Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Characterization of Biopolymer–Concrete Composites in Construction

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2023) | Viewed by 7610

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chadi Maalouf

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

ITHEMM, SFR Condorcet FR CNRS 3417, University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, Moulin de la Housse, 51687 Reims, France
Interests: biosourced materials; hygrothermal transfer; building physics; civil engineering

Dr. Guillaume Polidori

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

ITHEMM, SFR Condorcet FR CNRS 3417, University of Reims Champagne Ardennes, Moulin de la Housse, 51687 Reims, France
Interests: materials; civil engineering; heat and mass transfer

Dr. Christophe Bliard

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

ICMR-UMR 7312 CNRS, SFR Condorcet FR CNRS 3417, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Moulin de la Housse, 51687 Reims, France
Interests: chemical modifications; separation; analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The building sector is in urgent need of new technologies and low carbon materials in order to reduce its energy consumption and environmental impacts, such as natural resource depletion and climate change. The use of biopolymer–concrete composites can contribute in reducing these impacts, as these use renewable green resources and have interesting hygrothermal properties. In some cases, treatments and additives are used to prepare these composites and overcome the problems related to the hydrophilic nature of fiber, the poor fiber–matrix adhesion or the low mechanical properties.

We invite you to submit new research on the development and characterization of biopolymer–concrete composites and their applications in the building sector, with particular focus on the manufacturing process, fiber treatment, physical, chemical, and morphological properties, as well as materials’ durability. Numerical studies are also encouraged.

Dr. Chadi Maalouf
Dr. Guillaume Polidori
Dr. Christophe Bliard
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

Bio-based concrete
Biopolymer
Starch
Cement
Admixture
Hygrothermal properties
Acoustics
Chemical treatment
Construction
Simulation

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 7067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spent Coffee Grounds as Building Material for Non-Load-Bearing Structures

by Tala Moussa, Chadi Maalouf, Christophe Bliard, Boussad Abbes, Céline Badouard, Mohammed Lachi, Silvana do Socorro Veloso Sodré, Lina Bufalino, Fabien Bogard, Fabien Beaumont and Guillaume Polidori

Materials 2022, 15(5), 1689; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15051689 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5561

Abstract

The gradual development of government policies for ecological transition in the modern construction sector leads researchers to explore new alternative and low environmental impact materials with a particular focus on bio-sourced materials. In this perspective, the mechanical, thermal insulation, and the sound absorption performances of a spent coffee grounds/potato starch bio-based composite were analyzed for potential application in buildings. Based on thermal conductivity and diffusivity tests, the coffee grounds waste biocomposite was characterized as an insulating material comparable with conventional thermal insulation materials of plant origin. Acoustical tests revealed absorption coefficients in the same range as other conventional materials used in building acoustical comfort. This bio-sourced material presented a sufficient compressive mechanical behavior for non-load-bearing structures and a sufficient mechanical capacity to be shaped into building bricks. Mechanical, thermal, and acoustic performances depend on the moisture environment. The groundwork was laid for an initial reflection on how this composite would behave in two opposite climates: the continental climate of Reims in France and the tropical climate of Belém in Brazil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Biopolymer–Concrete Composites in Construction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 12271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hygric Behavior of Viticulture By-Product Composites for Building Insulation

by Céline Badouard, Chadi Maalouf, Christophe Bliard, Guillaume Polidori and Fabien Bogard

Materials 2022, 15(3), 815; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15030815 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1379

Abstract

One possible approach to reducing the environmental impacts associated with the building sector is the development and use of bio-based building materials. The objective of this study is to determine the water properties of bio-based insulation materials, derived from winegrowing co-products, which promote energy efficiency. The water performance of these new bio-based materials is based on the measurement of the moisture buffer value, the sorption isotherm, and the water vapor permeability. Four by-products are analyzed: stalks, grape pomace, crushed stalks, and skins; they are combined with a potato starch binder. The performance of these composites is compared to two other bio-based composites (hemp/starch and beet pulp/starch). The stalk/starch composite can be classified as a hygroscopic and breathable material with excellent moisture retention capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Biopolymer–Concrete Composites in Construction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

15 pages, 963 KiB

Open AccessReview

Naturally Derived Cements Learned from the Wisdom of Ancestors: A Literature Review Based on the Experiences of Ancient China, India and Rome

by Zhan Su, Zhen Yan, Kazunori Nakashima, Chikara Takano and Satoru Kawasaki

Materials 2023, 16(2), 603; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma16020603 - 08 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1731

Abstract

For over a thousand years, many ancient cements have remained durable despite long-term exposure to atmospheric or humid agents. This review paper summarizes technologies of worldwide ancient architectures which have shown remarkable durability that has preserved them over thousands of years of constant erosion. We aim to identify the influence of organic and inorganic additions in altering cement properties and take these lost and forgotten technologies to the production frontline. The types of additions were usually decided based on the local environment and purpose of the structure. The ancient Romans built magnificent structures by making hydraulic cement using volcanic ash. The ancient Chinese introduced sticky rice and other local materials to improve the properties of pure lime cement. A variety of organic and inorganic additions used in traditional lime cement not only changes its properties but also improves its durability for centuries. The benefits they bring to cement may also be useful in enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) and microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) fields. For instance, sticky rice has been confirmed to play a crucial role in regulating calcite crystal growth and providing interior hydrophobic conditions, which contribute to improving the strength and durability of EICP- and MICP-treated samples in a sustainable way. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Biopolymer–Concrete Composites in Construction)

► Show Figures