Sustainable Innovation in Multifunctional Concrete and Cement: A Life Cycle Approach
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 3 July 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editors
Interests: design of concrete resistant to environmental, physical, and chemical degradation; research on deterioration mechanisms (e.g., reinforcement corrosion, carbonation, alkali–silica reaction, freeze–thaw cycles, erosion)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: innovative concrete mixtures incorporating recycled materials, admixtures, and mineral additives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: recycling of ceramic and glass materials; special concretes resistant to high temperatures; assessment of engineering structures; fire safety engineering; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Concrete, often referred to as the “stone of the modern age”, is the most widely used synthetic composite material, and it is second only to water in terms of global human consumption. It plays a fundamental role in contemporary construction, not only as a structural material but also as a means of achieving sustainable development goals. Its remarkable versatility, adaptability to local conditions, and technological potential make it indispensable in all fields of civil engineering.
This Special Issue will focus on current research, innovation, and practices related to the design, production, use, and end-of-life phases of concrete and cement, analyzed from a life cycle perspective. Our aim is to highlight the latest advancements in the development of durable, low-carbon, and smart-functional materials to support long-term performance and environmental efficiency in infrastructure.
We welcome submissions that address the following topics:
- Innovative concrete mixtures incorporating recycled materials, admixtures, and mineral additives;
- Advanced low-emission cement production technologies;
- Design of concrete resistant to environmental, physical, and chemical degradation;
- Research on deterioration mechanisms (e.g., reinforcement corrosion, carbonation, alkali–silica reaction, freeze–thaw cycles, erosion);
- Strategies for the protection, repair, and maintenance of reinforced concrete structures;
- Use of life cycle assessment (LCA) and digital tools for structural health monitoring (e.g., sensors, SHM systems);
- Implementation of circular economy principles in concrete technology.
Our aim in launching this Special Issue is not only to present breakthrough scientific research but also to integrate knowledge from materials science, environmental engineering, structural durability, and sustainable design. We aim to provide a platform for the exchange of experiences between academia and the construction industry, supporting the transformation toward the low-carbon, resilient infrastructure of the future.
This Special Issue will provide a resource for researchers, engineers, designers, contractors, and all stakeholders interested in the durability, functionality, and ecological aspects of modern construction materials. We invite submissions of original research articles, review papers, and case studies.
We are looking forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Mariusz Żółtowski
Prof. Dr. Gabriela Rutkowska
Prof. Dr. Paweł Ogrodnik
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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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. Sustainability 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.
Keywords
- concrete
- sewage sludge ash
- properties
- environmental protection
- glass waste
- cement mortars
- cement addictive
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