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Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications
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Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 3971

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yongfan Gong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Architectural Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Interests: low carbon cement and concrete; recycled concrete; alkali-activated cement and concrete; mineral admixtures
Prof. Dr. Zijian Song

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai university, Nanjing 211100, China
Interests: polymeric microcapsules; self-healing concrete; green anticorrosion techniques for reinforcing steel; utilization of solid waste
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mian Luo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Architectural Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
Interests: biomimetic self-healing concrete; microbial mineralization technology and its applications; recycled aggregate concrete, recycled carbon fiber cement-based materials
Dr. Chenhui Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226200, China
Interests: recycled concrete; alkali-activated; UHPC; underground concrete

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Amidst the dual challenges posed by intensifying global climate change and the increasing scarcity of resources, the construction industry, as a prominent source of energy consumption and carbon emissions, is embarking on an unprecedented transformation journey. In this context, the exploration of low-carbon building materials derived from waste utilization has emerged as a focal point for both the industry and the public. Utilizing various types of solid waste to revolutionize the field of building materials not only represents a proactive response to environmental pressures but also serves as a pivotal approach to enhancing building energy efficiency and durability. The Special Issue, "Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications", is dedicated to deeply exploring the potential of solid waste and industrial by-products as raw materials for low-carbon cementitious materials. It aims to enhance the recycling rate of industrial solid waste while significantly reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This innovative strategy not only offers creative solutions to address resource depletion and environmental degradation but also strives to enhance the durability and overall performance of concrete structures, thereby spearheading a green revolution in the building materials industry.

This Special Issue aims to gather original research papers related to innovative Construction Materials. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: resource utilization of solid waste, innovative explorations of low-carbon concrete formulations, and cutting-edge research on the application of low-carbon concrete.

Dr. Yongfan Gong
Prof. Dr. Zijian Song
Dr. Mian Luo
Guest Editors

Dr. Chenhui Zhu
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

  • resource utilization of solid waste
  • low-carbon cement and concrete
  • recycled aggregate concrete
  • recycled concrete powder
  • alkali-activated cement and concrete
  • strength and micro-structure
  • durability and sustainability
  • preparation and application
  • mineral admixtures

