Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials

Print Special Issue Flyer
Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2026) | Viewed by 11859

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Dr. Wangjie Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, South 2nd Ring Road Middle Section, Xi’an 710064, China
Interests: pavement engineering; asphalt materials; rheological properties; recycling; polymer modification; smart pavement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yangming Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
Interests: understanding, predicting, and optimizing the mechanical response of transport infrastructure and materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mingjun Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Interests: durable asphalt materials; recycled asphalt materials; sustainable asphalt materials; eco-friendly asphalt materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Dongdong Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, South 2nd Ring Road Middle Section, Xi’an 710064, China
Interests: pavement engineering; asphalt pavement; energy conversion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue, in the form of an original research article or review paper. This Special Issue aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the latest advancements in sustainable construction materials, focusing on the development of green binders and the use of recycled materials in both cement and asphalt concrete.

Concrete, including both cement-based and asphalt-based formulations, is essential to modern infrastructure. However, its production contributes significantly to environmental issues such as high CO₂ emissions and resource depletion. To address these concerns, there has been a growing emphasis on developing sustainable alternatives that reduce the environmental footprint of concrete production. Innovations in green binders and the incorporation of recycled materials are gaining traction as effective solutions.

This Special Issue will highlight research focused on sustainable concrete technologies, with an emphasis on both cement concrete and asphalt concrete. The topics to be covered will include alternative binders, the integration of recycled aggregates, industrial by-products, and other waste materials in concrete mixtures. We aim to explore how these innovations not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also improve the performance and longevity of both cement and asphalt concrete.

In this Special Issue, we invite the submission of original research articles and reviews. Potential research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Development of green binders for cement and asphalt concrete;
Use of recycled materials and industrial by-products in concrete;
Performance evaluation of sustainable cement and asphalt concrete;
Life cycle assessment of eco-friendly concrete materials;
Challenges and opportunities for green concrete technologies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Wangjie Wu
Dr. Yangming Gao
Dr. Mingjun Hu
Dr. Dongdong Yuan
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. 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 technologies
eco-friendly materials
asphalt concrete
cement concrete green binders
recycled materials

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

32 pages, 10290 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Performance of Foam Lightweight Soil Synergistically Modified by Aeolian Sand and Oil Sludge Pyrolysis Residue for Desert Applications

by Bin Wang, Kaiyuan Wang, Jie Liu, Zheng Lu, Keqi Ren and Shiyu Zhu

Materials 2026, 19(12), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19122527 - 11 Jun 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 297

Abstract

The scarcity of natural aggregates and the accumulation of oil sludge in desert regions pose critical challenges for highway construction. Although aeolian sand and oil sludge pyrolysis residue have been studied individually as construction materials, their combined use in foamed lightweight soil remains unexplored. This study addresses this gap by developing a novel foamed lightweight soil termed SOFS, which is created through the synergistic modification of aeolian sand and oil sludge pyrolysis residue. A six-factor, five-level orthogonal array (L25) was employed to systematically investigate the effects of residue content, sand content, foam-to-slurry ratio, foaming agent dilution, water-to-solid ratio, and mixing time. The evaluated properties included physical properties (fluidity and wet density), mechanical properties (compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength), and durability (wet–dry and freeze–thaw resistance). Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructural mechanisms. Variance and range analysis identified the optimal mixture, designated H14, which achieved 28-day compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths of 3.75 MPa, 2.21 MPa, and 0.9 MPa, respectively, thereby meeting desert roadbed requirements. Compared with conventional materials, H14 exhibited superior durability, with strength losses of only 16.3% in compressive strength and 19.1% in splitting tensile strength after 25 cycles. Microstructural analysis revealed a dense C-S-H gel network encapsulating the solid waste particles, with nanoscale Al- and Cl-rich crystalline phases observed at interfacial pores—a phenomenon that has rarely been documented in previous studies. These findings provide a theoretical and technical foundation for solid waste valorization and the development of sustainable desert infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3970 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation on Mechanical and Fatigue Performance of Large-Thickness Flexible Base Layer Asphalt Pavement

by Yihua Nie, Shuaihua Wang, Ruoxi Zhang, Bo He, Guosen Yao and Long Chen

Materials 2026, 19(7), 1446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19071446 - 4 Apr 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 515

