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J. Compos. Sci.
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Novel Cement and Concrete Materials
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Novel Cement and Concrete Materials

A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Composites Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 5585

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ying-Liang Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Interests: cement and concrete materials; porous, lightweight, and heat-control materials; material separation and concentration; recycling technologies; waste management
Dr. Pai-Haung Shih

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Interests: waste treatment; reuse and recycling, eco-materials; concrete material technology; civil engineering materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cement and concrete materials are common and important composites for modern construction and buildings. Novel cement and concrete materials have attracted much attention in recent years since they possess some technological and environmental advances. Traditional cement and concrete materials are mainly used to provide mechanical strength to construction and building materials, and the production processes consume a lot of resources and energy. Different from traditional concrete materials, novel cement and concrete materials not only provide mechanical strength, but also have functional or environmental benefits, such as lightweight, thermal insulation, thermal energy storage, uses of wastes materials, low energy consumption, and low carbon emissions. This Special Issue aims to compile the latest progress being made in research on the functions and sustainability of novel cement and concrete materials. The functions and sustainability of cement/concrete materials are generally related to the energy saving, waste recycling, and carbon emission reduction. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but need not be limited to) the following:

  • Foam concrete/aerated concrete;
  • Lightweight aggregate concrete;
  • Recycled aggregate concrete;
  • Use of waste materials in concrete;
  • Phase change materials (use in construction materials);
  • Geopolymers;
  • Self-healing concrete;
  • Functional concrete materials;
  • Durability of cement concrete;
  • Low-carbon cement;
  • Magnesium phosphate cements cement;
  • Calcium carbonate cement;
  • Low-heat Portland cement;
  • Eco-cements.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ying-Liang Chen
Dr. Pai-Haung Shih
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. Journal of Composites Science 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 1800 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

