Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.4
3.1
Journals
Buildings
Special Issues
Characterization and Design of Cement and Concrete Materials
share announcement

Characterization and Design of Cement and Concrete Materials

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 3859

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Muhan Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China
Interests: cement & concrete materials; environmentally friendly building materials; admixture; computation materials; molecular simulation; surface & interface
Dr. Zhipeng Li

E-Mail
Guest Editor
School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Ji’nan 250357, China
Interests: civil engineering; cement & concrete materials; structural engineering; geotechnical engineering; molecular modelling
Dr. Yu Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Interests: civil engineering; cement & concrete materials; sustainable concrete; computation materials; molecular simulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cement and concrete stand out as the predominant materials in construction, surpassing the combined usage of all other construction materials. Their inherent properties wield significant influence over building performance, making the characterization and enhancement of these materials imperative in light of increasingly stringent service and environmental standards. The initial step toward a comprehensive understanding of concrete involves meticulous characterization. This entails the focal point being micro or macro experiments, along with model methods. Taking the process a step further, there exists a critical need to scientifically and efficiently design cement-based materials informed by these characterizations. Simultaneously, emphasis is placed on identifying hydration products, composites and carbon neutrality inherent in various cementitious materials, a pursuit actively encouraged through the thorough process of characterization and subsequent design. The seamless flow from material characterization to design encapsulates the ultimate objective: achieving the optimal performance and sustainability of cement and concrete in the realm of construction.

The word cement is interpreted in a wide sense, including not only Portland-based materials but, also blended cement and other binding materials.

In doing so, this Special Issue will focus on reporting the interesting results of research on the properties and performance of cement and concrete materials. This issue of cement is interpreted including not only Portland-based materials, but also blended cement and other binding materials. Contributions are expected to cover the topics listed below, but more topics can be included if they fit the field:

  • Comments and deep thinking on the significance of cement characterization and design (invited only);
  • Development of new characterization methods;
  • Revealing the relationship between characterization and design;
  • Characterization by modeling;
  • Advanced techniques for cement characterization;
  • Cutting-edge cement-based material design;
  • The chemical reaction of hydration, pozzolanic, alkali-activated process or any other process in cement (or concrete) generation.

Dr. Muhan Wang
Dr. Zhipeng Li
Dr. Yu Zhang
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. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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

  • concrete
  • cement
  • characterization
  • hydration
  • material design
  • modeling

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 (5 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

