Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.8
3.1
Journals
Materials
Special Issues
Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites
materials-logo
Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 6095

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yingliang Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil And Environmental Engineering, TU428, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Interests: waste management and recycling; low-carbon cementitious materials; mineral carbonation
Dr. Kai Cui

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Civil And Environmental Engineering, TU428, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Interests: carbonation; UHPC; nanomaterials; utilization of industrial wastes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yanfeng Fang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, No.25 Hunnan Rd., Shenyang 110168, China
Interests: mineral carbonation; low-carbon cementitious materials; utilization of industrial wastes; hydration chemistry of cement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Weipei Xue

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
Interests: high-strength and high-performance concrete; hydraulic coupling characteristics; damage mechanism; constitutive model; durability of concrete materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the invention of Portland cement in 1824, cement has been developed and applied for 200 years. Cement-based materials are the world's most widely used building materials due to their wide range of raw materials and low cost. However, cement-based materials come with a number of disadvantages, such as high brittleness, easy cracking, low tensile strength, poor durability, heavyweight, and high energy consumption. With the continuous acceleration of urbanization, there are higher requirements for developing and utilizing cement-based materials. Cement-based materials are moving towards high strength and toughness, lightweight, multi-functionality, high efficiency, intelligence, and sustainable development. This Special Issue mainly focuses on the latest research on cement and concrete and realizes the high-value utilization of cement-based composite materials through research in different dimensions.

Possible research topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Fiber-reinforced concrete;
  • Low-carbon cement and concrete;
  • Solid waste utilization of building materials;
  • Carbonation of building materials;
  • Durability of concrete;
  • Alkali-activated cement-based materials;
  • Nanomaterial-reinforced cement-based materials;
  • Engineering application of concrete.

Dr. Yingliang Zhao
Dr. Kai Cui
Dr. Yanfeng Fang
Dr. Weipei Xue
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • carbonation
  • solid waste utilization
  • cement-based composites
  • microstructure
  • engineering application
  • mechanical properties
  • durability
  • supplementary cementitious materials

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 4502 KiB  
Article
The Contribution of Nano-Alumina to Ultra-High-Performance Cement-Based Systems
by Eirini-Chrysanthi Tsardaka, Evangelia Tsampali and Maria Stefanidou
Materials 2024, 17(16), 4120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164120 - 20 Aug 2024
Viewed by 844
Abstract
In the last decades, nano-silica (NS), nano-alumina (NA), and nano-calcium oxide (NC) particles have been incorporated into cementitious materials, and it seems that each one of them contributes uniquely to the materials’ properties. This research explores the influence of each nanomaterial on the [...] Read more.
In the last decades, nano-silica (NS), nano-alumina (NA), and nano-calcium oxide (NC) particles have been incorporated into cementitious materials, and it seems that each one of them contributes uniquely to the materials’ properties. This research explores the influence of each nanomaterial on the fresh properties of cement pastes and their compressive strength evolution over one year. Low proportions (1.5% by weight) of nanomaterials were added to cement pastes, and their fresh properties, such as heat of hydration and X-ray diffraction patterns in the first hours, were analyzed. The compressive strength and open porosity were also measured long-term. The acceleration of hydration heat in NA-cement pastes is linked to enhanced hydration product formation at early ages. Among the tested nanomaterials, NA increased compressive strength by 10% at later ages. Although the fresh properties of NC-cement pastes remained unaffected, their open porosity decreased by 54% at 28 days. In contrast, the increase in heat of hydration in NS-cement pastes did not result in significant strength improvement. Based on these findings, NA was selected for ultra-high-performance cement (UHPC)-based material use. Its incorporation not only preserved the ultra-high-performance (UHP) properties but also provided additional benefits such as an increase in compressive strength under a CO2 atmosphere. Through detailed analysis, this research establishes that nano-alumina incorporation optimizes the microstructural development and compressive strength of ultra-high-performance cement-based systems, presenting a novel advancement in enhancing the mechanical properties and durability of these materials under various environmental conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2809 KiB  
Article
Effect of Thermoactivated Recycled Cement, Hardened Cement Powder and Hydrated Lime on the Compressive Strength of Mortars
by Hassan Fardoun, Guilherme Ascensão, Pedro Mantas and Victor Ferreira
Materials 2024, 17(16), 4002; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164002 - 12 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1322
Abstract
Thermoactivated recycled cement (RC) is a growing area of research and development in the cement industry. The approach represents a reversible process of cement hydration in which dehydrated compounds with similar characteristics to cement are obtained by means of thermal activation. To avoid [...] Read more.
Thermoactivated recycled cement (RC) is a growing area of research and development in the cement industry. The approach represents a reversible process of cement hydration in which dehydrated compounds with similar characteristics to cement are obtained by means of thermal activation. To avoid CO2 emissions during the production of such RC, this study assesses the possibility of replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with hardened cement powder (HCP) prepared with different proportions of hydrated lime (HL), relying on a second pozzolanic reaction, and compares it with RC mortars. Due to the thermal activation of HCP, the compressive strength increases by 11.5%. The addition of 8% HL produced an important increase in strength from 28 days to 90 days by 12.8%, although without surpassing the strength values of mortar produced only with HCP or with RC. The compressive strength results suggest the existence of a secondary pozzolanic reaction when using HCP from a cement paste source, but such a pozzolanic reaction was fully perceived in XRD patterns when using concrete as parent material, unlike cement paste, possibly due to large crystalline sand peaks that could have hindered the effective identification of smaller crystalline peaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 9984 KiB  
Article
A Novel Method for Preparing Lightweight and High-Strength Ceramisite Coarse Aggregates from Solid Waste Materials
by Xin Xiong, Zhi Wu, Pengcheng Jiang, Min Lai and Guanghai Cheng
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112613 - 29 May 2024
Viewed by 861
Abstract
A novel method is introduced in this study for producing ceramisite coarse aggregates that are both lightweight and possess high strength. The process involves utilizing fly ash as the primary material, along with coal ash floating beads (CAFBs) that have high softening temperature [...] Read more.
A novel method is introduced in this study for producing ceramisite coarse aggregates that are both lightweight and possess high strength. The process involves utilizing fly ash as the primary material, along with coal ash floating beads (CAFBs) that have high softening temperature and a spherical hollow structure serving as the template for forming pores. This study examined the impact of varying particle size and quantity of floating beads on the composition and characteristics of ceramisite aggregates. Results showed that the high softening temperature of floating beads provided stability to the spherical cavity structure throughout the sintering process. Furthermore, the pore structure could be effectively tailored by manipulating the size and quantity of the floating beads in the manufacturing procedure. The obtained ceramisite aggregates feature a compact outer shell and a cellular inner core with uniformly distributed pores that are isolated from each other and mostly spherical in form. They achieve a low density ranging from 723 to 855 kg/m3, a high cylinder compressive strength between 8.7 and 13.5 MPa, and minimal water absorption rates of 3.00 to 4.09%. The performance metrics of these coarse aggregates significantly exceeded the parameters specified in GB/T 17431.1-2010 standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5011 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Calcium Sources on Mechanical Properties of Metakaolin Geopolymers
by Yiren Wang, Jiangtao Zhang, Jie Liu, Deke Fan, Haiyang Qu, Lingzhu Zhou and Sen Zheng
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2087; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092087 - 29 Apr 2024
Viewed by 871
Abstract
Metakaolin-based geopolymers have substantial potential as replacements for cement, but their relatively inferior mechanical properties restrict their application. This paper aims to enhance the mechanical properties of metakaolin-based geopolymers by incorporating appropriate amounts of calcium sources. CaCO3, Ca(OH)2, and [...] Read more.
Metakaolin-based geopolymers have substantial potential as replacements for cement, but their relatively inferior mechanical properties restrict their application. This paper aims to enhance the mechanical properties of metakaolin-based geopolymers by incorporating appropriate amounts of calcium sources. CaCO3, Ca(OH)2, and CaSO4 are three types of calcium sources commonly found in nature and are widely present in various industrial wastes. Thus, the effects of these three calcium sources on the performance of metakaolin-based geopolymers were studied. Through the analysis of the mechanical properties, heat-release behavior during hydration, hydration products, and microstructure of geopolymers, the effectiveness of the aforementioned calcium sources in improving the performance of metakaolin-based geopolymer was evaluated, and the mechanisms of action were elucidated. The results indicate that the pozzolanic reaction between CH and MK could promote MK hydration and increase the proportion of CASH gel in the hydration products, thereby facilitating the setting of the geopolymer and enhancing its strength. CS could react with the active aluminates in MK to form ettringite, thus forming a higher early strength. CC had a lower reactivity with MK and does not improve the performance of MK-based geopolymers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5128 KiB  
Article
Effect of Public Fillers on Cement-Stabilized Recycled Mixes of Road Performance: Mechanical Properties, Microstructure, and Durability
by Ming Zhang, Chen Cheng, Kingsley Chiang, Xinxin Wang, Yazhi Zhu and Hui Luo
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2018; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092018 - 26 Apr 2024
Viewed by 726
Abstract
In order to address the challenges of resource utilization posed by construction waste, the substitution of natural aggregate (NA) with public fill (PF) contents was investigated for load reclamation and road grassroots applications. A comprehensive assessment of road performance for the recycled mixture [...] Read more.
In order to address the challenges of resource utilization posed by construction waste, the substitution of natural aggregate (NA) with public fill (PF) contents was investigated for load reclamation and road grassroots applications. A comprehensive assessment of road performance for the recycled mixture was conducted, focusing on parameters such as unconfined compressive strength, splitting strength, compressive resilience modulus, dry shrinkage, and frost resistance. Additionally, the impact of incorporating PF at various types and replacement ratios on the microstructure of cement-stabilized aggregate (CSA) was analyzed. The results indicated that the unconfined compressive strength of cement-stabilized recycled mixture with varying PF contents meets the base strength requirements for heavy, medium, and light traffic pavement on secondary and sub-secondary roads in China. Notably, the unconfined compressive strength and resilience modulus follow a similar pattern, reaching their peak at a 25% PF content. Microscopic examination reveals that an appropriate PF content leads to the predominant formation of C(N)-A-S-H, hydrotalcite, Ca(OH)2, and CaCO3 as paste reaction products. As the replacement of public fill increases from 0% to 25%, there is a gradual stacking of gel products, which enhances the compactness of the microstructure by cementing together unreacted particles. Consequently, this process reduces dry shrinkage strain and effectively mitigates the formation of reflection cracks. Applying large quantities of public fill to road construction can effectively deal with various waste accumulation problems and produce a novel road material with significant social, economic, and environmental benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2942 KiB  
Article
Design and Preparation Technology of Green Multiple Solid Waste Cementitious Materials
by Yexin Ge, Xianping Liu, Zhonghe Shui, Xu Gao, Wu Zheng, Zengchao Zhu and Xudong Zhao
Materials 2024, 17(9), 1998; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17091998 - 25 Apr 2024
Viewed by 937
Abstract
For solid waste-based cementitious materials, most scholars focus their research on the hydration reaction of cementitious materials, but there is still a lack of solid waste design that comprehensively considers mechanical properties and durability. Therefore, this article focuses on exploring the mix of [...] Read more.
For solid waste-based cementitious materials, most scholars focus their research on the hydration reaction of cementitious materials, but there is still a lack of solid waste design that comprehensively considers mechanical properties and durability. Therefore, this article focuses on exploring the mix of design and the microscopic and macroscopic properties of multi solid waste cementitious materials (MSWCMs), namely steel slag (SS), slag powder (SP), desulfurization gypsum (DG), fly ash (FA), and ordinary Portland cement (OPC). According to the orthogonal experimental results, the compressive strength of MSWCMs is optimal when the OPC content is 50% and the SS, SP, DG, and FA contents are 10%, 20%, 5%, and 15%, respectively. The MSWCMs group with an OPC content of 50% and SS, SP, DG, and FA contents of 5%, 15%, 5%, and 25% was selected as the control group. The pure OPC group was used as the blank group, and the optimal MSWCMs ratio group had a 28-day compressive strength of 50.7 megapascals, which was 14% and 7.6% higher than the control group and blank group, respectively. The drying shrinkage rate and resistance to chloride ions were also significantly improved, with maximum increases of 22.9%, 22.6%, and 8.9%, 9.8%, respectively. According to XRD, TG-DTG, and NMR testing, the improvement in macroscopic performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect between various solid wastes. This synergistic effect produces more ettringite (AFt) and C-(A)-S-H gel. This study provides a good theoretical basis for improving the comprehensive performance of MSWCMs and is conducive to reducing the use of cement, with significant economic and environmental benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Properties and Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop