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report:soa [2026/06/03 11:00] – [2.5.1. Structural Materials] team4report:soa [2026/06/03 11:16] (current) – [2.6 Summary] team4
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 The selection of materials and the structural design of artificial habitats are fundamental to ensuring both environmental compatibility and long-term viability. For this project, concrete has been identified as the primary material due to its exceptional durability and its proven track record in underwater construction. Its capacity to provide structural integrity against significant environmental stressors—such as salinity, strong currents, and wave action—makes it the industry standard for creating resilient marine foundations. While the chemical properties of concrete, particularly its initial pH levels, have historically been a point of debate, recent research has shifted the focus toward a more nuanced understanding of its behavior in open marine environments [(KNOESTER2024)]. The selection of materials and the structural design of artificial habitats are fundamental to ensuring both environmental compatibility and long-term viability. For this project, concrete has been identified as the primary material due to its exceptional durability and its proven track record in underwater construction. Its capacity to provide structural integrity against significant environmental stressors—such as salinity, strong currents, and wave action—makes it the industry standard for creating resilient marine foundations. While the chemical properties of concrete, particularly its initial pH levels, have historically been a point of debate, recent research has shifted the focus toward a more nuanced understanding of its behavior in open marine environments [(KNOESTER2024)].
  
-Studies indicate that the high alkalinity of newly submerged concrete (typically between 12–14) is rapidly diluted by seawater, resulting in no significant long-term detriment to coral growth or benthic colonization [(KNOESTER2024)]. This suggests that ecological success depends less on extended curing periods or pH-neutral mixtures and more on the physical attributes of the habitat. Consequently, the following sections will detail how this project prioritizes structural complexity, substrate durability, and hydrodynamic stability [(NewHeaven2016)]. By optimizing the weight-to-complexity ratio and ensuring low water absorption, it can be guaranteed that these structures remain stationary during extreme weather events while providing the necessary niches for biodiversity to thrive [(KNOESTER2024)].+Studies indicate that the high alkalinity of newly submerged concrete (typically between 12–14) is rapidly diluted by seawater, resulting in no significant long-term detriment to coral growth or benthic colonization [(KNOESTER2024)]. This suggests that ecological success depends less on extended curing periods or pH-neutral mixtures and more on the physical attributes of the habitat. Consequently, the following sections will detail how this project prioritizes structural complexity, substrate durability, and hydrodynamic stability [(NewHeaven2018)]. By optimizing the weight-to-complexity ratio and ensuring low water absorption, it can be guaranteed that these structures remain stationary during extreme weather events while providing the necessary niches for biodiversity to thrive [(KNOESTER2024)].
  
 Based on the research and articles reviewed, the following subsection evaluates different material options—ranging from traditional foundations to innovative biocompatible substrates—from which the selection for the most suitable components will be done for this specific implementation. Based on the research and articles reviewed, the following subsection evaluates different material options—ranging from traditional foundations to innovative biocompatible substrates—from which the selection for the most suitable components will be done for this specific implementation.
 === 2.5.1. Structural Materials === === 2.5.1. Structural Materials ===
 +
 **A. Bacterial (Self-healing) High-Strength Concrete (HSC)** **A. Bacterial (Self-healing) High-Strength Concrete (HSC)**
  
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 **B. Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP)** **B. Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP)**
 +
 Basalt fibers, derived from natural volcanic rock, are used to reinforce concrete or as standalone composite laminates [(BAHAOUI2025)]. Basalt fibers, derived from natural volcanic rock, are used to reinforce concrete or as standalone composite laminates [(BAHAOUI2025)].
-  * **Pros:** **Naturally non-corrosive** and chemically stable in aggressive saline environments [(BAHAOUI2025)]. Vacuum infusion manufacturing can produce laminates with flexural strength up to **400 MPa** [(BAHAOUI2025)]. It provides a more resilient, damage-tolerant failure mode compared to the brittle collapse of traditional reinforced concrete [(BAHAOUI2025)]. +  * Pros: **Naturally non-corrosive** and chemically stable in aggressive saline environments [(BAHAOUI2025)]. Vacuum infusion manufacturing can produce laminates with flexural strength up to **400 MPa** [(BAHAOUI2025)]. It provides a more resilient, damage-tolerant failure mode compared to the brittle collapse of traditional reinforced concrete [(BAHAOUI2025)]. 
-  * **Cons:** Slightly lower peak flexural strength compared to glass fibers, although superior in long-term durability and environmental footprint [(BAHAOUI2025)]. +  * Cons: Slightly lower peak flexural strength compared to glass fibers, although superior in long-term durability and environmental footprint [(BAHAOUI2025)]. 
-  * **Price:** Estimated at **160 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 220 €/m<sup>3</sup>** .+  * Price: Estimated at **160 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 220 €/m<sup>3</sup>** .
  
 **C. Geopolymer Gel Concrete** **C. Geopolymer Gel Concrete**
 +
 A cement-free binder using materials like fly ash and metakaolin modified with nano-silica (SiO<sub>2</sub>) [(LAI2026)]. A cement-free binder using materials like fly ash and metakaolin modified with nano-silica (SiO<sub>2</sub>) [(LAI2026)].
-  * **Pros:** Significantly **lower CO<sub>2</sub> footprint** than Portland cement [(LAI2026)]. It shows superior resistance to chloride and sulfate attack in "wet-thermal" marine environments [(LAI2026)]. +  * Pros: Significantly **lower CO<sub>2</sub> footprint** than Portland cement [(LAI2026)]. It shows superior resistance to chloride and sulfate attack in "wet-thermal" marine environments [(LAI2026)]. 
-  * **Cons:** Higher production costs currently limit wide adoption [(LAI2026)]. +  * Cons: Higher production costs currently limit wide adoption [(LAI2026)]. 
-  * **Price:** Estimated at **150 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 200 €/m<sup>3</sup>**.+  * Price: Estimated at **150 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 200 €/m<sup>3</sup>**.
  
 **D. ECOncrete® / Sulfoaluminate Cement (SAC)** **D. ECOncrete® / Sulfoaluminate Cement (SAC)**
 +
 A proprietary concrete mix designed to reduce surface alkalinity to a neutral pH [(SELLA2015)]. A proprietary concrete mix designed to reduce surface alkalinity to a neutral pH [(SELLA2015)].
-  * **Pros:** Surface **pH of 9–10** (closer to seawater's 8) promotes the settlement of "ecosystem engineers" like oysters, serpulid worms, and coralline algae. These organisms provide **bioprotection**, adding a calcified layer that strengthens the structure and limits oxygen/chloride penetration [(SELLA2015)]. +  * Pros: Surface **pH of 9–10** (closer to seawater's 8) promotes the settlement of "ecosystem engineers" like oysters, serpulid worms, and coralline algae. These organisms provide **bioprotection**, adding a calcified layer that strengthens the structure and limits oxygen/chloride penetration [(SELLA2015)]. 
-  * **Cons:** Requires specialized design to ensure the lower pH doesn't compromise the protection of internal steel if used. +  * Cons: Requires specialized design to ensure the lower pH doesn't compromise the protection of internal steel if used. 
-  * **Price:** Estimated at **140 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 180 €/m<sup>3</sup>**.+  * Price: Estimated at **140 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 180 €/m<sup>3</sup>**.
  
 **E. Recycled Glass (Partial Aggregate Replacement)** **E. Recycled Glass (Partial Aggregate Replacement)**
 +
 Crushed waste glass used to replace up to 30 % of fine aggregates in the concrete mix [(DAAROL2026)]. Crushed waste glass used to replace up to 30 % of fine aggregates in the concrete mix [(DAAROL2026)].
-  * **Pros:** Improves **chemical resistance** and reduces water absorption [(DAAROL2026)]. It offers an eco-friendly way to utilize waste while maintaining sufficient compressive strength for marine applications [(DAAROL2026)]. +  * Pros: Improves **chemical resistance** and reduces water absorption [(DAAROL2026)]. It offers an eco-friendly way to utilize waste while maintaining sufficient compressive strength for marine applications [(DAAROL2026)]. 
-  * **Cons:** Replacing more than 30 % of aggregate leads to a **significant reduction in compressive strength** [(DAAROL2026)]. +  * Cons: Replacing more than 30 % of aggregate leads to a **significant reduction in compressive strength** [(DAAROL2026)]. 
-  * **Price:** Estimated at **90 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 140 €/m<sup>3</sup>**.+  * Price: Estimated at **90 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 140 €/m<sup>3</sup>**.
  
