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High-Performance Concrete: Preparation, Properties, Evaluation and Applications
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High-Performance Concrete: Preparation, Properties, Evaluation and Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3121

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yimmy Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Construction, Faculty of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820680, Chile
Interests: design and physical-mechanical-damage characterization of construction materials especially with the addition of valorized waste; durability of cementitious matrix materials
Dr. Gerardo Araya-Letelier

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Construction, Faculty of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820680, Chile
Interests: materials sustainability in construction materials structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of High-Performance Concrete (HPC) is key to more durable and sustainable infrastructure. This Special Issue addresses mix designs and advances in HPC preparation, properties, and applications, including the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), admixtures, and curing techniques. Studies on durability, mechanical behavior, and innovative applications will be explored. This Special Issue seeks to bring together cutting-edge research that optimizes HPC performance and promotes sustainable solutions for construction.

The construction sector is facing an urgent need to develop materials with higher performance and durability to respond to growing structural and environmental challenges. In this context, High-Performance Concrete (HPC) has become a key solution thanks to its high mechanical performance, durability, and adaptability to various service conditions. The development of HPC involves the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), admixtures, its optimized mix design, and innovative curing technologies, allowing for reduced environmental impact without compromising performance.

We welcomes submissions of recent research on the development and application of HPC. This call is open to a broad range of topics, including advancements in mix design, the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), durability assessments, mechanical performance improvements, and innovative testing methods. Contributions exploring cutting-edge technologies, sustainability strategies, and novel applications of HPC in modern construction are particularly encouraged. This Special Issue aims to provide readers with valuable insights into the latest developments in HPC, fostering innovation and practical advancements in the field.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. The design and optimization of HPC mixtures;
  2. Characterization of supplementary cementitious materials in concrete mixtures;
  3. Durability of concrete;
  4. Concrete binders;
  5. Geopolymers or alternative binders;
  6. The sustainability and environmental impacts of concrete materials;
  7. Eco-efficient concrete.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yimmy Silva
Dr. Gerardo Araya-Letelier
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

  • high-performance concrete
  • supplementary cementitious materials
  • durability
  • eco-concrete

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 9379 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of High-Performance Concrete Jacketing in Improving the Performance of RC Structures
by Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko, Ercan Işık, Dorin Radu, Borko Bulajić, Silva Lozančić, Josip Radić and Antonija Ereš
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(21), 11421; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111421 - 25 Oct 2025
Viewed by 461
Abstract
The seismic vulnerability of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings that constitute a large portion of the urban building stock has become a growing concern for urban safety. This situation was once again revealed by the massive destruction that occurred in RC structures following [...] Read more.
The seismic vulnerability of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings that constitute a large portion of the urban building stock has become a growing concern for urban safety. This situation was once again revealed by the massive destruction that occurred in RC structures following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Particularly in buildings constructed before 1990 and without adequate engineering services, destruction and damage were much greater. In this paper, structural models were created with inadequate transverse reinforcement, low-strength concrete, and inadequate concrete cover thickness, which all play a critical role in the seismic performance of the buildings. Structural analyses were updated for high-performance concrete jacketing models, considering the deformation status obtained for each inadequate parameter. It has been determined that the high-performance concrete can significantly increase structural performance, especially significant increases in shear strength capacities without the need for transverse reinforcement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Concrete: Preparation, Properties, Evaluation and Applications)
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20 pages, 24470 KB  
Article
Investigating the Influence of Site Soil and Water Chemistry on Durability of Precast Concrete Culverts
by Saugat Humagain, Prabir Kumar Sarker and Faiz Uddin Ahmed Shaikh
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 9958; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15189958 - 11 Sep 2025
Viewed by 525
Abstract
Precast concrete culverts are commonly used as an essential part of the road network of a country. However, frequent site inspections, repair, and replacement of culverts in the remote area require road closure, high cost, and logistical challenges. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of [...] Read more.
Precast concrete culverts are commonly used as an essential part of the road network of a country. However, frequent site inspections, repair, and replacement of culverts in the remote area require road closure, high cost, and logistical challenges. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the exposure conditions is essential to manufacture durable reinforced concrete culverts, especially for remote country regions. This paper investigates the influence of exposure conditions on the durability of precast reinforced concrete culverts by inspecting 14 selected culverts showing deterioration in the remote Wheatbelt Region of Western Australia. Soil and water samples collected from the sites were analyzed in the laboratory, and the results were used to assess the level of damage observed in the culverts during site inspection. The results revealed that 85% of the inspected culverts were situated in highly saline soil, and 65% of the deteriorated culverts were exposed to an environment rich in magnesium sulphate and chloride. In total, 9 out of 14 inspected sites were classified as exposure C under AS 5100.5. Overall, the investigation assessed the deterioration of culverts considering the influence of soil and water chemistry, offering a realistic perspective on culvert deteriorations and providing valuable insights for developing sustainable infrastructure in this regional context. The findings establish a baseline for enhancing the corrosion resistance of precast culverts and emphasize the importance of considering high salinity as a critical parameter for durability design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Concrete: Preparation, Properties, Evaluation and Applications)
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28 pages, 6625 KB  
Article
Short- and Long-Term Mechanical and Durability Performance of Concrete with Copper Slag and Recycled Coarse Aggregate Under Magnesium Sulfate Attack
by Yimmy Fernando Silva, Claudia Burbano-Garcia, Eduardo J. Rueda, Arturo Reyes-Román and Gerardo Araya-Letelier
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8329; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158329 - 26 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1142
Abstract
Sustainability in the construction sector has become a fundamental objective for mitigating escalating environmental challenges; given that concrete is the most widely used man-made material, extending its service life is therefore critical. Among durability concerns, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) attack is particularly [...] Read more.
Sustainability in the construction sector has become a fundamental objective for mitigating escalating environmental challenges; given that concrete is the most widely used man-made material, extending its service life is therefore critical. Among durability concerns, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) attack is particularly deleterious to concrete structures. Therefore, this study investigates the short- and long-term performance of concrete produced with copper slag (CS)—a massive waste generated by copper mining activities worldwide—employed as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), together with recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), obtained from concrete construction and demolition waste, when exposed to MgSO4. CS was used as a 15 vol% cement replacement, while RCA was incorporated at 0%, 20%, 50%, and 100 vol%. Compressive strength, bulk density, water absorption, and porosity were measured after water curing (7–388 days) and following immersion in a 5 wt.% MgSO4 solution for 180 and 360 days. Microstructural characteristics were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis with its differential thermogravimetric derivative (TG-DTG), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The results indicated that replacing 15% cement with CS reduced 7-day strength by ≤10%, yet parity with the reference mix was reached at 90 days. Strength losses increased monotonically with RCA content. Under MgSO4 exposure, all mixtures experienced an initial compressive strength gain during the short-term exposures (28–100 days), attributed to the pore-filling effect of expansive sulfate phases. However, at long-term exposure (180–360 days), a clear strength decline was observed, mainly due to internal cracking, brucite formation, and the transformation of C–S–H into non-cementitious M–S–H gel. Based on these findings, the combined use of CS and RCA at low replacement levels shows potential for producing environmentally friendly concrete with mechanical and durability performance comparable to those of concrete made entirely with virgin materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Concrete: Preparation, Properties, Evaluation and Applications)
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Review

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45 pages, 10445 KB  
Review
A Critical Review on Synergistic Integration of Nanomaterials in 3D-Printed Concrete: Rheology to Microstructure and Eco-Functionality
by Siva Jamjala, Manivannan Thulasirangan Lakshmidevi, K. S. K. Karthik Reddy, Bidur Kafle and Riyadh Al-Ameri
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 11267; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152011267 - 21 Oct 2025
Viewed by 574
Abstract
The use of nanomaterials (NMs) in 3D printing concrete (3DPC) has shown significant advancements in enhancing both fresh and hardened properties. This review finds that their inclusion in printable concrete has altered the rheological properties of the mix by promoting thixotropy, extrudability, and [...] Read more.
The use of nanomaterials (NMs) in 3D printing concrete (3DPC) has shown significant advancements in enhancing both fresh and hardened properties. This review finds that their inclusion in printable concrete has altered the rheological properties of the mix by promoting thixotropy, extrudability, and buildability while simultaneously refining the microstructure to enhance mechanical strength. Studies further highlight that these additives impart functional properties, such as the photocatalytic activity of nano-TiO2, which enables self-cleaning ability and assists pollutant degradation. At the same time, carbon-based materials enhance electrical conductivity, thereby facilitating the development of innovative and multifunctional structures. Such incorporation also mitigates anisotropy by filling voids, creating crack-bridging networks, and reducing pore interconnectivity, thereby improving load distribution and structural cohesion in printed structures. Integrating topology optimisation with 3DPC has the potential to enable efficient material usage. Thus, it enhances both sustainability and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as efficient dispersion, agglomeration, energy-intensive production processes, high costs, and ensuring environmental compatibility continue to hinder their widespread adoption in concrete printing. This article emphasises the need for optimised NM dosages, effective dispersion techniques, and standardised testing methods, as well as sustainability considerations, for adapting NMs in concrete printing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Concrete: Preparation, Properties, Evaluation and Applications)
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