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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: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 6229

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yanshuai Wang

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Guest Editor

Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
Interests: geopolymer; phosphate binders; waste upcycling; non-destructive testing and evaluation

Dr. Dong Guo

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
Interests: geopolymer; phosphate binders; waste upcycling; non-destructive testing and evaluation

Dr. Jun He

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an, China
Interests: FRP composite structures; FRP-concrete/steel interface; ultra-high-performance concrete

Dr. Bai Zhang

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
Interests: FRP-reinforced geopolymer-based marine concrete structures; data-driven approaches for composite materials and structures; functionalized geopolymer-based low-carbon concrete
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The relentless pursuit of more durable, resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective infrastructure is driving the adoption of advanced composite materials within the civil engineering sector. Fiber-reinforced polymers and other emerging hybrid composites are demonstrating transformative potential. Their unique properties, including high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, tailorable mechanical properties, and ease of installation, position them as compelling solutions for applications ranging from seismic retrofitting and structural strengthening to new construction elements and sustainable infrastructure development.

However, the successful integration of composites into mainstream civil engineering practice necessitates addressing critical challenges. These include long-term performance under complex environmental exposures (such as moisture, UV, freeze–thaw, and chemical attack), understanding structural behavior at the system level, developing reliable design codes and standards, optimizing manufacturing and installation techniques for large-scale applications, ensuring fire resistance, and evaluating full lifecycle costs and environmental impacts.

This Special Issue aims to capture the latest research breakthroughs, innovative applications, and critical assessments in the rapidly evolving field of composites for civil engineering. We seek to provide a comprehensive platform for disseminating high-quality research that bridges material science, structural engineering, and practical implementation.

Dr. Yanshuai Wang
Dr. Dong Guo
Dr. Jun He
Dr. Bai Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. 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

fiber-reinforced polymer composites
fiber-reinforced cementitious materials
concrete and cementitious composites
data-driven optimization design and service life prediction
structural strengthening and retrofitting
new structural elements and systems
all-composite structural members
hybrid structural systems
durability and long-term performance
bond performance
design methodologies and code developments
composites for geotechnical applications
non-destructive evaluation techniques
multi-scale modeling and simulation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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17 pages, 11138 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Interface Roughness and Hygrothermal Environment on the Flexural Performance of Prestressed CFRP-Strengthened Cracked Steel Beams

by Junhui Li, Kun Wu and Min Yang

J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(11), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9110602 - 3 Nov 2025

Viewed by 353

Abstract

To meet the strengthening requirements of damaged steel beams in hygrothermal environments, this study conducted four-point bending tests on nine pre-cracked steel beam specimens. The coupled effects of surface roughness, end anchorage, prestressing level of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and hygrothermal aging on the flexural behavior of the strengthened beams were systematically investigated. Results show that high-grade sandblasting (Sa3) significantly enhances interfacial bond strength through a synergistic “mechanical interlock-adhesion” mechanism, increasing the cracking load of the adhesive layer by 8.2–16.8% compared with Sa2, while partially mitigating the performance degradation caused by hygrothermal aging. The use of end anchorages effectively suppresses CFRP debonding at the beam ends, improving the ultimate load capacity and deformation performance. When a prestress equivalent to 25% of the CFRP’s ultimate tensile strength was applied, the load capacity of the strengthened beams further increased by 10.5–19.3%, interfacial cracking was effectively delayed, and the CFRP utilization efficiency reached 96.8–98.5%. Although hygrothermal exposure accelerated interfacial deterioration and reduced the interfacial cracking load, its influence on the ultimate load was relatively limited. These results offer valuable scientific and engineering insights for the design and interface treatment of CFRP-strengthened steel bridges in hygrothermal regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composite Materials for Civil Engineering Applications)

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19 pages, 6191 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Rubber Fiber Content on the Mechanical Properties of Calcareous Sand

by Yuzhu Cheng, Hansheng Geng, Lei Wang, Yang Wang, Guoyue Yang, Yongsheng Xie, Linjian Ma and Chun Li

J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(11), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9110578 - 27 Oct 2025

Viewed by 477

Abstract

The application of rubber in geotechnical engineering has gained widespread popularity due to its potential to enhance the engineering properties of foundation fills while reducing environmental pollution. This study focuses on investigating the influence of the rubber fiber content on the performance of calcareous sand by conducting a series of triaxial tests. The effects of the rubber fiber content and axial pressure on the strength, deformation, permeability, and particle breakage of rubber–calcareous sand were systematically studied. The experimental results reveal that increasing the rubber fiber content reduces the strength of rubber–calcareous sand, but it also inhibits the shear dilation and mitigates the occurrence of rupture surfaces: the sample with a rubber content of more than 10% only has shear-contraction. Both the rubber fiber content and axial stress contribute to the increased impermeability of rubber-modified calcareous sand, although they exhibit different characteristics. The relationship between the rubber fiber content and permeability coefficient is linear, while, under increasing axial stress, the permeability coefficient initially decreases rapidly; when the deviatoric stresses exceeds 1000 kPa, the decreasing rate slows down. Furthermore, rubber fiber significantly reduces particle breakage in calcareous sand. The relationship between the input energy applied to rubber-modified calcareous sand and the relative breakage rate of calcareous sand can be well-fitted with a power function. Samples with a higher rubber fiber content exhibit a lower relative breakage rate of calcareous sand under the same absorbed input energy. Through the research results of this paper, the best rubber ratio can be selected as the road filler in engineering practice to ensure both cost-effectiveness and environmental protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composite Materials for Civil Engineering Applications)

