Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Pavement Materials, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Aspects in Colloid and Interface Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 1850

Special Issue Editors

School of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Geography Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
Interests: intelligent materials; self-sensing performance; non-destructive testing technology; durability; thermoregulation cement-based materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: mechanical properties of concrete structures; advanced cement-based materials; hydration mechanism of cement
School of Civil Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China
Interests: concrete durability; magnesium based low-carbon cementitious materials; carbon sequestration of cement-based materials; solid waste resource utilization; asphalt
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, the accumulation of solid waste has become a global environmental challenge, posing severe threats to ecological security and sustainable development. The comprehensive utilization of solid waste not only alleviates the pressure of waste disposal but also realizes the recycling of resources, which is of great significance for promoting the low-carbon transformation of the construction industry and building a circular economy system.

Following the previous edition (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/coatings/special_issues/Sustainable_Pavement), we are glad to announce the second volume. This Special Issue "Surface Treatment and Mechanical Properties of Sustainable Pavement Materials, 2nd Edition" focuses on the latest research achievements, technological innovations and practical applications in the field of solid waste resource utilization. We warmly welcome original research papers, review articles and technical notes that cover various aspects of solid waste utilization. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • solid waste resource utilization technology in cement- based materials;
  • performance regulation of solid waste modified asphalt and pavement materials;
  • carbon sequestration and emission reduction in solid waste utilization processes;
  • durability optimization of solid waste-based building materials;
  • hydration mechanism and mechanical properties of solid waste composite materials;
  • low-carbon cementitious materials prepared from solid waste;
  • engineering application cases of comprehensive solid waste utilization.

We sincerely invite researchers, engineers and scholars from around the world to contribute their valuable works to this Special Issue, aiming to promote academic exchanges and technological progress in the field of comprehensive solid waste utilization and provide effective solutions for global environmental protection and sustainable development.

Dr. Hui Wang
Dr. Ge Zhang
Dr. Ling Qin
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • comprehensive utilization of solid waste
  • cement-based materials
  • asphalt
  • low-carbon materials
  • concrete durability
  • surface treatment
  • mechanical properties

