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Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior

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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: closed (20 January 2025) | Viewed by 12692

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Dr. Maria Lippiello

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Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Forno Vecchio, 80134 Naples, Italy
Interests: timber constructions; masonry structures; nanotubes; vibration; modeling and computational methods
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Dr. Carla Ceraldi

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Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Forno Vecchio 36, 80134 Naples, Italy
Interests: compressive strength; finite element analysis; materials engineering; mechanical engineering; civil engineering; finite element modeling
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Dr. Antonio Sandoli

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Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Via F. de Sanctis 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Interests: masonry buildings; timber constructions; seismic vulnerability assessment; fragility curves; earthquake engineering; retrofit interventions
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue in the form of an original research article or review paper.

In recent decades, the field of construction materials and engineering has greatly advanced with the development of new materials and improved characterization techniques. This has led to the creation of new models that can simulate the mechanical behavior of different materials, including concrete and reinforced concrete.

Cement-based materials, which are the most widely used construction material, are complex systems that have transient physical and mechanical properties. Understanding the mechanical behavior of cement-based materials is essential for predicting structures' durability and safety over time.

Modeling and characterization techniques offer a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of different materials, allowing for improved design and performance. New materials, such as fiber-reinforced concrete and ultra-high-performance concrete, are also emerging, offering enhanced durability and improved mechanical properties. In summary, the field of cement-based materials and construction materials continues to grow and evolve. The continued development of models and characterization techniques allows for better design and analysis of construction materials and structures, assisting engineers in providing safe and sustainable solutions for infrastructure projects.

Therefore, this Special Issue focuses on advances in the modeling, characterization and mechanical behavior of construction materials, and original research papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Maria Lippiello
Dr. Carla Ceraldi
Dr. Antonio Sandoli
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

construction materials
mechanical behavior
modeling and simulations
cement-based materials
concrete
masonry
timber

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Related Special Issue

Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization, and Mechanical Behavior (Second Edition) in Materials

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 7257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Analytical Study on the Short-Term Behavior of Locally Bonded Connections in Bamboo–UHPC Composite Beams

by Kang Zhao, Yang Wei, Zicheng Yan, Qiqi Li and Xiayun Fang

Materials 2025, 18(6), 1224; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061224 - 10 Mar 2025

Viewed by 616

Abstract

The synergistic application of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and bamboo scrimber provides innovative solutions for sustainable structural engineering. In this study, the structural response mechanism of the combined beams under the steel plate–screw composite connection system was systematically investigated by designing three shear connection gradient specimens (TS200/300/400) to address the key scientific issues of the mechanical behavior of the bamboo–UHPC interface. Based on the unidirectional compression tests of bamboo–UHPC composite shear connections and four-point bending tests of composite beams, the damage modes, load-mid-span deflection relationship, bending stiffness, bamboo–UHPC slip and normal lift were evaluated for all the composite beams with the shear connection gradient as a parameter. The results showed that the flexural performance of the composite beams went through three stages: elastic behavior, damage development and final damage. The interfacial slip and interfacial lift-off have more obvious asymmetric spatial distribution characteristics, and increasing the shear joint degree can delay the separation between the UHPC and the bamboo layer, thus enhancing the structural integrity. Typical features of the final damage are the bending damage of ultra-high-performance concrete and bamboo fiber damage. This study highlights the potential of UHPC–bamboo composite beams for sustainable construction and emphasizes the importance of optimizing shear connection for improved performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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22 pages, 7590 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Magnesium Phosphate Cement Based on Low-Grade MgO

by Ines Garcia-Lodeiro, Salma Chhaiba, Nuria Husillos-Rodriguez, Ángel Palomo and Hajime Kinoshita

Materials 2025, 18(6), 1198; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061198 - 7 Mar 2025

Viewed by 590

Abstract

Magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) are a class of inorganic cements that have gained significant attention in recent years due to their exceptional properties and diverse applications in the construction and engineering sectors, particularly in the confinement of radioactive waste. These cements set and harden through an acid–base reaction between a magnesium source (usually dead-burnt magnesia) and a phosphate source (e.g., KH₂PO₄). The dead-burnt MgO (DBM) used is typically obtained by calcining pure MgCO₃ at temperatures between 1600 and 2000 °C. The present work explores the possibility of using low-grade magnesia (≈58% MgO), a secondary waste product generated during the calcination of magnesite for sintered MgO production. Low-grade magnesia is a by-product from the calcination process of natural magnesite. In this manner, the cost of the products could be substantially diminished, and the cementitious system obtained would be a competitive alternative while enhancing sustainability criteria and recyclability. This paper also evaluates the effect of the M/P ratio and curing conditions (especially relative humidity) on the mechanical, microstructural, and mineralogical development of these cements over a period of up to one year. Results indicate that low-grade MgO is suitable for the preparation of magnesium potassium phosphate cements (MKPCs). The presence of minor phases in the low-grade MgO does not affect the precipitation of K-struvite (KMgPO₄·6H₂O). Moreover, the development of these cements is highly dependent on both the M/P molar ratio and the RH. Systems prepared with an M/P ratio of 3 demonstrated good compressive strengths, low total porosity, and stable mineralogy, which are essential parameters for any cementitious matrix that aims to be considered as a potential confiner of radioactive waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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26 pages, 12292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiscale Models to Evaluate the Impact of Chemical Compositions and Test Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar for Tile Adhesive Applications

by Warzer Mohammed-Sarwar Qadir, Serwan Khurshid Rafiq Al Zahawi and Ahmed Salih Mohammed

Materials 2024, 17(15), 3807; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153807 - 1 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1649

Abstract

This study aims to develop systematic multiscale models to accurately predict the compressive strength of cement mortar for tile adhesive applications, specifically tailored for applications in the construction industry. Drawing on data from 200 cement mortar tests conducted in previous studies, various factors such as cement/water ratios, curing times, cement/sand ratios, and chemical compositions were analyzed through static modeling techniques. The model selection involved utilizing various approaches, including linear regression, pure quadratic, interaction, M5P tree, and artificial neural network models to identify the most influential parameters affecting mortar strength. The analysis considered the water/cement ratio, testing ages, cement/sand ratio, and chemical compositions, such as silicon dioxide, calcium dioxide, iron (III) oxide, aluminum oxide, and the pH value. Evaluation metrics, such as the determination coefficient, mean absolute error, root-mean-square error, objective function, scatter index, and a-20 index, were employed to ensure the accuracy of the compressive strength estimates. Additionally, empirical equations were utilized to predict flexural and tensile strengths based on the compressive strength of the cement mortar for tile adhesive applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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18 pages, 9486 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Effect of Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer on the Performance of Cement-Based Grouting Materials

by Zhijie Yu, Shujie Liu, Jiwei Zhang, Wen He, Qinghao Tian, Le Tian and Jinze Sun

Materials 2024, 17(14), 3620; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17143620 - 22 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1379

Abstract

Polycarboxylate superplasticizers BMC-L and BMC-S were utilized as modifiers in the formulation of novel cement-based grouting materials. Indoor tests were conducted on 32 groups of cement slurries, varying by water–cement ratio (0.5:1 and 0.6:1) and modifier content (0, 2‰, 4‰, 6‰, 8‰, 10‰, 12‰, and 14‰), to test their density, funnel viscosity, water separation rate, and stone rate. Four groups of slurry modified with BMC-L were selected as the preferred slurry, and the apparent viscosity test, uniaxial, and triaxial compression test of the slurry stone body were conducted. The study investigated the influence of BMC-L on various properties of the slurry, including its apparent viscosity, uniaxial compressive strength, stress–strain relationships, shear strength parameters, and elastic modulus. Ultimately, the pore structure and phase composition of the slurry stone body were detected by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and the impact of BMC-L on slurry performance was examined from a microstructural perspective. Results indicate that the two polycarboxylate superplasticizers exert minimal influence on the density and water separation rate of the slurry. Within the effective incorporation range of the polycarboxylate superplasticizer, increasing the dosage correlates with a decrease in both the stone rate and viscosity of the slurry. BMC-L significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the slurry stone body by promoting more complete cement hydration and reducing porosity. The uniaxial compressive strength of slurry stone body with a 6 ‰ BMC-L dosage reached 29.7 MPa after 7 days and 38.5 MPa after 28 days of curing, representing increases of 118.4% and 64%, respectively, compared to masonry with 0 BMC-L dosage. The shear strength parameters and elastic modulus of the slurry stone body also showed corresponding increases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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18 pages, 2810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation and Analysis of Cement Raw Meal Homogenization Characteristics Based on Simulated Equipment Models

by Lianwei Cao and Yongmin Zhou

Materials 2024, 17(12), 2993; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122993 - 18 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1648

