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Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition

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A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Composites Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2027 | Viewed by 9177

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Editors

Dr. Krishanu Roy

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Guest Editor

Civil Engineering, The University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Interests: cold-formed steel structures; application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for the structural prediction of steel structures; fire engineering; modular construction; sustainability and life cycle analysis of structures
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Dr. G. Beulah Gnana Ananthi

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil Engineering, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India
Interests: cold-formed steel structures; finite element analysis; steel–concrete composite structures ; machine learning techniques; construction management; construction materials; sustainable construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Often, a project's sustainability is centred on building services and energy, but we need to have a comprehensive view of how we integrate deeper sustainability. Traditionally, we have neglected embodied carbon generated during building construction, which has led to significant carbon emissions over the last few decades, causing global warming and other related problems. The aim of this Special Issue is to collect the results of research and practice experiences in sustainable building structures, made from steel, concrete, timber, and other composite materials. Dr. Roy and Dr. Ananthi warmly invite authors to submit their papers for potential inclusion in this Special Issue on “Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition”, in the journal of Journal of Composites Science.

Dr. Krishanu Roy
Dr. G. Beulah Gnana Ananthi
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.

Keywords

cold-formed steel composite structures
analytical modelling for optimizing
energy-efficient buildings
modular buildings
prefabricated building systems
hybrid construction
pre-engineered buildings
managing the available facility
composite cold-formed steel flooring systems using timber, concrete, lightweight concrete
flexural behaviour of composite beams made of cold-formed steel sections
energy efficiency of hybrid cold-formed steel sections
lightweight housing using cold-formed composite sections
efficiency of CFS composite connectors in floor system
structural performance of CFS composite structures under dynamic loadings
quick construction techniques using CFS composite members
behaviour of connectors between CFS composite floors or composite members
alternative approach to pre-engineered CFS composite frames
behaviour of composite columns of CFS members with different material infill

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 12940 KB

Open AccessArticle

Performance and Sustainability of Concrete Incorporating Wood Ash and Crushed Clay Blocks: An Experimental Study

by Saad Abd Al-Jaleel Fathi, Alyaa A. Al-Attar, Ahmed M. S. Al-Janabi and Sara Elhadad

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(7), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10070337 - 26 Jun 2026

Viewed by 369

Abstract

This study evaluates the feasibility of utilizing wood ash (WA), derived from grilled-fish barbecue waste, as a supplementary cementitious material, in combination with crushed clay blocks (CCB) as partial or full replacements for natural coarse aggregate, to improve the sustainability of concrete. A total of twelve concrete mixtures were produced using WA replacement levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% and CCB replacement levels of 0%, 50%, and 100%. The concrete specimens were evaluated in terms of workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, density, water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), thermal conductivity, and microstructural characteristics using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that replacing cement with 10% WA achieved the highest mechanical performance at 56 days, with compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths of 50.58 MPa, 5.54 MPa, and 6.07 MPa, respectively. These results represent an improvement of 11% in concrete properties compared with the control mixture. However, the use of 20% of WA enhanced microstructural densification through pozzolanic reactions, whereas higher replacement levels resulted in increased porosity, the presence of unreacted particles, and reductions in strength and UPV values. In contrast, increasing the WA and CCB contents reduced density and workability while significantly increasing water absorption. Among the investigated mixtures, the combination of 10% WA and 50% CCB provided the most favorable balance between mechanical performance, thermal efficiency, and sustainability. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the long-term durability and economic feasibility of the proposed replacement levels for sustainable concrete production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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35 pages, 4801 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multifunctional Effects of Jackfruit Seed Residue on the Microstructure, Durability, and Internal Curing of Cementitious Composites

by Patrick S. Vieira, Delma D. G. Rocha, Bruno S. Teti, Emanoel Laurertan T. França, Nathan B. Lima, Esdras C. Costa, Erika P. Marinho, Patrícia M. A. Farias and Nathalia B. D. Lima

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050274 - 19 May 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 687