Abstract

A static load test, single-wheel load test, and cyclic-wheel load test were carried out on large-thickness flexible base-layer and semi-rigid base-layer asphalt pavement structures by a multifunctional wheel-load testing machine. A comparative analysis was conducted on the influence and mechanism factors, such as load strength, test temperature, and load rate, on the stress and strain at the top and bottom of two asphalt pavement structures. The results show that in the interval of 1.3 MPa ≥ load intensity ≥ 0.5 MPa, with the increase of static load, the transverse strain and vertical strain at the top and bottom of the base layer of large-thickness flexible base-layer asphalt pavements increase slowly with a slight increase; the transverse strain and vertical strain at the top of the base layer of large-thickness semi-rigid base-layer asphalt pavements are more sensitive to heavy traffic load; and the transverse strain and vertical strain generated at the bottom of the base layer increase uniformly with the enhancement of static load. Under the action of a single-wheel load, the transverse and vertical strain generated at the top and bottom of the base layer of large-thickness flexible base-layer and semi-rigid base-layer asphalt pavements are alternately tensile and compressive, mainly compressive strains, while large-thickness semi-rigid base-layer asphalt pavement exhibits more complex strain changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4516 KB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization and Sustainability Evaluation of Steel Slag and RAP in Hot Recycled Asphalt Mixtures—Case Study

by Liang Song, Zijie Xie, Jie Gao, Chong Gao, Le Wang and Mingwen Tao

Materials 2026, 19(6), 1231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19061231 - 20 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 738

Abstract

To address natural aggregate scarcity and improve the high-value utilization of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), this study proposes a steel slag–RAP hot recycled asphalt mixture (SSRM) as a sustainable alternative to conventional limestone–RAP mixtures (RM). Unlike previous studies mainly focusing on performance verification, an integrated environmental–economic evaluation framework was developed based on real highway expansion project data under a “cradle-to-gate” boundary and incorporating transportation distance thresholds. SSRM containing 50% RAP and 23% steel slag as coarse aggregate replacement was evaluated through rutting, semi-circular bending (SCB), freeze–thaw splitting (TSR), and skid resistance tests. Compared with RM, SSRM exhibited 14–16% higher dynamic stability and 20–25% higher fracture energy at −10 °C, along with improved moisture stability and skid resistance, mainly attributed to the rough and alkaline characteristics of steel slag enhancing adhesion and aggregate interlocking. Life-cycle assessment (GWP100) and cost analysis indicate that SSRM reduces carbon emissions by 10–11% relative to RM and about 40% compared with conventional virgin mixtures, while initial construction costs decrease by 9–10%. Transportation sensitivity analysis identifies equal-emission and equal-cost thresholds of approximately 590 km and 380 km, respectively. Within typical material supply radii (300–400 km), SSRM demonstrates both environmental and economic advantages, providing a practical framework for low-carbon material selection in highway construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5710 KB

Open AccessArticle

Steel Slag-Enhanced Cement-Stabilized Recycled Aggregate Bases: Mechanical Performance and PINN-Based Sulfate Diffusion Prediction

by Guodong Zeng, Hao Li, Yuyuan Deng, Xuancang Wang, Yang Fang and Haoxiang Liu

Materials 2026, 19(3), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19030546 - 29 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 961

Abstract

The application of cement-stabilized recycled aggregate (CSR) in pavement bases is constrained by the high porosity and low strength of recycled aggregate (RA), whereas sulfate transport and durability mechanisms are less reported. To address this issue, this study incorporated high-strength and potentially reactive steel slag aggregate (SSA) into CSR to develop steel slag-enhanced cement-stabilized recycled aggregate (CSRS). The mechanical performance of the mixtures was evaluated through unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and indirect tensile strength (ITS) tests, and their durability was assessed using thermal shrinkage and sulfate resistance tests. In addition, a sulfate prediction model based on a physics-informed neural network (PINN) was developed. The results showed that, compared with CSR, the 7-day and 28-day UCS of CSRS increased by 6.7% and 16.0%, respectively, and the ITS increased by 4.3% and 5.9%. Thermal shrinkage tests indicated that CSR and CSRS, incorporating RA and SSA, exhibited slightly higher thermal shrinkage strain than cement-stabilized natural aggregate (CSN). During sulfate attack, SSA significantly improved the sulfate resistance of CSR, with the sulfate resistance coefficient of CSRS increasing by 18.8% compared to CSR. Furthermore, the PINN model predicted that, in 3%, 5%, and 7% sodium sulfate solutions, the sulfate concentration at a 1 mm depth in CSRS was reduced by 35.6%, 21.8%, and 29.4%, respectively, compared to CSR, with an average relative error below 14%, confirming its reliability. Therefore, these findings demonstrate that the incorporation of SSA markedly enhances the mechanical properties and sulfate resistance of CSR, and that the PINN model provides an effective tool for accurate simulation and prediction of sulfate diffusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 12684 KB