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.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 4064 KB  
Article
Study on the Interlayer Contact Mechanism of Foamed Cold-Recycled Asphalt Mixture Under Static Loads
by Han Zhao, Jiangyu Liu and Junyan Yi
Coatings 2026, 16(3), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16030378 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 336
Abstract
To investigate the interlayer contact mechanism of foamed cold-recycled asphalt mixture under static loads, a three-layer asphalt pavement discrete element model (DEM) was established, with the surface layer composed of asphalt concrete-13 (AC-13), asphalt concrete-20 (AC-20) and asphalt-treated base-25 (ATB-25) foamed cold-recycled asphalt [...] Read more.
To investigate the interlayer contact mechanism of foamed cold-recycled asphalt mixture under static loads, a three-layer asphalt pavement discrete element model (DEM) was established, with the surface layer composed of asphalt concrete-13 (AC-13), asphalt concrete-20 (AC-20) and asphalt-treated base-25 (ATB-25) foamed cold-recycled asphalt mixture and cement-stabilized macadam as the base. Based on mortar theory, the pavement was divided into coarse aggregate, asphalt mastic and air void phases, and the Burgers Model, Linear Parallel Bond Model and Linear Model were adopted to characterize the bonding of asphalt-aggregate, cement contact interface and subgrade-surface layer, respectively. Static loads of 0.7 MPa, 1.1 MPa, 1.5 MPa and 1.9 MPa were applied to analyze the mechanical responses of asphalt-based and cement-based pavement systems from tensile strain, vertical compressive stress and vertical displacement. Results showed that mechanical indices of the pavement increase monotonically with static load and present obvious layered distribution. The cement-stabilized macadam base provides rigid support, significantly reducing tensile strain (TS) and vertical displacement (VD) of asphalt layers, while the asphalt-based system has flexible stress transfer and superior stress dissipation in the bottom layer. The two systems exhibit respective structural advantages, with the cement-based system outstanding in deformation control and the asphalt-based system suitable for flexible stress adaptation working conditions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2724 KB  
Article
Mix Design and Performance Regulation of Calcium Carbide Slag–Silica Fume-Based Lightweight Fluid Solidified Soil
by Yongkang Wang, Qicheng Jian, Jikai Fu, Xianghui Kong, Jiaxiang Fang, Lipeng Lu, Maolin Wang and Yilong Li
Coatings 2026, 16(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16020256 - 18 Feb 2026
Viewed by 573
Abstract
Calcium carbide slag and silica fume was used as a cement replacement material, combined with excavated soil and EPS (expanded polystyrene) particles, to develop a new green and low-carbon lightweight fluid solidified soil (LFSS). Focusing on the performance regulation of LFSS, this study [...] Read more.
Calcium carbide slag and silica fume was used as a cement replacement material, combined with excavated soil and EPS (expanded polystyrene) particles, to develop a new green and low-carbon lightweight fluid solidified soil (LFSS). Focusing on the performance regulation of LFSS, this study adopted the paste volume ratio (PV, defined as the volume ratio of paste to total mixture) and the water–binder ratio (w/b) to systematically construct a mix ratio design system and proposed EPS particle interface modification and shell formation technology to improve the weak interface bonding between EPS and the matrix. Firstly, based on the paste volume method, the effects of PV and w/b on the flowability and strength of LFSS were analyzed, and a linear correlation model between the water–solid volume ratio and flowability, as well as a quadratic function prediction model for 28-day strength, was established. Secondly, the “core–shell structure” of EPS particles was constructed by combining EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) modification with the coating of calcium carbide slag–silica fume paste. Considering the influence of the coating method, w/b, and material mass ratio on interface bonding comprehensively, the optimal process parameters were determined to achieve the interface reinforcement of EPS particle. The results showed that the water–solid volume ratio was significantly linearly correlated with the flowability of LFSS. PV and w/b respectively controlled the framework formation and pore structure evolution of LFSS, with optimal overall performance at PV = 0.55 and w/b = 2.5. The modification shell formation significantly reduced the shell loss rate of EPS particles and increased the 28-day compressive strength of LFSS by 21.7%. SEM (scanning electron microscope) and EDS (energy-dispersive spectroscopy) analysis further revealed that the shell-formation technique promoted the densification of the interface transition zone, enhanced the deposition of hydration products, and strengthened the synergistic effect of Na and Ca elements, thereby significantly improving interface bonding and overall structural stability. This study established a “mix ratio optimization-modification and shell formation” dual-regulation mechanism, providing an effective technical approach and theoretical basis for the engineering application of calcium carbide slag–silica fume-based LFSS. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 4907 KB  
Article
Uniaxial Tensile Stress–Crack Width Relationship of 3D/4D/5D Steel-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
by Danying Gao, Kaipeng Zhang, Chong Ding and Zhe Fang
Coatings 2026, 16(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16020217 - 8 Feb 2026
Viewed by 639
Abstract
Steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC), as a composite engineering material, exhibits excellent physical and mechanical properties, making it widely applied in civil engineering, construction, water conservancy, transportation, and port industries. To date, significant progress has been made in the research of plain and single-hook (3D) [...] Read more.
Steel-fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC), as a composite engineering material, exhibits excellent physical and mechanical properties, making it widely applied in civil engineering, construction, water conservancy, transportation, and port industries. To date, significant progress has been made in the research of plain and single-hook (3D) steel-fiber-reinforced concrete both domestically and internationally. With advancements in technology, multi-end hooked 4D and 5D steel fibers have emerged, offering more end hooks and a higher tensile strength. These fibers possess a stronger anchorage capacity with the matrix, and SFRC with multi-end hooked fibers exhibits superior tensile and flexural properties. However, research on multi-end hooked (4D and 5D) steel-fiber-reinforced concrete is still in its early stages, particularly regarding the axial tensile stress–crack width constitutive relationship. The accuracy and rationality of this constitutive relationship directly affect the reliability and precision of structural design. Therefore, in this study, a novel σ-w constitutive relationship model for steel-fiber-reinforced concrete and an axial tensile stress–crack width testing method for SFRC are proposed, based on 16 sets of uniaxial tensile tests. This model considers the comprehensive effects of the concrete matrix, fiber bridging, fiber volume fraction, fiber shape factor (effects of the number of hooked ends), aspect ratio, and crack width. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop