Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.8
3.1
Journals
Materials
Special Issues
Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition)
materials-logo
Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition)

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 April 2025) | Viewed by 28230

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jiaqing Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Interests: sustainable infrastructure materials; rubberized concrete; fiber-reinforced concrete; utilization of MSW; asphalt concrete materials; material macro and micro characterizations; FEM fracture analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shuaicheng Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410012, China
Interests: fiber-reinforced concrete; durability of concrete materials and structural components; application of new materials in structural and geotechnical engineering; non-destructive testing; research on concrete fracture mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ruizhe Si

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Civil Engineering Materials, School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
Interests: geopolymer; microstructure; drying shrinkage; mechanical properties; durability of cement-based composites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chaochao Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Engineering Research Centre of Road Maintenance Technologies, Changsha University of Science ＆ Technology, Changsha 410114, China
Interests: materials and structure design of durable asphalt pavement; modified asphalt and mixtures; reclaimd asphalt pavement; cement-treated aggregates
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fangyuan Gong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
Interests: material and structure of road engineering; intelligent detection and repair of pavement disease; micro-structure evaluation and analysis of road materials; development and preparation of sustainable road materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue, in the form of an original research article or review paper.

With the rapid development of infrastructure constructions, greener and more sustainable materials have been investigated and applied. Recently, infrastructure construction materials were discovered which are suitable for utilization in low-emission applications and environment protection. In addition, innovative sustainable techniques in the production and use of these materials have also attracted more attention.

This Special Issue will focus on the green and sustainable utilization of infrastructure materials. The main sub-topics include innovative techniques in the application of these materials in infrastructures (pavement, bridges, composite structures, etc.), effective methods for the recycling of these materials in constructions, and the multi-scale material characterization and modeling of composite materials containing these components.

Therefore, this Special Issue will provide an opportunity for peers in the related fields to publish recent findings with the advances in green and sustainable construction materials.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Innovative techniques in green and sustainable construction materials.
  • Using recycled materials to facilitate sustainability.
  • Multi-scale evaluation of green and sustainable materials for infrastructure constructions.
  • Investigations of composite materials and structures made of green and sustainable materials.
  • Treatment methods of green and sustainable construction materials for better durability.

Dr. Jiaqing Wang
Dr. Shuaicheng Guo
Dr. Ruizhe Si
Dr. Chaochao Liu
Dr. Fangyuan Gong
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

  • sustainable infrastructure materials
  • rubberized concrete
  • fiber-reinforced concrete
  • asphalt and mixtures
  • material and structure of road engineering

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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (14 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 14127 KiB  
Article
Study on Mechanical Properties and Curing Reaction Mechanism of Alkali-Activated-Slag Solidified Port Soft Soil with Different Activators
by Wenjun Hu, Han Zhang, Yu Cheng, Yi Xue, Yutong Han, Jianghua Jia, Kun Li and Zhifeng Zhang
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071583 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 211
Abstract
The application of alkali-activated slag (AAS) cementing material to the curing of soft soil foundations has a good engineering application prospect and is economical and environmentally friendly. In this study, three different activators (Na2O·nSiO2, NaOH, Ca(OH)2) were [...] Read more.