Abstract

The design of sustainable composite materials requires approaches that integrate performance, durability, and circularity. In this study, jackfruit seed residue (JSR), a starch-rich agro-industrial by-product, is explored as a multifunctional biopolymeric component in cement-based rendering composites within a Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. Despite conventional strategies based on purified polymers or synthetic admixtures, JSR is incorporated in its unprocessed form, preserving its intrinsic chemical and structural heterogeneity and enabling complex physicochemical interactions within the composite matrix. Mortar formulations containing 0%, 3%, 5%, and 7% JSR (by binder mass) were evaluated through fresh-state, mechanical, and durability tests, combined with multiscale characterization (X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence). The incorporation of JSR enhanced workability and significantly reduced capillary water absorption (up to 25.83%), while maintaining mechanical performance within the typical range for rendering applications, with strength gains observed at 28 days. The observed behavior is attributed to synergistic mechanisms, including water retention, internal curing, and microfiller effects, as well as ionic contributions from the mineral fraction of the residue. Further, microstructural analysis revealed refinement of the interfacial transition zone and modification of the pore network, indicating reduced transport connectivity rather than a simple decrease in total porosity. These results demonstrate that unprocessed bio-residues can act as effective multifunctional components in cementitious composites, enabling the tuning of structure–property relationships and offering a scalable pathway toward low-impact composite materials aligned with circular economy principles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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19 pages, 5389 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Reactive Powder Concrete Composite Performance Using Polypropylene and Waste Steel Fibers: A Comparative Study

by Awad Jadooe, Mushtaq Sadiq Radhi, Zainab M. R. Abdul Rasoul, Anmar Dulaimi, Hugo Alexandre Silva Pinto, Luís Filipe Almeida Bernardo and Vitor Manuel Pissarra Cavaleiro

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050251 - 6 May 2026

Viewed by 863

Abstract

One definition of environmental sustainability is one that permits the maintenance of long-term environmental quality while preventing the depletion or degradation of natural resources. In the realm of concrete production, engineers are becoming more interested in sustainable development, which includes using locally available resources and repurposing industrial and agricultural waste in building construction as a potential remedy for economic and environmental problems. The purpose of the study is to determine how various ratios of waste steel and polypropylene fibers affect the compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and density of reactive powder concrete composite at different ages. According to the test results, Mix 6, which contains 100% waste steel fiber and 0% polypropylene fiber, improves the mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete by 29% in compressive strength, 47% in tensile strength, 29% in flexural strength, and 6.1% in density when compared to the reference mix. Reactive powder concrete’s waste steel fiber content has been shown to effectively reduce cracking and increase splitting tensile strength. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey HSD confirmed that fiber type has a significant effect on the compressive strength of RPC, with mixes containing higher proportions of waste steel fibers demonstrating superior performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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Review

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36 pages, 8403 KB

Open AccessReview

Polymer Infiltration and Pyrolysis of Modified Carbon–Carbon and Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites: Advances in Vacuum-and Vibration-Assisted Processing

by Johnson I. Humphrey and Okenwa I. Okoli

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(8), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10080408 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2026

Abstract

Polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) is a versatile route for densifying carbon–carbon composites (C/CCs) and ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs), particularly SiC and UHTC-based systems. It operates at comparatively low temperatures, accommodates complex shapes, and is more cost-effective than chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). However, conventional PIP has intrinsic limitations, including low ceramic or char yield, significant shrinkage and gas evolution during pyrolysis, and the need for many infiltration–pyrolysis cycles to reach useful densities. Recent strategies to reduce these drawbacks include graded-concentration and high-pressure PIP, as well as hybrid CVI–PIP and PIP–reactive melt infiltration (RMI) schemes. In parallel, a separate body of work has shown that vacuum-assisted and vibration-assisted infiltration can improve impregnation quality in carbon or ceramic fiber preforms and in carbon-based UHTCMCs. Yet, these advances are rarely synthesized from a PIP-centered, manufacturing-focused perspective or systematically extended to the densification of porous C/C structures, particularly when high-viscosity modified phenolic or particle-laden preceramic precursors are used. This review summarizes the state of the art in PIP densification and processing–structure–property relationships in modified C/CCs or UHTCMCs and related high-temperature composites. It then examines vacuum- and vibration-assisted infiltration concepts, extracts the underlying fluid- and pore-scale mechanisms, and proposes design principles for enhanced PIP equipment and processes tailored to porous and modified C/C systems for space and defense thermal protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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22 pages, 1243 KB

Open AccessReview

Assessing Environmental Impact, Structural Integrity, and Circular Economy of Sustainable Concrete Made with Recycled Aggregates and SCM Composites: Systematic Literature Review

by Mohammad Nadeem Akhtar, Abdalla Qudah and Khaldoon A. Bani-Hani

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(7), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10070335 - 25 Jun 2026

Viewed by 448

Abstract

The significant CO₂ emissions from cement manufacturing and overuse of natural aggregates, especially river sand mining, have been a global environmental concern for decades. This is a review study that aimed to evaluate the solution by reviewing past studies on the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and recycled aggregates (RAs) to produce sustainable concrete (SC). Regarding environmental consequences, the results highlighted that the cement industry accounts for a 5–8% carbon footprint. Concurrently, the demand for high-quality river sand has escalated, leading to widespread river degradation, altered channel morphology, and effects on river ecosystems. Past studies’ experimental results indicate that silica fume (SF), as an effective SCM, enhances the strength and durability of sustainable concrete to its optimal levels. However, the higher RA content resulted in reductions in engineering properties. The published studies also reported that lower percentages of SF combined with RAs had a positive effect on the strength and durability of design mix concrete, thereby further strengthening the findings of this review. This factor was found to be missing in most studies. A cost–benefit analysis for combined SCMs and RAs was introduced in this study. This review study evaluated the cost–benefit analysis of 1 m³ of sustainable concrete. The highest benefit was observed at 20.97% in a study when optimized 10%SF + 100 RAs were combined. It showed that the combined use of SCMs with RAs at optimal levels satisfied the strength and durability requirements. In addition, the benefits of sustainable concrete were achieved without any cost increase, a new outcome revealed by this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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52 pages, 1200 KB

Open AccessReview

Ultra-High-Performance Geopolymer Concrete: Materials, Performance Characteristics, Durability and Microstructural Insights

by Salmabanu Luhar and Ismail Luhar

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(6), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10060327 - 22 Jun 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 876

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable construction materials has led to significant advancements in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), with a particular focus on geopolymer-based systems as an alternative to conventional cementitious binders. This review explores the latest developments in sustainable Ultra-High-Performance Geopolymer Concrete (UHPGPC) by analysing key material composition, mechanical, durability and microstructural properties. The incorporation of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), silica fume (SF), and fly ash (FA) has demonstrated notable improvements in compressive strength, durability, and workability. Additionally, the use of activators such as sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide optimizes geopolymerization, resulting in a denser microstructure and enhanced mechanical performance. This review highlights the critical role of fibre reinforcement in UHPGPC, where steel fibres (SFs) and hybrid fibres significantly enhance compressive and tensile strength, as well as crack resistance. The inclusion of waste materials such as rice husk ash and recycled glass promotes sustainability by reducing CO₂ emissions while maintaining structural integrity. However, higher waste-glass content may adversely affect bonding due to its smooth surface texture. The findings highlight the potential of UHPGC as a high-performance, eco-friendly alternative to traditional cement-based UHPC. By integrating industrial by-products and alternative activation techniques, UHPGPC can contribute significantly to the global shift towards sustainable and low-carbon construction materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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86 pages, 2405 KB

Open AccessReview

Decarbonising the Cement and Concrete Industry—A Step Forward to a Sustainable Future

by Salmabanu Luhar, Ashraf Ashour and Ismail Luhar

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050226 - 23 Apr 2026

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4067

Abstract

Despite being fundamental to modern infrastructure, the cement and concrete industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, necessitating urgent decarbonisation strategies to mitigate climate change and achieve net-zero targets by 2050. This review explores technological pathways and innovations essential for lowering carbon emissions, including low-carbon materials, energy-efficient processes, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and advanced production technologies. It also highlights the importance of supportive policy frameworks, financial incentives, and international collaboration in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon industry. While challenges such as high initial costs, resistance to change, and knowledge gaps persist, these can be addressed through innovation, education, and robust financial mechanisms. Furthermore, circular economy principles, sustainable procurement practices, and continued research and development are emphasized as critical enablers of the industry’s transformation. The paper concludes with recommendations for future actions, highlighting the role of cross-sector cooperation, research funding, and knowledge sharing in achieving a sustainable and decarbonised cement and concrete sector that can “go green” for eco-constructions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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Other

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41 pages, 5245 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Sustainable Recycling and Reuse of Marble Waste in the Construction Industry: A Systematic Review Towards a Circular Economy

by Salmabanu Luhar and Ismail Luhar

J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050221 - 22 Apr 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1451

Abstract

The global construction sector, a major consumer of virgin raw materials, is under increasing pressure to transition from a linear to a circular economy model. Marble waste, generated in large quantities during quarrying, cutting, and polishing operations, represents a promising secondary resource for sustainable construction applications. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines to critically evaluate the utilization of marble waste in concrete and other building materials. A comprehensive literature search was performed using major scientific databases, and relevant studies published between 2000 and 2025 were analyzed. The findings consistently indicate that marble waste performs most effectively as a fine aggregate replacement at 10–20%, resulting in improved compressive strength, pore refinement, and durability. As a cement substitute, the optimum replacement level is generally 5–10%, beyond which dilution effects may adversely affect strength development. The performance is primarily attributed to improved particle packing and microstructural refinement. This review further highlights future pathways for industrial-scale implementation, mix optimization, standardisation, and policy integration to accelerate circular construction practices. These findings support the potential of marble waste as a sustainable material in advancing circular economy principles in the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Composite Construction Materials, 3rd Edition)

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