Abstract As space missions evolve toward longer durations and deeper missions, structural materials face unprecedented challenges in extreme extraterrestrial environments, such as extreme temperature swings, intense radiation, cyclic loading, and crack propagation. These conditions place higher demands on the ductility, energy dissipation, and adaptability of traditional brittle concrete, prompting the research community to seek material systems with enhanced nonlinear response capabilities and sustainability. As a brittle material, ordinary concrete lacks the toughness and adaptability required to sustain such nonlinear behaviors. Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has gained increasing attention for its ability to enhance material ductility, energy dissipation, and structural resilience under nonlinear conditions. This review summarizes recent research on FRC, focusing on its mechanical properties, nonlinear response mechanisms, and potential for sustainable construction. The inclusion of natural, synthetic, or hybrid fibers significantly improves compressive strength, flexural performance, and crack control. Moreover, the use of recycled fine aggregates from construction and demolition waste further promotes environmental sustainability. The combined effects of fiber type, volume fraction, and distribution on nonlinear load-bearing capacity are critically analyzed. Finally, this article proposes that future research should focus on the performance evolution and adaptive design strategies of FRCs in complex nonlinear service environments (including high strain rates and low gravity in aerospace), providing theoretical support and material pathways for building the next generation of durable, lightweight, and sustainable aerospace infrastructure. FRC presents a promising solution for developing durable, adaptive, and sustainable infrastructure systems in nonlinear engineering environments.
Liu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.