The application of alkali-activated slag (AAS) cementing material to the curing of soft soil foundations has a good engineering application prospect and is economical and environmentally friendly. In this study, three different activators (Na2O·nSiO2, NaOH, Ca(OH)2) were used to alkali-activate slag powder to solidify and improve soft soil in inland port areas. In order to explore the mechanical properties and strength formation mechanism of AAS-solidified soil under different activators, mechanical properties, and microscopic tests were carried out. Firstly, with unconfined compressive strength as the evaluation index, an orthogonal test of three factors, such as the type of activator, the amount of activator, and the amount of slag powder, was designed. Then, the unconfined compressive strength, resilience modulus, shear strength, and compression modulus of AAS-solidified soil were tested with the three activators under optimal dosage. Finally, phase composition, SEM-EDS, TG-DTG, and FT-IR analyses were carried out with the three AAS-solidified soils. The results show the following: (1) The factors affecting the unconfined compressive strength of AAS-solidified soil are ordered as follows: the type of activator > the amount of activator > the amount of slag powder. In addition, the optimal factors were as follows: activator type: Na2O·nSiO2; amount of activator: 3%; and amount of slag powder: 20%. (2) In considering the macroscopic mechanical properties, the effect of the activator is Na2O·nSiO2 > NaOH > Ca(OH)2, and the Na2O·nSiO2 AAS-solidified soil has good early strength. (3) The hydration products of AAS are mainly C-A-S-H gel, N-A-S-H gel, and C-S-H gel, which increase the strength and cohesion of solidified soil. The results show that AAS-solidified soil with 0.7-modulus Na2O·nSiO2 as the activator has good engineering characteristics and can be used for curing soft soil foundations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4978 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Uplift Bearing Mechanism of New Pneumatic Pipe Piles
by Huan Wang, Rui Zhang, Zhengnan Liu, Xiang Wang and Xiwei Zhang
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071414 - 23 Mar 2025
Viewed by 261
Abstract
To enhance the uplift resistance of micropiles used in soil slope reinforcement and ensure the stability and safety of slope structures, a novel micropile incorporating a small-scale pneumatic device and anchorage components was developed, and its uplift performance was evaluated. Through field uplift [...] Read more.
To enhance the uplift resistance of micropiles used in soil slope reinforcement and ensure the stability and safety of slope structures, a novel micropile incorporating a small-scale pneumatic device and anchorage components was developed, and its uplift performance was evaluated. Through field uplift tests, the uplift load–vertical displacement relationship of the new micropile and conventional micropile in silty clay strata was compared. Numerical simulations were also conducted to reveal the uplift mechanism and analyze the influence of an anchorage component layout on the micropile’s uplift resistance. The field tests showed that the ultimate uplift capacity of a 3 m long novel micropile increased by 161.7% compared to that of a conventional micropile, with a 14.7% reduction in displacement. When the anchorage components were deployed without grouting, the novel micropile achieved 70.7% of the uplift capacity of a conventional micropile, indicating a certain level of uplift resistance. Numerical simulation results indicated that the novel micropile altered the stress state of the surrounding soil, and the anchorage components changed the load transfer mechanism during micropile uplift from vertical interfacial friction to a combination of anchorage pressure and soil friction, significantly enhancing uplift resistance. For an 8 m long micropile without anchorage components, the ultimate uplift capacity was 489.9 kN. With the addition of 1 m of anchorage length, the capacity increased to 661.5 kN, a 35.0% improvement. Subsequently, each additional meter of anchorage length increased the micropile’s capacity by 10.9% to 16.0%, with a cost increase of only 5.7%. The research findings provide valuable scientific references for the design and remediation of soil slope reinforcement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 19434 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Material Properties for Hot In-Place Recycling
by Fangting Qu, Zhiyu Yang and Zhengnan Liu
Materials 2025, 18(5), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050970 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Asphalt with different aging degrees requires different rejuvenation methods. However, current applications of hot in-place recycling (HIR) for Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) do not consider the differences in the aging degree of asphalt binder across different layers of RAP. Additionally, there is limited [...] Read more.
Asphalt with different aging degrees requires different rejuvenation methods. However, current applications of hot in-place recycling (HIR) for Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) do not consider the differences in the aging degree of asphalt binder across different layers of RAP. Additionally, there is limited understanding of the changes in asphalt binder and aggregate properties during the HIR process. Changes in the properties of RAP materials can lead to inaccuracies in the mix design, potentially causing suboptimal performance. This study compares the performance of asphalt binders at different depths within RAP and clarifies the effects of the grinding and heating processes during HIR on both asphalt and aggregate properties. The aging gradient of RAP asphalt was assessed using macroscopic performance tests (bending beam rheometer (BBR), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR)) and microscopic techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)). The effects of heating and milling on RAP materials were evaluated using conventional performance tests (DSR, BBR) and sieving analyses. The results show that the RAP asphalt exhibits an aging gradient under natural conditions, with the upper surface asphalt aging more than the lower layers. The heating process during HIR accelerates the secondary aging of RAP asphalt, reducing penetration by 25.3%, increasing the softening point by 7.4%, and decreasing ductility by 36.4%. The milling process causes gradation failure of RAP, with a damage rate of 14.4% of the coarse aggregates. Therefore, it is recommended that when using HIR for maintenance of severely aged pavements, the upper layer of the RAP should be separately milled and treated. The HIR mix design should consider the impact of heating and milling on RAP materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1947 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Mechanical and Ecotoxicological Properties of Mortar with Wood Waste Biochar as Partial Cement Replacement
by Maša Legan, Petra Štukovnik, Klementina Zupan and Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn
Materials 2025, 18(4), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040876 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 478
Abstract
For several decades, cement production has caused concerns about CO2 emissions. As the production of concrete has increased over the years, the fact that cement is its key component additionally raises a concern. By partially replacing cement with waste material such as [...] Read more.
For several decades, cement production has caused concerns about CO2 emissions. As the production of concrete has increased over the years, the fact that cement is its key component additionally raises a concern. By partially replacing cement with waste material such as biomass waste biochar, the reduction in waste and the reduction of CO2 emissions could be addressed at the same time but raises a concern about the ecotoxicological potential of biochar-containing cementitious composites. During their use, recycling and disposal of biochar-containing mortars could pose hazardous environmental impacts due to their exposure to rain and other environmental conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the early-age mechanical properties of mortars with 5%, 10%, and 15% biochar as partial cement replacement. The environmental impact of biochar-containing mortars in terms of carbon footprint reduction and ecotoxicological potential was addressed simultaneously. The biochar used was prepared from waste wood biomass as carpentry waste wood. Results showed that added biochar caused no significant changes in flowability and fresh density of fresh mortar mixture. The strength tests revealed mortars with 5% and 10% biochar had higher 3-day flexural strength, while only mortar with 5% biochar had higher 7- and 28-day compressive strength (4% and 6%) than the conventional mortar. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis detected five main crystalline phases in biochar-containing mortars. SEM-EDS showed the strong embedment of biochar particles in cement paste. Ecotoxicological assessment based on acute toxicity tests with mortar leachates using duckweed and mustard seeds showed low toxicity of leachates with the highest inhibition values around 50%. The calculations of the total CO2-equivalent emissions for selected mortars revealed mortars with biochar as partial cement replacement had lower CO2-equivalent emissions than the conventional mortar and can contribute to carbon footprint reduction and at the same time to natural resource conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2552 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study of Carbonation and Chloride Resistance of Self-Compacting Concretes with a High Content of Fly Ash and Metakaolin, with and Without Hydrated Lime
by Marcos Alyssandro S. dos Anjos, Aires Camões, Raphaele Malheiro, Cinthia Maia Pederneiras and Lorena K. S. Peixoto
Materials 2025, 18(2), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020422 - 17 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 722
Abstract
The durability of reinforced concrete is associated with several factors that can trigger the corrosion of reinforcement bars. Among these factors, the most significant are chloride-ion attack and carbonation. This study evaluated, through accelerated testing, self-compacting concretes (SCCs) with reduced cement content in [...] Read more.
The durability of reinforced concrete is associated with several factors that can trigger the corrosion of reinforcement bars. Among these factors, the most significant are chloride-ion attack and carbonation. This study evaluated, through accelerated testing, self-compacting concretes (SCCs) with reduced cement content in binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures using high-early-strength Portland cement, fly ash (FA), metakaolin (MK), and hydrated lime (HL). These systems are proposed to address the slow compressive strength gains at 28 days in concretes with high fly ash content and to minimise the effects of carbonation in concretes with high levels of mineral additives. Laboratory tests were conducted to measure chloride-ion migration in a non-steady-state system, accelerated carbonation in a controlled chamber, electrical resistivity, void indices, and compressive strength. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the combined use of MK, FA, and HL was effective in reducing cement consumption to extreme levels, such as 120 and 150 kg/m3, while still achieving durability indices superior to those of SCCs with cement consumption of 500 kg/m3. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 9388 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Shear Behavior in High-Strength Bolt Connectors for Steel–Concrete Composite Beams
by Wei Li, Jie Wang, Xiaobo Xing, Huining Liu, Jin Di, Xianchao Sun, Leibo Li, Hongwei Li and Fengjiang Qin
Materials 2024, 17(24), 6168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17246168 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 730
Abstract
High-strength bolt connectors, known for their robust strength and ease of disassembly, are suitable not only for the construction of new steel–concrete composite beams but also for reinforcing existing composite or steel beams. Static push-out tests were performed on nine specimens to examine [...] Read more.
