Academic Journal
Q1Cement and Concrete Composites
About Cement and Concrete Composites
Cement and Concrete Composites is a scholarly journal published by Elsevier Ltd. SCImago 2025 places it in Q1 with an SJR of 4.762 and an H-index of 252.
Its listed coverage is 1989-2026 and its research categories include Building and Construction (Q1); Materials Science (miscellaneous) (Q1). The 2025 dataset reports 419 documents and 19321 citations across the latest three-year reporting window.
Cement and concrete composites are essential materials in the construction industry, playing a significant role in shaping the infrastructure of our modern world. These composites offer enhanced strength, durability, and versatility, making them ideal for a variety of construction applications. In this article, we will delve into the features, advantages, and applications of cement and concrete composites, highlighting their importance in building robust structures.
What Are Cement and Concrete Composites?
Cement is a fine powder made from limestone, clay, shells, and silica, which, when mixed with water, forms a paste that hardens over time. Concrete, on the other hand, is a mixture of cement, water, aggregates (sand, gravel, or crushed stone), and sometimes additives that improve specific properties. When these materials are combined, they create cement and concrete composites, which are known for their strength and resistance to environmental factors.
In the world of construction, composite materials refer to a combination of two or more substances that work together to enhance the material's overall performance. Cement and concrete composites leverage the individual properties of these ingredients, resulting in a material that excels in load-bearing, durability, and longevity.
Advantages of Cement and Concrete Composites
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Strength and Durability
Cement and concrete composites are renowned for their remarkable strength. The mixture's inherent properties allow it to withstand heavy loads, making it ideal for constructing buildings, roads, bridges, and other large structures. The inclusion of additives and reinforcement materials such as steel or fibers can further enhance the tensile strength and resistance to cracking. -
Sustainability
As demand for sustainable construction materials increases, cement and concrete composites have become an attractive option. Modern composite mixtures can incorporate recycled aggregates and industrial by-products, reducing the need for virgin materials and minimizing waste. Additionally, concrete’s thermal mass helps reduce energy consumption by maintaining temperature stability inside buildings. -
Fire Resistance
Concrete, when mixed with cement, is naturally fire-resistant. The material does not burn, making it an essential component in fireproofing buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. This fire resistance makes cement and concrete composites a vital part of building safety regulations worldwide. -
Cost-Effectiveness
Concrete is one of the most affordable construction materials available today. The raw materials are abundant and widely accessible, which contributes to the relatively low cost of cement and concrete composites. Additionally, their long lifespan reduces maintenance costs over time, making them a cost-effective choice for builders and homeowners alike. -
Versatility
Cement and concrete composites can be customized to meet specific requirements. By adjusting the mix of cement, water, aggregates, and additives, manufacturers can produce concrete with varying levels of strength, texture, and appearance. This adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from residential homes to large-scale infrastructure projects.
Applications of Cement and Concrete Composites
Cement and concrete composites are used in a variety of industries and construction sectors. Some of the most common applications include:
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Residential and Commercial Buildings: Concrete is the foundation material for most buildings, providing structural integrity and stability.
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Infrastructure Projects: Bridges, highways, tunnels, and dams rely heavily on cement and concrete composites for their strength and durability.
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Precast Concrete Products: Cement and concrete composites are molded into precast panels, beams, and blocks, which are then assembled on-site for faster construction.
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Pavement and Roads: Concrete composites are often used for road construction and pavement surfaces due to their ability to withstand heavy traffic loads.
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Aims & Scope
Cement and concrete composites play a pivotal role in the construction industry. These materials, which are essential for building infrastructure, are constantly evolving to meet the demands of modern construction. The scope of cement and concrete composites has expanded significantly over the years, with innovations aimed at enhancing performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This article delves into the growing importance of cement and concrete composites in the construction industry.
What Are Cement and Concrete Composites?
Cement and concrete composites are materials formed by combining cement with various aggregates, chemicals, and additives to improve performance characteristics such as durability, strength, and workability. While traditional concrete consists primarily of cement, water, sand, and gravel, composite materials may include polymers, fibers, and other advanced substances. These composites are engineered to offer enhanced properties such as increased tensile strength, reduced permeability, and resistance to corrosion.
Benefits of Cement and Concrete Composites
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Enhanced Durability
One of the key advantages of using cement and concrete composites is their superior durability. Composites can be designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, chemicals, and physical wear. For example, fiber-reinforced concrete composites have been developed to reduce cracking and improve the long-term performance of structures, especially in environments prone to thermal cycles or freeze-thaw conditions. -
Increased Strength and Performance
Cement and concrete composites are engineered to offer higher strength compared to conventional concrete. The addition of materials like fibers or chemical admixtures results in a stronger bond and improves the overall mechanical properties of the concrete. As a result, structures made from composite materials can endure greater loads and stresses, making them ideal for high-rise buildings, bridges, and infrastructure projects. -
Sustainability
The global focus on sustainable construction materials has driven the development of eco-friendly cement and concrete composites. For example, incorporating recycled materials like fly ash, slag, and silica fume reduces the environmental impact of cement production. Additionally, composites that use less cement and more recycled aggregates help lower carbon emissions and reduce the depletion of natural resources. -
Cost-Effectiveness
While the initial cost of producing cement and concrete composites may be higher than traditional concrete, they offer long-term cost savings. Due to their enhanced durability and reduced maintenance requirements, composite materials can result in lower overall lifecycle costs. Furthermore, using recycled and waste materials can help reduce the cost of raw materials.
