Sulfate attack-induced expansion in cementitious materials is a complex physicochemical-mechanical phenomenon influenced by numerous factors. To deepen our understanding of this deterioration process, multiphysics modeling and simulations that can consider various material, structural, environmental conditions are invaluable. This study presents a fully coupled physicochemical-mechanical model to simulate

Dynamic tensile testing of concrete materials has been proven to be extremely challenging due to their heterogeneity, low tensile strength, and brittleness. The present study introduced an improved experimental technique for the testing of cementitious materials under dynamic direct tensile loading on a Kolsky tension bar. This technique involves using a pair of aluminum adapters attached to the bars

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have emerged as a promising material in modern construction, particularly in enhancing the durability and performance of concrete structures. This review paper offers a comprehensive analysis of FRP composites, focusing on their properties at both room and elevated temperatures and the critical performance issues that arise under varying thermal conditions

This study explores the feasibility of using calcined bentonitic clays in LC3-50 binders. Four commercially available bentonite rocks were thermally activated and milled to a Dv,50 of 12 ± 2 μm. Their pozzolanic activities were assessed using the R3 method, yielding total heat released values between 190 and 378 J/g-SCM, exceeding the minimum requirements for supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs)

External loads are critical to the structural stability and construction precision of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) in the green state. However, in-depth research on this issue remains limited. This study prepared 3D printed concrete with recycled sand (3DPCRS) at replacement ratios of 0 %, 50 %, and 100 % and investigated the time-dependent evolution of 3DPCRS structures in the green state under stepwise

This study investigated the influence of hybrid steel fiber reinforcement on the static mechanical properties of ultra-high performance geopolymer concrete (UHPGC). Three straight steel fibers of varying lengths (6, 8 and 13 mm) were examined. The flowability, compressive strength, and flexural and tensile characteristics of UHPGC with different steel fiber combinations were evaluated using the simplex

Porous lattice structures are widely used in energy absorption applications due to their excellent energy absorption characteristics. Strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) are promising materials for 3D printed concrete. Inspired by the slender stems of Elytrigia repens, this study designed and fabricated five different types of 3D printed SHCC porous lattice structures: triangular, rectangular

This study investigated the effects of hydrated phase composition [tailored using Portland cement (OPC) and reactive magnesia cement (RMC), water-to-binder (w/b) ratio, and curing age] on the autogenous self-healing behavior of strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC). The healing efficiency was characterized by stiffness recovery and crack width. The morphology of the cracked sections and chemical

This study uses carbonated reactive magnesia (RM) as a partial cement replacement to improve the mechanical properties of blended cement pastes. To achieve more complete and homogeneous carbonation, 30 wt% RM was first mixed at a fixed 1.67 water-RM ratio for 0–90 min (aqueous carbonation). After this, the mixture was mixed with the remaining 70 wt% ordinary Portland cement (OPC) to achieve a final

Sectional fiber content variation in strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) governs tensile performance by dictating the bridging capacity of the weakest crack. However, this critical factor has rarely been quantified experimentally. This study systematically characterizes fiber distribution in SHCC with varying matrix flowabilities via sectional analysis. Results show that medium matrix flowability

The quality and durability of concrete strongly depend on the mixing and curing processes. Relative humidity and temperature changes can induce premature drying, resulting in shrinkage cracking. Monitoring and controlling the concrete curing process is essential in preventing undesirable behaviours. Methods such as acoustic emission (AE) have proven promising for monitoring the curing of cementitious

Compared to the fairly pure kaolinitic clay, dredged marine clay is a mixture of kaolinite, other 2:1 clay minerals (e.g. illite), and impurities like quartz. Upon thermal activation, the calcined marine clay emerges as a low-grade clay-type supplementary cementitious material (SCM). However, a thorough understanding about the underlying mechanism and key factors governing its reactivity evolution

Given the long-term durability needs, environmental concerns, and low-carbon requirements, the development of eco-friendly and highly effective corrosion inhibitors becomes imperative. This study selected three types of cost-effective and non-toxic carboxylate-based organic inhibitors, and comprehensively explored their impacts on the passivation behavior and corrosion resistance of HRB400E reinforcing

Raw earth as a construction material is showing potential for significant development with the involvement of earth-stabilisation to improve the water resistance properties of unfired earth materials as well as enhancing the mechanical performances. However, the addition of a cementitious component as a stabilising agent can lead to rapid rheological changes including stiffening and loss of plasticity

Magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) is commonly used as rapid repair materials for damaged pavements. MPC together with pavements usually undergoes de-icing salts exposure in winter. However, the deterioration mechanism of MPC under chloride attack remains unclear. A thermodynamic simulation approach was employed to investigate the deterioration mechanism of MPC. The results revealed that compressive

The flexural and tensile strength of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) depend on the interfacial bond performance between the steel fibers and UHPC matrix. This study proposed a novel dezincification-chelation modification method for steel fibers, leveraging the dezincification effect of brass coating and the adsorption of chelating agents. To investigate the modification mechanisms, efficiency

Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) offers a promising strategy for producing cement with significantly reduced CO2 emissions. However, it generally exhibits limited early-age compressive strength due to the uncoordinated reaction between limestone and aluminates, which is a consequence of the low reactivity of limestone. Moreover, further reducing the CO2 emissions of LC3 is a challenges. This study

Sludge obtained from reject brine via a novel two-step approach involving precipitation and filtration was used as a supplementary material in reactive magnesia cement (RMC) and Portland cement (PC) mixes. Detailed evaluation of the performance and microstructure of the resultant cement pastes revealed the underlying mechanism. Incorporating 25 % (of the binder content) sludge in RMC mixes significantly

Struvite (ST) recovered during wastewater treatment has been sparsely applied in cement-based composites. This study systematically evaluated the thixotropic behavior of cement-struvite (CST) pastes, a mix of 5–20 % ST by mass of cement, and proposed the interaction mechanisms leading to the pastes' thixotropy. The hysteresis loop area was used to establish the pastes' thixotropy and investigate its

Compared with blast furnace slag (BFS), the less reactive MSWI bottom ash (MBA) plays a minor role in alkali-activated blends. This research optimized the use of MBA as a precursor by enhancing its contribution to strength and microstructure development. The proposed strategy combines pre-treatment with pre-activation processes, enabling MBA to react before BFS addition. The NaOH-based pre-treatment

Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) is considered the most promising alternative to Portland cement. This research proposes an innovative carbon conversion and utilization strategy that provides greater flexibility in the production of LC3. In this study, a carbon-fixing product with a CO2 uptake of 29.39% was prepared via semi-wet carbonation pretreatment of wollastonite. This product can be used

Fatigue analysis of steel fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (SFRCC) is crucial for structural design and safety assessment under repeated loading cycles. Experimental studies have demonstrated cyclic degradation in SFRCC, attributed to the deterioration of fiber-bridging strength. However, a comprehensive analytical quantification of fatigue-dependent parameters for deformed fibers across multiple

The fundamentals of hydration process of an ultra-rapid hardening alkali-activated slag cement (URHA) was studied for understanding the link between mechanical properties and microstructure development. By employing combined application of Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and hydrogen low field 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (LF 1H NMR), it revealed that the mixing

Anisotropy in 3D-printed concrete structures has persistently raised concerns regarding structural integrity and safety. In this study, an architected 3D printing strategy, “stitching”, was proposed to mitigate anisotropy in 3D-printed Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC). This approach integrates the direction-dependent tensile resistance of extruded ECC, the mechanical interlocking between three-dimensional

To achieve carbon reduction, a coupled carbonation-hydration curing approach has been developed. This study employs the acoustic emission (AE) technique to analyze the mechanical properties and damage characterization of cement paste under this curing method. Microscopic techniques clarify the evolution of products, microstructures and micromechanical parameters, highlighting their impact on mechanical

The heavy reliance of reactive magnesia cement (RMC) on CO2 sources to gain sufficient mechanical strength limits its productivity. The present work developed natural fibers reinforced MgO-SiO2 (NFs-MS) composites, in which the formation of magnesium-silicate-hydrate (M-S-H) yielded sufficient early strength (e.g., >30 MPa), and subsequent carbonation of residual brucite enabled continuous strength

The free water in the interconnected pores plays a significant role in supporting the development of fly ash-based geopolymerization reactions during the middle and later periods of the process. In this paper, the free water loss and mechanical properties of geopolymers within the different curing methods were tested. Through the analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron

At present, applying ECE technology to existing concrete structures to enhance durability and service life is feasible. However, the combined effects of chloride salts and carbonation in marine environments introduce complex influence mechanisms on concrete structures treated with ECE, especially for reinforced concrete projects incorporating RCA. This paper studies the effect of different factors

Coal gangue/slag-based geopolymer composites (CSGC) have garnered significant attention in sustainable construction due to their low-carbon footprint, but their high brittleness remains a critical limitation. This study addresses this challenge by modifying basalt fiber (BF) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to enhance CSGC. A novel porosity detection program, with an average accuracy exceeding 98 % for

As a secondary support material, cemented paste backfill (CPB) is widely used in underground mining operations. CPB is a mixture of mine tailings, water, and a small amount of a binder agent. In the Abitibi region of Canada, the standard binder typically contains 20 % general-use Portland cement (GU) and 80 % ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS). This binder combination reliably ensures that

Alkali-activated slag (AAS) materials prepared from traditional activators such as NaOH exhibit low sustainability and workability while replacing NaOH with some weakly alkaline solutions (e.g., Na2SO4) is promising to mitigate the above issues. This paper performs a comprehensive study on the effect of different composite activator combinations i.e., NaOH + Phosphogypsum (PG), NaOH + Na2SO4 and Na2SO4 + Ca(OH)2

Regulating the workability of NaOH-activated blast furnace slag (NAS) pastes is essential for their effective application. Based on the mutual inhibition between calcium-sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-N-A-S-H) and hydrotalcite (LDH) during precipitation (MICL), a novel strategy for regulating paste workability was developed. The workability losses, including the slump loss and the setting time,

The present work introduced an innovative cementitious system named CFCS, combining cement, fly ash (FA), and carbonated steel slag (CS), which exhibited both high early and later-age compressive strength along with significantly lower carbon emissions. This was achieved by producing highly reactive silica gels and carbon-fixing calcium carbonates (Cc) from steel slag (SS) via CO2-assisted wet grinding

The carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has garnered significant attention in achieving carbon neutrality including construction sector. This study investigates the hydration and carbonation mechanisms of cement-based samples subjected to early mineral carbonation in a CO2-rich environment, especially by incorporating rice husk ash (RHA). The in-situ CO2 mixing of cement samples

To achieve CO2 and municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA) utilization in construction and building materials production, in this study a novel carbon mixing method was proposed to prepare cement-MSWI-FA pastes with improved properties. The effect of carbon mixing and curing on the compressive strength, Cl− as well as heavy metal solidification and pore structure was investigated. The

As a common supplementary cementitious material (SCM), blast furnace slag (slag) is widely used in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) to enhance properties and reduce its carbon footprint. Slag can be carbonated before use to further improve resilience and sustainability of UHPC. However, using raw/carbonated slag and other SCMs in UHPC presents challenges: (1) Variations in supply and production

This study presents a comprehensive mechanistic corrosion model to simulate rebar corrosion in non-uniform corrosive microenvironments caused by cracking and exposure conditions. The proposed model comprehensively investigates all possible corrosion mechanisms in cracked concrete, addressing an experimental phenomenon that has perplexed experts for decades. In particular, it aims to elucidate the marked

Electrical conductivity measurement using impedance spectroscopy could be a valuable technique for monitoring the various reaction processes of cementitious materials and predicting their long-term durability. In this study, alternating current impedance spectroscopy was employed to investigate the influence of two ligands, 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid with a 0.1 wt% dosage

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) offer a potential solution to the weak tensile strength and cracking issues of 3D printed concrete (3DPC), while their great performance under dynamic loading helps to broaden the application scope of 3D printing technology. This study systematically investigates the relationship between the dynamic compressive properties and the anisotropic behavior of 3DP-ECC

As magnesium oxysulfate cement (MOS) finds more applications in salt lakes and marine environments, the interaction between Cl− and MOS has gained more attention. Nevertheless, a scarcity of previous studies has investigated the effects of chloride type and dosage on the phase composition of hardened MOS paste. This study creates a newly extended and internally consistent thermodynamic database to

Gypsum is commonly used in conventional cement systems to regulate setting time and enhance early strength. However, its role in alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is less well understood due to the distinct chemistry of precursors and reaction products. This study investigates the impact of synthetic and industrial gypsum on the reaction kinetics and microstructure of CaO-FeOX-SiO2 slag activated with

Cracking, driven by shrinkage and thermal strains, strongly influences the serviceability and durability of concrete structures. After several decades of use, cracking can cause structural deterioration and damage. Concrete shrinkage is sensitive to temperature and humidity variations in a complex hygrothermal environment. Therefore, an efficient numerical framework is essential to predict the structural

Dry concrete mix has advantages of high construction efficiency and rapid early strength development. It has been employed extensively in a variety of sectors, including construction and pavement engineering. Traditional methods assessing its workability such as the Vebe test are susceptible to human error, which usually leads to the lack of the satisfactory accuracy in practice. To address the limitations

The performance of responsive cementitious materials after magnetic intervention plays an important role for the application of active rheology control. For example, during 3D concrete printing, the material needs to sustain the increased rheological properties (e.g. yield stress, etc.) after an intervention in the nozzle to guarantee buildability. This research investigates the use of hard magnetic

To address the challenges associated with urban construction waste disposal and promote sustainable construction practices, this study investigates the feasibility of repurposing an illite-rich waste shale as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) through thermal and mechanochemical activation. The aim of this study is to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between the chemical

Geopolymer is a sustainable alternative to cement. We employed graphene oxide (GO) to effectively enhance the freeze-thaw (F/T) resistance of an alkali-activated fly ash-based geopolymer (FAGPR) paste. To unravel the beneficial role of GO as an admixture in mitigating the degradation of FAGPR, this study compared the microscopic properties of the original FAGPR paste and its GO-engineered counterpart

To guarantee structural safety, self-sensing concrete has garnered significant attention as an innovative solution for structural health monitoring. In particular, detecting cracks and their widths in concrete structures is an effective strategy for assessing damage conditions and extending service life. In this context, a novel cementitious composite is proposed, demonstrating an exceptional ability

Nano titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) has been widely used in cement materials to remove nitrogen monoxide (NO), yet the durability of the applied nano-TiO2 in the cementitious matrix remains a substantial challenge. This study developed a high-strength photocatalytic pervious concrete (HSPPC), and employed a low-pressure cold spraying method to apply the nano-TiO2 to its surface, aiming to enhance the

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) are recognized as effective repair materials. However, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)-ECC struggles to meet the demands of emergency repair and construction in cold regions, where rapid strength development is crucial. This paper focuses on the mechanical properties and its prediction model of sulphoaluminate cement (SAC)-ECC under low-temperature curing conditions

The tensile capacity of reinforced ultra-high performance concrete (R-UHPC) consists of two components: the tensile resistance of steel rebar and the contribution of UHPC. Although previous experimental studies have elucidated the total tensile capacity of R-UHPC, the individual contributions of UHPC and steel rebar remain unclear. Moreover, there is limited research on the influence of autogenous

Beta-hemihydrate phosphogypsum (β-HPG) as a nonhydraulic cementitious material has been extensively utilized to prepare low-carbon building materials. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) shows prospect performance in the modification of β-HPG. However, the strength development of GGBS requires high humidity which is harmful to gypsum-based materials. The influence of various curing regimes

The increasing demand for advanced construction materials capable of withstanding extreme environmental conditions has prompted extensive research into ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). This study investigated the dynamic compressive properties of UHPC after cryogenic freeze-thaw (FT) cycles. UHPC specimens were exposed to 2, 4 and 8 FT cycles at −160 °C before being tested under dynamic loading

Fluidity control is a critical issue limiting the practical application of alkali-activated slag (AAS). In cement systems, the PCE is usually used combined with retarders for workability adjustment of fresh pastes because the dispersing ability of PCE alone drops quickly over time. However, there is a lack of relevant research in the AAS system. This paper investigates the effect of the combination

The effect of chloride ion migration on the hydration and microstructural characteristics of ultra-low water/binder ratio cementitious composites (ULWBRCC) in different concentration fields is clarified through the combination of experimental methods and thermodynamic simulations. Specifically, the effects of ion migration on pore concentration, hydration phases, and microstructure in ULWBRCC are analyzed

Coral aggregate seawater shotcrete (CASS) is crucial for maintaining the stability of island infrastructure subjected to dynamic forces. In this study, nanoindentation tests were conducted to evaluate the micromechanical properties of CASS, and the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus was used to investigate its dynamic mechanical behavior. Dynamic splitting tests were performed at impact

This study aimed to elucidate the anisotropic relationships among expansion, cracking, and mechanical properties in compression caused by the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) under applied stress using mesoscale modeling based on a 3D-rigid body spring model. A concrete model consisting of a composite phase of aggregate and mortar was used, and the ASR expansion was reproduced by considering two mechanisms