High-strength bolt connectors, known for their robust strength and ease of disassembly, are suitable not only for the construction of new steel–concrete composite beams but also for reinforcing existing composite or steel beams. Static push-out tests were performed on nine specimens to examine their shear behavior. The primary failure mode was observed at the steel–concrete interface, characterized by the tensile–shear failure of the bolt and localized crushing of the concrete beneath the bolt. The preload had no significant influence on the ultimate bearing capacity and ultimate slip displacement, while it had a substantial impact on the initial slip load. The failure process was divided into static friction at the interface, sliding at the interface, elastic deformation of the bolt, and plastic deformation of the bolt. The parametric analysis using the finite element method was performed to assess the impact of concrete strength, reserved hole diameter, interface friction coefficient, and bolt diameter and strength. It revealed that the ultimate bearing capacity is composed of interfacial friction and bolt shear capacity, which are not independent of each other. To decouple these components, a novel calculation method for determining the ultimate bearing capacity of high-strength bolt connectors was developed and validated using existing test data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 12709 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Reduction in Asphalt VOC Emissions by Hydrochloric Acid-Modified Zeolite and LDHs
by Haowei Zhao, Anqi Chen, Shaopeng Wu, Haiqin Xu, Huan Wang and Yang Lv
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5664; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225664 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 800
Abstract
Asphalt releases a large number of irritating fumes during construction and use, which is a serious emission pollution that not only damages the atmospheric environment but also produces highly toxic and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), posing a health risk to human beings. [...] Read more.
Asphalt releases a large number of irritating fumes during construction and use, which is a serious emission pollution that not only damages the atmospheric environment but also produces highly toxic and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), posing a health risk to human beings. In this study, a compound-doped modified bitumen for reducing VOC emission was prepared by using zeolite as the main adsorbent material, modified by hydrochloric acid, and LDHs as a synergistic adsorbent material. By determining its basic and rheological properties, the results show that the compounding of LDHs and HCL-modified zeolite added to asphalt can improve the high-temperature performance of asphalt binder, but at the same time, the anti-fatigue property will be decreased. By GC-MS experimental analysis, a total of 72.2% fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released by the compound modified asphalt compound than by virgin asphalt, which resulted in a significant reduction in asphalt fume emissions. It shows that the asphalt VOC molecules are well adsorbed by the porous adsorption of LDHs and zeolite materials, and it is also found experimentally that they inhibit the emission of VOCs through the blocking and adsorption effects. This study provides a scientific basis for inhibiting the emission of VOCs during asphalt pavement construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 5673 KiB  
Article
Water Resistance of Compressed Earth Blocks Stabilised with Thermoactivated Recycled Cement
by Ricardo Cruz, José Alexandre Bogas, Andrea Balboa and Paulina Faria
Materials 2024, 17(22), 5617; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225617 - 17 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1017
Abstract
Low water resistance is the main shortcoming of unfired earth materials, requiring chemical stabilisation for some durable applications. Ordinary Portland cement (PC) is an efficient stabiliser, but it goes against the ecological and sustainable nature of earth construction. This study explores the use [...] Read more.
Low water resistance is the main shortcoming of unfired earth materials, requiring chemical stabilisation for some durable applications. Ordinary Portland cement (PC) is an efficient stabiliser, but it goes against the ecological and sustainable nature of earth construction. This study explores the use of low-carbon thermoactivated recycled cement (RC) obtained from old cement waste as a new eco-efficient alternative to PC in the stabilisation of compressed earth blocks (CEBs). The objective is to improve the durability of the CEB masonry even when applied in direct contact with water, without compromising its eco-efficiency. The water resistance of the CEBs with 0% (unstabilised) and 5% and 10% (wt. of earth) stabiliser and partial to total replacement of PC with RC (0, 20, 50, 100% wt.) was evaluated in terms of compressive strength under different moisture contents, immersion and capillary water absorption, low-pressure water absorption, water permeability and water erosion. Low absorption and high resistance to water erosion were achieved in stabilised CEBs, regardless of the type of cement used. The incorporation of RC increased the total porosity and water absorption of the CEBs compared to PC, but significantly improved the water resistance of the unstabilised blocks. The eco-friendlier RC proved to be a promising alternative to PC stabilisation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3443 KiB  
Article
Carbon Sequestration by Preparing Recycled Cement, Recycled Aggregates, and Recycled Concrete from Construction and Demolition (C&D) Wastes
by Jing Luo, Rong Huang, Junjie Wang and Yi Zhang
Materials 2024, 17(20), 5020; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17205020 - 14 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 14029
Abstract
As the world’s largest producer of construction waste, China’s recycling and related policies are of the biggest concern to the world. However, the effective disposal and reuse of this waste has become an important issue since currently China still has a very low [...] Read more.
As the world’s largest producer of construction waste, China’s recycling and related policies are of the biggest concern to the world. However, the effective disposal and reuse of this waste has become an important issue since currently China still has a very low recycling ratio compared to developed countries, and most of the waste concrete was only simply broken and used as low-grade recycled aggregates for subgrade cushion, cement stabilized crushed stone, and filler wall. In this paper, a concrete cycle model focusing on how to effectively recycle and utilize waste concrete is put forward to prepare high quality recycled concrete, especially through a series of technical means, such as effective separation, carbon sequestration, and reactivation. Producing high quality recycled concrete can not only replace traditional concrete but also effectively reduce the consumption and waste of raw materials. What’s more, the calculation results show a potential of significantly carbon sink; for every ton of recycled cement produced, the CO2 emission could be reduced by 0.35–0.77 tons compared to ordinary Portland cement, corresponding to a reduction of 47%–94%; and for every ton of recycled concrete produced, the CO2 emission could be reduced by 0.186 tons compared to normal concrete. A yearly CO2 sequestration of 1.4–3.08 gigatonnes could happen if the ordinary Portland cement could be replaced by the recycled cement around the world. Taking the currently accumulated construction and demolition (C&D) wastes globally, the production of recycled cement, recycled aggregates, and recycled concrete could induce a significant carbon sink in the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 12500 KiB  
Article
Study on the Performance of Epoxy-Modified Asphalt and Steel Slag Ultra-Thin Friction Course
by Quanmin Zhang, Ziyu Lu, Anqi Chen, Shaopeng Wu, Jianlin Feng, Haiqin Xu and Yuanyuan Li
Materials 2024, 17(18), 4513; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17184513 - 13 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 927
Abstract
Ultra-thin overlays (UTOL) are a standard highway pre-maintenance method used to improve the road surface performance of asphalt pavements and to repair minor rutting and cracking. However, the thin thickness makes it very sensitive to external changes, which increases its wear and shortens [...] Read more.
