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Advanced Studies in Cement-Based Materials
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Advanced Studies in Cement-Based Materials

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2025) | Viewed by 4965

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Oscar Aurelio Mendoza Reales

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Civil Engineering Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-611, RJ, Brazil
Interests: cement chemistry; materials science; nanotechnology applied to construction materials; digitalized construction; sustainability and environmental impact of cement-based composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The construction industry is undergoing a transformative shift driven by advancements in material science, digital fabrication, and sustainability. This Special Issue explores cutting-edge research on novel cement-based materials and technologies that enhance efficiency, durability, and environmental responsibility in construction. Key topics include advanced materials for digital construction and 3D printing, which enable complex geometries, optimized material usage, and automated production. Nanotechnology applications in cement-based materials are also featured, offering insights into improved mechanical properties, durability, and self-healing capabilities. Additionally, this Special Issue highlights novel alternative binders that reduce reliance on traditional Portland cement, contributing to lower carbon emissions. A major focus is given to the utilization of industrial residues and waste materials in construction, promoting circular economy principles and resource efficiency. This Issue also explores intelligent cement-based materials with self-sensing, self-repairing, and adaptive properties, paving the way for smart infrastructure. Lastly, research on thermally efficient cement-based materials addresses the growing demand for energy-efficient buildings through enhanced insulation and thermal regulation.

In this context, this Special Issue is focused on but not limited to the following topics:

  • Advanced materials for digital construction and 3D printing;
  • Nanotechnology applied to cement-based materials;
  • Novel alternative binders;
  • Usage of residues in efficient construction materials;
  • Cement-based intelligent construction materials;
  • Cement-based materials for thermal efficiency.

Dr. Oscar Aurelio Mendoza Reales
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Buildings 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 2600 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

  • cement-based material
  • 3D printing concrete
  • nanostructured concrete
  • residue upcycling
  • alternative binders
  • sustainable construction

