Next-Generation Concrete: Innovations in Material Composition and Structural Performance
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Concrete, dry-pack mortars, optimization, recycling, repair
Interests: durability of structural materials; rheology of cementitious composites; reliability and numerical analysis; sustainable structures; development of new structural materials; textile reinforced concrete; fiber-reinforced concrete
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleague,
As global infrastructure continues to develop intensively, the requirements for construction materials are becoming increasingly stringent. Concrete, the most widely used construction material in the world, is undergoing a transformation driven by the need for enhanced performance, sustainable development, and technological progress. This Special Issue explores cutting-edge advancements in concrete technology, focusing on new material compositions and structural characteristics of concrete with improved properties and expanded functionalities. We invite authors to submit experimental research findings dedicated to the development of high-performance and durable modified concretes, paving the way for the next generation of engineering solutions.
The focus of this Special Issue is on research works and case studies in areas such as:
- Development and application of new binding materials (composite low-clinker cements, geopolymers, alkali-activated materials, etc.) to enhance concrete performance;
- Advancement of functional additives (micro- and macrofibers and nanoparticles) that impart special properties to concrete, such as self-cleaning, self-healing, and smart behavior for use in projects with non-standard requirements;
- Innovative aggregates from recycled materials, CO₂-absorbing aggregates, and aggregates providing thermoactive properties to concrete (improved thermal insulation and energy storage capacity);
- Developments aimed at increasing strength, wear resistance, fire resistance, and resistance to aggressive environments (corrosion, sulfate attack, and freeze–thaw cycles) through innovative concrete compositions;
- Modeling and optimization: novel technological approaches to modeling and predicting concrete behavior at various levels (from microstructure to macroscopic properties), enabling composition and production optimization;
- Control and diagnostic methods: development of advanced non-destructive testing methods and condition monitoring systems to assess the durability and functionality of next-generation concrete.
We invite scientists, researchers, and engineers to submit their latest discoveries, which will significantly contribute to the understanding and advancement of next-generation concrete and highlight the importance of new technological solutions in this rapidly evolving field.
Dr. Vitalii Kryzhanovskyi
Prof. Dr. Rui Neves
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- next-generation concrete, functional additives, binders, geopolymers, alkali activation, performance characteristics, strength, durability, modeling, optimization
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