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Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition

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 June 2025 | Viewed by 7446

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mouhamadou Amar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Centre for Materials and Processes, Institut Mines-Télécom, IMT Nord Europe, F-59508 Douai, France
2. Laboratoire de Génie Civil et Géo-Environnement, ULR 4515—LGCgE, Institut Mines-Télécom, University Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
Interests: materials; cement; waste; durability; concrete; binders; SCM; geopolymers; sediments, clays; treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Nor Edine Abriak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Centre for Materials and Processes, Institut Mines-Télécom, IMT Nord Europe, F-59508 Douai, France
2. Laboratoire de Génie Civil et Géo-Environnement, ULR 4515—LGCgE, Institut Mines-Télécom, University Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
Interests: cement; sediments; granular materials; strain localization; earth blocks stabilized; glass waste; concrete; numerical modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the ever-evolving realm of materials science and engineering, innovation and sustainability continue to be the driving forces. As we witness increasing challenges related to the environment and the need for resource optimization, this Special Issue aims to serve as a platform for the dissemination of groundbreaking research and experimental findings in the multifaceted domain of materials, cement, and waste reuse.

This Special Issue aims to address a broad spectrum of keywords and topics that are pertinent to the future of material engineering and sustainable construction practices. We welcome submissions in the following areas:

  1. Formulation and design of sustainable materials: investigating innovative formulations and recipes for eco-friendly construction materials, including concrete and binders.
  2. Materials characterization techniques: exploring advanced methodologies and technologies for characterizing materials, providing insights into their properties and behavior.
  3. Durability and longevity of materials: assessing the resilience and service life of materials under various environmental conditions and mechanical stresses. This could include numerical modelling.
  4. Concrete and alternative binders and earth-based materials: examining traditional concrete as well as emerging binders or earth-based materials and their applications in construction.
  5. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs): investigating the role of SCMs in enhancing the properties of cementitious systems and reducing environmental impact.
  6. Geopolymers: advancements in geopolymer research, focusing on sustainable alternatives to traditional cement-based materials.
  7. Utilization of sediments and clays: exploring the potential of sediments and clays in material production and waste reduction.
  8. Waste treatment and reuse: innovative approaches to treating waste materials and incorporating them into construction practices.

This Special Issue welcomes high-quality, original research contributions that span the entire spectrum of materials science, from novel characterization techniques to the development of sustainable, durable materials. We are eager to publish research that advances our understanding of materials while promoting environmentally conscious practices within the field.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and believe that this Special Issue will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners committed to the future of sustainable materials and construction.

Dr. Mouhamadou Amar
Prof. Dr. Nor Edine Abriak
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

  • materials
  • cement
  • waste reuse
  • characterization techniques
  • formulation
  • durability
  • concrete
  • binders
  • SCMs
  • geopolymers
  • sediments, clays
  • treatment