  • lightweight concrete
  • portland cement
  • low carbon emissions
  • phase change materials
  • recycling
  • durability
  • energy saving
  • thermal insulation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 6795 KiB  
Article
Specific Design of a Self-Compacting Concrete with Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade
by Manuel Hernando-Revenga, Víctor Revilla-Cuesta, Nerea Hurtado-Alonso, Javier Manso-Morato and Vanesa Ortega-López
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120540 - 19 Dec 2024
Abstract
Wind-turbine blades pose significant disposal challenges in the wind-energy sector due to the increasing demand for wind farms. Therefore, this study researched the revaluation of Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade (RCWTB), obtained through a non-selective blade crushing process, as a partial substitute for aggregates in [...] Read more.
Wind-turbine blades pose significant disposal challenges in the wind-energy sector due to the increasing demand for wind farms. Therefore, this study researched the revaluation of Raw-Crushed Wind-Turbine Blade (RCWTB), obtained through a non-selective blade crushing process, as a partial substitute for aggregates in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). The aim was to determine the most adequate water/cement (w/c) ratio and amount of superplasticizing admixtures required to achieve adequate flowability and 7-day compressive strength in SCC for increasing proportions of RCWTB, through the production of more than 40 SCC mixes. The results reported that increasing RCWTB additions decreased the slump flow of SCC by 6.58% per 1% RCWTB on average, as well as the compressive strength, although a minimum value of 25 MPa was always reached. Following a multi-criteria decision-making analysis, a w/c ratio of 0.45 and a superplasticizer content of 2.8% of the cement mass were optimum to produce SCC with up to 2% RCWTB. A w/c ratio of 0.50 and an amount of superplasticizers of 4.0% and 4.6% were optimum to produce SCC with 3% and 4% RCWTB, respectively. Concrete mixes containing 5% RCWTB did not achieve self-compacting properties under any design condition. All modifications of the SCC mix design showed statistically significant effects according to an analysis of variance at a confidence level of 95%. Overall, this study confirms that the incorporation of RCWTB into SCC through a careful mix design is feasible in terms of flowability and compressive strength, opening a new research avenue for the recycling of wind-turbine blades as an SCC component. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Cement and Concrete Materials)
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19 pages, 3280 KiB  
Article
Environmental Implications of Using Waste Glass as Aggregate in Concrete
by Robert Lopez and Charbel El-Fata
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120507 - 5 Dec 2024
Viewed by 445
Abstract
Approximately 10 billion tons of fine and coarse aggregate are manufactured worldwide annually, solely to be used as concrete for constructed structures. With approximately 80% of conventional concrete comprising sand and stone, activities in their extraction and relocation harm the natural environment. Manufacturing [...] Read more.
Approximately 10 billion tons of fine and coarse aggregate are manufactured worldwide annually, solely to be used as concrete for constructed structures. With approximately 80% of conventional concrete comprising sand and stone, activities in their extraction and relocation harm the natural environment. Manufacturing concrete causes substantial amounts of ecological damage and energy consumption. The replacement of natural aggregate with waste glass, therefore, theoretically removes this environmental damage and energy consumption. The research presented in this paper tested the theory that waste glass concrete aggregate represents a potential solution to curtail the adverse impact of concrete on the natural environment. Testing this theory entailed the review of the existing literature and analyses of the findings from a survey of 107 organizations situated in five countries within the concrete manufacturing supply chain. The findings of this research demonstrate that environmental implications exist with the use of both natural aggregate and glass waste. Significant CO2 reductions can be achieved by using glass as aggregate in concrete. This is found to be up to 60% and 65% for fine and coarse aggregates, respectively. In addition, using glass in its aggregate can potentially improve the strength of concrete. With a concrete grade of 20, an improved compressive strength test of up to 10 could be possible. Similarly, with concrete grades of 25 and 30, an improved tensile strength test of up to 9 could be possible. This depends on differences in the percentage of natural aggregate that has been substituted with glass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Cement and Concrete Materials)
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19 pages, 16179 KiB  
Article
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Lunar-Based Geopolymer: Curing Conditions
by Janell Prater and Young Hoon Kim
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120492 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 556
Abstract
Current space exploration focuses on returning to the Moon to expand space exploration capacity by improving technology. The long-term presence of humans and robots on the Moon requires the development of durable habitats for space missions. In recent decades, in situ resource utilization [...] Read more.
Current space exploration focuses on returning to the Moon to expand space exploration capacity by improving technology. The long-term presence of humans and robots on the Moon requires the development of durable habitats for space missions. In recent decades, in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for construction materials has been recognized as a viable option. However, the addition of nanomaterials, which exhibit a high strength-to-weight ratio, has not been incorporated with the ISRU framework in space missions. This paper investigates the impact of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on lunar simulant-based geopolymers’ compressive strength and water retention. The evaluation of water retention indicates another potential in water recapturing capability. In this study, CNTs can enhance the mechanical properties of lunar simulant-based geopolymer. Two lunar simulants were used, representing the Highland and Mare regions of the Moon. Experimental variables included CNT concentration, four curing regimes (ambient curing, two oven-curing methods, and microwave radiation), and dispersion time in aqueous solutions. Results showed that CNTs can positively influence both strength gain and water retention during curing regimes, but the extent of influence appears to be dependent on simulant type and curing regime. The Highland simulant consistently outperformed the Mare simulant in oven-curing regimes from a strength perspective, regardless of CNT presence. The strength benefits of CNTs were more pronounced at ambient curing temperatures. Even under poor curing conditions—where water availability may be limited at temperatures of 80 °C—CNTs aid in retaining water within the geopolymer matrix, leading to improved strength compared to counterparts. Under the same conditions, a higher concentration of CNTs further confirmed their role in water retention during geopolymerization, with consistently greater water retention observed in samples containing CNTs. Additionally, microwave radiation was explored as an alternative to conventional oven drying, showing potential for reducing curing duration. Finally, the findings suggest that combining CNTs and microwave radiation could enhance water recovery and reuse, contributing to the development of high-strength infrastructure materials on the Moon with reduced energy and cost requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Cement and Concrete Materials)
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26 pages, 13491 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study on the Impact of Various Non-Metallic Fibres on High-Performance Concrete Properties
by Aleksandrs Korjakins, Girts Kolendo, Vitalijs Lusis, Laura Spure, Kaspars Bondars, Diana Bajare and Genadijs Sahmenko
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(11), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110476 - 17 Nov 2024
Viewed by 562
Abstract
The performance of high-performance concrete has been enhanced in the present study by incorporating non-metallic fibres without altering the binder content. The impact of these fibres on high-performance concrete flexural and compression characteristics and the arrangement of fibres within the composite were systematically [...] Read more.
