Innovation and Sustainability of Cement-Based Composites: New Trends and Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

Enhancing the environmental sustainability of human activities and industrial processes is a common challenge in various branches of modern research and technology.  In light of this, the “greening” of the concrete industry is, as a matter of principle, also one of the main goals for policy makers and private companies, as well as for the scientific community.

In order to make the construction sector greener, one of the most promising actions is based on the use of secondary raw materials such as Construction and Demolition Waste, bio-based aggregates, alternative binders, etc. Moreover, the construction sector sustainability can be further amplified through the innovation and optimization of new materials, assembly and deconstruction/reuse procedures and the service life maximization.

In this context, the present Special Issue aims to attract papers related to the rational and practical use of innovative and sustainable cement-based composites, highlighting that their adequate design can lead to concrete mixtures that can be efficiently employed for “high-end” applications. Specifically, this volume welcomes contributions (such as fundamental experimental research studies, comprehensive theoretical modeling approaches, critical reviews, and relevant case studies of pilot and field applications) on the following topics:

• Recycled aggregate concrete;
• High-strength fiber-reinforced cementitious composites;
• Alternative binders;
• Bio-based cementitious composites;
• Nanotechnology applied to sustainable cement-based materials;
• Concrete 3D printing;
• Design for disassembly;
• Life-cycle assessment of cement-based materials.

Dr. Marco Pepe
Dr. Oscar Aurelio Mendoza Reales
Guest Editors

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