15 pages, 5667 KiB  
Article
A Mesoscale Comparative Analysis of the Elastic Modulus in Rock-Filled Concrete for Structural Applications
by Muhammad Ibrar Ihteshaam, Feng Jin and Xiaorong Xu
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3171; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103171 - 5 Oct 2024
Viewed by 823
Abstract
Rock-filled concrete (RFC) is an advanced construction material that integrates high-performance self-compacting concrete (HSCC) with large rocks exceeding 300 mm, providing advantages such as reduced hydration heat and increased construction processes. The elastic modulus of RFC is a critical parameter that directly influences [...] Read more.
Rock-filled concrete (RFC) is an advanced construction material that integrates high-performance self-compacting concrete (HSCC) with large rocks exceeding 300 mm, providing advantages such as reduced hydration heat and increased construction processes. The elastic modulus of RFC is a critical parameter that directly influences its structural performance, making it vital for modern construction applications that require strength and stiffness. However, there is a scientific gap in understanding the effects of rock size, shape, arrangement, and volumetric ratio on this parameter. This study investigates these factors using mesoscale finite element models (FEMs) with spherical and polyhedral rocks. The results reveal that polyhedral rocks increase the elastic modulus compared to spherical rocks, enhancing RFC’s load-bearing capacity. Additionally, a 5% increase in the elastic modulus was observed when the rockfill ratio was increased from 50% to 60%, demonstrating a direct correlation between rock volume and mechanical performance. Furthermore, the elastic modulus rises significantly in the early stages of placement, followed by a gradual increase over time. Optimal rock sizes and a balanced mix of rock shapes allow for improved concrete flow and mechanical properties, making RFC a highly efficient material for construction. These findings offer valuable insights for designers and engineers looking to optimize RFC for structural applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Design of Cement and Concrete Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 4289 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Flexural Performance of Sintered Sludge Ash-Modified Cement Paste Using Surface Cracks and Fracture Toughness
by Zhengfeng He, Zhuofan Wu, Jian Liu, Qi Wang, Liling Zhuang, Shumin Wang and Qingxin Zhao
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3070; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103070 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 471
Abstract
Sintered sludge ash (SSA) represents a promising alternative to traditional cement, offering a potential pathway for reducing carbon emissions. This study examined the flexural performance of SSA-modified cement paste (SSC paste) at varying SSA proportions (S0 (0%), S1 (5%), S2 (15%), and S3 [...] Read more.
Sintered sludge ash (SSA) represents a promising alternative to traditional cement, offering a potential pathway for reducing carbon emissions. This study examined the flexural performance of SSA-modified cement paste (SSC paste) at varying SSA proportions (S0 (0%), S1 (5%), S2 (15%), and S3 (25%)) and employed innovative digital image correlation (DIC) technology to track the evolution of surface cracks during flexural strength testing. Furthermore, Griffith’s theory of fracture toughness was employed to evaluate the fracture performance of SSC paste. The observations of flexural strength at 3, 7, and 28 days indicated that the content of SSA had an adverse effect on flexural performance. Furthermore, the monitoring of cracks confirmed the practicality of DIC in evaluating flexural properties. The analysis of maximum strain and crack propagation via DIC revealed a distinct trend: the presence of 5% SSA inhibited crack propagation and enhanced flexural ductility, whereas the presence of 25% SSA produced the opposite effect. This was corroborated by fracture toughness calculations based on Griffith’s theory. It is noteworthy that 15% SSA represented a critical threshold that delineated variations in flexural strength, ductility, and fracture toughness, which may be linked to the Ca/Si and Ca/Al ratios in the composite matrix. This study demonstrates the innovative application of digital image correlation (DIC) in the monitoring of crack behavior and offers new insights into the crucial proportion of SSA that affects the mechanical properties of SSC paste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Design of Cement and Concrete Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 7082 KiB  
Article
Protective Effects of Small Molecular Inhibitors on Steel Corrosion: The Generation of a Multi-Electric Layer on Passivation Films
by Shenrong Wu, Chengbo Liu, Hongjian Xu, Feng Guo, Feixiang Chen, Mengmeng Li and Pan Wang
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2558; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082558 - 20 Aug 2024
Viewed by 441
Abstract
The durability of reinforced concrete structures is significantly influenced by the effectiveness of small molecular inhibitors in preventing the corrosion of steel reinforcements. In a concrete environment, the passive film on steel bars serves as a critical protective component. In this study, a [...] Read more.
