journal article·2025-03-21Open access

Multifunctional Cementitious Composites from Fabrication to Their Application in Pavement: A Comprehensive Review

Mohammad Jawed Roshan, António Gomes Correia

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 7

Abstract

Multifunctional cementitious composites have been widely recommended for transportation infrastructure due to their versatile applications. These advanced materials can serve multiple functions, including structural health monitoring (SHM), traffic management, de-icing and snow melting, cathodic protection, grounding, energy harvesting, and shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI). Given their effectiveness in transportation infrastructure, the authors of this paper, as part of the In2Track2 and In2Track3 projects funded by the European Union, have conducted extensive research in this field. Complementary to the objectives of these projects, this review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the key components of conductive pavements, including conductive fillers, matrix materials, electrode configurations, conductive mechanisms, and factors influencing the electrical properties of these systems. Additionally, it discusses the practical applications of conductive pavements. By integrating insights from various aspects of this advanced pavement technology, this paper serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to advance the development and implementation of conductive pavements.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Innovative concrete reinforcement materials · Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Civil Engineering, ISISE, ARISE, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

Funding

FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), under the R&D Unit Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE) · the Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE · the FCT, Portugal

References (100+)

Show source-provided references
1. Improved Methods to Prevent Railway Embankment Failure and Subgrade Degradation: A Review10.1016/j.trgeo.2022.100834 ↗
2. Vijayan, D.S., Sivasuriyan, A., Devarajan, P., Krejsa, M., Chalecki, M., Żółtowski, M., Kozarzewska, A., and Koda, E. (2023). Development of Intelligent Technologies in SHM on the Innovative Diagnosis in Civil Engineering—A Comprehensive Review. Buildings, 13.10.3390/buildings13081903 ↗
3. Overall Sensing Method for the Three-Dimensional Stress of Roadway via Machine Learning on SHM Data10.1177/14759217231168214 ↗
4. Gordan, M., Ghaedi, K., Ismail, Z., Benisi, H., Hashim, H., and Ghayeb, H.H. (2021, January 13–15). From Conventional to Sustainable SHM: Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya. Proceedings of the 3rd IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Engineering and Technology, IICAIET 2021, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.10.1109/IICAIET51634.2021.9573713 ↗
5. Applications of Optical Fiber Sensor in Pavement Engineering: A Review10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132713 ↗
6. Sharma, V.B., Tewari, S., Biswas, S., Lohani, B., Dwivedi, U.D., Dwivedi, D., Sharma, A., and Jung, J.P. (2021). Recent Advancements in Ai-Enabled Smart Electronics Packaging for Structural Health Monitoring. Metals, 11.10.3390/met11101537 ↗
7. Investigations on Scalable Fabrication Procedures for Self-Sensing Carbon Nanotube Cement-Matrix Composites for SHM Applications10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2015.11.001 ↗
8. Utilization of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) in Concrete for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Purposes: A Review10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125137 ↗
9. Effects of Filler Type and Aging on Self-Sensing Capacity of Cement Paste Using Eddy Current-Based Nondestructive Detection10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109708 ↗
10. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Smart Structures Capable of Non-Destructive Flaw Detection10.1088/0964-1726/2/1/004 ↗
11. Application of Self-Sensing Cement-Stabilized Sand for Damage Detection10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133080 ↗
12. Roshan, M.J., Abedi, M., Gomes Correia, A., Fangueiro, R., and Mendes, P.M. (2024). A Multifunctional Cementitious Composite for Pavement Subgrade. Materials, 17.10.3390/ma17030621 ↗
13. Geotechnical Characteristics of Cement Stabilized Soils from Various Aspects: A Comprehensive Review10.1007/s12517-023-11796-1 ↗
14. Integration and Road Tests of a Self-Sensing CNT Concrete Pavement System for Traffic Detection10.1088/0964-1726/22/1/015020 ↗
15. Dielectric and Mechanical Properties of Cement Pastes Incorporated with Magnetically Aligned Reduced Graphene Oxide10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100471 ↗
16. Novel Approach for Crack Detections and Rapid Repairment Methods in Cement-Based Self-Heating Composites for Smart Infrastructures10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112126 ↗
17. Gómez-Aristizabal, M.A., Moreno-Vargas, J.M., Echeverry-Cardona, L.M., and Restrepo-Parra, E. (2025). Study of Corrosion of Portland Cement Embedded Steel with Addition of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes. Materials, 18.10.3390/ma18010210 ↗
18. A Review on Carbon-Based Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120764 ↗
19. Study on Self-Sensing Capabilities of Smart Cements Filled with Graphene Oxide under Dynamic Cyclic Loading10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104775 ↗
20. In-Situ Synthesizing Carbon Nanotubes on Cement to Develop Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites for Smart High-Speed Rail Infrastructures10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101438 ↗
21. Enhanced Electromagnetic Interference Shielding in Cement Composites Utilizing Carbon Fiber Clustered Networks with Dual Different Lengths10.1016/j.carbon.2024.119887 ↗
22. Self-Sensing Ultra-Lightweight Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) with Carbon Fibres10.1016/j.measurement.2024.115215 ↗
23. Improving Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Cement Composites by Combined Addition of Carbon Black and Carbon Nanotubes and Steel Fibers10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136931 ↗
24. Electrical Performance of Conductive Cementitious Composites under Different Curing Regimes: Enhanced Conduction by Carbon Fibers towards Self-Sensing Function10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135771 ↗
25. Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites for Structural Health Monitoring: Recent Advances and Challenges and Future Prospects10.1088/1361-6501/ad929a ↗
26. (2025, January 01). IN2TRACK2 Research into Enhanced Track and Switch and Crossing System 2. Available online: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/826255.
27. (2025, January 01). IN2TRACK3 Research into Optimised and Future Railway Infrastructure. Available online: https://in2track3.com/.
28. Software Survey: VOSviewer, a Computer Program for Bibliometric Mapping10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3 ↗
29. Real-Time Implication of Hybrid Carbonaceous Fibre and Powder Integrated Self-Sensing Cement Composite in Health Monitoring of Beams and Columns10.1080/19648189.2023.2194939 ↗
30. Improvement of the Stress Sensing Ability of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Using Short Steel Fibers and Steel Slag Aggregates under High Compression10.1016/j.sna.2023.114616 ↗
31. Spatial Damage Sensing Ability of Metallic Particulate-Reinforced Cementitious Composites: Insights from Electrical Resistance Tomography10.1016/j.matdes.2019.107817 ↗
32. Strain Sensing Ability of Metallic Particulate Reinforced Cementitious Composites: Experiments and Microstructure-Guided Finite Element Modeling10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.04.004 ↗
33. A Comprehensive Review on Self-Sensing Graphene/Cementitious Composites: A Pathway toward next-Generation Smart Concrete10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127284 ↗
34. Graphene Nanoribbons as a Novel Nanofiller for Enhancing the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133273 ↗
35. Spatially Resolved Self-Sensing of Strain and Damage in Carbon Fiber Cement10.1007/s10853-006-0028-5 ↗
36. Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites: Potential and Current Challenges10.1016/j.matdes.2006.09.022 ↗
37. Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets Type on Self-Sensing Properties of Cement Mortar Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129488 ↗
38. Development of Self-Sensing Cementitious Composite Incorporating Hybrid Graphene Nanoplates and Carbon Nanotubes for Structural Health Monitoring10.1016/j.sna.2022.113367 ↗
39. Development of 3D Printable Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127601 ↗
40. Development of Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites Incorporating CNF and Hybrid CNF/CF10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121659 ↗
41. Study on the Conductivity of Carbon Fiber Self-Sensing High Ductility Cementitious Composite10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103125 ↗
42. Reinforcement Effect and Mechanism of Carbon Fibers to Mechanical and Electrically Conductive Properties of Cement-Based Materials10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.063 ↗
43. Thomoglou, A.K., Falara, M.G., Gkountakou, F.I., Elenas, A., and Chalioris, C.E. (2022). Influence of Different Surfactants on Carbon Fiber Dispersion and the Mechanical Performance of Smart Piezoresistive Cementitious Composites. Fibers, 10.10.3390/fib10060049 ↗
44. Dispersion of Carbon Fibers and Conductivity of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Cement-Based Composites10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.08.041 ↗
45. Effect of Aspect Ratio on Strain Sensing Capacity of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites10.1016/j.matdes.2013.05.010 ↗
46. Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Reinforced Cementitious Composites for Structural Self-Sensing Purpose: A Review10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131384 ↗
47. Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites with Hierarchical Carbon Fiber-Carbon Nanotube Composite Fillers for Crack Development Monitoring of a Maglev Girder10.1002/smll.202206258 ↗
48. Piezoresistivity and Mechanical Properties of Self-Sensing CNT Cementitious Nanocomposites: Optimizing the Effects of CNT Dispersion and Surfactants10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128127 ↗
49. Improved Strain Sensing Properties of Cement-Based Sensors through Enhanced Carbon Nanotube Dispersion10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103842 ↗
50. Piezoresistive Performance of Self-Sensing Cement-Based Composites Filled with Multi-Layer Graphene
51. Graphene Nanoplatelet Reinforced Concrete for Self-Sensing Structures—A Lifecycle Assessment Perspective10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118202 ↗
52. Processing of Graphene Nanoribbon Based Hybrid Composite for Electromagnetic Shielding10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.09.014 ↗
53. Smart Cement-Sensor Composite: The Evolution of Nanomaterial in Developing Sensor for Structural Integrity10.1002/suco.202201145 ↗
54. Graphene-Based Cementitious Composites: Toward Next-Generation Construction Technologies10.1002/adfm.202101887 ↗
55. Investigation of the Dispersion of Reduced Graphene Oxide in Cementitious Composites under Different Mixing Strategies10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107447 ↗
56. Development of Sustainable Conductive Cementitious Composite Using Graphite-Coated Spent Catalyst Waste10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109864 ↗
57. Donnet, J.-B. (2018). Carbon Black: Science and Technology, Routledge.10.1201/9781315138763 ↗
58. Investigation on Electrically Conductive Aggregates Produced by Incorporating Carbon Fiber and Carbon Black10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.03.168 ↗
59. Graphene Family (GFMs), Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Carbon Black (CB) on Smart Materials for Civil Construction: Self-Cleaning, Self-Sensing and Self-Heating10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110175 ↗
60. Self-Heating Characteristics of Electrically Conductive Cement Composites with Carbon Black and Carbon Fiber10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.104942 ↗
61. A Review on Material Design, Performance, and Practical Application of Electrically Conductive Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116892 ↗
62. Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites Incorporating Hybrid NGPs/CNTs/NCBs for Structural Health Monitoring10.1016/j.sna.2023.114365 ↗
63. Wahab, N.A., Roshan, M.J., Rashid, A.S.A., Hezmi, M.A., Jusoh, S.N., Nik Norsyahariati, N.D., Tamassoki, S., Norsyahariati, N.D.N., and Tamassoki, S. (2021). Strength and Durability of Cement-Treated Lateritic Soil. Sustainability, 13.10.3390/su13116430 ↗
64. Fibre-Reinforced Soil Mixed Lime/Cement Additives: A Review10.47836/pjst.31.1.14 ↗
65. Relationship between Electrical Resistance and Rheological Parameters of Fresh Cement Slurry10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119479 ↗
66. Self-Sensing Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.04.129 ↗
67. The Effect of Graphite and Slag on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Electrically Conductive Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122606 ↗
68. Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) with Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) for Pavement Applications10.1016/j.coco.2023.101657 ↗
69. Effect of Morphological Parameters of Natural Sand on Mechanical Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.04.007 ↗
70. Improved Conductive and Self-Sensing Properties of Cement Concrete by PDMS/NCB-Impregnated Recycled Fine Aggregate10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136229 ↗
71. Nano-Tailored Multi-Functional Cementitious Composites10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107670 ↗
72. Self-Sensing Cementitious Geocomposites in Rail Track Substructures10.1016/j.trgeo.2024.101260 ↗
73. Inherently Multifunctional Geopolymeric Cementitious Composite as Electrical Energy Storage and Self-Sensing Structural Material10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.06.101 ↗
74. Clean Technology Option Development for Smart and Multifunctional Construction Materials: Sustainable Geopolymer Composites10.1016/j.jobe.2024.109932 ↗
75. Improving the Early Strength of Concrete: Effect of Mechanochemical Activation of the Cementitious Suspension and Using of Various Superplasticizers10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.313 ↗
76. Acceleration of Cement Hydration—A Review of the Working Mechanisms, Effects on Setting Time, and Compressive Strength Development of Accelerating Admixtures10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126554 ↗
77. Influence of Tartaric Acid Dosage on the Early-Age and Long-Term Properties of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Belite Cement Composites10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129257 ↗
78. Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Cementitious Composites: A Comprehensive Review10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125100 ↗
79. Strain and Damage Sensing Properties on Multifunctional Cement Composites with CNF Admixture10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2013.11.009 ↗
80. Measurement Techniques for Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites under Flexure10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105215 ↗
81. Electromechanical Response of Strain-Hardening Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites (SH-FRCCs) under Direct Tension: A Review10.1016/j.sna.2022.114096 ↗
82. Self-Sensing Concrete: From Resistance-Based Sensing to Capacitance-Based Sensing10.1080/19475411.2020.1843560 ↗
83. A Critical Review of Electrical-Resistance-Based Self-Sensing in Conductive Cement-Based Materials10.1016/j.carbon.2022.11.076 ↗
84. Electro-Mechanical Investigations of Steel Fiber Reinforced Self-Sensing Cement Composite and Their Implications for Real-Time Structural Health Monitoring10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104343 ↗
85. Effects of Electrodes Type and Design on Electrical Stability of Conductive Cement as Exposed to Various Weathering Conditions10.1007/s42823-023-00644-7 ↗
86. Synthesis, Design and Piezo-Resistive Characteristics of Cementitious Smart Nanocomposites with Different Types of Functionalized MWCNTs under Long Cyclic Loading10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103517 ↗
87. Piezoresistive Behavior of CF- and CNT-Based Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Static Flexural Loading: Shear Failure Investigation10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.02.124 ↗
88. Concrete Units for Strain-Monitoring in Civil Structures: Installation of Cement-Based Sensors Using Different Approaches10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132169 ↗
89. Sensing Performance of Engineered Cementitious Composites in Different Application Forms10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129223 ↗
90. Investigation of the Interfacial Bonding Effect on Self-Sensing Cementitious Coatings for Infrastructure Monitoring10.1051/matecconf/202337805006 ↗
91. An Advanced Cement-Based Geocomposite with Autonomous Sensing and Heating Capabilities for Enhanced Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.134577 ↗
92. Intrinsic Self-Sensing Concrete and Structures: A Review10.1016/j.measurement.2014.09.048 ↗
93. Wang, H., Wu, T., Tang, S., She, J., Wang, F., and Zhao, J. (2023). Non-Contact Multiple-Frequency AC Impedance Instrument for Cement Hydration Based on a High-Frequency Weak Current Sensor. Actuators, 12.10.3390/act12010026 ↗
94. Li, Z., and Li, W. (2003). Contactless, Transformer-Based Measurement of the Resistivity of Materials. (US6639401B2).
95. Experimental Study on Chloride Permeability in Concrete by Non-Contact Electrical Resistivity Measurement and RCM10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.110 ↗
96. Early-Age Hydration of Fresh Concrete Monitored by Non-Contact Electrical Resistivity Measurement10.1016/j.cemconres.2007.09.027 ↗
97. Early Strength Development and Hydration of Cement Pastes at Different Temperatures or with Superplasticiser Characterised by Electrical Resistivity
98. Monitoring the Setting and Hardening Behaviour of Cement Paste by Electrical Resistivity Measurement10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118941 ↗
99. Determining Porosity and Pore Network Connectivity of Cement-Based Materials by a Modified Non-Contact Electrical Resistivity Measurement: Experiment and Theory10.1016/j.matdes.2018.06.045 ↗
100. Improved Non-Contact Variable-Frequency AC Impedance Instrument for Cement Hydration and Pore Structure Based on SVM Calibration Method10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109402 ↗