Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.4
3.1
Journals
Buildings
Special Issues
Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design
share announcement

Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026 | Viewed by 1442

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaodi Dai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Infrastructure Materials, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
Interests: digital fabrication; low carbon cements; carbon mineralization; rheology; waste recycling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luchuan Ding

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Interests: structural engineering; progressive collapse; dynamics; RC structures; reliability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of modern construction technologies, composite materials have become increasingly important in civil engineering applications. These materials, formed by combining two or more distinct phases, offer unique advantages such as high strength-to-weight ratios, excellent durability, and the ability to be tailored for specific structural functions. Their superior mechanical properties and adaptability have made them a promising choice for enhancing the performance and resilience of civil infrastructure.

In recent years, innovations in material synthesis, fabrication techniques, and structural design approaches have significantly improved the reliability and applicability of composite materials in civil engineering systems. From fiber-reinforced polymers used in retrofitting existing structures to novel hybrid and multifunctional composites integrated into new construction, researchers continue to explore ways to optimize structural behavior and service life.

A growing area of interest lies in the application of composite materials for structures subjected to natural and extreme hazards, such as earthquakes, wind, fire, explosions, and corrosion. Composites offer promising solutions for improving structural safety and resilience, reducing damage under extreme loads, and extending the service life of civil infrastructure. Recent efforts have focused on developing performance-based design methods, robust analysis techniques, and effective maintenance strategies specifically tailored for composite-based structural systems under multi-hazard scenarios.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest developments in composite material technologies and structural design strategies, with particular emphasis on their application in civil engineering structures exposed to natural and extreme loading conditions. We invite researchers to submit original contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Additive manufacturing and fabrication techniques for civil engineering composites;
  • Innovative structural design and optimization methods using composite materials;
  • Experimental and computational characterization of composite systems under service and extreme loads;
  • Structural analysis and design for seismic, wind, fire, blast, and corrosion resistance;
  • Multi-hazard performance assessment and mitigation strategies;
  • Long-term durability, maintenance, and health monitoring of composite structures;
  • Sustainability and life-cycle analysis of composite materials in civil infrastructure;
  • Code-based design and regulatory compliance for composite structures under extreme conditions;
  • Case studies and real-world applications of composite materials in civil engineering.

We encourage submissions that not only report technical findings but also provide insights into the future direction of composite materials and their role in next-generation, resilient, and adaptive civil infrastructure.

Your contributions will help shape a comprehensive view of current innovations and future trends in this rapidly evolving and highly interdisciplinary field.

We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Xiaodi Dai
Dr. Luchuan Ding
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 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

  • composite materials
  • nano technology
  • multifunctionality
  • structural engineering
  • life-cycle structural engineering
  • artificial intelligence in civil engineering

