Topic Editors

Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Politecnico di Milano, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Milan, Italy

Construction Materials: Corrosion, Prevention and Protection

Abstract submission deadline
1 March 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
1 May 2026
Viewed by
3372

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, construction materials are facing a revolution triggered by eco-sustainability paradigms and supported by design effectiveness, cost saving, esthetic, and functional impacts. Such an approach has driven both research and industry towards the development of innovative, high-performance, and durable engineering materials, paving the way for effective material selection strategies and the appropriate design of protection or prevention systems to ensure the prolonged service life of construction materials. Materials degradation and corrosion are time-dependent phenomena, which are capable of strongly affecting the service life of materials, compromising the functionality and performances. This may lead, in the case of wrong material selection or on-filed execution, to the need for premature maintenance or component replacement to prevent dramatic failures, dramatically affecting two pillars of construction materials: safety and sustainability. The Special Issue purpose aims to give a complete overview of innovative and traditional construction materials and of prevention or protection systems, such as coatings, inhibitors and cathodic protection, with a specific focus on corrosion and durability. Papers related to corrosion protection, prevention, repair strategies, life cycle assessment, and design practices as well as modeling are welcome. We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Sergio Lorenzi
Prof. Dr. Marco Ormellese
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • corrosion
  • durability
  • construction materials
  • metals
  • prevention
  • materials degradation

