College of Engineering at the University of Baghdad Discusses a Master’s Thesis on the Properties of Slurry-Infiltrated Fiber Concrete Using Different Curing Methods under External Sulfate Attack

The College of Engineering at the University of Baghdad held a public defense for the Master’s thesis of postgraduate student Sadiq Salem Manea from the Department of Civil Engineering. The thesis, entitled “Study of the Properties of Slurry-Infiltrated Fiber Concrete Using Different Curing Methods under External Sulfate Attack,” was defended on Sunday, August 9, 2026, in the Prof. Dr. Khalid Shakir Hall, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Zeina Khudhair Abbas.

The study aimed to investigate the properties of Slurry-Infiltrated Fiber Concrete (SIFCON) and evaluate the effects of different external curing methods on its mechanical and physical performance. It also examined the durability of SIFCON when exposed to external sulfate attack, comparing its behavior under continuous immersion and wetting–drying cycles, with the objective of identifying the most effective curing method and assessing the resistance of this type of concrete to severe sulfate environments.

The thesis included the preparation of SIFCON specimens containing 6% steel fibers and the investigation of different production methods to determine the most suitable technique. The specimens were subsequently subjected to four curing methods: water curing, steam curing, wet burlap curing, and membrane curing. Selected specimens were also exposed to a severe sulfate solution under two exposure regimes: continuous immersion and wetting–drying cycles.

The experimental program included tests for compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, impact resistance, density, water absorption, and mass change.

The thesis reached several conclusions and recommendations, the most important of which were:

• The hybrid mixing method demonstrated the best efficiency in distributing the fibers and reducing voids and was therefore adopted for producing the subsequent specimens.
• Steam curing achieved the best mechanical performance, followed by membrane curing, while wet burlap curing showed the lowest efficiency.
• SIFCON exhibited good resistance to sulfate attack for up to 90 days, with more noticeable deterioration after 120 days, particularly under wetting–drying cycles.

Following the scientific discussion by the members of the examination committee, the researcher’s defense, and the evaluation of the thesis, the committee recommended awarding the researcher the Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering / Building Materials Engineering.