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Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design
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Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 3476

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Wei Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150030, China
Interests: winter concrete construction; additive manufacturing; 3D modeling; artificial intelligence in construction materials; finite element method
Dr. Weichen Tian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Infrastructure Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Interests: advanced cement-based composites; common waste large-scale treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mingzhi Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150030, China
Interests: lattice Boltzmann method (LBM); cellular automata (CA); discrete element method (DEM); fuzzy c-means clustering (FCM); computer vision
Dr. Kunyang Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Interests: phase-change materials for thermal energy storage; microencapsulation of phase-change materials; heat-stored concrete; high-value utilization of waste in concrete construction; temperature control of concrete
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yanqin Zeng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: fiber-reinforced composite materials; high-performance marine structures; structural non-linear analysis; mesco-scale mechanics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cement-based composite is the most popular artificial material in the world and is ubiquitous in most infrastructures. In the past two decades, rapid progress has been made in terms of scientific research on and the technological development of advanced cement-based composite, which can be endowed with many functionalities (e.g., self-sensing, self-monitoring, thermal energy storage, ultrahigh-strength, self-healing, etc.) by intelligent design, rendering it smarter for service in various applications.

Though diverse advanced cement-based composite materials are expected to benefit construction materials and engineering, there are still many challenges in their development and application. The aim of this Special Issue is to promote excellent research concerning all aspects of advanced cement-based composite materials and artificial intelligence in the concrete construction process, focusing on recent advances, basic properties, research gaps, and new trends in the construction of buildings, roads, tunnels, etc. We welcome submissions of original research and review articles on the following potential topics:

  • Advanced cement-based composite materials with multifunctional properties;
  • Heat-stored, cement-based composite materials;
  • Advanced manufacturing of cement-based composite materials;
  • Fiber-reinforced and nano-modified cement-based composite materials;
  • Low-carbon and high-performance cement-based composite materials;
  • Composition intelligent design and performance prediction of cement-based composite materials.

Prof. Dr. Wei Wang
Dr. Weichen Tian
Dr. Mingzhi Wang
Dr. Kunyang Yu
Guest Editors

Dr. Yanqin Zeng
Guest Editor Assistant

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

  • advanced cement-based composite materials
  • concrete in harsh environment
  • fibers
  • phase-change materials
  • artificial intelligence
  • infrastructure construction
  • low-carbon fabrication
  • composition design and performance prediction
  • additive manufacturing
 

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4617 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Mechanism of Microstructural Changes in Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Under Microwave Influence: Experiments and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
by Jingyuan Chen, Kunyang Yu, Shuangxin Li and Dengao Liu
Materials 2025, 18(9), 1892; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091892 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 364
Abstract
To elucidate the mechanisms of microstructural changes in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) under microwave exposure, this study characterizes the microstructure at multiple scales using a combination of microscopic experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The hydration products, pore structure, morphology, and interface transition zone (ITZ) [...] Read more.
To elucidate the mechanisms of microstructural changes in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) under microwave exposure, this study characterizes the microstructure at multiple scales using a combination of microscopic experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The hydration products, pore structure, morphology, and interface transition zone (ITZ) of UHPC specimens were analyzed using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the uniaxial tensile behavior, free volume, and radial distribution of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, the primary hydration product. The results indicate that microwave curing significantly reduces the pore volume of specimens, with a daily average reduction of 0.15% in the early stages. This accelerated reduction in porosity effectively diminishes the number of high-risk pores. The hydration products formed under microwave curing exhibit higher density and enhanced internal pore optimization. Simulation findings suggest that the non-thermal effects of microwaves play a more significant role in the structural evolution. The molecular orientation of C-S-H changes after oscillation, leading to more ordered molecular arrangements. Mechanical oscillation also expels free volume from the crystal cells, promoting a more compact overall structure and increasing the tensile strength by up to 1 GPa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design)
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14 pages, 4946 KiB  
Article
Random Forest Algorithm for the Mechanical Strength Prediction of Green Cement-Based Materials Incorporating Waste Materials Under Fire Condition
by Lei Zhang, Ruipeng Qiu, Jiabin Xie, Xianglong Liu, Qiang Fu and Yanli Li
Materials 2025, 18(5), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051025 - 26 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 353
Abstract
High temperature treatment is a typical detrimental situation that may significantly influence the compressive strength of cement-based materials. It was reported that the incorporation of common waste materials as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can improve high temperature resistance. In this work, fly ash [...] Read more.
High temperature treatment is a typical detrimental situation that may significantly influence the compressive strength of cement-based materials. It was reported that the incorporation of common waste materials as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can improve high temperature resistance. In this work, fly ash (FA), granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), and silica fume (SF) were used as SCMs to replace cement to produce green cement-based materials. The mechanical strengths of the samples being subjected to various elevated temperatures were measured and analyzed with different SCMs contents. Results showed that when the high temperature was above 500 °C, it caused significant loss of strength, and the use of SCMs can improve the high temperature resistance of the cement-based materials with higher residual strength, especially for the GGBFS and SF blended samples. Moreover, the random forest regression algorithm was used to predict the compressive strength for the cement-based material incorporating various waste materials, and exhibited high accuracy. This work presents a comprehensive study on the regularity of changes of mechanical strength and provides a specific algorithm for the precise prediction of this occurrence, which is helpful to understand and predict the influence of high temperature treatment on green cement-based materials with various waste materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design)
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17 pages, 6251 KiB  
Article
High-Performance Oil Well Cement with Modified Calcium Carbonate Whiskers: Enhancing Durability Under HTHP Conditions
by Xingguo Liu, Jiankun Qin, Rongdong Dai, Hanguo Zhou, Xueyu Pang and Xuhui Chen
Materials 2025, 18(5), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051021 - 26 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 444
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of incorporating modified calcium carbonate whiskers, treated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), to enhance the mechanical properties and sealing integrity of oil well cement under high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) conditions. Traditional cement systems are prone to brittleness and cracking [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effect of incorporating modified calcium carbonate whiskers, treated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), to enhance the mechanical properties and sealing integrity of oil well cement under high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) conditions. Traditional cement systems are prone to brittleness and cracking under dynamic loads, leading to compromised wellbore sealing performance. Our findings demonstrate that fiber-toughened cement slurry improves the toughness and sealing performance of the cement annulus, maintaining gas tightness and mechanical integrity under cyclic alternating pressures at 150 °C. Specifically, the inclusion of 5% modified whisker fibers improves compressive strength by 24.5% and flexural strength by 43.3% while maintaining stable rheological and thickening properties. These results support the hypothesis that modified whisker fibers enhance the durability and sealing integrity of cement wellbores under extreme conditions, providing a practical solution for challenging cementing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design)
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15 pages, 6204 KiB  
Article
Effect of Early Curing Experiences on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of ECO-UHPC Prepared by Gold Tailings Sand
by Qi Ouyang, Xianxiang Zhou, Xian Liang and Biao Luo
Materials 2025, 18(4), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040842 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 442
Abstract
Fine gold tailings particles generated from gold mining and refining have the potential to replace high-cost quartz sand in the preparation of economical ultra-high-performance concrete (ECO-UHPC) due to their large stockpiles, low cost, and elimination of grinding. In this study, ECO-UHPC was prepared [...] Read more.