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18 pages, 4222 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical and Numerical Investigation of Vibration Characteristics in Shear-Deformable FGM Beams

by Murat Çelik, Erol Demirkan and Ahmet Feyzi Yıldırım

J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(10), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9100567 - 15 Oct 2025

Viewed by 2563

Abstract

In this study, the free vibration characteristics of a functionally graded (FG) shear-deformable Timoshenko beam were investigated both analytically and numerically. The work is notable for its significant contribution to the literature, particularly in addressing analytically challenging problems related to complex FGM structures using advanced computer-aided finite element methods. For the analytical approach, the governing equations and associated boundary conditions were derived using Hamilton’s principle of minimum potential energy. These equations were then solved using the Navier solution method to determine the natural frequencies of the beam. In the numerical analysis, a 3D FG beam model was developed in the ABAQUS finite element software (2023, Dassault Systèmes, Providence, RI, USA)using the second-order hexahedral (HEX20/C3D20) and 1D three-node quadratic beam (B32) elements. The material gradation was defined layer-by-layer along the thickness direction in accordance with the rule of mixtures. Modal analysis was subsequently performed to extract the natural frequency values. The results show a high level of agreement between the analytical and numerical solutions. and were consistent with previously published studies in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composite Materials for Civil Engineering Applications)

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15 pages, 7140 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tuning the Carbonation Resistance of Metakaolin–Fly Ash-Based Geopolymers: The Dual Role of Reactive MgO in Microstructure and Degradation Mechanisms

by Shuai Li and Dongyu Ji

J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(10), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9100549 - 7 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1327

Abstract

Geopolymers, as a novel class of low-carbon and eco-friendly cementitious material, exhibit outstanding durability and promote the resource utilization of industrial solid wastes. However, as a promising alternative to ordinary Portland cement, its susceptibility to carbonation-induced degradation may limit its widespread application. To address this challenge, this study systematically examined the effects of magnesium oxide (MgO) content and the metakaolin-to-fly ash ratio on the carbonation performance, mechanical properties, pH value, and microstructures of metakaolin–fly ash-based (MF-based) geopolymer pastes. The findings revealed that an increase in the fly ash ratio correlated with a decline in the compressive strength of MF-based geopolymer pastes. Conversely, the incorporation of MgO significantly enhanced the compressive strength, with higher fly ash ratios leading to more substantial improvements in strength. Furthermore, the addition of MgO and fly ash effectively mitigated the penetration of carbonation and the associated decrease in the pH value of the MF-based geopolymer pastes. Specifically, compared to the control group without MgO (M8F2-0%), MF-based geopolymer pastes with 4% and 8% MgO additions exhibited reductions in carbonation depth of 69.4% and 80.4%, respectively, after 28 days of carbonation, while pH values were observed to be 1.22 and 1.15 units higher, respectively. Additionally, microscopic structural analysis revealed that the inclusion of MgO resulted in a reduction in pore size, porosity, and mean pore diameter within the geopolymer pastes. This improvement was mainly attributed to the promotion of hydration processes by MgO, leading to the formation of fine Mg(OH)₂ crystals within the high-alkalinity pore solution, which enhances microstructural densification. In conclusion, the incorporation of MgO significantly improves the carbonation resistance and mechanical performance of MF-based geopolymers. It is recommended that future studies explore the long-term performance under combined environmental actions and evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of MgO-modified geopolymers for large-scale applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composite Materials for Civil Engineering Applications)

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17 pages, 10716 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Compressive Behavior of CFRP-Confined High Water Material

by Feiyang Feng, Shuling Meng, Haishan Huang, Yafei Zhou and Hongchao Zhao

J. Compos. Sci. 2025, 9(9), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs9090482 - 4 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 727 | Correction

Abstract

As mining operations extend deeper underground, support structures are increasingly subjected to severe impact loads. The dynamic mechanical performance of column-type support systems has, therefore, become a pressing concern. In the present research, a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus, combined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), is used to systematically examine how the water-to-cement ratio, number of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) layers, and strain rate influence the dynamic compressive behavior and microstructural evolution of CFRP-confined high-water material. The results indicate that unconfined specimens are strongly strain rate-dependent, with peak strength following a rise–fall trend. A lower water–cement ratio results in a denser internal structure and improved strength. Additionally, CFRP confinement markedly enhances peak strength and impact resistance, refines failure modes, and promotes the formation of denser hydration products by limiting lateral deformation. This confinement effect effectively mitigates microstructural damage under high strain rates. These findings clarify the reinforcement mechanism of CFRP from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives, offering theoretical insights and engineering references for the design of impact-resistant support systems in deep mining applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Composite Materials for Civil Engineering Applications)

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