. Anant Kurhade

DYPIOT

Shital Yashwant Waware

School of Technology and Research, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dnyan Prasad University, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/sms.v7i2.2072

Received: 28 April 2025; Published: 4 June 2025

Abstract

Marine infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to harsh environmental conditions that accelerate the degradation of traditional materials such as Portland cement concrete and carbon steel. This review systematically investigates recent advancements in sustainable alternatives, including geopolymer concrete, engineered cementitious composites (ECC), bio-concrete, fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs), and bamboo, stainless steel, and steel-CFRP hybrid bars. Each material is evaluated based on marine durability, mechanical performance, environmental impact, and cost feasibility using life cycle assessment, durability modelling, and a multi-criteria decision-support framework. The results reveal that geopolymer concrete and FRP reinforcement’s exhibit superior corrosion resistance and environmental benefits, while ECC and steel-CFRP composites offer structural resilience with moderate environmental trade-offs. However, challenges remain in long-term performance validation, standardization, and market integration. The review concludes that a combined approach involving innovative materials, computational tools, and sustainability assessment is essential for advancing marine infrastructure. Outlook recommendations include focused field studies, development of regulatory guidelines, and interdisciplinary collaboration to drive the practical adoption of eco-efficient materials in coastal and offshore construction.

Keywords: Bio-Concrete Self-Healing Materials; Corrosion-Resistant Reinforcement; Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites; Geopolymer Concrete; Life Cycle Assessment in Construction; Sustainable Marine Infrastructure

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