Advancements in Sustainable Cement-Based Composites: Innovations in Performance, Durability, and Environmental Impact

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on Advancements in Sustainable Cement-Based Composites: Innovations in Performance, Durability, and Environmental Impact. Cement-based composites play a critical role in modern construction, addressing the need for sustainable, durable, and high-performance materials. As the global demand for construction materials grows, there is an increasing need for innovations that not only improve the structural properties of cementitious materials but also minimize their environmental impact. This Special Issue will highlight the latest scientific advancements that focus on reducing the ecological footprint of cementitious materials while enhancing their functionality and longevity.

This Special Issue aims to present cutting-edge research in cementitious materials, with a particular focus on sustainability and innovation. We seek contributions that explore advancements in material design, production techniques, and performance optimization, as well as the real-world applications of sustainable cement-based composites. The scope aligns with the mission of the journal, addressing both fundamental research and practical solutions that advance the performance, durability, and environmental responsibility of cementitious materials. This Special Issue is expected to provide valuable insights for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in materials science, civil engineering, and sustainability. We aim to gather at least 10 articles for this Special Issue, which may be published in book form if this number is reached.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and comprehensive review papers are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Innovative Cement Composites: Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), self-compacting concrete (SCC), and multifunctional concretes (self-cleaning, self-healing, self-luminescent, etc.).
• Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites: Hybrid fiber systems, mechanical and structural performance, and sustainable fiber integration.
• Sustainable Cementitious Materials: Low-carbon binders, alternative cements, and eco-friendly formulations.
• Utilization of By-products: Incorporating industrial by-products such as fly ash, slag, and red gypsum into cementitious materials.
• Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCAs) and Waste Materials: Incorporation of Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCAs), plastics, waste tire rubber, and recycled glass in cement composites.
• Carbon Sequestration: Techniques for carbon fixation and storage in cement-based materials.
• Advanced Characterization and Modeling: Multi-scale analysis of material properties and performance prediction.
• Functional Enhancements: Development of smart concretes with enhanced mechanical, thermal, or acoustic properties.
• Nanotechnology and Bio-based Materials: Integrating nanomaterials and bio-based additives to improve sustainability and functionality.
• Lifecycle Analysis and Environmental Impact: Comprehensive assessments of carbon footprints and long-term durability.
• Innovations in Manufacturing: Novel production methods for energy-efficient and low-emission cementitious materials.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this Special Issue, which will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in cementitious materials with a focus on sustainability and innovative solutions.

Dr. Gregor Kravanja
Prof. Dr. Natalija Bede Odorčić
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Composites Science 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.