Open AccessArticle

Green Grouting Material Based on Phosphogypsum–Slag Geopolymer: Feasibility and Performance Evaluation for Trenchless Road Repair

by Xiaoping Ji, Liyuan Dong, Xiaojuan Li, Honglei Lu, Houfu Song and Penghui Wen

Materials 2025, 18(21), 4901; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18214901 - 26 Oct 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1286

Abstract

Grouting materials are essential for trenchless road repair. However, conventional cement-based grouting materials suffer from considerable shrinkage and low early-age strength. To address these challenges, this study utilizes industrial solid wastes (phosphogypsum and slag) for the synergistic synthesis of a phosphogypsum–slag-based geopolymer (PBG). Using PBG as a binder and fine sand as an aggregate, a sustainable grouting material was developed. The influence of binder-to-sand and water-to-solid ratios on PBG workability was systematically evaluated, identifying the optimal water-to-solid ratio. Based on this, the effects of the binder-to-sand ratio on mechanical strength at various curing ages, durability, and leaching of toxic substances were analyzed. The mechanism of strength development mechanism and immobilization behavior of toxic substances were revealed through SEM. The results indicate that the material exhibits excellent performance when the water-to-solid ratio is 0.28 and the binder-to-sand ratio ranges from 0.70 to 0.75. The material exhibits fluidity of 160–240 mm, initial setting time > 30 min, and final setting time < 400 min, a bleeding rate < 0.4%, and 28-day compressive strength ≥ 9.0 MPa. Both the impermeability and freeze–thaw resistance of PBG grouting material improve with a higher binder-to-sand ratio. Toxic substance leaching complies with Class III groundwater quality standards. Carbon footprint analysis indicates that the material significantly reduces carbon emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

23 pages, 9219 KB

Open AccessArticle

Strength and Microstructural Evolution of SRX-Stabilized Aeolian Sand–Gravel Flexible Base for Desert Road Construction

by Jie Liu, Qinli Liu, Chao Pu, Bo Wu, Xin Wang and Shiyu Zhu

Materials 2025, 18(17), 3982; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18173982 - 25 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1437

Abstract

This study investigates the strength and microstructural evolution of SRX-stabilized aeolian sand–gravel mixtures for flexible base applications in desert roads. CBR, UPS (uniaxial penetration strength), and compressive resilient modulus tests were conducted under varying SRX dosages (0.4–1.0%) and aeolian sand contents (30–50%). The results show that increasing the SRX dosage significantly improves all three indices, with the 0.5% SRX and 30% aeolian sand mixture yielding the CBR (385.89%) and UPS (0.938 MPa) and achieving a compressive resilient modulus that meets the requirements for graded aggregate base layers. XRD FTIR and SEM–EDS analyses reveal that the SRX enhances material structure primarily through physical mechanisms, forming dense films and bonding networks without inducing significant chemical reactions. Extended curing improves structural integrity, while excessive aeolian sand reduces compactness. SRX-stabilized aeolian sand gravel is a viable base and subbase material for desert highways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 3569 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Assessment and Freeze–Thaw Durability Prediction of Wet-Sprayed Concrete for Cold-Region Tunnels

by Haiyan Wang, Yanli Wang, Zhaohui Sun, Lichuan Wang, Hongtao Zhang, Wenhua Zheng and Qianqian Wang

Materials 2025, 18(13), 2955; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18132955 - 22 Jun 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1809

Abstract

This study examines freeze–thaw deterioration patterns and predicts the service life of wet-sprayed concrete with composite cementitious materials in cold-region tunnels. The microstructure and particle size distribution of four materials (cement, fly ash, silica fume, and mineral powder) were analyzed. Subsequent tests evaluated the rebound rate, mechanical properties, and durability of wet-sprayed concrete with various compositions and proportions of cementitious materials, emphasizing freeze–thaw resistance under cyclic freezing and thawing. A freeze–thaw deterioration equation was developed using damage mechanics theory to predict the service life of early-stage wet-sprayed concrete in tunnels. The results indicate that proportionally combining cementitious materials with different particle sizes and gradations can enhance concrete compactness. Adding mineral admixtures increases concrete viscosity, effectively reducing rebound rates and dust generation during wet spraying. Concrete incorporating binary and ternary mineral admixtures shows reduced early-age strength but significantly enhanced later-age strength. Its frost resistance is also improved to varying degrees. The ternary composite binder fills voids between cement particles and at the interface between paste and aggregate, resulting in a dense microstructure due to a ‘composite superposition effect.’ This significantly enhances the frost resistance of wet-mixed shotcrete, enabling it to withstand up to 200 freeze–thaw cycles, compared to failure after 75 cycles in plain cement concrete. The relative dynamic modulus of elasticity of wet-shotcrete follows a parabolic deterioration trend with increasing freeze–thaw cycles. Except for specimen P5 (R² = 0.89), the correlation coefficients of deterioration models exceed 0.94, supporting their use in durability prediction. Simulation results indicate that, across all regions of China, the service life of wet-shotcrete with ternary admixtures can exceed 100 years, while that of plain cement concrete remains below 41 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1431 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Deterioration of Chloride Erosion in Tunnel Construction Joints Under a Multifactorial Environment

by Weiwei Han, Wenming Zhang, Shirong Guo, Ruifeng Nie, Weijie Zhang and Shuyin Wu

Materials 2025, 18(12), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122854 - 17 Jun 2025

Viewed by 889

Abstract

Structural crack seepage in concrete is a common condition in engineering applications. Under the combined effects of multiple factors such as water pressure and load, cracks are more likely to occur inside the concrete structure, thus aggravating the water seepage problem. To simulate the chloride ion erosion of structural cracks, an independent test system that can simultaneously consider the coupling effect of multiple factors was developed. Three typical factors—water pressure, vertical load, and erosion time—were selected and designed using the orthogonal test method to analyze the effect of factors on the chloride ion concentration. The results revealed that the vertical load is the least influential factor, water pressure and erosion time are the most noticeable factors, and the factors influencing the diffusion of chloride ion in concrete are, in order of magnitude, water pressure (0.86), erosion time (0.66), and vertical load (0.36). Nonlinear surface fitting, with an R-squared value exceeding 0.95, was used to characterize the relationship between chloride ion concentration, water pressure, and erosion time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

31 pages, 8820 KB

Open AccessReview

Comprehensive Review on Mechanical Performance of Concrete Reinforced with Fibers and Waste Materials

by Rajesh Kumar Mishra, Hafsa Jamshaid, Miroslav Muller, Jiri Urban and Michal Penc

Materials 2025, 18(23), 5419; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18235419 - 1 Dec 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2345

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most important and most widely used materials for construction activities around the world. However, it has inherent deficiencies, e.g., brittleness, low impact resistance, low tensile strength, low fire resistance, low durability, and lower resistance to crack formation. Fibers and waste materials of different types are added as partial replacement of cement and aggregates in concrete to improve performance properties and reduce environmental pollution. In the present study, a thorough review of the use of various types of fibers with high and low elastic moduli in concrete to improve mechanical performance and reduce environmental pollution issues has been conducted. This review paper also provides comprehensive information on the different types of waste materials, e.g., biodegradable and non-biodegradable, which are used in concrete. The use of waste materials in concrete reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill and, in addition, improves some mechanical properties of concrete. This review is aimed at evaluating and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of fiber-reinforced concrete by using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis. Moreover, this study also concluded that carbon fiber-reinforced concrete proves to be stronger and more durable but more expensive than other fibers. An ideal percentage of natural origin fibers used in concrete can greatly improve the mechanical performance. This study also discussed that waste from polymeric materials can be used in concrete as a partial replacement of cement and other components, e.g., coarse aggregates. It can be inferred that the optimum content of fibers that gives effective results is about 1%, and the reinforcement of concrete with different varieties of wastes as a replacement for fine aggregates should not be more than 2%. Parametric optimization of fiber content will be necessary for the best possible combination of performance properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Concrete: Innovations in Green Binders and Recycled Materials

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI