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The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products
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The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 5082

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ina Pundienė

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Concrete Technologies, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: building materials; waste reusing; additives and admixtures; reuse; structural properties
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jolanta Pranckevičienė

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Concrete Technologies, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: composite materials; ceramic; waste; additives and admixtures; recycle; durability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, due to rising concerns regarding the greenhouse emissions produced by the building material production industry, there has been significant interest in the development of waste-based building materials. The increasing scarcity of raw materials necessitates the maximum utilization of various wastes to fabricate building materials. The growing demand for sustainable construction practices has led to the exploration of eco-friendly materials in building material production. This Special Issue, entitled “The development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products”, focuses on incorporating solid waste and industrial by-products as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in order to reduce the environmental footprint of concrete production. This approach not only tackles resource depletion and environmental degradation, but also seeks to enhance the durability and performance of concrete structures. This Special Issue highlights cutting-edge research and innovations in the optimization of waste pretreatment, incorporating innovative additives into concrete formulations, and designing eco-efficient concrete mixtures.

Dr. Ina Pundiene
Dr. Jolanta Pranckevičienė
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • cement based materials
  • alkali-activated materials
  • organic and inorganic waste
  • ceramic materials
  • admixture
  • nanomaterials
  • durability
  • material characterization.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 5985 KiB  
Article
Effect of Compaction Degree on the Carbonation Properties of Steel Slag
by Zihan Yan, Wenxiao Fu, Longbin Zhao, Ziyan Gao, Sitong Chen, Qianruo Wang and Wei Long
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1629; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071629 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 292
Abstract
Carbonation technology offers a novel approach to enhance steel slag performance, where the compaction degree plays a pivotal role in optimizing the carbonation process. This study reveals that as the compaction degree increases, the peak temperature in the carbonation environment gradually decreases, and [...] Read more.
Carbonation technology offers a novel approach to enhance steel slag performance, where the compaction degree plays a pivotal role in optimizing the carbonation process. This study reveals that as the compaction degree increases, the peak temperature in the carbonation environment gradually decreases, and the intensity of the carbonation reaction weakens. Post-carbonating, the compressive strength initially increases before declining, peaking at a compaction degree of 60%. At this optimal compaction degree, the material achieves a compressive strength of 124.4 MPa and a CO2 uptake of 14.5%. The analysis of pore size distribution and carbonation products reveals that steel slag compacts with lower compaction degrees exhibit larger internal pores, leading to dispersed and isolated carbonation products, which restrict performance improvement. Conversely, excessively high compaction degrees cause the premature blockage of gas diffusion pathways by calcium carbonate particles, which impede the carbonation process and degrade the mechanical performance. The moderate compaction of steel slag effectively prevents the early blockage of gas channels, and significantly facilitates the accumulation and bonding of carbonation products, thereby achieving the superior performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products)
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15 pages, 3819 KiB  
Article
Multiscale Investigation of Modified Recycled Aggregate Concrete on Sulfate Attack Resistance
by Xue-Fei Chen, Xiu-Cheng Zhang and Guo-Hui Yan
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071450 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 227
Abstract
This study investigated the sulfate resistance of modified recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) by applying carbonation and nano-silica soaking methodologies. Recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) derived from concretes of C30 and C60 strength grades were subjected to these modification techniques and subsequently utilized in the [...] Read more.