The performance of high-performance concrete has been enhanced in the present study by incorporating non-metallic fibres without altering the binder content. The impact of these fibres on high-performance concrete flexural and compression characteristics and the arrangement of fibres within the composite were systematically analysed. Unlike conventional practices, the authors of the research introduce various non-metallic fibres, including alkali-resistant glass fibres, carbon microfibers, three types of polypropylene microfibers, and one type of polyvinyl alcohol fibre while maintaining an equal amount of binder. The research aims to comprehensively evaluate the fibre’s influence on cement composite properties. Various types of non-metallic fibres, highlighting differences in diameters and their physical-mechanical properties with a constant amount by volume, have been considered in the research. Alkali-resistant glass and carbon fibres exhibit low values of residual post-cracking force but polyvinyl alcohol fibres demonstrate the best post-cracking behaviour, with a residual post-cracking force value. This detailed examination of fibre distribution and composition sheds light on the nuanced effects on fresh and hardened concrete properties. Notably, this work diverges from existing research by maintaining a constant binder amount and considering the quantitative distribution of fibres in a unit volume of the cement matrix, along with their aspect ratio. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting the most suitable non-metallic fibres for enhancing high-performance concrete properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Cement and Concrete Materials)
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28 pages, 13055 KiB  
Article
Structural Behavior of Full-Depth Deck Panels Having Developed Closure Strips Reinforced with GFRP Bars and Filled with UHPFRC
by Mahmoud Sayed Ahmed, Khaled Sennah and Hamdy M. Afefy
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(11), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110468 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 609
Abstract
The adoption of prefabricated elements and systems (PBES) in accelerating bridge construction (ABC) and rapidly replacing aging infrastructure has attracted considerable attention from bridge authorities. These prefabricated components facilitate quick assembly, which diminishes the environmental footprint at the construction site, alleviates delays and [...] Read more.
The adoption of prefabricated elements and systems (PBES) in accelerating bridge construction (ABC) and rapidly replacing aging infrastructure has attracted considerable attention from bridge authorities. These prefabricated components facilitate quick assembly, which diminishes the environmental footprint at the construction site, alleviates delays and lane closures, reduces disruption for the traveling public, and ultimately conserves both time and taxpayer resources. The current paper explores the structural behavior of a reinforced concrete (RC) precast full-depth deck panel (FDDP) having 175 mm projected glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars embedded into a 200 mm wide closure strip filled with ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Three joint details for moment-resisting connections (MRCs), named the angle joint, C-joint, and zigzag joint, were constructed and loaded to collapse. The controlled slabs and mid-span-connected precast FDDPs were statically loaded to collapse under concentric or eccentric wheel loading. The moment capacity of the controlled slab reinforced with GFRP bars compared with the concrete slab reinforced with steel reinforcing bars was less than 15% for the same reinforcement ratio. The precast FDDPs showed very similar results to those of the controlled slab reinforced with GFRP bars. The RC slab reinforced by steel reinforcing bars failed in the flexural mode, while the slab reinforced by GFRP bars failed in flexural-shear one. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Cement and Concrete Materials)
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22 pages, 7261 KiB  
Article
Numerical Analysis of the Bond Behaviour of High-Strength Concrete-Filled Steel Square Columns with Different Shear Connectors
by Mouloud Boudali Errebai, Abd Nacer Touati Ihaddoudene and Messaoud Saidani
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(11), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110443 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 630
Abstract
This paper deals with a numerical method of analysis of the performance of shear connectors in transferring load in high-strength concrete-filled steel tube square sections. The novelty of the model is that it considers all the important parameters that affect performance at once: [...] Read more.
This paper deals with a numerical method of analysis of the performance of shear connectors in transferring load in high-strength concrete-filled steel tube square sections. The novelty of the model is that it considers all the important parameters that affect performance at once: bond strength, the transfer rate of each connector, and the stress distribution and deformation of each element. Four specimens fabricated using different types of connectors were validated using ABAQUS version 2017 software. The deformation of the connectors, concrete damage, and the local instability of the steel tube were extensively investigated. The main parameters considered were the ultimate bond strength and load transfer ratio. The shear connector arrangement consisting of four specimens, namely C1 with 16 studs, a circular rib (C2), a circular rib with 8 studs (C3), and a circular rib with 8 vertical ribs (C4), had a significant influence on the key parameters. Connectors C2, C3, and C4 transferred more than 80% of the total load. The circular rib was more effective in transferring the load and limiting slip than the vertical rib and the studs. The circular rib (C2) transferred the load mainly through the four corners. The deterioration of the concrete and local instability of the steel tube had complex deformations which were influenced by the geometry of the inserted connectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Cement and Concrete Materials)
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15 pages, 5282 KiB  
Article
Composite Building Materials Prepared from Bioresources: Use of Rice Husk for Autoclaved Lightweight Concrete Production
by Shao-Lin Peng, Ying-Liang Chen and Yu-Sheng Dai
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(9), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8090359 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1924
Abstract
Rice husk (RH) and straw are common agricultural wastes in Asian countries, and they are potential bioresources for building materials. RH contains a large amount of SiO2, and many studies have burnt RH to ash and then used it as a [...] Read more.
Rice husk (RH) and straw are common agricultural wastes in Asian countries, and they are potential bioresources for building materials. RH contains a large amount of SiO2, and many studies have burnt RH to ash and then used it as a silica supplement in cement and concrete. However, the combustion of RH has an additional cost and exacerbates CO2 emissions and air pollution. RH inherently has a low bulk density and porous structure; therefore, it should be possible to directly use RH as a lightweight additive in concrete. The purposes of this study were to use RH in the production of autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) and to examine the effects of RH on ALC properties. Four RHs with different particle sizes, i.e., >1.2 mm, 0.6–1.2 mm, 0.3–0.6 mm, and <0.3 mm, were used as lightweight additives, and the ALC specimens were prepared with 0–20 wt.% RHs by autoclaving at 189 °C for 12 h. The >0.3 mm RH was applicable to prepare the ALC specimens, and the decomposition effect of <0.3 mm RH was significant. Both the bulk density and the compressive strength of the ALC specimens decreased with increasing RH size. RH with a particle size larger than 1.2 mm seems more appropriate for ALC production than RH with a smaller particle size because of the lower bulk density and higher compressive strength. The Ca/Si ratio decreased with increasing RH size, which affected the formation of tobermorite and thus reduced the compressive strength of the ALC specimens. With a suitable water-to-solid (W/S) ratio, the use of RHs as lightweight additives can yield ALC specimens that meet the requirements of commercial products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Cement and Concrete Materials)
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