Our civilization has used construction and building materials extensively, especially for infrastructure projects. The focus has been on traditional cementitious binders, glass, ceramics, and plastics, and recently also on emerging bio-inspired and bio-mimicking materials. The testing of those materials has been focused on the macro-mechanical aspects, with less focus on the micro-mechanical features, yet many fundamental mechanisms, such as fracturing, creeping, and healing are yet to be well understood.

To gain insights in this field, tools to investigate the micromechanical properties of complex heterogeneous construction and building materials have been developed in recent years. Advances in these experimental techniques can explore mechanical behavior on much smaller scales, thus helping to unravel the key factors responsible for the observed macroscale behaviors. Micromechanical studies could reveal small-scale failure mechanisms, interface performance, microcrack formation and propagation, and self-healing capabilities. Therefore, the investigation of micromechanical properties of construction and building materials is essential to accurately evaluate the macro-mechanical performances of complex systems like concrete.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to promote outstanding research works concerning micromechanical properties of construction and building materials, with a focus on state-of-the-art progress, developments, and new trends. Original research and review articles are welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Microcrack formation and propagation
• Characterization of heterogeneous bio-inspired materials
• Performances of the interface between binder and aggregates
• Viscosity/elasticity/plasticity behaviors of building materials
• Small-scale yield failure
• Self-healing capabilities
• Long-term performance and durability