This study investigated the sulfate resistance of modified recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) by applying carbonation and nano-silica soaking methodologies. Recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) derived from concretes of C30 and C60 strength grades were subjected to these modification techniques and subsequently utilized in the fabrication of RAC specimens. The results show notable porosity and crack density within the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) interfacing recycled aggregate and cement paste in recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). Specifically, the porosity within the ITZ of RAC is observed to be up to 30% higher than that of virgin aggregate concrete. These pathways facilitate the penetration of sulfate ions, subsequently inducing deterioration and resulting in a compression strength reduction of up to 40%. While carbonation treatment exhibits a moderate enhancement in sulfate resistance, decreasing the sulfate penetration depth by 15%, the incorporation of 2% nano-silica by weight of cement proves significantly more effective. This addition reduces the sulfate penetration depth by over 30% and lowers the sulfate concentration by 25%. Furthermore, the compressive strength of RAC modified with nano-silica increases by 15% following 28 days of sulfate exposure. Additionally, a 30% reduction in the sulfate ion mass equilibrium depth is observed in nano-silica-modified RAC, accompanied by a markedly lower sulfate concentration in the pore solution. After 56 days of sulfate attack, the compressive strength of nano-silica-modified RAC retains 85% of its initial value, whereas unmodified RAC decreases to 70%. Notably, the quality of recycled aggregate significantly impacts sulfate resistance, with high-strength RCA (exceeding 40 MPa) demonstrating superior resistance compared to low-strength RCA (below 20 MPa). Consequently, RAC produced with high-strength RCA experiences only a 20% loss in compressive strength under sulfate attack, whereas RAC containing low-strength RCA suffers a 40% loss. The novelty of this study is the effective use of nano-silica soaking and carbonation to enhance the sulfate resistance and compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete originated from both normal and high-strength reference concrete. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products)
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22 pages, 6753 KiB  
Article
Study on the Properties of Basalt Fiber-Calcined Gangue-Silty Clay Foam Concrete for Filling Undermined Goaf Areas of Highways
by Yucong Yin, Qinglin Li, Yangpeng Zhang, Xiaodong Jiao, Pengrui Feng and Hexiang Zhang
Materials 2025, 18(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010047 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 638
Abstract
The collapse of surface goaf beneath highways can result in instability and damage to roadbeds. However, filling the goaf areas with foam concrete can significantly enhance the stability of the roadbeds while considerably reducing the costs of filling materials. This study analyzes the [...] Read more.
The collapse of surface goaf beneath highways can result in instability and damage to roadbeds. However, filling the goaf areas with foam concrete can significantly enhance the stability of the roadbeds while considerably reducing the costs of filling materials. This study analyzes the effects on destructive characteristics, mechanical properties, stress–strain curve features, and relevant metrics, while also observing the microstructure of basalt fiber-calcined gangue-silty clay foam concrete (BF-CCG-SCFC). The results indicate that the water–binder ratio significantly influences the cubic compressive strength, split tensile strength, and fluidity of BF-CCG-SCFC. Silty clay reduces the cubic compressive strength, split tensile strength, and fluidity of BF-CCG-SCFC. Conversely, an appropriate amount of calcined gangue and basalt fiber significantly increases the cubic compressive strength and split tensile strength, while decreasing fluidity. To satisfy the strength and fluidity requirements of the filler material in hollow areas, the optimal water–binder ratio for BF-CCG-SCFC is 0.55, the ideal mixing ratio of calcined gangue to silty clay is 2:2, and the basalt fiber content should be 1%. The study examines the influence of varying water–binder ratios, the combined proportions of calcined gangue and silty clay, and different basalt fiber contents on the elastic modulus, peak stress, and peak strain of BF-CCG-SCFC. Additionally, the water–binder ratio influences the matrix strength through the non-hydration reactions of doped particles, while gangue and clay induce a “gradient hydration effect” during the hydration process. The incorporation of basalt fibers enhances the mechanical interlocking between the fibers and the matrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products)
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17 pages, 2041 KiB  
Article
Styrene–Butadiene Rubber Latex Modified Mortars Prepared with High Early Strength Portland Cement
by Modestas Kligys and Giedrius Girskas
Materials 2024, 17(23), 6000; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17236000 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 966
Abstract
The increased early hydration rate of high early strength cement has economic advantages in many civil engineering fields (faster formwork removal or earlier demoulding of precast elements). Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) latex is the most common polymer in aqueous dispersions suitable for admixing in [...] Read more.