Abstract

In recent years, the variability in the composition of cement raw materials has increasingly impacted the quality of cement products. However, there has been relatively little research on the homogenization effects of equipment in the cement production process. Existing studies mainly focus on the primary functions of equipment, such as the grinding efficiency of ball mills, the thermal decomposition in cyclone preheaters, and the thermal decomposition in rotary kilns. This study selected four typical pieces of equipment with significant homogenization functions for an in-depth investigation: ball mills, pneumatic homogenizing silos, cyclone preheaters, and rotary kilns. To assess the homogenization efficacy of each apparatus, scaled-down models of these devices were constructed and subjected to simulated experiments. To improve experimental efficiency and realistically simulate actual production conditions in a laboratory setting, this study used the uniformity of the electrical capacitance of mixed powders instead of compositional uniformity to analyze homogenization effects. The test material in the experiment consisted of a mixture of raw meal from a cement factory with a high dielectric constant and Fe₃O₄ powder. The parallel plate capacitance method was employed to ascertain the capacitance value of the mixed powder prior to and subsequent to treatment by each equipment model. The fluctuation of the input and output curves was analyzed, and the standard deviation (S), coefficient of variation (R), and homogenization multiplier (H) were calculated in order to evaluate the homogenization effect of each equipment model on the raw meal. The findings of the study indicated that the pneumatic homogenizer exhibited an exemplary homogenization effect, followed by the ball mill. For the ball mill, a higher proportion of small balls in the gradation can significantly enhance the homogenization effect without considering the grinding efficiency. The five-stage cyclone preheater also has a better homogenization effect, while the rotary kiln has a less significant homogenization effect on raw meal. Finally, the raw meal processed by each equipment model was used for clinker calcination and the preparation of cement mortar samples. After curing for three days, the compressive and flexural strengths of the samples were tested, thereby indirectly verifying the homogenization effect of each equipment model on the raw meal. This study helps to understand the homogenization process of raw materials by equipment in cement production and provides certain reference and data support for equipment selection, operation optimization, and quality control in the cement production process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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15 pages, 6155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Anchorage Performance of the Foundation Ring for Wind Turbines

by Junjun Zhang, Hao Huang, Li Zhen, Linyuan Sun, Jiaxiang Yang, Kang Chen and Gaixin Chen

Materials 2024, 17(8), 1716; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081716 - 9 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1711

Abstract

The foundation ring (FR) is a steel component embedded within the concrete of a wind turbine foundation, playing a pivotal role in connecting the wind turbine tower to the foundation structure. In this paper, the FR–foundation connection is equivalent to the exposed foundation and the shallow foundation by analyzing the anchorage characteristics of the foundation ring. Based on the ABAQUS concrete damaged plasticity model, full-scale modeling of the wind turbine foundation is carried out. The influence of embedment depth, ring radius and base flange width of the foundation ring on moment capacity is simulated. Based on the observed stress distributions under ultimate loads, analytical expressions were proposed to estimate the variation law of anchorage load-bearing capacity in the ultimate load state. Compared with the numerical simulation, the average errors under different influencing factors are 8.2%, 9.6% and 10.8%, respectively. The results indicate that the base flange provided the majority of the moment capacity, though the contribution of the sidewall increased to 25–50% that of the base flange in later stages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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14 pages, 5658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fiber Synergy of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Steel Fibers on the Bond Behavior of a Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite

by Wenlin Liu and Jianping Han

Materials 2024, 17(3), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030629 - 27 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1549

