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The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 8457

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mustafa Batikha

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Guest Editor

School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Interests: structural engineering; tall buildings; sustainable concrete; 3D concrete printing; strengthening structures; seismic rehabilitation

Prof. Dr. Adil Tamimi

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates
Interests: 3D concrete printing; green buildings; high performance concrete design & applications in harsh environment; sustainability/green buildings design, safety, composite materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Samer Al Martini

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil Engineering, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Interests: concrete technology in hot weather and durability; concrete segregation; lightweight aggregate concrete; compressive strength; ANOVA; lightweight concrete; resolution; partial factor method; load partial factors; reliability; material consumption; RC frame structures; concrete cement and concrete technology; exploration of fresh and mechanical properties of concrete in hot weather conditions; modeling the behavior of cement-based materials; green cementing materials; recycled aggregate concrete; rheology of concrete; structural behavior of Basalt FRP reinforced beams; 3D printing concrete

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Concrete is the world's second most utilised material on earth following water, with an annual production exceeding 30 billion tonnes. It cannot be replaced as a unique construction material with many advantages. However, traditional concrete practises pose significant challenges regarding durability, sustainability, cost, and construction techniques. Intensive research has been conducted to support concrete development, mitigate its environmental impact, and align with global agendas. For instance, ongoing research explores geopolymer concrete as a potential alternative to reduce reliance on cement, which contributes 7% of total global CO₂ emissions. Additionally, concrete has demonstrated its ability to incorporate various waste materials, thereby reducing strain on landfills worldwide. The development of concrete construction techniques has also been under the attention of researchers, especially with today's revolution in digitalisation. For example, 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is a current topic of discussion in construction because of its merits in architectural design flexibility, minimising material waste, ensuring workplace safety, and enhancing construction efficiency in terms of time. However, the widespread adoption of these innovations hinges on their cost-effectiveness.

This Special Issue aims to delve into recent innovations within the aforementioned topics.

Researchers are most welcome to contribute their latest innovations in sustainable concrete and advancements in concrete construction techniques. Comprehensive review papers focusing on these areas are also highly recommended for submission.

Dr. Mustafa Batikha
Prof. Dr. Adil Tamimi
Dr. Samer Al Martini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

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Keywords

concrete
geopolymer concrete
waste in concrete
mechanical properties
durability
3D concrete printing
carbon footprint analysis
cost analysis
statistical data analysis

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3315 KB

Open AccessArticle

Feasibility Evaluation of Partially Replacing Ordinary Portland Cement with Ferro-Nickel Slag in Ready-Mixed Concrete for Precast Applications

by Jin-Su Kim, Jun-Pil Hwang, Chang-Hong Lee and Jang-Ho Jay Kim

Materials 2025, 18(18), 4315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184315 - 15 Sep 2025

Viewed by 347

Abstract

The global generation of industrial waste is increasing rapidly, with much of it either landfilled or discharged into marine environments, resulting in severe environmental pollution. To address this issue, extensive research has been conducted on utilizing waste materials as partial replacements for cement. Although concrete incorporating industrial by-products offers environmental advantages—such as reducing pollution and lowering CO₂ emissions—its application has been limited by poor early-age performance. In South Korea, the annual production of ferronickel slag (FNS) now exceeds 2,000,000 tons, yet its usage remains minimal. To improve this early-age performance, researchers have applied steam curing (SC), a method widely used in precast concrete, which can enhance the utilization of FNS-containing concrete. Some studies have individually evaluated the mechanical or microstructural properties of SC effects, but the combined effects of FNS and SC replacement in precast concrete have rarely been addressed. This study applied SC, a method widely used in precast concrete production, to improve the performance of FNS concrete and conducted a comprehensive evaluation to promote its practical application. For this purpose, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was partially replaced with FNS at rates of 10%, 20%, and 30%. To assess the effects, tests were conducted on hydration heat, SEM, and XRD, along with evaluations of compressive and splitting tensile strength. Results identified 20% as the optimal replacement ratio. At this ratio, chloride penetration resistance and freeze–thaw durability were also assessed. Furthermore, FNS concrete was evaluated under both natural curing (NC, 28 days) and SC conditions to simulate precast production. Under NC, mechanical properties declined as the FNS content increased, whereas under SC, the performance of the 20% replacement mixture was comparable to that of the control. In addition, the chloride diffusion coefficient and freeze–thaw resistance were improved by 11% and 2%, respectively, under SC compared to NC. This study evaluated the feasibility of FNS-containing concrete, and further studies should be conducted to investigate the structural performance of FNS-containing reinforced concrete via methods such as flexural, shear, splicing, and debonding experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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26 pages, 3819 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Interactions of Deicing Salts with Concrete Pastes Containing Slag Cement

by Mohsen Torabi and Peter C. Taylor

Materials 2025, 18(17), 3962; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18173962 - 24 Aug 2025

