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Characterization and Optimization of Cement-Based Materials
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Characterization and Optimization of Cement-Based Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 1233

Special Issue Editor

Dr. María del Mar Alonso López

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción Eduardo Torroja, IETcc-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
Interests: cement; concrete; sustainability; rheology; radiology; SCMs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, the scientific community is clearly committed to the development of new and more sustainable cements, mortars and concretes, often based on new processes, using industrial waste and applying circular economy criteria.

The prior characterization of new materials that can be incorporated into construction materials is a fundamental step in the development of green cements and concretes. Likewise, the characterization of the final products, their physico-mechanical and rheological properties and the development of their microstructure allow us to know the real viability of these new products. Thanks to this, not only does science progress in fundamental knowledge, but it also allows us to improve processes and obtain new ‘greener’ construction materials with advanced functionalities.

I sincerely encourage you all to send your work and research to this Special Issue with the purpose of sharing our knowledge, so that we can all learn and advance the knowledge and development of cementitious materials with better performance without forgetting to be increasingly respectful of the environment.

Dr. María del Mar Alonso López
Guest Editor

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

  • cement
  • concrete
  • characterization techniques
  • properties
  • microstructure

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4047 KiB  
Article
Effect of a Recycled Phosphogypsum Modifier on the Performance of High-Content Phosphogypsum Cementing Materials
by Jiuyang Lian, Chiqiu Wu, Zhonghe Shui and Wei Lyu
Materials 2025, 18(12), 2807; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122807 (registering DOI) - 14 Jun 2025
Abstract
Phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, represents a significant environmental concern due to its large-scale production and low utilization rates. Although preparing phosphogypsum-based cementitious materials offers a potential solution to these issues, high-content phosphogypsum cementitious systems encounter significant technical barriers, including long [...] Read more.
Phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, represents a significant environmental concern due to its large-scale production and low utilization rates. Although preparing phosphogypsum-based cementitious materials offers a potential solution to these issues, high-content phosphogypsum cementitious systems encounter significant technical barriers, including long setting durations and insufficient early-age strength development, thereby restricting their practical implementation. Hence, this research developed innovative modifiers through an environmentally friendly low-temperature thermal activation process (100–160 °C) utilizing recycled phosphogypsum aggregates and circumventing the substantial carbon emissions associated with conventional modification approaches. Systematic characterization demonstrated that the dehydration phase modifier synthesized at 120 °C (DH120) exhibited optimal phase composition, resulting in a 35.7% enhancement in its 14-d compressive strength (9.8 MPa vs. 7.2 MPa for the control) and an 11.3% reduction in its initial setting time (27.5 vs. 31.0 h for the control). Microstructural characterization by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffractometry revealed that DH120 effectively enhanced refinement of the pore structure (37.7% mesopore volume reduction) and promoted the ettringite crystallization kinetics. This work establishes a sustainable framework for utilizing industrial byproducts in cementitious material systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Optimization of Cement-Based Materials)
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21 pages, 5421 KiB  
Article
Prediction Models for Radiological Characterization of Natural Aggregates Based on Chemical Composition and Mineralogy
by Andrés Caño, María del Mar Alonso, Alicia Pachón-Montaño, Queralt Marzal, Guillermo Hernáiz, Luís Sousa and José Antonio Suárez-Navarro
Materials 2025, 18(6), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061369 - 20 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 363
Abstract
The radiological characterization of aggregates used in construction materials is essential to determine their suitability from a radiological protection perspective and to ensure their safety for health and the environment. While the activity concentrations of radionuclides present in construction materials are typically determined [...] Read more.
The radiological characterization of aggregates used in construction materials is essential to determine their suitability from a radiological protection perspective and to ensure their safety for health and the environment. While the activity concentrations of radionuclides present in construction materials are typically determined using gamma spectrometry, an alternative approach involves the development of statistical methods and predictive models derived from the chemical composition of the material. A total of 39 aggregates used in construction of various types (siliceous, carbonatic, volcanic, and granitic) have been analyzed, correlating their chemical compositions obtained through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) with the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides measured via gamma spectrometry using principal component analysis (PCA). The results obtained allowed for the observation of an inversely proportional relationship between the chemical composition of the grouping of siliceous and carbonatic aggregates and the content of radionuclides. However, the set of granitic aggregates showed a strong correlation with the natural radioactive series of uranium, thorium, and 40K. Conversely, the radionuclide content of volcanic aggregates was independent of their chemical composition. The results obtained from the PCA facilitated the development of different models using multiple regression analysis. The chemical parameters obtained in the proposed models were related to the typical mineralogy in each grouping, ranging from primary minerals such as feldspars to accessory minerals such as anatase, apatite, and pyrolusite. Finally, the models were validated using independent samples from those used to determine the models, achieving RSD (%) values ≤ 30% in 50% of the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th(212Pb), and 40K, as well as the estimated ACI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Optimization of Cement-Based Materials)
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Review

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51 pages, 3113 KiB  
Review
Effect of Hybrid Fiber Compositions on Mechanical Properties and Durability of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete: A Comprehensive Review
by Paulina Dziomdziora and Piotr Smarzewski
Materials 2025, 18(11), 2426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112426 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 547
Abstract
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has emerged as a revolutionary material in structural engineering due to its exceptional mechanical properties and durability. This review comprehensively examines the influence of hybrid fiber compositions on UHPC, focusing on mechanical performance and resistance to environmental degradation. Hybrid fibers, [...] Read more.
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has emerged as a revolutionary material in structural engineering due to its exceptional mechanical properties and durability. This review comprehensively examines the influence of hybrid fiber compositions on UHPC, focusing on mechanical performance and resistance to environmental degradation. Hybrid fibers, which combine steel and synthetic and basalt fibers, improve compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths by bridging microcracks and limiting macrocrack propagation. Studies reveal that steel fiber combinations, particularly those with varying lengths and shapes, significantly improve ductility and load-bearing capacity, while steel–synthetic hybrids balance strength and flexibility. However, excessive synthetic fibers can reduce compressive strength. Basalt–synthetic hybrids, though less effective in compression, excel in tensile strength and crack resistance. Durability assessments highlight the superior resistance of UHPCs to chloride penetration, carbonation, freeze–thaw cycles, and high temperatures, and hybrid fibers further mitigate spalling and permeability. Polypropylene fibers, for instance, enhance fire resistance by creating vapor release channels. The challenge of optimizing fiber proportions and mix designs remains to minimize trade-offs between strength and workability. Future research should explore advanced fiber combinations, long-term environmental performance, and eco-friendly additives to expand the applicability of UHPC in sustainable infrastructure. This review underscores the potential of hybrid fibers to tailor UHPCs for diverse engineering demands while addressing current limitations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Optimization of Cement-Based Materials)
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