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Infrastructures
Special Issues
From Material Testing to Structural Applications of Eco-Friendly Concrete
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From Material Testing to Structural Applications of Eco-Friendly Concrete

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2027 | Viewed by 1759

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Osama Youssf

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Structural Engineering Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
Interests: concrete structures and technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue addresses the critical need to bridge the gap between innovative material development and full-scale structural implementation. While laboratory research has yielded significant advances in sustainable concrete incorporating industrial by-products like slag and fly ash, recycled aggregates, and novel alternative binders, their widespread adoption in construction demands a deeper understanding of their structural performance. This collection seeks contributions that move beyond characterizing mechanical properties to explore the in situ behavior and long-term viability of these materials. Key topics include the durability and service life of eco-concrete in aggressive environments, the structural performance of beams, columns, and slabs, seismic resilience, and the development of new design codes and standards. By showcasing research that validates the practical application of sustainable concrete, this Special Issue aims to provide the necessary confidence for engineers and architects, ultimately accelerating the transition towards a more resilient and low-carbon built environment.

Dr. Osama Youssf
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. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

  • recycling
  • geopoloymers
  • ECC/EGC
  • concrete structures
  • concrete technology
  • foam concrete
  • sandwich structures
  • double-skin columns
  • residential construction
  • magnetized water

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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

37 pages, 6363 KB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Sustainable Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating Eco-Friendly Materials for Geotechnical Applications
by Nour Bassim Frahat, Mohamed Samy, Mohamed Amin, Ibrahim Saad Agwa and Engy M. Kassem
Infrastructures 2026, 11(5), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11050165 - 9 May 2026
Viewed by 253
Abstract
This study extends beyond traditional single-binder assessments by developing a mechanistic framework for interpreting the behavior of multi-component geopolymer systems. It systematically examines the roles of industrial by-products (granulated blast-furnace slag), agricultural residues (barley straw ash), and construction-derived materials (recycled granite powder) when [...] Read more.
This study extends beyond traditional single-binder assessments by developing a mechanistic framework for interpreting the behavior of multi-component geopolymer systems. It systematically examines the roles of industrial by-products (granulated blast-furnace slag), agricultural residues (barley straw ash), and construction-derived materials (recycled granite powder) when integrated into a metakaolin-based matrix, with particular emphasis on their influence on gel formation pathways, microstructural refinement, and macroscopic performance. A sustainable geopolymer concrete (SGC) system was formulated using multi-binder combinations at replacement levels ranging from 5% to 30%. Comprehensive evaluations were conducted, including fresh properties, mechanical performance, durability characteristics, thermal resistance, and microstructural features. The results demonstrate that the 70Mk–30GBFS composition facilitates the development of a dense hybrid C–(A)–S–H/N–A–S–H gel network, resulting in a 26.8% enhancement in compressive strength and a 32.0% decrease in chloride ion penetration. Rather than depending on empirical relationships, the study establishes a mechanistically grounded link between precursor chemistry, interfacial transition zone (ITZ) refinement, and performance limits. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of multi-component geopolymer design and support the development of high-performance, sustainable concrete materials for structural applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Material Testing to Structural Applications of Eco-Friendly Concrete)
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39 pages, 44033 KB  
Article
Valorization of Multi-Waste Materials in Eco-Friendly Engineered Cementitious Composites
by Rabie A. M. Amnisi, Mohamed E. El-Zoughiby, Basem S. Abdelwahed and Osama Youssf
Infrastructures 2026, 11(5), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11050149 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 294
Abstract
Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) is an advanced material known for its superior flexibility, high durability, and crack resistance, making it ideal for a variety of structural applications. However, it uses cement at a rate of 2–3 times more than conventional concrete which raises [...] Read more.
Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) is an advanced material known for its superior flexibility, high durability, and crack resistance, making it ideal for a variety of structural applications. However, it uses cement at a rate of 2–3 times more than conventional concrete which raises environmental concerns. This study focused on the production of eco-friendly ECC by incorporating various waste materials as partial cement and sand substitutes. Cement kiln dust (CKD), ceramic powder waste (CPW), and eggshell waste (ESW) were used as partial substitutes for cement in doses of 10% and 20%. Crumb rubber (CR) was used as a partial substitute for sand in doses of 25, 50, 75, and 100%. Chemical treatments using sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate, and a mix of both of them were carried out for the CR in the production of the proposed ECC. Physical treatment using the same cement substitute materials (CKD, CP and ESP) was also carried out for the CR. The effect of fiber type—such as basalt fibers (BF), polypropylene fibers (PPF), and steel fibers (StF)—on the performance of ECC was also investigated. Slump, compressive strength, uniaxial tensile strength, flexural strength, and sorptivity were the measured properties for the proposed ECC. Microstructure analyses were also conducted on some selected ECC mixtures. Among the tested mixtures, the results showed that replacing 10% of the cement with CKD improved the compressive strength by up to 22.6% and the tensile strength by up to 18.3%. Using 50% untreated CR reduced compressive and tensile strength by 32.8% and 28.1%, respectively, compared to the control ECC. The physical treatment of CR using CKD improved the compressive strength by up to 12.7% and the tensile strength by up to 3.2% compared to untreated CR. The microstructure analyses revealed an improvement in fiber-matrix bonding and a reduction in crack width in the mixtures, especially in the BF and PPF blends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Material Testing to Structural Applications of Eco-Friendly Concrete)
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27 pages, 10017 KB  
Article
Performance Evaluation and Microstructural Analysis of Eco-Friendly Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete
by Talal Athobaiti, Ahmed M. Tahwia, Rajab Abousnina, Mohamed Mortagi and Osama Youssf
Infrastructures 2026, 11(3), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11030074 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 796
Abstract
The rising environmental burden of Portland cement production has intensified the demand for eco-friendly binders that support sustainable construction. This study investigates the development and performance of eco-friendly self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) produced from industrial by-products, including fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast [...] Read more.
The rising environmental burden of Portland cement production has intensified the demand for eco-friendly binders that support sustainable construction. This study investigates the development and performance of eco-friendly self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) produced from industrial by-products, including fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), silica fume (SF), metakaolin (MK), and glass waste powder (GWP). Twenty-one binder formulations were evaluated for fresh-state workability, mechanical performance, durability, and microstructural characteristics under different curing regimes. Fresh properties were assessed using slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, and J-ring tests, while hardened-state evaluations included compressive and flexural strength, Young’s modulus, and water absorption. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were performed on selected mixes to examine microstructural features and crystalline phase development. Results highlight a strong dependency of SCGC performance on binder composition and curing conditions. Mixes rich in GGBFS and SF demonstrated superior mechanical and durability performance, achieving compressive strengths of up to 102.4 MPa under water curing and 107.6 MPa under heat curing, along with negligible water absorption, reflecting a dense and well-developed gel matrix. SEM micrographs confirmed homogeneous, compact microstructures in high-performing mixes, while XRD analysis revealed broad amorphous humps indicative of well-formed N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gel phases with minimal crystalline residues. In contrast, FA-dominant mixes displayed delayed strength development, and MK-GWP-rich systems exhibited higher porosity and reduced strength. This study underscores the significance of precursor synergy, optimized curing strategies, and microstructural refinement in tailoring SCGC for high-performance, durable, and low-carbon applications in sustainable construction with values ranged from 38.64 GPa (Mix 21) to 25.04 GPa (Mix 19) at 28 days. Stiffer mixes corresponded to denser matrices containing GGBFS and silica fume, whereas lower values were linked to weaker bonding and higher porosity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Material Testing to Structural Applications of Eco-Friendly Concrete)
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