Fine gold tailings particles generated from gold mining and refining have the potential to replace high-cost quartz sand in the preparation of economical ultra-high-performance concrete (ECO-UHPC) due to their large stockpiles, low cost, and elimination of grinding. In this study, ECO-UHPC was prepared by substituting quartz sand with gold tailing sand (GTS) at substitution rates of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The mechanical properties of ECO-UHPC, including its cubic compressive strength, elastic modulus, and prismatic compressive strength, as well as its leaching toxicity, were experimentally analyzed under various early curing experiences such as ambient-water curing (WC), hot-water curing (HWC), hot-air curing (HAC), and combined curing (CC). Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) were employed to interpret the macroscopic behavior of ECO-UHPC. The results indicate that the incorporation of waste GTS slightly reduces the fluidity of fresh ECO-UHPC, decreasing it by approximately 6.1% at a full 100% replacement. As a result of waste GTS substitution, the cubic strength of ECO-UHPC experiencing the WC environment during early curing is reduced by 0.7–12.2%. However, the strength of thermally cured ECO-UHPC is comparable to or even higher than that of pure quartz-based G0, with the maximum value occurring in G-50. Specifically, the strength of G-50 cured with HWC, HAC, and CC varies by +20.0%, +40.2%, and +57.7%, respectively, as compared to that of G-50 cured with WC. The evolution of the elastic modulus and the prismatic strength of ECO-UHPC under different early curing conditions and GTS replacement rates aligns closely with that of its cubic strength. In addition, the implementation of thermal curing conditions also limits the leaching of heavy metals from ECO-UHPC, with the best effect observed under CC. This is because appropriate thermal curing promotes the densification of a cementitious substance and the bonding of GTS-cementitious material. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing waste GTS as a partial or full replacement for quartz sand in ECO-UHPC while maintaining desirable mechanical performance and environmental safety. The findings provide valuable insights into the influence of GTS substitution and early curing regimes on ECO-UHPC properties, highlighting the potential of thermal curing to enhance strength and mitigate leaching risks. Future research should further explore the long-term durability of GTS-based ECO-UHPC and its broader applicability in sustainable construction practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design)
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12 pages, 2607 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation of Stabilized Soils with Selected Common Waste Materials of Rice Husk Ash, Steel Slag and Iron Tailing Powder
by Degou Cai, Mingzhe Ouyang, Xinyu Bao, Qianli Zhang, Zongqi Bi, Hongye Yan, Shimin Li and Yuefeng Shi
Materials 2025, 18(2), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020346 - 14 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 638
Abstract
Soil stabilization technology has been applied for a long time in the infrastructure construction field. Currently, the use of waste materials as stabilizer is growing in attention, because it promises to develop green and high-performance soil stabilization efficiency. In this work, three common [...] Read more.
Soil stabilization technology has been applied for a long time in the infrastructure construction field. Currently, the use of waste materials as stabilizer is growing in attention, because it promises to develop green and high-performance soil stabilization efficiency. In this work, three common waste materials, including rice husk ash (RHA), steel slag (SS) and iron tailing (IT) powder, were selected and synergistically utilized with cement to prepare stabilized soil. The mechanical strength, hydration degree and microstructure of the stabilized soil samples were tested. The experimental results showed that the mechanical strengths of the samples were improved as the cement content increased. To be specific, RHA-blended samples exhibited the lowest strengths compared with those incorporating SS and IT, indicating the poor effect of RHA on stimulating strength improvement. Moreover, SS and IT showed a much more significant effect on enhancing the mechanical strength for the stabilized soil samples, and the strength increasing rates can reach up to 60% compared to the reference batch. In addition, microstructural analysis results further verified the benefits of cement and waste materials on improving the performance of stabilized soil samples, as the hydration reaction and pore structure were proven to be improved with the aid of waste materials. This work gives insights into environmentally friendly road construction with high utilization of selected common wastes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design)
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22 pages, 4783 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Air-Entrained Grout-Enriched Vibrated Cemented Sand, Gravel and Rock (GECSGR) for Improving Frost and Thawing Resistance in CSGR Dams
by Wambley Adomako Baah, Jinsheng Jia, Cuiying Zheng, Baozhen Jia, Yue Wang and Yangfeng Wu
Materials 2025, 18(1), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18010155 - 2 Jan 2025
Viewed by 658
Abstract
Cemented Sand, Gravel, and Rock (CSGR) dams have traditionally used either Conventional Vibrated Concrete (CVC) or Grout-Enriched Roller Compacted Concrete (GERCC) for protective and seepage control layers in low- to medium-height dams. However, these methods are complex, prone to interference, and uneconomical due [...] Read more.
Cemented Sand, Gravel, and Rock (CSGR) dams have traditionally used either Conventional Vibrated Concrete (CVC) or Grout-Enriched Roller Compacted Concrete (GERCC) for protective and seepage control layers in low- to medium-height dams. However, these methods are complex, prone to interference, and uneconomical due to significant differences in the expansion coefficient, elastic modulus, and hydration heat parameters among CSGR, CVC, and GERCC. This complexity complicates quality control during construction, leading to the development of Grout-Enriched Vibrated Cemented Sand, Gravel, and Rock (GECSGR) as an alternative. Despite its potential, GECSGR has limited use due to concerns about freeze–thaw resistance. This project addresses these concerns by developing an air-entrained GECSGR grout formulation and construction technique. The study follows a five-phase approach: mix proportioning of C1806 CSGR; optimization of the grout formulation; determination of grout addition rate; evaluation of small-scale lab samples of GECSGR; and field application. The results indicate that combining 8–12% of 223 kg/m3 cement grout with 2–2.23 kg/m3 of admixtures, mud content of 15%, a marsh time of 26–31 s. and a water/cement ratio of 0.5–0.6 with the C1806 parent CSGR mixture achieved a post-vibration in situ air content of 4–6%, excellent freeze–thaw resistance (F300: mass loss <5% or initial dynamic modulus ≥60%), and permeability resistance (W12: permeability coefficient of 0.13 × 10−10 m/s). The development of a 2-in-1 slurry addition and vibration equipment eliminated performance risks and enhanced efficiency in field applications, such as the conversion of the C1804 CSGR mixture into air-entrained GECSGR grade C9015W6F50 for the 2.76 km Qianwei protection dam. Economic analysis revealed that the unit cost of GECSGR production is 18.3% and 6.33% less than CVC and GERCC, respectively, marking a significant advancement in sustainable cement-based composite materials in the dam industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement-Based Composite Materials and Composite Intelligent Design)
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