Composite Structures with Innovative Materials and Technologies: Performance, Applications, and Sustainability

Composite structures offer significant advantages over traditional structures in terms of enhanced performance, durability, and sustainability. By integrating innovative materials, such as ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), and engineered cementitious composites (ECC), along with advanced construction technologies like modular integrated construction (MiC), prefabrication, and 3D printing, composite structures achieve superior performance in terms of load-bearing capacity, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. These advancements enable the creation of lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant structures, making them ideal for emerging applications in wind energy and floating structures. Additionally, the integration of AI-driven technologies and data-driven design methods further enhances the performance and adaptability of composite structures. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in optimizing material properties, improving connection technologies, and ensuring the performance of composite structures under extreme conditions such as earthquakes, fires, and impacts. This Special Issue aims to address these challenges while emphasizing the importance of sustainable construction practices.This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, and practitioners to share cutting-edge research and practical applications in the field of composite structures. By focusing on innovative materials, advanced technologies, and sustainable design approaches, we seek to advance the understanding and application of composite structures in modern construction. The goal is to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and foster the development of high-performance, eco-friendly, and cost-effective composite structures for a wide range of applications, including bridges, tall buildings, wind turbines, and floating infrastructure. Contributions that address the optimization of material properties, enhancement of construction technologies, and improvement of structural performance under extreme conditions are highly encouraged. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of sustainability and life-cycle assessment in the design and implementation of composite structures.This Research Topic invites submissions on the latest advancements in composite structures, focusing on innovative materials, advanced technologies, and sustainable construction practices. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Innovative Materials: Exploration of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), engineered cementitious composites (ECC), and other advanced materials.• Advanced Construction Technologies: Investigation of modular integrated construction (MiC), prefabrication, 3D printing, and other innovative construction methods.• Structural Performance under Extreme Conditions: Studies on the behavior of composite structures under earthquakes, fires, impacts, and other extreme loading scenarios.• Sustainability and Life-Cycle Assessment: Research on low-carbon materials, energy-efficient construction practices, and life-cycle assessment of composite structures.• Connections and Interfacial Behavior: Analysis of connection technologies and interfacial behavior under static, cyclic, and dynamic loads.• Digital Modelling and AI-Aided Design: Development of advanced digital modelling tools, data-driven approaches, and machine learning techniques for composite structures.• Design Codes and Practical Implementation: Contributions on the development of design codes, standardization efforts, and practical challenges in implementing composite structures.We welcome original research articles, review papers, and case studies that address these themes. Contributions that integrate innovative materials and technologies in composite structures are particularly encouraged. Authors are invited to submit manuscripts that highlight practical applications, emerging trends, and future directions in the field of composite structures. Topic editors: Zhuangcheng Fang, Yang Zou, Xiaoqing Xu, Yunbiao Luo, Shu Fang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78145/composite-structures-with-innovative-materials-and-technologies-performance-applications-and-sustainability