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Sustainability and Performance of Reinforced Concrete and Cement Composite
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Sustainability and Performance of Reinforced Concrete and Cement Composite

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 1573

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alessio Cascardi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci Cube37B, 87036 Arcavacata, CS, Italy
Interests: fiber-reinforced composites; fiber-reinforced polymer; heritage structure conservation; analytical modeling; seismic vulnerability analysis; sustainable construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As global urbanization accelerates and infrastructure demands intensify, the construction industry faces a pressing dual challenge: ensuring high-performance structural materials while significantly reducing environmental impact. This Special Issue delves into the forefront of innovation in reinforced concrete and cement-based composites, highlighting sustainable technologies, novel materials, and advanced performance evaluation strategies that can reshape future construction practices. The Issue brings together original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore a spectrum of sustainability-driven advancements in cement composites. Topics include but are not limited to the following:

  • Eco-Friendly Materials: Development of low-carbon and alternative binders such as geopolymer cement, alkali-activated materials, and blends incorporating industrial by-products like fly ash, slag, and silica fume.
  • Recycled and Circular Resources: Use of recycled aggregates, reclaimed fibers, and waste-derived additives aimed at minimizing resource depletion and enhancing material circularity.
  • High-Performance Reinforcement: Advancements in fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC), textile reinforcement, and hybrid composite systems that improve mechanical integrity, ductility, and durability under extreme conditions.
  • Durability and Life-Cycle Assessment: In-depth evaluations of long-term performance, corrosion resistance, fatigue behavior, and sustainability metrics across the service life of structures.
  • Innovative Testing and Modeling: Integration of digital tools, predictive modeling, and non-destructive testing methods that support performance-based design and sustainability benchmarks.
  • Applications in Resilient Infrastructure: Case studies showcasing the application of sustainable cementitious systems in real-world projects including seismic retrofitting, marine structures, and smart buildings.

This collection serves as a multidisciplinary platform for civil engineers, materials scientists, sustainability researchers, and industry professionals to share transformative approaches that align durability with environmental stewardship. The Issue fosters dialogue on how reinforced concrete and cement composites can play a pivotal role in shaping a greener and more resilient built environment.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Buildings.

Dr. Alessio Cascardi
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • sustainable construction materials
  • reinforced concrete durability
  • cementitious composites
  • low-carbon cement
  • recycled aggregates
  • fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC)
  • life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • alternative binders
  • corrosion resistance
  • green Infrastructure

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2957 KB  
Article
Cracking Mechanisms of Mesoscale Concrete Models Containing Single and Double Fissures Based on DEM
by Jinfang Zhang, Yi Sun, Gongye Sun, Yifei Li and Shuyang Yu
Materials 2026, 19(6), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19061071 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 171
Abstract
Existing theories leave gaps in explaining the mechanism of concrete cracking. To explain the mechanism of concrete cracking, after considering various methods, this paper finally selects the Particle Flow Code (PFC) based on the discrete element method (DEM) for the research. We selected [...] Read more.
Existing theories leave gaps in explaining the mechanism of concrete cracking. To explain the mechanism of concrete cracking, after considering various methods, this paper finally selects the Particle Flow Code (PFC) based on the discrete element method (DEM) for the research. We selected concrete with single cracks and double cracks as the research object, and constructed a mesoscale model in PFC based on the parameters of the concrete. The model was verified by uniaxial compression tests and published experimental data, with simulated results matching experimental data within an acceptable error range. Simulate the situation of concrete cracking, plot the data into images, and analyze the patterns of the development of concrete cracks. During this process, we set the angle of crack formation and the number of cracks as variables. By analyzing the load–displacement curves and the crack evolution curves, we found that the mode of crack propagation changed from a linear extension to a branched expansion. It is also worth noting that when the inclination angle is 90 degrees, the bearing capacity of the specimen is the best, with its peak strength over 40% higher than that at 0° for single-fissure specimens and over 35% higher for double-fissure specimens, and the initial stiffness also reaches the maximum at this angle. Furthermore, throughout the entire testing process, the PFC based on the discrete element method was able to accurately capture the development process of concrete cracks. This study innovatively quantifies the evolution of tensile and shear cracks with inclination angle, clarifies the nonlinear correlation between peak strength and crack angle, and reveals the unique cracking behavior induced by double fissures, which is insufficiently studied in existing continuum simulations. The above findings not only enhance our understanding of the mechanism of concrete cracks, but also provide a reference for improving the strength of concrete. This study is limited to 2D uniaxial compression simulation, with the concrete microstructure idealized in the numerical model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance of Reinforced Concrete and Cement Composite)
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17 pages, 3100 KB  
Article
Waste Powder Biotite as a Factor Enhancing the Flexural Strength of RPC
by Stefania Grzeszczyk, Tomasz Rajczyk, Aneta Matuszek-Chmurowska, Krystian Jurowski and Alina Kaleta-Jurowska
Materials 2026, 19(2), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020276 - 9 Jan 2026
Viewed by 401
Abstract
The advancement of reactive powder concrete (RPC) technology primarily focuses on modifications to its conventional composition. This involves substituting Portland cement (CEM I) with alternative cement types and finely ground mineral additives, as well as replacing quartz aggregate with another type of aggregate. [...] Read more.
The advancement of reactive powder concrete (RPC) technology primarily focuses on modifications to its conventional composition. This involves substituting Portland cement (CEM I) with alternative cement types and finely ground mineral additives, as well as replacing quartz aggregate with another type of aggregate. The paper presents an analysis of the properties of RPC obtaining using waste sand and powder generated during the processing of aggregates from migmatite-amphibolite rock. Research into RPC mixtures revealed that in one scenario, replacing quartz powder with waste powder resulted in a significant increase in flexural strength by 23%, although there was a slight decrease in compressive strength by 7%. However, when both quartz powder and quartz sand were substituted with waste powder and waste sand, there was a 14% reduction in compressive strength, while flexural strength increased, albeit to a much lesser extent. The analysis of mineral composition and microstructure of migmatite-amphibolite waste powder and sand revealed that the primary factor contributing to the increase in flexural strength is the presence of biotite in a flake shape form. The microscopy images clearly show hydration products gathering mainly at the rims of biotite flakes and not on their smooth surfaces. The reason could be better availability for hydration products attachment and lower steric hindrance to the rims of single biotite flakes instead of its large packets. Conversely, the reduction in RPC compressive strength, resulting from the substitution of quartz sand with migmatite-amphibolite waste sand, can be attributed mainly to the lower compressive strength of the waste sand itself. Test results indicate that the waste powder generated during the production of migmatite-amphibolite aggregates, which contains fine flakes of biotite, can be utilised as a mineral admixture in concrete, thereby enhancing its flexural strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance of Reinforced Concrete and Cement Composite)
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21 pages, 55632 KB  
Article
Performance Optimization and Carbon Reduction Potential of Bamboo Biochar for Lightweight Artificial Aggregates
by Haibao Liu, Lingbao Bu, Yulin Wang, Mingxu Chen and Dongdong Chen
Materials 2025, 18(23), 5415; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235415 - 1 Dec 2025
Viewed by 567
Abstract
To realize the efficient utilization of biochar and construction solid waste in building materials production, a novel core–shell aggregate concept is proposed, in which artificial aggregates are prepared by encapsulating coarse-particle bamboo biochar (C-BB) with concrete slurry waste (CSW), calcium carbide slag (CCS), [...] Read more.
To realize the efficient utilization of biochar and construction solid waste in building materials production, a novel core–shell aggregate concept is proposed, in which artificial aggregates are prepared by encapsulating coarse-particle bamboo biochar (C-BB) with concrete slurry waste (CSW), calcium carbide slag (CCS), and fine-particle bamboo biochar (F-BB). The results showed that the best engineering properties of the artificial aggregates were achieved when the F-BB content was about 6%, with crushing strength, water absorption, and bulk density values of 4.7 MPa, 14.3%, and 796 kg/m3, respectively. In addition, the artificial aggregates have promising potential for CO2 uptake under a CO2 curing system and can achieve 5.72% (by mass) uptake when the F-BB content is 6%. This performance is attributed to the formation of well-developed CO2 transport channels in the shell matrix by the F-BB particles. In summary, the novel core–shell aggregate not only has better engineering properties than commercial lightweight aggregates but also offers significant potential for CO2 sequestration, opening new opportunities for the efficient application of biochar in construction materials with both engineering and environmental benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Performance of Reinforced Concrete and Cement Composite)
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