The increased early hydration rate of high early strength cement has economic advantages in many civil engineering fields (faster formwork removal or earlier demoulding of precast elements). Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) latex is the most common polymer in aqueous dispersions suitable for admixing in cement-based materials. It allows the designing of structures with specific properties for a variety of applications. The analysis of literature sources has shown that different properties of SBR latex-modified cement-based material samples reported were usually measured at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days of hardening. In this research, the authors decided to investigate a combined effect of high early strength Portland cement, characterized by an increased hydration rate, and SBR latex able to retard this process for a prolonged hardening period—up to 90 days in modified mortar samples. This study covers the results of the effect of different amounts of SBR latex (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) on the properties of modified mortar samples with a constant water-to-cement ratio prepared with high early strength Portland cement 42.5 R. The mortar samples were prepared from local raw materials produced by the Lithuanian companies. The properties, such as dry bulk density, ultrasonic pulse velocity, capillary water absorption, compressive and flexural strengths, and toughness, after three different hardening periods (7, 28, and 90 days) of the mortar samples were investigated. The applied mathematical–statistical methods allowed a detailed prognosis of the dependence between the dry bulk density and the strength properties of modified mortar samples. The combination of 42.5 R strength class Portland cement with the SBR latex in amounts ranging from 5% to 20% seems to be suitable for designing durable structures with specific properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products)
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20 pages, 3485 KiB  
Article
Performance-Based Design of Ferronickel Slag Alkali-Activated Concrete for High Thermal Load Applications
by Andres Arce, Anastasija Komkova, Catherine G. Papanicolaou and Thanasis C. Triantafillou
Materials 2024, 17(19), 4939; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17194939 - 9 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1027
Abstract
This study aimed to develop optimized alkali-activated concrete using ferronickel slag for high-temperature applications, focusing on minimizing environmental impact while maintaining high compressive strength and slump. A response surface methodology, specifically the mixture design of experiments, was employed to optimize five components: water, [...] Read more.
This study aimed to develop optimized alkali-activated concrete using ferronickel slag for high-temperature applications, focusing on minimizing environmental impact while maintaining high compressive strength and slump. A response surface methodology, specifically the mixture design of experiments, was employed to optimize five components: water, FNS-based alkali-activated binder, and three aggregate sizes. Twenty concrete mixes were tested for slump and compressive strength before and after exposure to 600 °C for two hours. The optimal mix achieved 88 MPa compressive strength before heat exposure and 34 MPa after, with a slump of 140 mm. An upscaled version with improved workability (210 mm slump) maintained similar unheated strength but showed reduced post-heating strength (23.5 MPa). Replacing limestone with olivine aggregates in the upscaled mix resulted in 65 MPa unheated and 32 MPa post-heating strengths. Life Cycle Analysis revealed that the optimized ferronickel slag alkali-activated concrete’s CO2 emissions were 77% lower than those of ordinary Portland cement concrete of equivalent strength. This approach demonstrated the applicability of mixture design of experiments as an alternative design methodology for alkali activated concrete, providing a valuable performance-based design tool to advance the application of alkali-activated concrete in the construction industry, where no prescriptive standards for alkali-activated ferronickel concrete mix design exist. The study concluded that the developed ferronickel slag alkali-activated concrete, obtained through a performance-based mixture design methodology, offers a promising, environmentally friendly alternative for high-strength, high-temperature applications in construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products)
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23 pages, 6697 KiB  
Article
Lifecycle Assessment and Multi-Parameter Optimization of Lightweight Cement Mortar with Nano Additives
by Yiying Du, Aleksandrs Korjakins, Maris Sinka and Ina Pundienė
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4434; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174434 - 9 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1366
Abstract
With the growing global concerns regarding sustainable development in the building and construction industries, concentration only on the engineering properties of building materials can no longer meet the requirements. Although some studies have been implemented based on the lifecycle assessment of lightweight cement-based [...] Read more.
With the growing global concerns regarding sustainable development in the building and construction industries, concentration only on the engineering properties of building materials can no longer meet the requirements. Although some studies have been implemented based on the lifecycle assessment of lightweight cement-based materials, very few attempts have been made pertaining to multi-criteria optimization, especially when fly ash cenospheres are used as lightweight aggregates and nano additives are incorporated as modifying admixtures. This investigation utilized cenospheres as fine aggregates to produce green, sustainable, lightweight cement mortar. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes at 0.05, 0.15, and 0.45% were binarily added, together with 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0% of nano silica to improve the mechanical performance. Strength tests were conducted to measure the flexural and compressive behaviors, combined with a cradle-to-gate lifecycle assessment and direct cost analysis to assess the environmental and economic viability. Integrated indexes and the TOPSIS method were adopted to systematically evaluate the mortar mixes and determine the optimal mix. The outcomes show that nano additives worked synergically to enhance the mechanical properties of the mortars. The utilization of cenospheres effectively reduced environmental impacts and improved economic feasibility. Nano additives significantly affected the sustainability and economic viability; in particular, the utilization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes increased the material costs. To minimize the impact of the price of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, it is proposed to binarily use less expensive nano silica. In the multi-parameter optimization, the mix with 0.05% multi-walled carbon nanotubes and 0.02% nano silica was recommended to be the optimal mix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Sustainable Concrete with Solid Waste and By-Products)
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