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3429 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Sand Incorporation on the Pore Structure, Strength, and Fractal Characteristics of Alkali-Activated Slag Cementitious Materials
by Yuchen Ye, Zhenyuan Gu, Yi Wang, Ying Sun, Chenhui Zhu and Jie Yang
Materials 2025, 18(12), 2797; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122797 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 336
Abstract
Sand content plays a critical role in regulating the structural compactness and strength development of alkali-activated slag cementitious materials. In this study, three types of specimens—pure slag paste, standard sand mortar, and fine sand mortar—were prepared to investigate the effects of sand incorporation [...] Read more.
Sand content plays a critical role in regulating the structural compactness and strength development of alkali-activated slag cementitious materials. In this study, three types of specimens—pure slag paste, standard sand mortar, and fine sand mortar—were prepared to investigate the effects of sand incorporation on pore structure and fractal characteristics. Mechanical properties, pore structure, and micro-morphology were systematically evaluated at different curing ages. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was employed to measure porosity, pore size distribution, and the threshold pore diameter, while fractal dimensions were calculated to quantify pore complexity and compactness. The results showed that the pure slag paste achieved the highest compressive strength at all ages but posed environmental concerns due to high resource consumption. In contrast, sand-incorporated mortars exhibited stable strength development and continuous pore structure refinement. Notably, the use of fine sand in Group C reduced slag content by approximately 5.6% compared to Group A, contributing to lower CO2 emissions and enhanced sustainability. Fractal analysis revealed a strong correlation between fractal dimension, pore compactness, and compressive strength. A higher fractal dimension indicated a more complex and interconnected pore network, promoting matrix densification. At 90 days, Group C achieved the highest fractal dimension and lowest porosity, attributed to the micro-filling effect of fine sand, which facilitated the formation of a denser and more continuous gel network. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the multiscale characterization of alkali-activated cementitious systems and support the design of more sustainable mix formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications)
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18 pages, 7005 KiB  
Article
Influence of an Alkaline Activator and Mineral Admixture on the Properties of Alkali-Activated Recycled Concrete Powder-Foamed Concrete
by Yongfan Gong, Chao Liu, Zhihui Zhao, Zhengguang Wu and Bangwei Wu
Materials 2025, 18(11), 2567; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112567 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 407
Abstract
Alkali-activated recycled concrete powder-foamed concrete (ARCP-FC) is a new type of insulation architectural material, which is prepared using recycled concrete powders (RCPs), slag powders, fly ash, and sodium silicate. In this study, the influence of the water-to-cement (W/C) ratio, the Na2O [...] Read more.
Alkali-activated recycled concrete powder-foamed concrete (ARCP-FC) is a new type of insulation architectural material, which is prepared using recycled concrete powders (RCPs), slag powders, fly ash, and sodium silicate. In this study, the influence of the water-to-cement (W/C) ratio, the Na2O content, and the mineral admixture content on the mechanical strength, physical properties, and thermal conductivity of ARCP-FC were investigated. The results showed that the compressive strength and dry apparent density of ARCP-FC decreased with the increase in the W/C ratio. In contrast, the water absorption rate increased as the W/C ratio increased. Fewer capillaries were formed due to the rapid setting property, and the optimal W/C ratio was 0.45. The compressive strength and dry apparent density first decreased and then increased with the increase in Na2O content. Too high Na2O addition was not conducive to the thermal insulation of ARCP-FC, and the optimal Na2O content was 6%. The compressive strength and dry shrinkage gradually decreased, while the water absorption gradually increased as the fly ash content increased. Fly ash improved deformation, and the pore was closed to the sphere, reducing the shrinkage and thermal conductivity. The optimal mixture of ARCP-FC consisted of 60% recycled concrete powders, 20% slag, and 20% fly ash. The density, porosity, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity of ARCP-FC were 800 kg/m3, 59.1%, 4.1 MPa, and 0.1036 W/(m·K), respectively. ARCP-FC solved the contradiction between compressive strength and dry apparent density, making it a promising building material for external insulation boards and insulation layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications)
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25 pages, 5421 KiB  
Article
Performance Characterization of Recycled Carbon Fiber and Its Interfacial Bonding Properties with Cement Matrix
by Tao Shi, Kunming Li, Sijie Shao, Xuanfeng Cai, Xinpeng Wang, Chonggen Pan, Ning Fu and Haibo Wang
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071532 - 28 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 535
Abstract
Recycled carbon fiber, as a novel type of solid waste, possesses high tensile strength, structural stability, and low utilization rates. Recycling carbon fiber for use in cementitious materials presents an efficient solution. However, achieving good interfacial bonding between recycled carbon fiber and cementitious [...] Read more.
Recycled carbon fiber, as a novel type of solid waste, possesses high tensile strength, structural stability, and low utilization rates. Recycling carbon fiber for use in cementitious materials presents an efficient solution. However, achieving good interfacial bonding between recycled carbon fiber and cementitious materials is crucial for its high-performance application in such materials. This study first characterizes the properties of recycled carbon fiber and, for the first time, tests the interfacial parameters between recycled carbon fiber and cement matrix through single-fiber pull-out tests. The results show that the surface of recycled carbon fiber, lacking active functional groups and being relatively smooth, leads to poorer interfacial bonding with the cement matrix compared to virgin carbon fiber. The interfacial bonding strength, interfacial friction bonding strength, and chemical debonding energy are 0.65 MPa, 0.47 MPa, and 0.36 J/m2, respectively. Next, based on the theoretical model of interfacial mechanics, a single-fiber pull-out model was used to predict the bridging stress curve of recycled carbon fiber. The calculations show that the bridging stress of recycled carbon fiber at volume fractions of 0.16%, 0.3%, and 0.47% are 1.25 MPa, 2.18 MPa, and 3.40 MPa, respectively. Finally, tensile tests were conducted to investigate the tensile properties of cementitious materials reinforced with recycled carbon fiber. At various fiber contents, the recycled carbon fibers provided corresponding bridging stresses at crack sites, enhancing the tensile strength of the cementitious materials by 8.8~35.48%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications)
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20 pages, 10027 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Compressive Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramsite Concrete
by Fei Gu, Congqi Li, Xin Wang, Yang Yang and Hushan Liu
Materials 2025, 18(4), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040862 - 16 Feb 2025
Viewed by 575
Abstract
Ceramsite concrete is a kind of green building material with advantages such as low weight, heat insulation, and fire resistance. However, it has low strength, high brittleness, and the problem of aggregate floating. In this study, by adding polypropylene fibers and optimizing the [...] Read more.
Ceramsite concrete is a kind of green building material with advantages such as low weight, heat insulation, and fire resistance. However, it has low strength, high brittleness, and the problem of aggregate floating. In this study, by adding polypropylene fibers and optimizing the preparation process, the mechanical properties of ceramsite concrete have been significantly improved, which is of great significance for promoting the application of this material in the engineering field. Through uniaxial compressive tests on 54 specimens in six groups (divided into three strength grades), the failure characteristics and stress–strain relationships of each group of specimens were analyzed, and the effects of strength grades and fiber contents on parameters such as peak stress, peak strain, ultimate strain, and elastic modulus were studied. The results show that the addition of polypropylene fibers can improve the strength of ceramsite concrete, effectively improve the deformation performance and ductility of specimens before failure, and reduce brittleness. Specifically, as the fiber content increases, the peak stress first increases and then decreases, reaching its peak at a content of 0.05%, with an increase of 8.98%. At the same time, as the fiber content increases, the peak strain and ultimate strain increase significantly, reaching their peaks at a content of 0.075%, with increases of 21.3% and 25.2%, respectively. In addition, this paper proposes a piecewise correction model for the uniaxial compressive stress–strain curve of fiber-reinforced ceramsite concrete. This model has a good fit with the full experimental curve, providing an accurate theoretical reference for the application and development of this material in engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications)
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19 pages, 9342 KiB  
Article
A New Type of Self-Compacting Recycled Pervious Concrete Under Sulfate Drying–Wetting Exposure
by Xiancui Yan, Zimo He, Qun Xia, Cen Zhao, Pinghua Zhu, Meirong Zong and Minqi Hua
Materials 2025, 18(3), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030704 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 992
Abstract
Traditional pervious concrete poses significant challenges in optimizing both mechanical properties and permeability. To address this issue, a novel type of self-compacting recycled pervious concrete (SCRPC) featuring vertical and penetrating channels has been developed. The vertical channels were created by pulling out the [...] Read more.
Traditional pervious concrete poses significant challenges in optimizing both mechanical properties and permeability. To address this issue, a novel type of self-compacting recycled pervious concrete (SCRPC) featuring vertical and penetrating channels has been developed. The vertical channels were created by pulling out the reinforcement in the pre-drilled holes that were artificially created in the mold, after the concrete had been poured. However, whether this concrete has superior durability and can be employed in different sulfate drying–wetting situations remains to be investigated. This study explored the sulfate resistance and permeability of SCRPC under five drying–wetting exposure regimes: full soaking in Na2SO4 solution with drying–wetting ratios of 3:18, 9:12, and 18:3; semi-soaking in Na2SO4 solution; and full soaking in MgSO4 solution. The results showed that the SCRPC soaked in MgSO4 solution suffered the largest compressive strength loss (13.4%) after 150 drying–wetting cycles. Furthermore, as the drying–wetting ratio increased, the sulfate degradation of the SCRPC increased. Despite the comparable relative dynamic modulus of elasticity of SCRPC after full soaking (95.54%) and semi-soaking (92.89%), ettringite and gypsum were identified as the predominant sulfate deterioration products of SCRPC, respectively. In contrast to the two stages for traditional pervious concrete, the effective porosity of SCRPC was divided into three stages during sulfate attack: an initial rapid decline stage, a subsequent increase stage, and a final slow decline stage. The permeability coefficient of SCRPC varied from 6.00 to 6.82 mm/s under different sulfate drying–wetting exposures. In summary, SCRPC has superior sulfate resistance and permeability, and it could be more applicable in environments containing Na2SO4 compared to MgSO4. This study provides basic data for the enhancement and application of pervious concrete with artificial vertical and penetrating channels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications)
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Review