Ultra-thin overlays (UTOL) are a standard highway pre-maintenance method used to improve the road surface performance of asphalt pavements and to repair minor rutting and cracking. However, the thin thickness makes it very sensitive to external changes, which increases its wear and shortens its life. So, this paper aims to prepare a durable and skid-resistance asphalt ultra-thin overlay using epoxy asphalt (EA) and steel slag. First, the physical properties of EA were characterized by penetration, softening point, flexibility, and kinematic viscosity tests. The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test characterizes EA’s rheological properties. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), kinematic viscosity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterized the EA’s curing process. Finally, the pavement performance of an epoxy ultra-thin overlay (EUTOL) prepared with EA and steel slag was tested. The results show that the epoxy resin particles increase with the increase in epoxy resin dosage, and at 40%, its epoxy particles are uniformly distributed with the most significant area share. With the addition of epoxy resin, the needle penetration of EA decreases and then increases, the flexibility decreases at a slower rate, and the softening point rises significantly. Moreover, the growth of the elastic component in EA significantly improved the high-temperature viscoelastic properties. Considering its physical and rheological properties, the optimal doping amount of 40% was selected. By analyzing the curing behavior of EA (optimum dosage), the combination temperature of EA is 150 °C, which meets the needs of mixing and paving asphalt mixtures. After 12 h of maintenance at 120 °C, its reaction is sufficient. The skid-resistance durability, high-temperature, low-temperature, water stability, and fatigue resistance of UTOL can be effectively improved using steel slag coarse aggregate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 12682 KiB  
Article
Damage and Recovery Behavior of Low-Replacement-Rate Fly Ash Concrete after Different High-Temperature Exposures
by Lin Mi, Bowen Kuang, Daixin Fu, Lang Li, Yongjie Liu, Chong Wang, Chao He, Yao Chen, Hong Zhang, Fulin Liu and Qingyuan Wang
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4330; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174330 - 31 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1098
Abstract
This study focuses on investigating the strength recovery of fire-damaged fly ash concrete (FAC) with a low substitution rate of 10% through post-fire curing. The chemical and microstructural changes were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy [...] Read more.
This study focuses on investigating the strength recovery of fire-damaged fly ash concrete (FAC) with a low substitution rate of 10% through post-fire curing. The chemical and microstructural changes were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), and nitrogen adsorption. The findings indicate that the incorporation of fly ash slightly enhanced the strength after exposure to 400 °C; this was attributed to improved pozzolanic reactions, which were not observed at higher temperatures of 600 °C and 800 °C. Moreover, a positive effect on the recovery of compressive strength was observed due to the pozzolanic reaction. However, due to the relatively low fly ash content, depletion occurred at a later age, resulting in the inability to inhibit microstructural damage caused by the production of portlandite, thereby weakening the compressive strength. Interestingly, fly ash influenced the morphology of calcium carbonate and calcium silicate hydrate crystals, which is potentially ascribed to the role of high aluminum content acting as a crystallization-guiding agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5650 KiB  
Article
Permeability and Disintegration Characteristics of Loess Solidified by Guar Gum and Basalt Fiber
by Yu Xi, Mingming Sun, Huanhuan Li, Gang Li, Pengzhou Wang and Li Li
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133150 - 27 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 935
Abstract
Loess has the characteristics of loose, large pore ratio, and strong water sensitivity. Once it encounters water, its structure is damaged easily and its strength is degraded, causing a degree of subgrade settlement. The water sensitivity of loess can be evaluated by permeability [...] Read more.
Loess has the characteristics of loose, large pore ratio, and strong water sensitivity. Once it encounters water, its structure is damaged easily and its strength is degraded, causing a degree of subgrade settlement. The water sensitivity of loess can be evaluated by permeability and disintegration tests. This study analyzes the effects of guar gum content, basalt fiber content, and basalt fiber length on the permeability and disintegration characteristics of solidified loess. The microstructure of loess was studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) testing, revealing the synergistic solidification mechanism of guar gum and basalt fibers. A permeability model was established through regression analysis with guar gum content, confining pressure, basalt fiber content, and length. The research results indicate that the addition of guar gum reduces the permeability of solidified loess, the addition of fiber improves the overall strength, and the addition of guar gum and basalt fiber improves the disintegration resistance. When the guar gum content is 1.00%, the permeability coefficient and disintegration rate of solidified soil are reduced by 50.50% and 94.10%, respectively. When the guar gum content is 1.00%, the basalt fiber length is 12 mm, and the fiber content is 1.00%, the permeability of the solidified soil decreases by 31.9%, and the disintegration rate is 4.80%. The permeability model has a good fitting effect and is suitable for predicting the permeability of loess reinforced with guar gum and basalt fiber composite. This research is of vital theoretical worth and great scientific significance for guidelines on practicing loess solidification engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 9232 KiB  
Article
Impact of Lime Saturation Factor on Alite-Ye’Elimite Cement Synthesis and Hydration
by Xiaodong Li, Bing Ma, Wenqian Ji, Shang Dou, Hao Zhou, Houhu Zhang, Jiaqing Wang, Yueyang Hu and Xiaodong Shen
Materials 2024, 17(12), 3035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17123035 - 20 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3991
Abstract
Alite(C3S)-Ye’elimite(C4A3$) cement is a high cementitious material that incorporates a precise proportion of ye’elimite into the ordinary Portland cement. The synthesis and hydration behavior of Alite-Ye’elimite clinker with different lime saturation factors were investigated. The clinkers were [...] Read more.
Alite(C3S)-Ye’elimite(C4A3$) cement is a high cementitious material that incorporates a precise proportion of ye’elimite into the ordinary Portland cement. The synthesis and hydration behavior of Alite-Ye’elimite clinker with different lime saturation factors were investigated. The clinkers were synthesized using a secondary thermal treatment process, and their compositions were characterized. The hydrated pastes were analyzed for their hydration products, pore structure, mechanical strength, and microstructure. The clinkers and hydration products were characterized using XRD, TG-DSC, SEM, and MIP analysis. The results showed that the Alite-Ye’elimite cement clinker with a lime saturation factor (KH) of 0.93, prepared through secondary heat treatment, contained 64.88% C3S and 2.06% C4A3$. At this composition, the Alite-Ye’elimite cement clinker demonstrated the highest 28-day strength. The addition of SO3 to the clinkers decreased the content of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and the ratio of Alite/Belite (C3S/C2S), resulting in a preference for belite formation. The pore structure of the hydrated pastes was also investigated, revealing a distribution of pore sizes ranging from 0.01 to 10 μm, with two peaks on each differential distribution curve corresponding to micron and sub-micron pores. The pore volume decreased from 0.22 ± 0.03 to 0.15 ± 0.18 cm3 g−1, and the main peak of pore distribution shifted towards smaller sizes with increasing hydration time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6899 KiB  
Article
Tensile Strength and Mode I Fracture Toughness of Polymer Concretes Enhanced with Glass Fibers and Metal Chips
by Mazaher Salamat-Talab, Ali Zeinolabedin-Beygi, Faraz Soltani, Alireza Akhavan-Safar, Ricardo J. C. Carbas and Lucas F. M. da Silva
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092094 - 29 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1709
Abstract
This study experimentally investigates the influence of metal chips and glass fibers on the mode I fracture toughness, energy absorption, and tensile strength of polymer concretes (PCs) manufactured by waste aggregates. A substantial portion of the materials employed in manufacturing and enhancing the [...] Read more.
This study experimentally investigates the influence of metal chips and glass fibers on the mode I fracture toughness, energy absorption, and tensile strength of polymer concretes (PCs) manufactured by waste aggregates. A substantial portion of the materials employed in manufacturing and enhancing the tested polymer concrete are sourced from waste material. To achieve this, semi-circular bend (SCB) samples were fabricated, both with and without a central crack, to analyze the strength and fracture behavior of the composite specimens. The specimens incorporated varying weight percentages comprising 50 wt% coarse mineral aggregate, 25 wt% fine mineral aggregate, and 25 wt% epoxy resin. Metal chips and glass fibers were introduced at 2, 4, and 8 wt% of the PC material to enhance its mechanical response. Subsequently, the specimens underwent 3-point bending tests to obtain tensile strength, mode I fracture toughness, and energy absorption up to failure. The findings revealed that adding 4% brass chips along with 4% glass fibers significantly enhanced energy absorption (by a factor of 3.8). However, using 4% glass fibers alone improved it even more (by a factor of 10.5). According to the results, glass fibers have a greater impact than brass chips. Introducing 8% glass fibers enhanced the fracture energy by 92%. However, in unfilled samples, aggregate fracture and separation hindered crack propagation, and filled samples presented added barriers, resulting in multiple-site cracking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Construction Materials (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-14
Back to TopTop