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 7522 KiB  
Article
Experimental Analysis of Creep and Shrinkage of Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Concrete Aggregates
by Marijan Skazlić, Hamdo Mešić and Ivan Gabrijel
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 4309; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15084309 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 256
Abstract
The recycling of old concrete from the demolition of concrete structures is necessary for the rational use of natural aggregate resources. Recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) are the highest quality recycled aggregates as they are the closest to natural aggregates. However, the use of [...] Read more.
The recycling of old concrete from the demolition of concrete structures is necessary for the rational use of natural aggregate resources. Recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) are the highest quality recycled aggregates as they are the closest to natural aggregates. However, the use of RCAs is always associated with greater fluctuations and usually with a deterioration in workability, mechanical properties and long-term properties. The use of RCA in self-compacting concrete (SCC), where the proportion of aggregate is lower than in conventional concrete, is one way of mitigating the effects of RCAs. In this paper, the effects of coarse and fine RCA are investigated, focusing on dimensional changes due to shrinkage and creep. SCC mixes were developed in which the dolomite aggregates were partially or completely replaced by RCAs and additionally mixes in which 50% of the cement was replaced by fly ash. The average shrinkage strain measured after 180 days increased from 0.34 mm/m for a mix with natural aggregates to 1.04 mm/m for a mix made entirely with RCAs, showing an almost proportional increase in strain with RCA content. At the same age, the creep compliance ranged from 0.07 GPa−1 for the mix with natural aggregates to 0.34 GPa−1 for the mix made entirely with RCAs, and is most strongly correlated with hardened concrete density. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition)
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27 pages, 6157 KiB  
Article
Reutilization of Recycled CDW Sand in Mortars, Paving Blocks, and Structural Concrete
by Ángel M. Pitarch, Ana Piquer, Lucía Reig, Marta Roig-Flores, Vicente Albero, David Hernández-Figueirido and Antonio Melchor-Eixea
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3652; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073652 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 317
Abstract
Reusing construction and demolition waste (CDW) as recycled aggregate reduces environmental impact and enhances resource efficiency. While previous research has mainly focused on the use of recycled aggregates (RAs) in concrete, this study evaluates the use of CDW-derived sand in mortars, paving blocks, [...] Read more.
Reusing construction and demolition waste (CDW) as recycled aggregate reduces environmental impact and enhances resource efficiency. While previous research has mainly focused on the use of recycled aggregates (RAs) in concrete, this study evaluates the use of CDW-derived sand in mortars, paving blocks, and structural concrete. Natural and CDW aggregates were characterized, and samples were prepared with two types of Portland cement, replacing up to 100% of the natural limestone sand. Tests were conducted to assess workability, density, strength, and durability. CDW aggregates, primarily composed of limestone and ceramics, reduced sample density as their content increased. Workability improved in the mortars and concrete with higher CDW contents, peaking at 20% CDW in paving blocks. Although the permeability of concrete increased with CDW content, the developed recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) met structural code requirements for all the exposure classes. Despite the decline in strength with higher CDW content, the paving blocks maintained a relative tensile splitting strength above 80%, and the relative compressive strength of the mortars cured for 28 days exceeded 70%. The RAC compressive strength remained within the required range for reinforced concrete (>25–30 MPa). These results validate the feasibility of using CDW-derived sand in various sustainable construction applications with minimal strength loss. Furthermore, they contribute to the development of standardized guidelines for RAs in non-structural applications, fostering broader industry adoption and environmental benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 4336 KiB  
Article
Digital Image Correlation and Reliability-Based Methods for the Design of Structural Beams Made from Recycled Concrete Using Aggregates from Precast Rejects
by Jorge López-Rebollo, Evelio Teijón-López-Zuazo, Roberto García-Martin, Luis Javier Sánchez-Aparicio and Diego González-Aguilera
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020656 - 11 Jan 2025
Viewed by 788
Abstract
The use of recycled aggregates in the manufacture of concrete is presented as a solution to reduce the consumption of resources and waste in the construction sector and contribute to a lower environmental impact. This work aims to explore the possibility of producing [...] Read more.
The use of recycled aggregates in the manufacture of concrete is presented as a solution to reduce the consumption of resources and waste in the construction sector and contribute to a lower environmental impact. This work aims to explore the possibility of producing structural beams from recycled concrete using aggregates from precast concrete rejects and to improve their design using advanced characterisation techniques. To this end, the experimental data coming from mechanical test and the use of the digital image correlation approach are combined with a robust reliability-based method. The full-field data provided by the digital image correlation approach allow to determine the probabilistic density functions of the mechanical data. From these data, a predictive analysis of the maximum strength and deflection of flexural beams is carried out based on robust design techniques. This approach uses analytical theoretical models and a Monte Carlo-based simulation strategy that allows the prediction of the behaviour of the beams. This methodology was validated by manufacturing six beams with the previously analysed recycled concrete, HA-30, and testing them in the laboratory. All the beams showed behaviour within the predicted range: around 49.7 kN maximum load and just over 9.3 mm maximum deflection. These results demonstrate the robustness of the approach as well as the feasibility of using precast rejects for the manufacture of structural elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 3236 KiB  
Article
Utilization of Phosphogypsum and Sediment in Subgrade Material for Pavement Construction
by Dragana Tomašević Pilipović, Nataša Slijepčević, Dunja Rađenović Veselić, Miloš Šešlija, Vesna Bulatović and Nataša Duduković
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010347 - 1 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1481
Abstract
(1) Background: The construction industry continuously seeks sustainable alternatives to traditional materials for subgrade material in pavement construction, aiming to mitigate environmental impact while maintaining performance standards. This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating phosphogypsum (PG) and contaminated sediment into subgrade materials, focusing [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The construction industry continuously seeks sustainable alternatives to traditional materials for subgrade material in pavement construction, aiming to mitigate environmental impact while maintaining performance standards. This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating phosphogypsum (PG) and contaminated sediment into subgrade materials, focusing on their physico-chemical and physico-mechanical properties. (2) Methods: The physico-chemical and physico-mechanical properties, performance, and mechanisms of solidified sediment with phosphogypsum (3% and 5% of phosphogypsum in mixture) were studied using long-term leaching tests (ANS 16.1), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). (3) Results: Based on the pseudo-total metal content (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb), the sediment is classified as third- and fourth-class, indicating it is polluted and requires treatment before disposal in the environment. To assess the long-term behavior of the sediment treated with phosphogypsum (S/S), a semi-dynamic ANS 16.1 leaching test was performed. The results showed that the metals exhibit moderate mobility, with average diffusion coefficients (De) ranging from 10−8 cm2/s for Zn (in both mixtures) to 10−12 cm2/s for Cr (in mixture F-3). The leaching index (LX) values for both mixtures were above 9 for most metals, confirming their suitability for “controlled” use. Granulometric analysis indicated a predominance of fine particles, which enhances the material’s plasticity and mechanical properties. Atterberg consistency tests showed that increasing phosphogypsum content improved both the Liquid Limit and Plastic Index. However, UCS tests indicated that neither the 3% nor 5% phosphogypsum mixtures met the minimum strength requirements for subgrade material. On the other hand, CBR values demonstrated promising performance, with 12.5% for the 3% phosphogypsum mixture and 22.9% for the 5% phosphogypsum mixture. Overall, phosphogypsum positively influenced the strength development of the sediment-PG mixtures, as confirmed by XRF and TGA analyses. (4) Conclusions: Environmental considerations, such as leachability of contaminants, were investigated to ensure the sustainability of the proposed subgrade materials. Leaching tests indicated minimal pollutant release, suggesting the potential for safe utilization of PG and sediment in subgrade material. This study provides valuable insights into the physico-chemical and physico-mechanical properties of pavement mixes incorporating PG and sediment, supporting the feasibility of using these alternative materials in sustainable subgrade material for pavement construction and offering a viable solution to mitigate waste generation while enhancing pavement performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition)
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27 pages, 7573 KiB  
Article
Development of a Novel Beam-Based Finite-Element Approach for the Computationally Efficient Prediction of Residual Stresses and Displacements in Large 3D-Printed Polymer Parts
by Irja B. Hepler and William G. Davids
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8834; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198834 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1567
Abstract
Recently, 3D printing of large, structural polymer parts has received increasing interest, especially for the creation of recyclable structural parts and tooling. However, the complexity of large-scale 3D polymeric printing often dictates resource-intensive trial and error processes to achieve acceptable parts. Existing computational [...] Read more.
Recently, 3D printing of large, structural polymer parts has received increasing interest, especially for the creation of recyclable structural parts and tooling. However, the complexity of large-scale 3D polymeric printing often dictates resource-intensive trial and error processes to achieve acceptable parts. Existing computational models used to assess the impact of fabrication conditions typically treat the 3D-printed part as a continuum, incorporate oversimplified boundary conditions and take hours to days to run, making design space exploration infeasible. The purpose of this study is to create a structural model that is computationally efficient compared with traditional continuum models yet retains sufficient accuracy to enable exploration of the design space and prediction of part residual stresses and deformations. To this end, a beam-based finite element methodology was created where beads are represented as beams, vertical springs represent inter-bead transverse force transfer and multi-point, linear constraints enforce strain compatibility between adjacent beads. To test this framework, the fabrication of a large Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) wall was simulated. The PETG was modeled as linearly elastic with an experimentally derived temperature-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion and elastic modulus using temperature history imported from an ABAQUS thermal model. The results of the simulation were compared to those from a continuum model with an identical material definition, showing reasonable agreement of stresses and displacements. Further, the beam-based model required an order of magnitude less run time. Subsequently, the beam-based model was extended to allow separation of the part from the printing bed and the inclusion of part self-weight during fabrication to assess the significance of these effects that pose challenges for existing continuum models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 5025 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Critical Fatigue Conditions Based on the Accelerated Fatigue Locati Method by Mean of Net Damage
by Isidro A. Carrascal, Soraya Diego, Jose A. Casado, Jose A. Sainz-Aja and Diego Ferreño
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4939; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114939 - 6 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1026
Abstract
The increasing utilization of short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, due to their advantageous mechanical properties and manufacturing convenience, has led to their application in areas traditionally dominated by metals. This shift underscores the importance of understanding the fatigue behavior of these materials. This study evaluates [...] Read more.
The increasing utilization of short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, due to their advantageous mechanical properties and manufacturing convenience, has led to their application in areas traditionally dominated by metals. This shift underscores the importance of understanding the fatigue behavior of these materials. This study evaluates the fatigue behavior of short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics through three characterization methods: continuous fatigue, interrupted fatigue, and the Locati method, with the latter serving as a novel approach for estimating critical fatigue conditions from a single specimen. Continuous fatigue testing provides the baseline for comparison. The effect of load interruption is explored through the interrupted fatigue method. The Locati method, characterized by incrementally increasing load steps until failure, offers a significant benefit by enabling the estimation of critical fatigue conditions efficiently. This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fatigue behavior of short fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, contributing to the optimization of their use in engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 1653 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Early-Age Compressive Strength in Winter Prefabrication: A Comparative Study
by Bechara Haddad, Farjallah Alassaad and Nassim Sebaibi
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3653; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093653 - 25 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 990
Abstract
In the field of prefabrication, the timely demolding of concrete elements is crucial to prevent structural failures during panel lifting. This study investigates the early-age compressive strength of different concrete mixtures by simulating various prefabrication plant scenarios. Special attention is given to winter [...] Read more.
In the field of prefabrication, the timely demolding of concrete elements is crucial to prevent structural failures during panel lifting. This study investigates the early-age compressive strength of different concrete mixtures by simulating various prefabrication plant scenarios. Special attention is given to winter conditions, where concrete hydration tends to be slower, potentially compromising the minimum compressive strength requirement of 10 MPa. The first scenario (reference), set at an ambient temperature of 20 °C with raw materials at room temperature, establishes the baseline for comparison. Two alternative dispositions are explored: Scenario 2, with an external temperature of 8 °C and the water for mixing at 35 °C, and Scenario 3, with the same external temperature but utilizing a heating hood to maintain the concrete at 35 °C. The experimental results shed light on the effectiveness of different strategies in achieving the desired early-age compressive strength under winter conditions. The use of warm mixing water and heating hoods are evaluated as potential measures to counteract the hydration slowdown. The findings contribute valuable insights for optimizing prefabrication processes in cold weather, ensuring the structural integrity of precast concrete elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development, Characterization, Application and Recycling of Novel Construction Materials, 2nd Edition)
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