Ultra-High- and High-Performance Concrete: Durability and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has emerged as one of the most transformative materials in modern civil and structural engineering. Combining exceptional compressive strength, tensile capacity, durability, and toughness, UHPC is redefining the possibilities for the design, construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of infrastructure. As agencies and building owners worldwide seek resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions, UHPC is increasingly recognized as a strategic material capable of extending service life, reducing maintenance demands, and enhancing structural performance. UHPC is revealing new horizons in structural engineering and opportunities to develop innovative solutions.

Over the past three decades, significant advances in UHPC research, material science, and field implementation have accelerated its adoption across a wide range of applications. Innovations in mixture proportioning, constituent materials, fiber reinforcement, and production technologies have improved performance while enhancing constructability and scalability. Concurrently, UHPC applications have expanded beyond landmark projects to include bridges, accelerated bridge construction (ABC), prefabricated elements, repair and strengthening systems, architectural components, marine structures, and emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing. The future holds tremendous possibilities for additional uses of UHPC in structural engineering.

These developments are enabling more efficient structural systems, reducing life-cycle costs, and providing new opportunities for innovation in the built environment.

This Special Issue is dedicated to advancing the state of the art and practice of UHPC. Its objective is to provide an international forum for researchers, engineers, practitioners, and industry leaders to share recent developments, present innovative research findings, discuss current challenges, and explore future directions in the application of UHPC for civil and structural infrastructure.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• UHPC mix design, material optimization, and characterization;
• Mechanical behavior under compression, tension, shear, fatigue, impact, and extreme loading conditions;
• Durability, sustainability, and long-term performance under environmental exposure;
• Bond behavior and interface performance with conventional concrete, reinforcement, and composite systems;
• Structural behavior, design methodologies, and code development for UHPC members and systems;
• UHPC applications in bridges, transportation infrastructure, and accelerated bridge construction;
• Repair, rehabilitation, strengthening, and preservation of existing infrastructure using UHPC;
• Non-proprietary UHPC, local material utilization, and scalable production methods;
• Numerical modeling, analytical methods, and digital design tools for UHPC structures;
• Experimental investigations, field applications, and performance monitoring;
• Additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and other emerging technologies involving UHPC;
• Sustainability, life-cycle assessment, and resilience of UHPC infrastructure;
• Case studies.

We are pleased to invite submissions of original research papers, review articles, technical notes, and case studies for consideration in this Special Issue. We welcome contributions that advance scientific understanding, demonstrate innovative applications, and support the continued evolution of UHPC from research to widespread engineering practice.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and to showcasing the latest advancements that will shape the future of UHPC and infrastructure engineering.

Dr. Atorod Azizinamini
Dr. Giulia Marasco
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• ultra high performance concrete
• durability
• service life
• bridge engineering
• long-term performance
• innovative solutions
• resilient infrastructure
• high rise building
• cladding
• mechanical properties
• mix design