Viewed by 625

Abstract

Chloride-based deicing salt solutions have been contacted with concrete pastes containing slag cement at different conditions, such as slag replacement (20–80%), type (CaCl₂, MgCl₂, NaCl), and concentration (1 M–5 M) of the deicing salt, as well as temperature (ambient & −18 °C), and the extent of their reactions have been studied using XRD and ICP-OES. Also, solubility of Friedel salt (FS) has been measured in different types and concentrations of deicing salt solutions. It has been observed that the chemical deterioration arising from the formation and then dissolution of FS is more significant than the damage caused by the formation and expansion of oxychlorides in the pastes containing slag. While calcium oxychloride in its dried form can linger inside the paste for a long time, FS undergoes incongruent dissolution in CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ solutions and leaves the system. Presence of higher levels of AFm phases in pastes containing slag will further underscore this phenomenon. The extent of this chemical deterioration is relatively lower in NaCl solutions. Also, it was found that the nature of the chemical interaction changes with the concentration of the salt, as some disappeared phases might reappear and then disappear again. Using XRD and ICP-OES, this study provides a mechanistic understanding of salt-induced chemical deterioration in slag cement pastes by identifying phase-specific vulnerabilities and tracking the formation, transformation, and dissolution of key phases, such as Friedel’s salt and calcium oxychloride; additionally, the influence of various parameters have been studied, and chemical mechanisms have been proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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13 pages, 3360 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Edge-Oxidized Graphene Oxide (EOGO) on Fly Ash Geopolymer

by Hoyoung Lee, Junwoo Shin, Byoung Hooi Cho and Boo Hyun Nam

Materials 2025, 18(15), 3457; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153457 - 23 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 396

Abstract

In this study, edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) was used as an additive in fly ash (FA) geopolymer paste. The effect of EOGO on the properties of the fly ash geopolymer was investigated. EOGO was added to the FA geopolymer at four different percentages (0%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1%), and the mixture was cured under two different conditions: room curing (~20 °C) and heat curing (~60 °C). To characterize the FA-EOGO geopolymer, multiple laboratory tests were employed, including compressive strength, Free-Free Resonance Column (FFRC), density, water absorption, and setting tests. The FFRC test was used to evaluate the stiffness at small strain (Young’s modulus) via the resonance of the specimen. The mechanical test results showed that the strength and elastic modulus were high during heat curing, and the highest compressive strength and elastic modulus were achieved at 0.1% EOGO. In the physical test, 0.1% EOGO had the highest density and the lowest porosity and water absorption. As a result of the setting time test, as the EOGO content increased, the setting time was shortened. It is concluded that the optimum proportion of EOGO is 0.1% in FA geopolymer paste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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20 pages, 14395 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Performance of Engineered Cementitious Composites with Different Types of Steel Fibers

by Mohammad Maldar, Reza Kianoush, Hocine Siad and Mohamed Lachemi

Materials 2025, 18(13), 2990; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18132990 - 24 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 551

Abstract

Engineered cementitious composites (ECCs), known for their superior ductility and strain-hardening behavior compared to conventional concrete, have been predominantly studied with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers. However, the potential economic and technical advantages of incorporating steel fibers into ECCs have been largely overlooked in the literature. This study investigates the mechanical performance of ECC reinforced with different types of steel fibers, including straight, twisted, hooked, and hybrid fibers of different lengths, as compared to PVA. The inclusion of various supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as slag and fly ash with each type of steel fiber was also considered at a constant fiber volume fraction of 2%. The mechanical properties were assessed through compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and four-point flexural tests along with calculations of toughness, ductility, and energy absorption capacity indices. This study compares the mechanical properties of different ECC compositions, revealing that ECCs with hybrid steel fibers (short and long) achieved more than twice the tensile strength, 12.7% higher toughness, and 36.4% greater energy absorption capacity compared to ECCs with PVA fibers, while exhibiting similar multiple micro-cracking behavior at failure. The findings highlight the importance of fiber type and distribution in enhancing an ECC’s mechanical properties, providing valuable insights for developing more cost-effective and resilient construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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14 pages, 3279 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Pore Properties of Foam Concrete Under Salt Erosion Environment

by Weihong Huang, Jiankun Liu, Qinyuan Shi and Weiwei Niu

Materials 2025, 18(12), 2810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122810 - 15 Jun 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 608

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of the macro- and micro-scale properties of foamed concrete under different saline environments, including sulfate, chloride, and composite salt conditions. The research focuses on the changes in compressive strength, pore structure, and hydration products of the material. Through full-immersion tests and compressive strength measurements, combined with microstructural characterization techniques such as mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), the deterioration mechanisms of foamed concrete under salt attack are systematically explored. The results indicate that Sulfate ions exhibit the most aggressive erosion effect, and the presence of chloride ions can produce a “passivation” effect which partially mitigates the damage caused by sulfate ions. Moreover, increasing the material density and incorporation of mineral admixtures contributes to pore structure refinement, significantly enhancing resistance to salt attack. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of foamed concrete under a complex salt erosion environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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17 pages, 4028 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Colloidal Nano-Silica on the Initial Hydration of High-Volume Fly Ash Cement

by Young-Cheol Choi

Materials 2025, 18(12), 2769; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122769 - 12 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 823

Abstract

High-volume fly ash cement exhibits drawbacks such as delayed hydration and reduced early-age compressive strength due to the replacement of large amounts of cement with fly ash. In recent years, various studies have been conducted to overcome these limitations by incorporating nanomaterials, such as nano-silica, to promote the hydration of cementitious systems. This study aims to investigate the effect of colloidal nano-silica on the hydration behavior of cement. Cement paste specimens were prepared with varying dosages of colloidal nano-silica to evaluate its influence. To examine the hydration characteristics and mechanical performance, compressive strength tests, isothermal calorimetry, and thermo-gravimetric analyses were conducted. Furthermore, the effect of colloidal nano-silica on the hydration of cement blended with fly ash was also examined. The experimental results revealed that the incorporation of colloidal nano-silica accelerated the hydration reactions in both ordinary and fly ash-blended cement pastes and significantly improved early-age compressive strength. In particular, the 7-day compressive strength of fly ash-blended cement mortar improved by 22.2% compared to the control specimen when 2% colloidal nano-silica was incorporated. The use of colloidal nano-silica appears to be a practical approach for enhancing the early strength of high-volume fly ash concrete, and its broader application and target expansion could contribute to the advancement of a low-carbon construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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18 pages, 6374 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Mechanical Properties, Tensile Performance, Hydration Heat, and Microstructure of VAE-Modified Rubber Mortar

by Jiaming Zhang, Ce Bian, Bowen Chen, Chunhe Li, Hua Wei and Hao Lu

Materials 2025, 18(3), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030651 - 1 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1019

Abstract

This study builds on the practice of using waste rubber to improve the ductility of cement mortar and further explores the potential of vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) in enhancing the ductility of rubber cement mortar (RM). It systematically analyzes the effects of VAE on the workability, mechanical properties, crack resistance, and microstructure of RM. Additionally, isothermal calorimetry was employed to investigate the mechanism of VAE’s influence on cement hydration heat. The results show that VAE significantly improves the flexural strength, tensile strength, and ultimate tensile strain of RM, while reducing its compressive strength and tensile elastic modulus, thereby markedly enhancing its flexibility and ductility. At a VAE content of 4%, the fluidity, 28-day flexural strength, tensile strength, and ultimate tensile strain of RM reached 240 mm, 4.83 MPa, 1.92 MPa, and 233 × 10⁻⁶, respectively, representing increases of 16%, 18.97%, 11.63%, and 62.94% compared to ordinary RM. However, when the VAE content exceeded 4%, both flexural strength and tensile strength began to decrease. Furthermore, the incorporation of VAE induced the formation of flexible polymer films within the RM matrix but also increased the porosity of the cement matrix, extended the induction period of cement hydration, and reduced the rate and degree of hydration. These findings provide valuable data to support the development of high-ductility and high-crack-resistance concrete repair materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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15 pages, 5770 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Mixture Proportions and Molding Method on the Performance of Pervious Recycled Aggregate Concrete

by Haifeng Wei, Lixing Yan, Caifeng Lu, Zhihong Wen, Ye Yang, Chunhao Lu and Qingsong Zhou

