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J. Compos. Sci.
Special Issues
High-Performance Cementitious Composites: Materials Development, Smart Technologies, and Engineering Applications
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High-Performance Cementitious Composites: Materials Development, Smart Technologies, and Engineering Applications

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 December 2026 | Viewed by 1597

Editors

Assist. Prof. Mohamed Ghalla

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Engineering & Digital Technologies, University of Bradford, Bradford BD71DP, UK
2. Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
Interests: high-performance and advanced cementitious composites; ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC); sustainable structural strengthening and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures; fiber-reinforced cementitious materials; low-carbon and eco-friendly construction materials; recycling and reuse of construction and demolition waste; innovative repair technologies for deteriorated infrastructure; durability and long-term performance of concrete structures; geopolymer and alkali-activated materials; AI applications in structural engineering and smart construction materials; life-cycle assessment and carbon footprint reduction in the construction sector
Dr. Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Jerash University, 26150 Jerash, Jordan
Interests: sustainable construction materials and green concrete technologies; advanced cementitious composites and smart concrete systems; structural assessment, repair, and retrofitting of reinforced concrete structures; circular economy approaches in civil engineering; recycling of industrial by-products and construction waste in cement-based materials; durability and resilience of concrete infrastructure; sustainable infrastructure development; fiber-reinforced composites; innovative techniques for reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry; and sustainable engineering solutions for modern structural applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

High-performance cementitious composites (HPCCs) have emerged as a transformative class of materials for modern construction due to their superior mechanical performance, enhanced durability, crack resistance, and multifunctional capabilities. With the increasing global demand for resilient and sustainable infrastructure, the development of innovative cement-based composites has become essential for addressing challenges related to structural safety, service life, and environmental impact. At the same time, the construction sector is under growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions associated with conventional cement production, encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly binders, recycled materials, industrial by-products, and low-carbon technologies.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for recent advances in the design, characterization, modeling, and structural applications of advanced cementitious materials. Topics of interest include ultra-high-performance concrete, fiber-reinforced composites, geopolymer systems, self-sensing and smart materials, additive manufacturing, durability enhancement, structural strengthening and rehabilitation, life-cycle assessment, and sustainable construction technologies. Both original research articles and review papers addressing experimental, analytical, and numerical approaches are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Assist. Prof. Mohamed Ghalla
Dr. Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh
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

  • high-performance cementitious composites
  • ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
  • fiber-reinforced cementitious materials
  • sustainable construction materials
  • low-carbon cement technologies
  • geopolymer composites
  • smart cementitious materials
  • structural strengthening and rehabilitation
  • durability and long-term performance
  • additive manufacturing in construction

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 6757 KB  
Article
Influence of Hydrated Lime on Hydration Products, Phase Assemblage, and Mechanical Performance of Cement-Based Mortars
by Rafael C. Manta, Daniel Silva, William Costa, Paulo R. L. Souza, Priscila Vilemen, Leonardo B. T. Santos, Esdras C. Costa, Bruno S. Teti, Nathalia B. D. Lima and Nathan B. Lima
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(7), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10070359 - 6 Jul 2026
Viewed by 607
Abstract
Hydrated lime is widely incorporated into cement-based mortars to improve workability and fresh-state properties; however, its influence on hydration products and mechanical performance remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the effect of hydrated lime content on the mechanical behavior and microstructural development of [...] Read more.
Hydrated lime is widely incorporated into cement-based mortars to improve workability and fresh-state properties; however, its influence on hydration products and mechanical performance remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the effect of hydrated lime content on the mechanical behavior and microstructural development of cement-based mortars after 28 days of curing. Eight mortar formulations, ranging from lime-free (1:0:6) to lime-rich (1:5:6) mixtures, including intermediate and modified proportions, were evaluated through compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, and consistency tests. The microstructural evolution was investigated using complementary techniques, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DSC), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Increasing hydrated lime content improved mortar workability but was generally associated with reduced compressive strength under the curing conditions investigated. The combined characterization techniques indicated progressive modifications in the hydration products and phase assemblage, with increased calcium-rich phases, greater evidence of carbonation, and reduced continuity of the hydraulic matrix as the hydrated lime content increased. The observed microstructural changes were qualitatively consistent with the mechanical behavior of the mortars. The conclusions of this study are restricted to the 28-day curing period investigated, and further research is required to evaluate the long-term influence of hydrated lime on carbonation and durability-related properties. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of hydrated lime in cement-based mortars and provide experimental evidence for the optimization of mortar formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Cementitious Composites: Materials Development, Smart Technologies, and Engineering Applications)
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42 pages, 1599 KB  
Systematic Review
Durability of Geopolymer Concrete Under Chemical Attack: A Review of Acid, Sulfate, Chloride, and Multi-Exposure Resistance
by Mazen J. Al-Kheetan
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(7), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10070375 - 17 Jul 2026
Viewed by 520
Abstract
The durability of concrete in chemically aggressive environments remains a major concern for marine structures, wastewater systems, industrial facilities, pavements, and foundations exposed to sulfate-bearing soils. Geopolymer concrete has attracted increasing attention as a lower-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement concrete because its [...] Read more.
The durability of concrete in chemically aggressive environments remains a major concern for marine structures, wastewater systems, industrial facilities, pavements, and foundations exposed to sulfate-bearing soils. Geopolymer concrete has attracted increasing attention as a lower-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement concrete because its aluminosilicate-rich reaction products, reduced portlandite content, and adjustable precursor–activator chemistry may enhance resistance to various chemical attack mechanisms. However, its durability is strongly governed by mixture composition and exposure regime, and therefore cannot be generalized across all geopolymer systems. This review provides a systematic and critical synthesis of the chemical attack resistance of geopolymer concrete, focusing on acid, sulfate, chloride, marine, wastewater, and combined aggressive exposures. The effects of precursor chemistry, calcium content, activator composition, curing regime, additives, fibers, aggregate type, recycled materials, and environmental coupling are examined in relation to degradation mechanisms and durability indicators. A PRISMA-informed methodology was used to identify, screen, verify, and synthesize primary experimental and modeling studies. The reviewed evidence indicates that low-calcium and well-polymerized geopolymer systems often exhibit favorable sulfate resistance due to the reduced availability of calcium-bearing phases that form expansive products, whereas chloride resistance is primarily governed by pore refinement, chloride transport, binding capacity, pore–solution alkalinity, and reinforcement corrosion behavior. In contrast, acid resistance remains more variable, depending on acid type, pH, exposure duration, solution renewal, calcium content, and the stability of protective silica-rich layers. Additives and alternative aggregates can enhance durability by refining the pore structure, improving the interfacial transition zone, or controlling cracking, but excessive or incompatible dosages may have adverse effects. Overall, geopolymer concrete offers strong potential for chemically aggressive infrastructure when designed through performance-based criteria and validated under realistic multi-exposure conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Cementitious Composites: Materials Development, Smart Technologies, and Engineering Applications)
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