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26 pages, 14906 KiB  
Review
Advances in the Application and Mechanism of Admixtures and Industrial By-Products in Cement-Based Self-Leveling Mortar: A Comprehensive Review
by Meirong Zong, Haozhe Ma, Xiancui Yan, Pinghua Zhu, Wenhao Wang, Hui Liu, Faqin Dong and Minqi Hua
Materials 2025, 18(8), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081709 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Cement-based self-leveling mortar (CSL) is a special building material that utilizes cement as the main cementitious component, combined with a variety of admixtures. Its self-leveling characteristics enable it to effectively level and fill uneven surfaces. Additionally, the innovative green CSL developed from industrial [...] Read more.
Cement-based self-leveling mortar (CSL) is a special building material that utilizes cement as the main cementitious component, combined with a variety of admixtures. Its self-leveling characteristics enable it to effectively level and fill uneven surfaces. Additionally, the innovative green CSL developed from industrial by-products can further enhance both environmental and economic benefits. This paper systematically reviews the use of admixtures and industrial by-products in the production of CSL. The main findings include the following: (i) compared to the international ISO standard, China’s standard JC/T 985 provides more detailed testing parameters regarding fluidity, mechanical properties, and shrinkage; (ii) the effect of additives on CSL is affected by its molecular weight and structure, and high molecular weight improving the workability of the additives; (iii) industrial by-products have been effectively incorporated into CSL, leading to a reduction in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a decreased environmental impact; (iv) macro and microanalysis results of different green CSLs show that industrial by-product gypsum has the greatest potential for application in CSL. Based on these findings, this paper offers valuable reference data for the use of admixtures and industrial by-products in CSL. Furthermore, it contributes innovatively to the sustainable development of infrastructure construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Construction Materials for Sustainable and Greener Applications)
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