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Applied Sciences
applsci
2.5 5.5 2011 16 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Buildings
buildings
3.1 4.4 2011 15.1 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Construction Materials
constrmater
- 3.1 2021 20.9 Days CHF 1200 Submit
Corrosion and Materials Degradation
cmd
2.4 5.2 2020 19.2 Days CHF 1200 Submit
Materials
materials
3.2 6.4 2008 15.5 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Metals
metals
2.5 5.3 2011 18.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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28 pages, 2891 KB  
Article
Electrical Resistivity-Based Prediction of Corrosion-Affected Areas in Reinforced Concrete
by Vince Evan T. Agbayani, Seong-Hoon Kee, Cris Edward F. Monjardin and Kevin Paolo V. Robles
Buildings 2026, 16(4), 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16040886 - 23 Feb 2026
Abstract
This study investigates the development of a predictive model in simulations for assessing steel corrosion in determining corrosion-affected zones in reinforced concrete. A series of reinforced concrete cubes with varying degrees of corrosion were tested using a four-probe Wenner configuration. The experimental data [...] Read more.
This study investigates the development of a predictive model in simulations for assessing steel corrosion in determining corrosion-affected zones in reinforced concrete. A series of reinforced concrete cubes with varying degrees of corrosion were tested using a four-probe Wenner configuration. The experimental data showed a clear inverse relationship between ER and steel mass loss, with a strong negative correlation, highlighting the potential of ER as a corrosion indicator. A third-degree polynomial model was developed to predict the diameter of the corrosion-affected region based on steel mass loss and concrete cover, achieving high predictive accuracy. This model was validated using numerical simulation conducted in COMSOL Multiphysics, which replicated the experimental setup under steady-state conditions. Parametric studies further examined the effects of electrical conductivity (σ) and electrode spacing on the simulated results. The findings confirm that while σ has a moderate impact, electrode spacing significantly influences the measured ER values. The study underscores the importance of incorporating variable parameters into simulation models to improve the accuracy and field applicability of ER-based corrosion assessments. Furthermore, the simulation framework developed in this study demonstrates how numerical modeling can enhance the interpretive value of ER measurements, supporting the advancement of non-destructive testing techniques aimed at improving corrosion monitoring and maintenance strategies. Full article
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18 pages, 5767 KB  
Article
Temperature-Dependent Tensile Degradation of HDPE Sheaths for Bridge Cables Considering UV–Chloride Exposure
by Jing Wang, Haochen Duan, Quanming Zhao, Qingling Meng and Ke Zhang
Buildings 2026, 16(4), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16040736 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 206
Abstract
As the principal load-bearing components of cable-supported bridges, cables are critical to structural safety, and their durability is strongly governed by the integrity of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheaths. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and chloride-rich environments can significantly degrade the mechanical performance [...] Read more.
As the principal load-bearing components of cable-supported bridges, cables are critical to structural safety, and their durability is strongly governed by the integrity of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheaths. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and chloride-rich environments can significantly degrade the mechanical performance of HDPE sheaths. To clarify the degradation behavior, HDPE sheaths were pre-exposed to UV alone, chloride alone, or a sequential two-stage UV–chloride protocol (with a single switch). Subsequently, uniaxial tensile tests were performed at different loading temperatures. The yield strength and O–A secant modulus decreased monotonically with increasing pre-exposure duration. A pronounced sequence effect was observed, with UV pre-exposure followed by chloride exposure causing greater deterioration than the reverse order. Under UV alone, the maximum reductions in yield strength and O–A secant modulus were 19.81% and 46.21%, respectively; under chloride alone, they were 10.97% and 22.00%; and under the sequential UV–chloride exposure, they were 31.97% and 26.24%. Moreover, the tensile response showed strong temperature sensitivity: under otherwise identical pre-exposure conditions, the yield strength measured at 60 °C was 64.89% lower than that measured at −10 °C, representing the maximum reduction within the investigated temperature range. Full article
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27 pages, 6287 KB  
Article
Fatigue Life of Long-Distance Natural Gas Pipelines with Internal Corrosion Defects Under Random Pressure Fluctuations
by Zilong Nan, Liqiong Chen, Xingyu Zhou and Chuan Cheng
Buildings 2026, 16(2), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020442 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 231
Abstract
Long-distance natural gas pipelines with internal corrosion defects are susceptible to fatigue failure under operational pressure fluctuations, posing significant risks to infrastructure integrity and safety. To address this, the present study employs a finite element methodology, utilizing Ansys Workbench to model pipelines of [...] Read more.
Long-distance natural gas pipelines with internal corrosion defects are susceptible to fatigue failure under operational pressure fluctuations, posing significant risks to infrastructure integrity and safety. To address this, the present study employs a finite element methodology, utilizing Ansys Workbench to model pipelines of various specifications with parametrically defined corrosion defects, and nCode DesignLife to predict fatigue life based on Miner’s linear cumulative damage theory. The S-N curve for X70 steel was directly adopted, while a power-function model was fitted for X80 steel based on standards. A cleaned real-world pressure-time history was used as the load spectrum. Parametric analysis reveals that defect depth is the most influential factor, with a depth coefficient increase from 0.05 to 0.25, reducing fatigue life by up to 67.5%, while the influence of defect width is minimal. An empirical formula for fatigue life prediction was subsequently developed via multiple linear regression, demonstrating good agreement with simulation results and providing a practical tool for the residual life assessment and maintenance planning of in-service pipelines. Full article
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16 pages, 2026 KB  
Article
Eco-Friendly Enhancement of Silicate Coatings for Steel Using Lawsonia inermis Extract as a Dual-Function Dispersant and Corrosion Inhibitor
by Le Thi Nhung, Nguyen Hoang, Truong Anh Khoa, Phan Minh Phuong and Thanh-Danh Nguyen
Constr. Mater. 2025, 5(4), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater5040087 - 5 Dec 2025
Viewed by 433
Abstract
Corrosion of steel structures remains a persistent challenge in construction, particularly in coastal and industrial environments where chloride-induced degradation accelerates structural failure. This study presents an eco-friendly approach to improve the corrosion protection of the steel by incorporating Lawsonia inermis (henna) leaf extract [...] Read more.
Corrosion of steel structures remains a persistent challenge in construction, particularly in coastal and industrial environments where chloride-induced degradation accelerates structural failure. This study presents an eco-friendly approach to improve the corrosion protection of the steel by incorporating Lawsonia inermis (henna) leaf extract into zinc–aluminum silicate coatings. The henna extract was added at varying concentrations (0–12 wt%) to evaluate its influence on structure, adhesion, and electrochemical performance of the coating. Physicochemical characterizations including FTIR, XRD, XRF, and SEM revealed that a 5 wt% addition optimized pigment dispersion, resulting in a denser and more homogeneous coating microstructure. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization tests after 35 days of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution demonstrated that this formulation achieved the highest impedance and polarization resistance, confirming enhanced corrosion resistance. The improvement was attributed to the dual action of the henna extract: (i) as a dispersant, promoting uniform Zn–Al pigment distribution and reducing porosity, and (ii) as a green corrosion inhibitor, forming an adsorbed protective film on the steel surface. This work highlights the potential of bio-derived additives to enhance the long-term durability of steel infrastructure and supports the development of sustainable protective materials for construction applications. Full article
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23 pages, 3762 KB  
Review
Dose–Response Functions for Assessing Corrosion Risks to Urban Heritage Materials from Air Pollution Under Climate Change: Insights from Europe and China
by Zhe Bai and Yu Yan
Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2271; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132271 - 27 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1311
Abstract
Urban heritage materials face accelerated decay due to the synergistic effects of air pollution and climate change. Dose–response functions (DRFs) have emerged as a key tool to quantify and predict these risks. This review synthesizes the scientific development of DRFs, their application in [...] Read more.
Urban heritage materials face accelerated decay due to the synergistic effects of air pollution and climate change. Dose–response functions (DRFs) have emerged as a key tool to quantify and predict these risks. This review synthesizes the scientific development of DRFs, their application in Europe and China, and their role in policy and heritage management. European initiatives have refined DRFs to incorporate multi-pollutant and climate interactions, providing spatial risk maps and informing pollution control measures. In China, recent applications adapt European insights to local contexts, revealing strong influences of particulate matter. While DRFs offer clear quantitative estimates, their empirical nature and simplified assumptions necessitate complementary methods, including sensor networks, remote sensing, and machine learning models. Future research should integrate multivariate modelling, expand empirical data, and couple DRFs with real-time monitoring to better protect urban heritage materials amid environmental change. Full article
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