Abstract

Based on multi-scale characteristics inherent in the cracking process of cementitious composites, fibers with different geometric dimensions are simultaneously used to restrain the formation and development of cracks at different scales. Accordingly, hybrid fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HyFRCCs) exhibit excellent bond behavior and deformation capacity in terms of tension and compression, accompanied by higher damage tolerance. Using these benefits of the mechanical properties of HyFRCCs, the structural performance of HyFRCC structures under complex loading conditions can be improved. To objectively evaluate the contributions of all fibers to the mechanical properties of HyFRCCs, steel macro-fibers, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) micro-fibers were used to design several reinforced cementitious composites. Four of the specimens were mono-fibrous cementitious composites, three specimens were cementitious composites reinforced with hybrid fibers, and one was a non-fibrous cementitious composite. The synergy effect of the steel and PVA fibers was analyzed using various fiber combinations. The results indicated a significant enhancement of the bonding properties of HyFRCCs through the incorporation of PVA and steel fibers. Specifically, the peak bond strength, peak slip displacement, and residual bond strength exhibited increments ranging from 31.0% to 41.7%, 60.6% to 118.4%, and 34.6% to 391.3%, respectively, in comparison to the reference test block. Notably, the combined presence of the PVA and steel fibers consistently demonstrated a positive confounding effect on the residual bond strength. However, negative confounding effects were observed in terms of the peak bond strength and peak slip displacement, particularly with 1.0% steel fiber content and 0.5% PVA fiber content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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14 pages, 10173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing Various Cement Formulations under Temperature Cycles and Drying Shrinkage for Low-Temperature Geothermal Wells

by Hartmut R. Fischer and Al Moghadam

Materials 2023, 16(23), 7281; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237281 - 23 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1239

Abstract

Low-enthalpy geothermal wells are considered a sustainable energy source, particularly for district heating in the Netherlands. The cement sheath in these wells experiences thermal cycles. The stability of cement recipes under such conditions is not well understood. In this work, thermal cycling experiments for intermediate- and low-temperature geothermal well cements have been conducted. The samples were cured either under ambient conditions or under realistic pressure and temperature for 7 days. The samples did not show any signs of failure after performing 10 cycles of thermal treatment between 100 °C and 18 °C. We also tested cement formulations under drying conditions. Drying shrinkage is caused by a reduction in the water content of cement, which leads to capillary forces that can damage cement. Such circumstances lead to tensile stresses causing radial cracks. Most samples exhibited cracks under low humidity conditions (drying). Fiber reinforcement, especially using short PP fibers, improved the cement’s resilience to temperature and humidity changes. Such additives can improve the longevity of cement sheaths in geothermal wells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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15 pages, 7013 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Shear Resistance Performance of Grouped Stud Connectors

by Wenru Lu, Yuanming Huang and Wenhan Xu

Materials 2023, 16(20), 6625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206625 - 10 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1438

Abstract

In order to further investigate the grouped stud effect on the force properties of stud connectors, based on the premise that the correctness of the finite element simulation method, in this paper, a finite element model of grouped stud connectors was developed, and the grouped stud effect and its sensitivity factors were analyzed in order to validate the recommended formula for calculating the shear capacity of grouped stud connectors. Results show that the number of grouped stud rows and stud row spacing have a significant influence on the grouped stud effect, and the unevenness coefficient of grouped stud force is negatively correlated with the number of grouped stud rows as well as the grouped stud row spacing. Grouped stud connectors with commonly used concrete grades greater than C50 and height-to-diameter ratios of greater than 4 in steel–concrete composite structural bridges are insensitive to changes in the concrete strength grades and the length of the studs. The direction of force transmission for grouped stud changes with the change in loading angle and the unevenness coefficient of force for the grouped stud will therefore be reduced. By comparing the results of the 62 existing groups of grouped stud connectors push-out tests, the mean of the tested to calculated value ratio was found to be 1.12, the variance was 0.023, the dispersion was small, and it was shown that the recommended formula has a high degree of accuracy. The results of this paper can be used as a theoretical basis for the study of the shear stress performance of grouped stud connectors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cement-Based Materials and Construction Materials: Modeling, Characterization and Mechanical Behavior)

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