Innovations in Composite Material Technologies and Structural Design

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 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. 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.

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