Construction and Building Materials 'Under Review': What Each Status Means
If your Construction and Building Materials submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Construction and Building Materials? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Construction and Building Materials, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Construction and Building Materials review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: Construction and Building Materials has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 7.7, accepts about 30 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Construction and Building Materials uses Elsevier Editorial Manager at editorialmanager.com/conbuildmat. Editorial questions go through the Elsevier author portal at support@elsevier.com, referencing the manuscript ID.
Construction and Building Materials desk-rejects roughly 40 to 50 percent in 7 to 14 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
A Construction and Building Materials submission readiness check flags materials-testing-completeness, scope-fit, and durability-evidence gaps that drive most desk rejections.
Construction and Building Materials's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 14 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 14 to 56 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 40 to 50 percent rejected)
Construction and Building Materials editors evaluate materials-engineering significance, testing completeness, and durability-relevance. A desk rejection usually means scope mismatch or testing gaps.
Day 0: Editorial Manager upload
The editorialmanager.com/conbuildmat portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 14: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper, evaluates scope and testing depth, and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 14 to 28: Reviewer invitations
Two to three reviewers with civil-materials expertise.
Days 21 to 56: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 4 to 8 week cadence.
Days 56 to 84: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 84 to 240: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 4 to 6 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 7 to 14 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 10 weeks: Reviewer delay.
Readiness check
While you wait on Construction and Building Materials, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 8 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on testing methodology, durability evidence, and standards compliance.
How Construction and Building Materials compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | CBM | Cement and Concrete Research | Cement and Concrete Composites | Materials and Structures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 40 to 50 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 30 to 40 percent | 30 to 40 percent |
Desk decision speed | 7 to 14 days | 14 to 21 days | 14 to 21 days | 14 to 21 days |
Total review time | 4 to 8 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Editorial bar | Broad construction-materials | Cement-and-concrete fundamental | Cement-composites applied | Structural-materials with RILEM focus |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your CBM paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Construction and Building Materials submission readiness check.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our Construction and Building Materials manuscript fit check flags testing-completeness gaps before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the Construction and Building Materials manuscript fit check.
Last verified: Construction and Building Materials author guidance, Elsevier Editorial Manager portal at editorialmanager.com/conbuildmat.
The Construction and Building Materials reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What CBM asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Materials testing completeness | Standard tests (compressive strength, flexural, durability) reported? | Include standard-compliant testing protocols |
Standards compliance | ASTM, EN, or other standards followed? | Reference standards explicitly in methods |
Durability evidence | Long-term behavior addressed? | Include accelerated-aging or long-term test data |
Scope significance | Does the work advance construction practice? | Frame contribution around a construction-engineering decision |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce these tests? | Provide detailed mix designs and test protocols |
In our pre-submission review work with Construction and Building Materials manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Standards non-compliance. Test methods that don't reference ASTM/EN standards get flagged.
Durability evidence missing. Long-term performance is a key CBM concern.
Scope too narrow. Pure lab characterization without construction-practice implications.
Methodology note
This page was created from CBM's public author guidance, Elsevier Editorial Manager documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared Elsevier Editorial Manager admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers.
Construction and Building Materials reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks; full peer-review decisions land 6 to 12 weeks after submission.
Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring. Contact the Elsevier portal at support@elsevier.com, referencing the manuscript ID.
A handling editor is evaluating the paper. The journal typically invites two to three reviewers with civil-materials expertise.
Yes. The 4 to 8 week median means roughly half of papers take longer.
Past 10 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 5 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Construction and Building Materials, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
Anthropic Privacy Partner. Zero-retention manuscript processing.
Where to go next
Same journal, next question
- Construction and Building Materials Review Time: What to Expect
- Construction and Building Materials Submission Process: Portal, Review Stages, and What to Expect
- How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Construction and Building Materials
- Is Construction and Building Materials a Good Journal? Fit Verdict
- Construction And Building Materials AI Policy: ChatGPT and Generative AI Disclosure Rules for CBM Authors
- Construction And Building Materials Pre Submission Checklist: 12 Items Editors Verify Before Peer Review
Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.