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Recent Advances and Innovative Applications of Polymer-Enhanced Composites in Construction

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Prof. Dr. Erhan Güneyisi

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Department of Civil Engineering, Harran University, Şanlıurfa 63290, Turkiye
Interests: cement and concrete composites; blended cement; self-compacting concrete; recycled aggregate concrete; waste materials; sustainable building materials; durability aspect; reinforcement corrosion
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Prof. Dr. Esra Mete Güneyisi

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Department of Civil Engineering, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkiye
Interests: building; structural analysis; mechanical properties; finite element analysis; earthquake engineering; structural dynamics

Dr. Süleyman İpek

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Department of Civil Engineering, Yaşar University, İzmir 35100, Turkiye
Interests: sustainable construction materials; cement-based composites; geopolymer composites; microstructural characterization; fracture properties; mineral admixtures; recycling waste material

Prof. Dr. Kasım Mermerdaş

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Department of Civil Engineering, Harran University, Şanlıurfa 63290, Turkiye
Interests: mineral admixtures for concrete; durability of cement-based composites; sustainability in concrete technology; microstructural characterization; energy-efficient construction materials; mechanical assessment of construction materials; geopolymer technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing demand for durable, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure has accelerated the development of polymer-enhanced composites, bringing them to the forefront of innovative construction materials. Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRPs), including Carbon (CFRP), Glass (GFRP), Aramid (AFRP), and Basalt (BFRP), are widely recognized for their high strength-to-weight ratio, superior corrosion resistance, and electromagnetic neutrality, offering groundbreaking potential for the reinforcement and rehabilitation of concrete structures. However, despite their well-documented advantages, industry adoption remains hindered by challenges related to their long-term performance, environmental durability, and complex loading conditions. Geopolymer-based construction materials have gained significant attention due to their superior mechanical performance, environmental sustainability, and thermal stability compared to conventional Portland cement-based materials. As a result, they could play an important role in green building practices and carbon-neutral construction. Therefore, geopolymer-based construction materials are regarded as one of the most prominent polymer-enhanced construction materials, so it is essential to thoroughly address their long-term performance, workability, and large-scale implementation in modern civil engineering.

This Special Issue, "Recent Advances and Innovative Applications of Polymer-Enhanced Composites in Construction", aims to highlight cutting-edge research exploring the evolution and application of polymer-enhanced composite materials in civil engineering. We welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing recent technological advancements, experimental validations, and theoretical developments. Key topics of interest include the durability and long-term serviceability of polymeric composite members under harsh environmental conditions (e.g., high temperatures, sustained loads, marine environments) and extreme loading scenarios (e.g., seismic, fatigue, blast, impact). Furthermore, innovative applications of polymer-enhanced composites in FRP-reinforced structural elements are highly encouraged, including advancements in bond mechanisms, prestressed systems, and the load-bearing capacity of structural components. By compiling pioneering research in this field, this Special Issue aims to provide a critical reference for engineers and researchers focused on developing sustainable, resilient, and high-performance construction solutions.

Prof. Dr. Erhan Güneyisi
Prof. Dr. Esra Mete Güneyisi
Dr. Süleyman İpek
Prof. Dr. Kasım Mermerdaş
Guest Editors

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31 pages, 5362 KB

Open AccessArticle

Geopolymerization of Kaolin Clay with Hemp Fibers for Sustainable Soil Stabilization

by Bilge Aksu Alcan, Halil Oğuzhan Kara and Mehmet Uğur Yılmazoğlu

Polymers 2025, 17(23), 3216; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233216 (registering DOI) - 2 Dec 2025

Abstract

In this study, the aim was to improve the mechanical and durability properties of kaolin clay (KC)-based soil by stabilizing it with geopolymer and natural fiber. In the production of the geopolymer, rice husk ash (RHA) was used as a binder, sodium metasilicate (SMS) as an activator, and another hemp fiber (HF)was used for soil stabilization. Within the scope of the presented study, RHA and SMS were used at three different rates (5%, 7.5%, and 10%), while HF was used in six different volumes (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3%) and two different lengths (6 and 12 mm). The study also examined how much water was in the combinations, which was measured at the optimum level and at −5, +5, and +10 compared to the optimum level. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was used to check the mechanical qualities of the test specimens and 5- and 10-cycle freeze–thaw (F-T) tests to check the durability properties. The test results indicated that the mixed formulation with 5% RHA, 10% SMS, 2.5% HF, and the optimum water content resulted in the best results for both the UCS and F-T tests. The SEM investigation for this mix found that the microstructural properties for the specimen were directly related to the dense gel phases and the strong fiber–matrix bonding. According to the carbon emissions (CO₂-e) and carbon index (CI) analysis from the mix component analyses, it was found that the HF-strengthened geopolymer is a sustainable solution for soil stabilization. The optimum mixture achieved a UCS of 1202 kPa (4.5 times higher than untreated soil), while the strength losses after 10 freeze–thaw cycles were reduced to below 10% in optimized compositions. The carbon index (CI) decreased by up to 65%, demonstrating the strong sustainability benefits of the proposed system. The novelty of this study lies in the combined use of hemp fiber (HF) and rice husk ash (RHA)–sodium metasilicate (SMS)-based geopolymer for kaolin clay stabilization, which has not been comprehensively investigated in previous research. Unlike traditional studies focusing on either geopolymer or natural fiber reinforcement alone, this work simultaneously evaluates the mechanical performance, freeze–thaw durability, microstructural evolution, and carbon footprint to develop a fully sustainable soil improvement framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances and Innovative Applications of Polymer-Enhanced Composites in Construction)

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