China, for his numerous suggestions and constructive remarks. The author would also like to express his sincere gratitude to other research team members for providing numerous suggestions and sharing their findings and experience. Many thanks also to the technicians in Protective Engineering Laboratory and Construction Technology Laboratory for their valuable assistance in the experimental work. The author is very grateful to the Land Transport Authority of Singapore for kindly funding this project and Maritime Research Centre in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, for providing his opportunity to conduct the research. Thanks are also given to my colleague Wang longqi for his outstanding technical support. Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents and wife for their understanding, unconditional love and encouragement. Without their constant spiritual support, the successful completion of this project would be impossible.