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Recent Advances in Sustainability, Characterization, and Performance of Cementitious Composites

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 968

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
Interests: high-performance computing; AI applications in materials science; smart sustainable high-performance materials; engineered cementititous composites; marine building materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Construction, School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, University of East London, London, UK
Interests: sustainable concrete technology; concrete durability; geopolymer materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cement-based materials are among the most widely consumed materials in the modern world. The pursuit of sustainable and resilient construction materials has become a critical focus in the face of growing environmental concerns and increasing infrastructure demands. This Special Issue examines recent advances in cementitious composites, emphasizing their potential to transform modern construction through sustainability, innovation, and performance enhancement. Three key aspects are addressed:

First, the greenness of cementitious composites is explored through the incorporation of environmentally friendly practices, such as the use of low-carbon binders, recycled aggregates, and industrial by-products. These strategies significantly reduce carbon emissions and promote circular economy principles while maintaining or improving material performance.

Second, the application of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies is discussed as an essential tool for improving infrastructure resilience. SHM enables real-time monitoring of material behavior, allowing for predictive maintenance, enhanced safety, and extended service life. Innovations in sensor integration and data-driven approaches are presented, demonstrating how SHM can optimize the lifecycle management of cementitious structures.

Third, the development of high-performance cementitious composites is highlighted, focusing on advancements in strength, durability, and multifunctionality. Novel formulations and techniques tailored to meet specific engineering challenges, such as extreme environments or long-term durability, are explored.

By addressing these three interconnected themes, this Special Issue offers a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in cementitious composites, inspiring sustainable, smart, and high-performing solutions for modern construction challenges.

Dr. Avik Kumar Das
Dr. Salim Barbhuiya
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cementitious composites
  • cement-based materials
  • structural Control
  • health monitoring
  • structural integrity
  • durability
  • geopolymer materials
  • mechanical properties
  • in situ characterizations
  • artificial intelligence
  • deep learning

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4111 KiB  
Article
The Optimization Study of Karst-Filling Clay-Cement Grout Based on Orthogonal Experiment and Regression Analysis
by Wenqin Yan, Chao Deng, Yuehui Cai, Aikun Chu, Shifan Shen and Xuanyu Wu
Materials 2025, 18(9), 1943; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091943 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 131
Abstract
During shield tunnel construction, karst development along the tunnel axis and in the surrounding area frequently poses a significant threat to engineering safety. To address this challenge, this study proposes multiple grouting systems and systematically analyzes the key mechanical properties of five grout [...] Read more.
During shield tunnel construction, karst development along the tunnel axis and in the surrounding area frequently poses a significant threat to engineering safety. To address this challenge, this study proposes multiple grouting systems and systematically analyzes the key mechanical properties of five grout formulations through orthogonal experiments, identifying the optimal formulations for engineering applications. A predictive model was established using linear regression, and its accuracy was validated through independent single-factor experiments. The results indicate the following: (1) Water content is the primary factor influencing fluidity, with its significance varying by system composition. The lake mud-cement grout exhibits the highest compressive pstrength. Moderate sand addition enhances strength, but excessive amounts significantly reduce fluidity. Additives demonstrate system dependency: HY-4 effectively improves fluidity, while sodium silicate significantly increases strength but reduces fluidity. (2) The developed model demonstrates good goodness of fit, with coefficients of determination (R2) ranging from 0.74 to 0.95, without significant autocorrelation or multicollinearity. Validation experiments confirm the model’s high predictive accuracy, with overall trends consistent with the measured data. (3) The lake mud-cement grout (A3B1C3) is recommended for reinforcement projects prioritizing stability, achieving a 28-day compressive strength of 4.74 MPa. The on-site wet clay-cement grout (A2B3C1) is suitable for high-permeability formations, with a strength of 1.1 MPa and a fluidity of 292.5 mm, both exceeding standard requirements. The findings provide optimized formulations and theoretical references for grouting reinforcement in karst tunnel projects. Full article
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24 pages, 54509 KiB  
Article
Stability and Rheological Properties of Grouts with Waste Glass Powder as Cement Replacement: Influences of Content and Alkali Activator
by Liuxi Li, Chao Deng, Yi Zhou, Qundong Tan, Wenqin Yan, Dequan Zhou and Yi Zhou
Materials 2025, 18(2), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020353 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 638
Abstract
Effective recycling and utilization of waste glass is a critical issue that urgently needs to be addressed. This study aims to explore the feasibility of using ground waste glass powder (particle size ≤ 75 μm) as a supplementary cementitious material to partially replace [...] Read more.
Effective recycling and utilization of waste glass is a critical issue that urgently needs to be addressed. This study aims to explore the feasibility of using ground waste glass powder (particle size ≤ 75 μm) as a supplementary cementitious material to partially replace cement in the preparation of low-carbon and environmentally friendly grouting materials. The research systematically evaluates the impact of waste glass powder (WGP) on the fresh properties (particularly the stability and rheological characteristics) of cement-based grouting materials under various conditions, including WGP content (0–40%), the addition of NaOH activator (Na2O content of 4%) or not, and water–solid ratio (w/s = 0.5, 0.65, 0.8, 1.0). The results indicate that, in the absence of activator, the addition of WGP generally increases the amount of free liquid exudation in the grout, reducing its stability; however, under low w/s ratios, appropriate amounts of WGP can enhance stability. When the w/s ratio is high and the WGP content is large, the grout stability decreases significantly. The addition of NaOH activator (Na2O content of 4%) significantly reduces free liquid exudation, enhancing the stability of the grout, especially when the w/s ratio is less than 1.0. Furthermore, the Herschel–Bulkley Model was experimentally validated to accurately describe the rheological behavior of waste glass–cement slurries, with all R2 values exceeding 0.99. WGP and alkaline activator have significant effects on the rheological properties of the grout. Although they do not change its flow pattern, they significantly affect shear stress and viscosity. The viscosity of the slurry is influenced by the combined effects of w/s ratio, WGP content, and alkaline activator, with complex interactions among the three. The application of these research findings in the field of grouting engineering not only contributes to significantly reducing glass waste but also promotes the production of sustainable cement-based composites, lowering carbon dioxide emissions by reducing cement usage, and thereby alleviating environmental burdens. Full article
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