Emerging Trends in Cement and Concrete Composites
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Self-Healing Concrete
One of the most exciting developments in cement and concrete composites is the advent of self-healing concrete. This innovative material contains bacteria or capsules that release healing agents when cracks form, thereby reducing the need for expensive repairs and maintenance. Self-healing concrete is particularly useful for infrastructure projects like highways and bridges, where longevity is crucial. -
High-Performance Concrete (HPC)
High-performance concrete composites are gaining popularity due to their superior mechanical properties. These composites are specifically designed for demanding applications such as seismic-resistant buildings and underwater structures. They offer improved compressive strength, resistance to chemical attack, and enhanced durability. -
Green Concrete
Green concrete is another emerging trend that focuses on using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials in composite mixes. This type of concrete minimizes the use of Portland cement, opting instead for alternatives such as geopolymer concrete, which is less energy-intensive to produce. Green concrete composites are gaining traction as governments and organizations emphasize eco-friendly construction practices.
Recent Research Articles
Latest publications matched automatically by ISSN.
High-temperature deterioration of the ITZ in GFRP bars-reinforced thin-layer repairs using homologous polymer-modified cement mortar
Zuquan Jin, Mingfei Xu, Bo Pang, Yubin Cao et al.
2027-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106820Water migration and crack development characteristics of hardened cement pastes with different water contents under cyclic loading
Jianhui Liu, Luojuan Wu, Zhipeng Huang, Zhangli Hu et al.
2027-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106822Mixing-induced control of C-S-H seed synthesis and its effects on accelerating cement hydration
Christoph Kirsch, Dietmar Stephan
2027-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106809Observation and mesoscale simulation of moisture transport at the steel-mortar interface
Kodai Ueda, Dawei Ren, Keitai Iwama, Kohei Nagai et al.
2027-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106819Shrinkage and moisture transport in superabsorbent polymer (SAP)-modified cementitious systems: Examining SAP particle size and water availability effects
Aniket Kumar Patel, Avinaya Tripathi, Maedeh Hesami, Ravi Kiran et al.
2027-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106823Aspect ratio effects in green-state 3D printed concrete: from green strength measurement to buildability prediction
Hongzhi Zhang, Shuai Song, Junxing Liu, Erik Schlangen et al.
2027-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106837High-performance structural supercapacitors with rice husk carbon-modified alkali-activated electrolytes for building energy storage
Jie Yao, Wenjing Sun, Xin Dou, Yile Ma et al.
2027-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106818Chloride desorption behavior of cement paste containing wet carbonated recycled cement paste fine under CO2 atmosphere
Yuguang Mao, Xiang Hu, Shuaicheng Guo, Wei Chen et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106788Intrinsic-property-driven complementarity of solid wastes for low-clinker cement: governing calcium–alkalinity conditions to control hydration reactions and phase assemblage
Wenbin Gao, Fuzhu Xie, Qiang Ren, Chen Li et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106775A systematic approach for material selection and printing parameter optimization in 3D lateral printing concrete
Qingwei Wang, Binrong Zhu, Song Han, Ruyang Lu et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106812Investigating the mechanisms of biochar-induced modification of tricalcium aluminate hydration via engineered surface oxygen functional groups
Weijian Xu, Yuying Zhang, Xiaohong Zhu, Hailong Ye et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106755Editorial Board
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/s0958-9465(26)00368-9Alkali-activated composite solid-waste mortar using municipal solid waste incinerated fly ash as both precursor and aggregate: Mechanical properties, solidification and microstructural insights
Qingmei Yang, Zhenhua Duan, Haifeng Yang, Fukun Li et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106808Enhanced effect of sodium polyacrylate on the performance of metakaolin-based geopolymer structural supercapacitors
Jiaxi Mao, Jialong Lin, Shengqian Ruan, Zefeng Liu et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106803Electrodeposition to reduce the impact of cracks on steel corrosion in concrete
Suraksha Sharma, Karla Hornbostel, Rob Polder, Samanta Robuschi et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106801Quantification of deformation and cracking processes of an aggregate due to alkali–silica reaction using digital volume correlation from X-ray CT images
Misato Fujishima, Taito Miura, Sylvain Langlois, François Hild et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106792Pressure-dependent friction behavior governing concrete pumping resistance
Shijun Yuan, Zhisong Xu, Tengfei Feng, Yang Chen et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106779Activation and soundness control of steel slag for supplementary cementitious material applications
Jiacheng Xiao, Yuying Zhang, Chao Zhang, Doo-Yeol Yoo et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106800Phase assemblage evolution and carbonation mechanism of ground granulated blast-furnace slag during enforced carbonation
Cong Tang, Shunmin Xiao, Yi Jiang, Dapeng Zheng et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106816Microstructural insights and crack sealing behavior of waste glass and slag-based binary alkali-activated binders under acid attack
Hafiz Asad Ali, Yazan Alrefaei, Ayesha Khan, Chi Sun Poon et al.
2026-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106810Reviews
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April 21, 2025 at 9:00 am
April 21, 2025