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Advanced Cement and Concrete Composite Materials
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Advanced Cement and Concrete Composite 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 January 2026 | Viewed by 1369

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Junbo Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Interests: artificial intelligence; cementitious material using 3D printing technology; functional building materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cement and concrete are fundamental materials in contemporary construction. Currently, traditional cement and concrete materials are facing several significant challenges. These include limitations in durability, crack resistance, and erosion resistance. Additionally, the carbon dioxide emissions produced during cement manufacturing pose considerable environmental concerns. Moreover, modern society has put forward higher demands for the multifunctionality of building materials, such as self-sensing, self-healing, and energy efficiency.

In response to these challenges, research has focused on developing advanced cement and concrete composite materials. Efforts have led to the creation of more-sustainable and high-performance building materials by introducing binders, fiber-reinforcement technologies, nanomaterials, or smart materials. These materials can not only significantly enhance the durability and crack resistance of structures but also reduce carbon emissions to achieve sustainable development. Meanwhile, the multifunctionality of the materials contributes to reducing maintenance costs and improving the safety and reliability of structures.

This Special Issue, titled “Advanced Cement and Concrete Composite Materials”, aims to bring together cutting-edge research on innovative materials in the field of cement and concrete composites. We welcome submissions of original research papers and review articles. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Green and sustainable cement and concrete.
  • Geopolymers and alkali-activated binders.
  • Rheology, mechanical performance, and durability.
  • Modeling of cement and concrete composites.
  • Composite mechanics and technology.
  • Design, fabrication, and applications.
  • Self-healing concrete.
  • Degradation, repair, and long-term performance.
  • Innovative additives and binders.
  • High-performance and low-carbon composites.
  • Fiber-reinforced and nanomodified composites.
  • Advanced manufacturing.

Dr. Junbo Sun
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • cementitious composite
  • concrete materials
  • sustainability
  • durability
  • low carbon

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 5482 KB  
Article
Fracture Toughness, Compressive Strength and Fracture Surface Morphology of Cement Mortars Modified with Nano-SiO2
by Wioleta Iskra-Kozak, Janusz Konkol and Marek Poręba
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5516; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245516 - 8 Dec 2025
Viewed by 208
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of nano-SiO2 on the mechanical properties and fracture surface morphology of cement composites. The focus was on fracture toughness (KIcS) and compressive strength. Composites with nano-SiO2 showed up to 63% higher fracture [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effect of nano-SiO2 on the mechanical properties and fracture surface morphology of cement composites. The focus was on fracture toughness (KIcS) and compressive strength. Composites with nano-SiO2 showed up to 63% higher fracture toughness and 68% higher compressive strength than unmodified ones. The influence of nano-SiO2 content (0.09–2.91% by binder mass) and water-to-binder ratio (0.43–0.57) was examined using a Central Composite Design. Properties improved with higher nano-SiO2 content and lower w/b ratio. Fractographic analysis using laser profilometry revealed a clear correlation between the fractal dimension (D) of fracture surfaces and KIcS and fcm. Lower D values indicated smoother fracture surfaces and denser microstructures. The results clearly show that changes in the composition—particularly the nano-SiO2 content and the water-to-binder ratio—determine the development of the microstructure, which in turn governs the mechanical properties of the material. Consequently, the study establishes a coherent, quantitative relationship between mixture composition, fracture microstructure, and the macroscopic properties of the composite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement and Concrete Composite Materials)
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25 pages, 2871 KB  
Article
Numerical and Experimental Correlation Between Half-Cell Potential and Steel Mass Loss in Corroded Reinforced Concrete
by Max Lawrence L. Li, Seong-Hoon Kee, Cris Edward F. Monjardin and Kevin Paolo V. Robles
Materials 2025, 18(22), 5238; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225238 - 19 Nov 2025
Viewed by 452
Abstract
Half-cell potential (HCP) measurement is widely applied as a non-destructive technique for assessing corrosion probability, yet its diagnostic capacity remains limited to probabilistic interpretations rather than quantifying the extent of steel mass loss. Conventional HCP measurements can indicate corrosion probability, but not the [...] Read more.
Half-cell potential (HCP) measurement is widely applied as a non-destructive technique for assessing corrosion probability, yet its diagnostic capacity remains limited to probabilistic interpretations rather than quantifying the extent of steel mass loss. Conventional HCP measurements can indicate corrosion probability, but not the actual extent of deterioration. The objective of this study is to examine the potential of HCP measurements to indicate actual corrosion severity by numerically simulating HCP values and correlating them with steel mass loss data. Using published experimental datasets, relationships among corrosion current density (J(corr)), electrical resistivity (ER), HCP, and steel mass loss (mL) were established through regression analysis, while COMSOL Multiphysics v6.2 was employed to simulate HCP responses. The simulations revealed increasingly negative HCP values with higher J(corr) and conductivity. A second-order polynomial correlation (R2 = 0.9999) was obtained between simulated HCP and measured mass loss (0–20%), enabling quantitative interpretation of corrosion severity, demonstrating that HCP can serve as a predictive indicator of corrosion severity. It is demonstrated that the interpretative value of HCP has potential for quantifying corrosion severity to improve monitoring and maintenance strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement and Concrete Composite Materials)
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18 pages, 3004 KB  
Article
A New Penetration Depth Method Using Proctor Compaction Test for Determining the Optimal Starting Time of Hardening Topping in Concrete Flooring
by Agnieszka Michalik and Jacek Zychowicz
Materials 2025, 18(21), 5045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18215045 - 5 Nov 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
This article presents a development and validation of a method to determine the starting time for hardening concrete flooring mechanically floated using the Dry Shake Topping technique. Until now, an informal method based on shoeprint penetration depth of 3–4 mm into the hardening [...] Read more.
This article presents a development and validation of a method to determine the starting time for hardening concrete flooring mechanically floated using the Dry Shake Topping technique. Until now, an informal method based on shoeprint penetration depth of 3–4 mm into the hardening concrete floor has been used in practice, but it is prone to significant errors. The probe time method described in the literature also has multiple limitations and drawbacks. Currently, there is no scientifically verified method for accurately determining the setting time of concrete mix and its early compressive strength. This gap poses a research problem because incorrect early timing of topping floating leads to further defects in concrete flooring. Through various laboratory, pilot, and technical-scale tests, a new method was developed. According to this method, floating should begin when the penetration depth of the Proctor Compaction Test Apparatus in the concrete mix reaches 4–7 mm. This penetration depth corresponds to the point at which the hardening concrete mix achieves sufficient strength to support the floating equipment while remaining plastic enough to ensure a strong bond between the topping and concrete layers. The article presents correlations between the Proctor Compaction Test results and the early strength of young concrete. It also explains practical on-site application of the method, providing immediate results without the need for interpolation. This method can be applied to any concrete mix intended for use in concrete flooring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Cement and Concrete Composite Materials)
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