  
 **F. Biorock (Mineral Accretion)** **F. Biorock (Mineral Accretion)**
 +
 Uses low-voltage DC electricity to precipitate minerals (limestone) directly from seawater onto an iron frame. Uses low-voltage DC electricity to precipitate minerals (limestone) directly from seawater onto an iron frame.
-  * **Pros:** Accelerates biological growth by **400 %** and allows the structure to **self-repair** after impacts. +  * Pros: Accelerates biological growth by **400 %** and allows the structure to **self-repair** after impacts. 
-  * **Cons:** Requires **constant power** from a buoy; if the power is interrupted, the iron frame corrodes rapidly. +  * Cons: Requires **constant power** from a buoy; if the power is interrupted, the iron frame corrodes rapidly. 
-  * **Price:** Base infrastructure **120 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 160 €/m<sup>3</sup>** (excluding electrical components).+  * Price: Base infrastructure **120 €/m<sup>3</sup> – 160 €/m<sup>3</sup>** (excluding electrical components).
  
 == 2.5.1.1 Compararative Table == == 2.5.1.1 Compararative Table ==
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 <color #6aa84f>__//**TO BE CHECKED WHEN THE PROTOTYPE HAS TO BE DONE**//__</color> <color #6aa84f>__//**TO BE CHECKED WHEN THE PROTOTYPE HAS TO BE DONE**//__</color>
  
-- Option 1 :One possible option is to combine basalt fabric reinforcement with reused concrete or industrial waste. However, the pH level must be tested to ensure that the material is suitable for water exposure.+- Option 1: One possible option is to combine basalt fabric reinforcement with reused concrete or industrial waste. However, the pH level must be tested to ensure that the material is suitable for water exposure. 
 + 
 +  * **Pros** It is similar to the actual product and cuts down on costs. 
 +  * **Cons** It is impossible to modify the model design and there is no marketing advantage because it is not different from existing business.
  
-  * **pros** It is similar to the actual product and cuts down on costs. +- Option 2: Polymer clay can be shaped into the desired model and then hardened by baking it in an oven. 
-  * **cons** It is impossible to modify the model design and there is no marketing advantage because it is not different from existing business.+  
 +  * **Pros** It is possible to be mini version of the actual model in any shape and cuts down on costs. 
 +  * **Cons** There are size limitations depending on the oven and it is different from the model of actual project so not sure if it will approve.
  
-- Option 2 : Polymer clay can be shaped into the desired model and then hardened by baking it in an oven. 
-  * **pros** It is possible to be mini version of the actual model in any shape and cuts down on costs. 
-  * **cons** There are size limitations depending on the oven and it is different from the model of actual project so not sure if it will approve. 
  
 === 2.5.2 Sensor placements === === 2.5.2 Sensor placements ===
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 ==== 2.6 Summary ==== ==== 2.6 Summary ====
-Chapter 2 gives an overview of existing artificial reef concepts, relevant companies, material choices, sensor challenges, and biological and geographical factors. It shows that Maris Habitats differs from many existing solutions by combining modular reef blocks with a removable smartblock for long-term local data logging. The chapter also highlights that successful reef design depends on durable marine materials, structural complexity, suitable sensor placement, and careful site selection.+Chapter 2 gives an overview of existing artificial reef concepts, relevant companies, material choices, sensor challenges, and biological and geographical factors. It shows that Maris Habitats differs from many existing solutions by combining modular reef blocks with a removable smartlogger for long-term local data logging. The chapter also highlights that successful reef design depends on durable marine materials, structural complexity, suitable sensor placement, and careful site selection.