The durability of reinforced concrete structures is significantly influenced by the effectiveness of small molecular inhibitors in preventing the corrosion of steel reinforcements. In a concrete environment, the passive film on steel bars serves as a critical protective component. In this study, a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is used to study the inhibition mechanism of chloride ions by common corrosion inhibitors (2-Amino-2-thiazoline) in concrete in an excess chloride solution. The results reveal that inhibitors adsorb onto the steel surface primarily through van der Waals forces, with more than 90% of the adsorption occurring vertically. Despite this strong adsorption, inhibitors alone do not form a protective film. In the presence of chloride ions, which frequently penetrate concrete, the coverage rate of inhibitors on the steel surface decreases from 74% to 64%. Nevertheless, inhibitor molecules still provide substantial protection in chloride-rich concrete environments. Further analysis indicates that inhibitor molecules inhibit chloride ions in two ways. Corrosion inhibitor molecules actively desorb from the steel surface to capture chloride ions and prevent them from approaching. Additionally, inhibitors form a multi-electron layer on the steel surface to enhance passive film protection and hinder chloride ion diffusion through Coulombic interactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Design of Cement and Concrete Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 3500 KiB  
Article
An Experimental Study on the Performance of Materials for Repairing Cracks in Tunnel Linings under Erosive Environments
by Wenliang Zhang, Yufeng Wang, Xiaocong Nan, Shangqu Sun, Yanhui Ma and Yankai Wu
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082427 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 793
Abstract
Addressing the current lining cracking problem in coastal tunnels, this paper independently introduces a novel type of repair material for tunnel lining cracks—the composite repair material consisting of waterborne epoxy resin and ultrafine cement (referred to as EC composite repair material). Through indoor [...] Read more.
Addressing the current lining cracking problem in coastal tunnels, this paper independently introduces a novel type of repair material for tunnel lining cracks—the composite repair material consisting of waterborne epoxy resin and ultrafine cement (referred to as EC composite repair material). Through indoor testing, we have analyzed the change rule of the mass change rate, compressive strength, flexural strength, and chloride ion concentration of the repair material samples in erosive environments, with the dosage of each component in the EC composite repair material being varied. We have also investigated the working performance, mechanical properties, and microstructure of the repair material. The results of this study show that when the proportion of each component of ultrafine cement, waterborne epoxy resin, waterborne epoxy curing agent, waterborne polyurethane, defoamer, and water is 100:50:50:2.5:0.5:30, the performance of the EC composite repair material in a chloride ion-rich environment is optimal in all aspects. When the mixing ratio of each component of the EC composite repair material is as stated above, the repair material exhibits the best performance in a chloride ion erosion environment. With this ratio of components in the EC composite repair material, the fluidity, setting time, compressive strength, flexural strength, and bond strength of the repair material in a chloride ion erosion environment can meet the requirements of relevant specifications, and it is highly effective in repairing tunnel lining cracks. The polymeric film formed by the reaction between the waterborne epoxy resin emulsion and the curing agent fills the pores between the hydration products, resulting in a densely packed internal structure of EC composite repair material with enhanced erosion resistance, making it very suitable for repairing cracks in tunnel linings in erosive environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Design of Cement and Concrete Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6328 KiB  
Article
Metal–Organic Frameworks-Derived FeCo/C–CNT Nanocomposites Modified Epoxy Resin for Electromagnetic Protection Coatings for Buildings
by Dongyi Lei, Jiaxin Liu, Chengkan Liu, Chunlei Dong, Donglei Yang, Ying Li, Jiqing Zhang, Feizi Han and Zihan Guo
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14041096 - 15 Apr 2024
Viewed by 858
Abstract
Exploring an efficient electromagnetic protection strategy for buildings is of great significance to solve the problems caused by increasing electromagnetic pollution, as the rapid progress of technology continues. In this work, FeCo alloy/carbon–carbon nanotube (FeCo/C–CNT) nanocomposites, with significant microwave absorption performance, were successfully [...] Read more.
Exploring an efficient electromagnetic protection strategy for buildings is of great significance to solve the problems caused by increasing electromagnetic pollution, as the rapid progress of technology continues. In this work, FeCo alloy/carbon–carbon nanotube (FeCo/C–CNT) nanocomposites, with significant microwave absorption performance, were successfully synthesized using a simple pyrolysis method involving FeCo–ZIF MOFs precursors and added to epoxy resin to prepare a novel electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) coating. The minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of the coating applied on the surface of the ceramic tiles was −23.89 dB at 11.37 GHz and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) reached 8.85 GHz. Through microscopic characterization and analysis of the electromagnetic parameters of the FeCo/C–CNT nanocomposites, it was found that the EWA coating has an ultrabroad band wave absorption effect, mainly due to the comprehensive advantages of the polarization loss from CNTs, impedance matching, the dual loss synergy effect, and multiple reflection between the FeCo alloys, the carbon layer, and the CNTs. This study has successfully developed high-performance EWA materials and demonstrated the feasibility of an EWA coating applied to building surfaces, contributing to the improvement of electromagnetic protection functions of buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Design of Cement and Concrete Materials)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop