Surface Treatments and Coatings for Asphalt and Concrete

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Functional Polymer Coatings and Films".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 14 November 2025 | Viewed by 2144

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Interests: civil engineering materials; green bridges in cold regions; solid waste recycling and reuse
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2540 Dole Street, Holmes Hall 383, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Interests: advancing infrastructure sustainability, with expertise in simulating infrastructure behavior under multi-hazard conditions; utilizing machine learning for structural health monitoring, and developing innovative repair techniques with advanced materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Asphalt and recycled concrete, as indispensable construction materials for modern buildings and infrastructure, support many structures, from roads to bridges and buildings, thanks to their high strength, durability, and flexibility. However, the long-term exposure of these materials to the natural environment can lead to surface degradation, such as aging and cracking of asphalt and the corrosion of recycled concrete, thereby affecting the stability and lifespan of the overall structure. Therefore, the development of surface treatment and coating technologies has become crucial for extending the service life of these materials. For asphalt, surface treatment technologies range from rejuvenators to restore flexibility to adding overlay materials to enhance waterproofing and abrasion resistance. For concrete, it involves the application of anticorrosive coatings such as epoxy resins, polyurethanes, and FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Polymer), which form a protective barrier effectively isolating the intrusion of moisture, oxygen, and harmful chemicals, thus enhancing the durability of the structure. The selection and application of these coatings require consideration of material chemical compatibility, adhesion, weatherability, balance, ease of construction, and cost-effectiveness.

To delve deeper into this field, we plan to publish a Special Issue on surface treatment and coatings for asphalt and concrete. The aim is to bring together the latest research findings from researchers and promote technological innovation.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Interface performance of asphalt and recycled concrete;
  • Latest advancements in corrosion-resistant coatings for materials;
  • Development and application of high-performance and environmentally friendly coatings;
  • Ev durability and long-term performance prediction of coatings;
  • Surface treatment strategies for special environments (e.g., extreme climates, cold regions, marine environments).

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Dr. Long Liu from Anyang Institute of Technology, China, for his time and effort in contributing to this Special Issue.

Dr. Yongcheng Ji
Dr. Jun Wang
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. Coatings 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

  • protective corrosion coatings
  • extreme environments
  • performance modeling
  • recycled concrete
  • asphalt
  • fiber-reinforced polymer

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 12386 KiB  
Article
Interfacial Damage Mechanisms and Performance Prediction in Recycled Aggregate Concrete
by Siyu Zhang, Yongcheng Ji and Xiangwei Hao
Coatings 2025, 15(4), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15040441 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 258
Abstract
To address the growing demand for sustainable construction and efficient recycling of waste concrete resources, this study investigates the interfacial performance and mechanical property prediction of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) under varying recycled aggregate (RA) replacement ratios (r = 0%, 30%, 60%, 100%). [...] Read more.
To address the growing demand for sustainable construction and efficient recycling of waste concrete resources, this study investigates the interfacial performance and mechanical property prediction of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) under varying recycled aggregate (RA) replacement ratios (r = 0%, 30%, 60%, 100%). A comprehensive experimental program was implemented, including uniaxial compression tests and microscopic characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to evaluate the macro- and microscale damage evolution and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) properties of RAC. Based on Weibull’s statistical strength theory, a constitutive model for RAC under compression was developed, and a two-dimensional random aggregate model was implemented in Abaqus to simulate the damage initiation and propagation processes at different replacement ratios. The results demonstrate that the compressive strength of RAC decreases as the RA replacement ratio increases, while the optimal interfacial and mechanical performance is achieved at a 30% replacement ratio. The study reveals that failure in RAC initiates at the ITZ between the recycled aggregates and cement matrix, subsequently propagating to complete structural failure. The proposed constitutive model accurately predicts the stress–strain behavior of RAC across different replacement ratios, showing excellent agreement with experimental data. These findings provide valuable insights into the interfacial performance and failure mechanisms of RAC, offering a theoretical foundation for optimizing the design and application of recycled aggregate concrete in sustainable engineering projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatments and Coatings for Asphalt and Concrete)
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14 pages, 5372 KiB  
Article
Self-Crosslinking Waterborne Acrylate Modified Emulsified Asphalt via DAAM-ADH: A Dual-Enhanced Solution for Pavement Performance
by Jianhui Xu, Zhaoyi He, Haiying Li, Shutong Tang, Jie Wang, Jing Dang and Yuanyuan Li
Coatings 2025, 15(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15040420 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 139
Abstract
Emulsified asphalt is widely used for pavement maintenance due to its ease of application. However, its use is limited by poor high-temperature stability and low bonding strength. This study attempted to prepare a self-crosslinking waterborne acrylate (SWA)-type admixture using a diacetone acrylamide (DAAM)-adipic [...] Read more.
Emulsified asphalt is widely used for pavement maintenance due to its ease of application. However, its use is limited by poor high-temperature stability and low bonding strength. This study attempted to prepare a self-crosslinking waterborne acrylate (SWA)-type admixture using a diacetone acrylamide (DAAM)-adipic dihydrazide (ADH) crosslinking system and applied it to emulsified asphalt to ultimately obtain self-crosslinking waterborne acrylate-modified emulsified asphalt (AMEA). The research explored the effects of SWA on the fundamental properties, rheological characteristics, microscopic morphology, and bonding performance of AMEA. Results indicated that SWA undergoes self-crosslinking reactions during the demulsification process, forming a continuous and stable network structure that significantly enhances the strength of emulsified asphalt while improving softening point and high-temperature stability. Rheological analysis revealed that within the 10–15 phr dosage range, the influence of frequency on emulsified asphalt was minimized, with notable improvements in high-temperature elastic recovery and deformation resistance. Particularly when the dosage exceeds 10 phr, the material demonstrates adaptability to high-traffic environments. Pull-off tests demonstrated that SWA can increase the interlayer bonding strength of emulsified asphalt by over 50%. However, SWA exhibits some negative impact on the low-temperature ductility of emulsified asphalt, necessitating cautious dosage control during application. This novel self-crosslinking waterborne acrylate-modified emulsified asphalt, with its excellent bonding performance and superior high-temperature stability, emerges as a crucial material choice for pavement preventive maintenance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatments and Coatings for Asphalt and Concrete)
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18 pages, 1902 KiB  
Article
Research on TPS-SBS Composite-Modified Asphalt with High Viscosity and High Elasticity in Cold Regions
by Dong Wang, Decheng Feng, Zhiguo Chen, Zengxin Liu, Wenhui Zhang, Junwen Lei, Dongdong Yao, Junyan Yi and Zhongshi Pei
Coatings 2025, 15(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15010108 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 786
Abstract
Considering the harsh service environment of asphalt pavements in cold regions, there is an urgent need to develop high-viscosity, and high-elasticity modified asphalt. This study focuses on the composite modification effects of SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) and TPS (TAFPACK-Super) modifiers. A multivariate regression analysis model [...] Read more.
Considering the harsh service environment of asphalt pavements in cold regions, there is an urgent need to develop high-viscosity, and high-elasticity modified asphalt. This study focuses on the composite modification effects of SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) and TPS (TAFPACK-Super) modifiers. A multivariate regression analysis model was established to evaluate the effects of different external additive proportions on the properties of high-viscosity and high-elasticity modified asphalt, including softening point, penetration, ductility, and dynamic viscosity. The results indicate that the constructed quadratic nonlinear regression models exhibit excellent goodness of fit (0.929, 0.994, 0.882, and 0.939), verifying their reliability. The model further elucidates the influence patterns of different materials on asphalt properties: SBS has the greatest impact on the softening point and dynamic viscosity, TPS significantly enhances ductility, while aromatic oil primarily affects penetration. By considering performance and cost, an optimized formulation for TPS-SBS composite-modified asphalt was determined: 9% SBS, 1% TPS, and 3% aromatic oil. Validation tests demonstrate that the modified asphalt prepared with the optimal formulation meets all performance criteria, with a dynamic viscosity of 55.32 × 104 Pa·s at 60 °C. Additionally, this composite-modified asphalt exhibits excellent aging resistance, construction workability, and high-temperature stability, providing scientific support and reference for the development of durable asphalt pavements in cold regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatments and Coatings for Asphalt and Concrete)
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20 pages, 9876 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Fatigue Performance in Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with Engineered Cementitious Composite Layers and Steel Plates
by Dongsheng Lei, Long Liu, Xingpeng Ma, Mingdi Luo and Yanfen Gong
Coatings 2025, 15(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15010054 - 6 Jan 2025
Viewed by 723
Abstract
Reinforcing concrete beams with adhesive steel plates is a widely adopted method for enhancing structural performance. However, its ability to significantly improve the load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is constrained and often leads to “over-reinforced” failure. To overcome these limitations, this [...] Read more.
Reinforcing concrete beams with adhesive steel plates is a widely adopted method for enhancing structural performance. However, its ability to significantly improve the load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is constrained and often leads to “over-reinforced” failure. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces a novel composite reinforcement strategy that integrates steel plates in the tensile zone with Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) layers in the compression zone of RC beams. Static and fatigue tests were conducted on the reinforced beams, and a finite element model was developed to perform nonlinear analyses of their structural behavior under cyclic loading. The model incorporates the nonlinear material properties of concrete and rebar, enabling accurate simulation of material degradation under cyclic conditions. The model’s accuracy was validated through comparison with experimental data, demonstrating its effectiveness in analyzing the structural performance of RC beams under cyclic loading. Furthermore, a parametric study demonstrated that increasing the thickness of steel plates and ECC layers substantially improves the beams’ ductility and load-carrying capacity. These findings provide effective reinforcement strategies and offer valuable technical insights for engineering design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surface Treatments and Coatings for Asphalt and Concrete)
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