Process-Optimized High-Performance Concrete: From Material Design to Structural Applications

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the full spectrum of Process-Optimized High-Performance Concrete (PO-HPC), connecting developments from material design to practical structural applications. It compiles experimental, numerical, and field-performance studies that demonstrate how control over mix proportions, mixing processes, curing regimes, and additive technologies can yield consistent, high-performance concrete with enhanced strength, durability, workability, and sustainability. Papers consider both microscopic material mechanisms and macroscopic structural behavior, emphasizing process optimization strategies such as rheology control, early-age strength development, shrinkage mitigation, and long-term durability under aggressive environments. The Issue highlights validated design methodologies, standardized testing protocols, and scalable manufacturing approaches that enable reliable performance in critical structures (e.g., high-rise buildings, bridges, and seismic zones). By linking material design to structural performance, the collection advances criteria for specification, quality assurance, and lifecycle assessment, offering practical guidance for researchers and practitioners aiming to implement PO-HPC in next-generation infrastructure.

The Special Issue explores how process optimization shapes HPC from the material level to structural performance.

Topics include the following:

1. Process-optimized manufacturing and mix design;
2. Rheology, workability, shrinkage mitigation, and early-age behavior
3. Durability and long-term performance;
4. Microstructural mechanisms, macroscopic structural response, and validated design methodologies;
5. Testing, standardization, quality assurance, and lifecycle assessment.

Dr. Bilal El-Ariss
Dr. Said Elkholy
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 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. Processes 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 2400 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.