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

35 pages, 15734 KB  
Article
Demonstration of 3D-Printed Concrete Containing Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregates (fCAs) and Recycled Concrete Powder (RCP): Rheology, Early-Age, Shrinkage, Mechanical, and Durability Performance
by Pawel Sikora, Karol Federowicz, Szymon Skibicki, Mateusz Techman, Marcin Hoffmann, Joao Nuno Pacheco, Mehdi Chougan, Daniel Grochała, Krzysztof Cendrowski, Daniel Sibera, Jarosław Błyszko, Bartosz Budziński, Guan Lin and Aleksandra Ludwiczak-Sarzała
Buildings 2025, 15(23), 4255; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15234255 - 25 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1191
Abstract
The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of cement-based composites incorporating both fine recycled concrete aggregates (fRAs) and recycled concrete powder (RCP), which were used for 3D concrete printing. The study evaluates properties ranging from fresh-state behaviour to hardened properties, durability, and microstructural characteristics. [...] Read more.
The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of cement-based composites incorporating both fine recycled concrete aggregates (fRAs) and recycled concrete powder (RCP), which were used for 3D concrete printing. The study evaluates properties ranging from fresh-state behaviour to hardened properties, durability, and microstructural characteristics. In the final stage, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted. A study found that it is feasible to print a composite containing up to 100% fRA as a replacement for natural river sand. Notably, an increase in fRA content enhances the buildability of the mix, as confirmed by green strength tests. However, the open time of mixes containing fRA and RCP was shortened. Incorporation of RCP and fRA led to a decrease in shrinkage within the first 24 h of hydration. Mechanical studies reported a significant reduction in compressive strength (up to 55%) when RCP and fRA were introduced to the mix. Despite the reduction in mechanical properties in specific configurations, all mixes—including 100% fRA and 10% RCP—exhibited compressive strengths above 30 MPa, demonstrating their potential suitability for use in the construction industry. The durability properties of mixes modified with fRA show that there is a statistically significant reduction in flexural strength after 25 and 50 freeze–thaw cycles. In terms of compressive strength, cast specimens did not exhibit any notable reduction in mechanical performance after freezing and thawing cycles. The LCA results demonstrate the high potential for using fRA and RCP derived from concrete waste in the additive manufacturing industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Cement-Based Materials)
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24 pages, 2650 KB  
Article
Low-Emission Cement Mortars with Superplasticizer: Temperature-Dependent Performance
by Beata Łaźniewska-Piekarczyk
Buildings 2025, 15(17), 2987; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15172987 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1122
Abstract
The environmental impact of cement production is strongly associated with the high clinker content and its corresponding CO2 emissions. This study examines the performance of low-emission cement mortars incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) and fly [...] Read more.
The environmental impact of cement production is strongly associated with the high clinker content and its corresponding CO2 emissions. This study examines the performance of low-emission cement mortars incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) and fly ash, which partially replace clinker and contribute to CO2 reduction. Six cement types (CEM I, CEM II/B-V, CEM II/B-S, CEM III/A, CEM V/A (S-V), and CEM V/B (S-V)) were assessed in 104 mortar formulations using a polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer, under varied curing temperatures (10 °C, 20 °C, 29 °C, and 33 °C). The present study is an experimental analysis of the impact of different plasticising and superplasticising admixtures on the demand for admixtures to achieve high flowability and low air content in cement-standardised mortar for admixture testing. PN-EN 480-1. The results indicate that mortars containing CEM III/A and CEM V/B (S-V) exhibited compressive strengths comparable to or superior to CEM I at 28 days, with strength gains exceeding 60 MPa at 20 °C. Workability retention at elevated temperatures was most effective in slag-rich cements. The plasticizing efficiency of the admixture decreased at temperatures above 29 °C, especially in fly ash-rich systems. The incorporation of SCMs resulted in an estimated reduction of up to 60% in clinker, with a corresponding potential decrease in CO2 emissions of 35–45%. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of using low-clinker, superplasticized mortars in varying thermal environments, supporting the advancement of sustainable cementitious systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Cement-Based Materials)
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21 pages, 7905 KB  
Article
Rheological and Environmental Implications of Recycled Concrete Powder as Filler in Concrete 3D Printing
by Tiago Canavarro Cavalcante, Romildo Dias Toledo Filho and Oscar Aurelio Mendoza Reales
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1280; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081280 - 14 Apr 2025
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2026
Abstract
3D printing with concrete has been accounted as a foremost strategy to mitigate low productivity, workforce shortage, and high waste generation in the construction industry. However, substantial environmental impacts related to high cement content in printable mixtures have received minor concern so far. [...] Read more.
3D printing with concrete has been accounted as a foremost strategy to mitigate low productivity, workforce shortage, and high waste generation in the construction industry. However, substantial environmental impacts related to high cement content in printable mixtures have received minor concern so far. An interesting prospect is the use of recycled concrete powders (RCP) to decrease cement content through their fineness and high specific surface area, which can potentially enhance rheological properties for 3D printing. However, their effects on cementitious mixtures greatly depend on their origin. This research investigated two distinct RCPs to replace 50% of Portland cement in pastes. On cementitious pastes, rotational rheometry, isothermal calorimetry, and a Life Cycle Inventory assessment were conducted. Printability tests on mortars evaluated the effects of RCP on extrudability and buildability. The results showed intensified early hydration for RCP pastes and up to a three-fold increase in static yield stress and higher dynamic yield stresses, regardless of origin. The viscosity of RCP pastes varied in relation to packing density. Extrudability and buildability can be compromised using RCP due to higher yield stress. The LCI assessment indicated a potential decrease of up to 62% in CO2 emissions using RCPs. Therefore, if adequate rheological adjustments are employed in the mix design of RCP mixtures, this material emerges as a feasible strategy to formulate 3D printable mixtures with a lower environmental footprint. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Cement-Based Materials)
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