Materials 2024, 17(21), 5138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17215138 - 22 Oct 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1373

Abstract

The use of pervious concrete pavement systems with recycled aggregates is a sustainable and innovative solution to major urbanization challenges such as repurposing construction waste, alleviating urban waterlogging, and reducing heat-island effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of mixture proportions and molding methods on the performance of pervious recycled aggregate concrete (PRAC). To this end, the coarse aggregate size (4.75~9.5 mm, 9.5~16 mm, and 16~19 mm), the molding method (layered insertion-tamping and vibration molding with vibration times of 5 s, 10 s, or 15 s, respectively), and the replacement rate of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) (0%, 30%, 50%, and 100%, respectively) are considered. The results reveal that the addition of RCA to permeable concrete weakens its permeability. However, the compressive strength of PRAC reaches its maximum value when the RCA replacement rate is 50%. A larger aggregate particle size (16~19 mm) enhances the compressive strength of PRAC, yet decreases the permeability of PRAC. By using vibration molding to fabricate PRAC, an extension to the vibration duration increases the compressive strength, yet concurrently decreases the permeability. Based on the compressive strength and permeability coefficient of PRAC, the optimal mixture proportions and molding method are suggested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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Review

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33 pages, 4314 KB

Open AccessReview

Shrinkage Characteristics of Geopolymer Concrete: A Comprehensive Review

by Rukayat Olayinka, Reza Jafari and Mathieu Fiset

Materials 2025, 18(19), 4528; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194528 - 29 Sep 2025

Abstract

Geopolymer concrete (GC) has become apparent as a promising and sustainable alternative to ordinary portland cement (OPC) concrete, presenting notable advantages in both environmental impact and mechanical performance. Despite these benefits, shrinkage remains a critical issue, influencing cracking susceptibility, long-term durability, and structural reliability. While previous investigations have focused on isolated parameters, such as activator concentration or curing techniques, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the shrinkage behaviour of geopolymer concrete by exploring a broader range of influential factors. Key contributors—including precursor composition, alkali activator concentration, sodium silicate-to-sodium hydroxide ratio, liquid-to-solid ratio, pore structure, and curing conditions—are evaluated and mitigation strategies are discussed. Comparative evaluation of experimental studies reveals key patterns and mechanisms: heat curing around 60 °C consistently limits shrinkage, low-calcium binders outperform high-calcium systems, and chemical additives can reduce shrinkage by as much as 80%. The analysis also highlights emerging, bio-based additives that show promise for simultaneously controlling shrinkage and preserving mechanical performance. By integrating these diverse insights into a single framework, this paper provides a comprehensive reference for designing low-shrinkage GC mixtures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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23 pages, 1070 KB

Open AccessReview

Waste By-Products in Asphalt Concrete Pavement Construction: A Review

by Nuha S. Mashaan, Daniel O. Oguntayo and Chathurika Dassanayake

Materials 2025, 18(17), 4092; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18174092 - 1 Sep 2025

Viewed by 580

Abstract

The use of mining by-products in bitumen and asphalt mixture modification has drawn a lot of interest lately since it can improve pavement performance while advancing the goals of the circular economy and environmental sustainability. Mining by-products such as steel slag, red mud, silica fume, and fly ash have demonstrated good results as sustainable materials for improving the chemical, mechanical, durability, and rheological properties of asphalt binders and mixtures while also reducing the environmental degradation brought about by the disposal of these by-products. This study reviews research efforts on mining by-products (specifically steel slag, silica fume, red mud, and fly ash) in asphalt concrete pavement construction, analyzing the existing research, with emphasis on their various applications in asphalt concrete, their benefits as sustainable asphalt concrete materials, and limitations connected to their use. This review concludes by providing future directions in the utilization of these mining by-products in asphalt concrete production. This review contributes to the development of cost-effective, eco-friendly, and high-performance road construction materials, helping the transition to sustainable infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advanced Development in Concrete Materials: Properties and Construction Techniques)

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