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

26 pages, 8712 KB  
Article
Preparation Technology, Hydration Products, Microstructure of Martian Basic Magnesium Sulfate Cement, and Mechanical Properties of Its Concrete
by Mingyang Lu, Haiyan Ma, Chengyou Wu, Hongfa Yu, Honglei Zhang, Haosong Xuan, Lingyu Li, Keqin Zheng, Weifeng Liu and Haoxia Ma
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010007 - 19 Dec 2025
Viewed by 86
Abstract
Basic magnesium sulfate cement (BMSC) exhibits rapid setting, early strength development, high ultimate strength, and good durability, making it a promising construction material for the extreme environments of Mars. Following the principle of in situ resource utilization (ISRU), this study employs the Martian [...] Read more.
Basic magnesium sulfate cement (BMSC) exhibits rapid setting, early strength development, high ultimate strength, and good durability, making it a promising construction material for the extreme environments of Mars. Following the principle of in situ resource utilization (ISRU), this study employs the Martian regolith simulant NUAA-1M, developed by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, as both a mineral admixture and aggregate to prepare Martian basic magnesium sulfate cement (M-BMSC) and Martian basic magnesium sulfate cement concrete (M-BMSCC). The effects of NUAA-1M fines on the setting time, compressive strength, hydration heat evolution, hydration products, microstructure, and pore structure of M-BMSC were systematically investigated. Moreover, the fundamental physical and mechanical properties of M-BMSCC incorporating NUAA-1M as an aggregate were evaluated, and an empirical correlation model was established between its compressive strength (fcu), flexural strength (ft), and splitting tensile strength (fsp). Results indicate that with increasing NUAA-1M fines content, the setting time of M-BMSC was prolonged, while its compressive strength initially increased and then decreased. The incorporation of NUAA-1M fines modified the hydration process and phase assemblage of M-BMSC, promoting the formation of magnesium (alumino)silicate hydrate (M-(A)-S-H) gels and refining the pore structure. Hydration monitoring within 24 h confirmed the rapid hydration characteristics of M-BMSC, demonstrating its suitability for Martian conditions. M-BMSCC exhibited excellent early- and high-strength performance, achieving a 28-day compressive strength of 59.2 MPa at a binder-to-aggregate ratio of 2:1, corresponding to a total NUAA-1M content of 84.75% in the mixture. This work provides a novel ISRU-based material strategy for the construction of Martian bases and infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3991 KB  
Article
Study on Wind Load Distribution and Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Yawed Cylinder
by Xinxin Yuan, Zetao Li, He Yang, Fei Wang, Wenyong Ma, Qiaochu Zhao and Yong Yang
Buildings 2025, 15(23), 4390; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15234390 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 188
Abstract
The flow mechanism around a yawed cylinder is highly complex. While previous research has confirmed the limitation of the Independence Principle at high yaw angles, the specific flow phenomena beyond 20° yaw remain poorly understood, particularly concerning the spanwise development of the critical [...] Read more.
The flow mechanism around a yawed cylinder is highly complex. While previous research has confirmed the limitation of the Independence Principle at high yaw angles, the specific flow phenomena beyond 20° yaw remain poorly understood, particularly concerning the spanwise development of the critical regime and the mechanism behind asymmetric surface pressure. Most studies have focused on spatially averaged forces or specific angles, lacking a systematic investigation of the inherent flow characteristics in the intermediate region of finite-length cylinders. To bridge this gap, the present study conducts a detailed wind tunnel test on a yawed cylinder across a wide range of yaw angles (0–60°). By analyzing the pressure distribution and aerodynamic forces in the mid-span region, this study yields the following core findings of universal significance: (1) As the yaw angle increases, the critical flow regime in the intermediate section occurs prematurely. This leads to a decrease in the Reynolds number at which the critical region begins, resulting in the formation of separation bubbles and consequent localized negative-pressure zones on either the upper or lower windward surface of the cylinder. (2) When the yaw angle β ≤ 17.4°, the mean drag and lift in the middle region resemble those of a straight cylinder. However, as the yaw angle increases further, the drag coefficient decreases beyond a certain critical Reynolds number, which itself decreases with increasing yaw angle. (3) At β = 0°, the circumferential mean pressure distribution is symmetric about the cross-sectional axis and remains largely uniform along the span. High yaw angles disrupt this symmetry and uniformity, leading to complex three-dimensional flow structures. These findings have critical implications for the design of structures like inclined bridge towers and cables under oblique winds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4987 KB  
Article
Influence of Tilt Angle and Sag-to-Span Ratio on the Wind-Induced Interference Effects on Structural Response in a Cable-Supported Photovoltaic Array
by Xinyue Liu, Wenyong Ma, Xiaobin Zhang, Shuhui Zhang and Zhengzhong Su
Buildings 2025, 15(23), 4359; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15234359 - 2 Dec 2025
Viewed by 224
Abstract
As a common large-scale civil engineering structure, cable-supported photovoltaic (PV) arrays are typically designed with a 25-year service life, with their primary structural system composed of beam-column frames, pre-tensioned cables and modules. Cable-supported photovoltaic arrays are susceptible to large-amplitude wind-induced vibrations (WIV), threatening [...] Read more.
As a common large-scale civil engineering structure, cable-supported photovoltaic (PV) arrays are typically designed with a 25-year service life, with their primary structural system composed of beam-column frames, pre-tensioned cables and modules. Cable-supported photovoltaic arrays are susceptible to large-amplitude wind-induced vibrations (WIV), threatening structural safety and serviceability. This study investigates interference effects on an eight-row array that employs aeroelastic wind tunnel tests, focusing on how tilt angle and sag-to-span ratio influence vibration characteristics and interference mechanisms. Results show coupled vertical–torsional vibrations with amplitudes increasing with wind speed and that are more intense under wind suction than under wind pressure. Reducing tilt angle and sag-to-span ratio effectively suppresses vibrations and raises critical flutter speed. For interference effects, mean response demonstrates clear shielding with amplitudes decreasing leeward. In contrast, fluctuating response behavior depends on tilt angle: 5° tilt angle produces a shielding effect, while 25° tilt angle causes an amplification effect with periodic fluctuations. The 25° tilt angle shows greater sensitivity to wind speed, evidenced by decreasing interference coefficients from the second to eighth windward rows with increasing wind speed. Although reducing the sag-to-span ratio most effectively suppresses vibrations in the first windward row and consequently affects downstream interference coefficients, it does not alter the fundamental trends governed by tilt angle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 10553 KB  
Article
Mechanical Response and Health Monitoring of Deep Excavations Under Extreme Rainfall
by Wending Zhao, Junjun Li and Shujuan Xi
Buildings 2025, 15(22), 4167; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15224167 - 19 Nov 2025
Viewed by 303
Abstract
Real-time monitoring and early warning of foundation pits are critical for geotechnical safety. However, the rainfall-induced hydro-mechanical coupling effects on water-rich sandy excavations remain poorly understood. The impact of rainstorms on excavation stability demands urgent investigation. This study examines the response of a [...] Read more.
Real-time monitoring and early warning of foundation pits are critical for geotechnical safety. However, the rainfall-induced hydro-mechanical coupling effects on water-rich sandy excavations remain poorly understood. The impact of rainstorms on excavation stability demands urgent investigation. This study examines the response of a deep excavation at Beijing Daxing Airport during the “31.7” extreme rainfall event using a multi-sensor monitoring network and numerical simulations. Results reveal that excavation-induced displacement features a neutral point at 0.4–0.6H (H = slope height), with retaining pile displacements reaching 0.14%He (He = excavation depth). Extreme rainfall events elevate the groundwater table, triggering a rise in pore-water pressure within the soil mass. This process can induce excessive displacement in the excavation, posing a substantial threat to its overall stability. It is recommended to set the critical groundwater rise threshold for Beijing at 15% of the slope height (H) and to provide a 20% axial load-bearing safety margin for support systems in rainfall-prone areas. The safety threshold established in this study will serve as a scientific basis for early warning systems of excavation safety during extreme weather events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 12124 KB  
Article
Axial Compressive Behavior of Square Double-Skin Hybrid Concrete Bar Columns with Small-Diameter Concrete-Infilled GFRP Tubes
by Jingran He, Yi Liu, Qinling Hong, Runran Li, Ruofan Gao, Bing Fu, Luchuan Ding and Xiaodi Dai
Buildings 2025, 15(21), 3888; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15213888 - 27 Oct 2025
Viewed by 382
Abstract
With the increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength, and ductile structural systems in modern infrastructure, the hybrid composite column has emerged as a promising solution to overcome the limitations of single-material members. This paper proposes an innovative variant of double-skin tubular columns (DSTCs), termed [...] Read more.
With the increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength, and ductile structural systems in modern infrastructure, the hybrid composite column has emerged as a promising solution to overcome the limitations of single-material members. This paper proposes an innovative variant of double-skin tubular columns (DSTCs), termed as square double-skin hybrid concrete bar columns (SDHCBCs), composed of one square-shaped outer steel tube, small-diameter concrete-infilled glass FRP tubes (SDCFs), interstitial mortar, and an inner circular steel tube. A series of axial compression tests were conducted on eight SDHCBCs and one reference DSTC to investigate the effects of key parameters, including the thicknesses of the outer steel tube and GFRP tube, the substitution ratio of SDCFs, and their distribution patterns. As a result, significantly enhanced performance is observed in the proposed SDHCBCs, including the following: ultimate axial bearing capacity improved by 79.6%, while the ductility is increased by 328.3%, respectively, compared to the conventional DSTC. A validated finite element model was established to simulate the mechanical behavior of SDHCBCs under axial compression. The model accurately captured the stress distribution and progressive failure modes of each component, offering insights into the complex interaction mechanisms within the hybrid columns. The findings suggest that incorporating SDCFs into hybrid columns is a promising strategy to achieve superior load-carrying performance, with strong potential for application in high-rise and infrastructure engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop