Cementitious Composites Reinforced with Recycled and Natural Fibers: Experimental Results and Numerical Modelling 2019

Dear Colleagues,

The use of “green” constituents is emerging as a challenge for enhancing sustainability in concrete production. In this context, the use of recycled fibers is one of the most promising prospects.

This Special Issue aims to collect contributions on the most recent advances on the physical and mechanical characterisation of Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites (FRCC) with either Recycled Fibers (RFs) or Natural Fibers (NFs). Specifically, it includes (without being limited to) studies on FRCC produced with either Recycled Steel Fibers (RSFs) obtained from waste tires or NFs obtained from plant, such as sisal, hemp, flax, etc. However, research on types of fibers other than the two aforemenioned types are also of interest as they may shed light on more innovative and less explored possibilities in FRCCs towards a more sustainable built environment.

Further, although experimental results are certainly relevant in gaining empirical evidence about the technical feasibility of using RFs and NFs in cementitious composites and their performance with respect to purposely produced “industrial” fibers, theoretical contributions intended at capturing the specific features of fibers and their interactions with cement-matrices are also welcome.

We hope this Special Issue will provide readers with a selection of papers outlining the current state of knowledge on the use of RFs and NFs in cementitous composites. Specifically, the following aspects may be addressed:

1. Technology of production and material properties;
2. Applications for structural and functional purposes;
3. Design and numerical approaches. 

Prof. Dr. Joaquim Antonio Oliveira de Barros
Prof. Dr. Enzo Martinelli
Guest Editors

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