Pub Date : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108149
Sirajuddin Moghul, Léa Köller, Astrid Sidos, Franco Zunino, Robert J. Flatt
In blended cements, superplasticizers may distribute unevenly between the different mineral components, a challenge compounded by the heterogeneity of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). While it is understood that this may impact both rheology and hydration kinetics, the topic has not yet been addressed either systematically or quantitatively. This study does this by developing a quantitative framework called Pore Solution Matching (PSM), which enables systematic characterization superplasticizer distribution in multicomponent binders, using limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) as a representative system. This is done by using a polycarboxylate ether (PCE) and a diphosphonate superplasticizers. Protocols are established to conduct adsorption studies on the individual components of LC3, clinker, calcined clay, and limestone, to obtain results that represent an early-age LC3 paste. Integrating such data into a surface-based mass balance model it is possible to reconstruct polymer distributions and surface coverages across the different phases in LC3. As revealed by isothermal calorimetry this has important implications on hydration kinetics. Specifically, it is shown that the retardation response of LC3 varies linearly with the surface coverage of OPC by either of the superplasticizer used.Though demonstrated here for LC3, the methodology and insights presented are applicable to a broad class of SCM-rich binders, offering a generalizable strategy for admixture design in a broad range of cementitious systems, including but not limited to low carbon cements.
{"title":"Pore solution matching: A method to resolve superplasticizer distributions in blended cements","authors":"Sirajuddin Moghul, Léa Köller, Astrid Sidos, Franco Zunino, Robert J. Flatt","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108149","url":null,"abstract":"In blended cements, superplasticizers may distribute unevenly between the different mineral components, a challenge compounded by the heterogeneity of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). While it is understood that this may impact both rheology and hydration kinetics, the topic has not yet been addressed either systematically or quantitatively. This study does this by developing a quantitative framework called Pore Solution Matching (PSM), which enables systematic characterization superplasticizer distribution in multicomponent binders, using limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) as a representative system. This is done by using a polycarboxylate ether (PCE) and a diphosphonate superplasticizers. Protocols are established to conduct adsorption studies on the individual components of LC3, clinker, calcined clay, and limestone, to obtain results that represent an early-age LC3 paste. Integrating such data into a surface-based mass balance model it is possible to reconstruct polymer distributions and surface coverages across the different phases in LC3. As revealed by isothermal calorimetry this has important implications on hydration kinetics. Specifically, it is shown that the retardation response of LC3 varies linearly with the surface coverage of OPC by either of the superplasticizer used.Though demonstrated here for LC3, the methodology and insights presented are applicable to a broad class of SCM-rich binders, offering a generalizable strategy for admixture design in a broad range of cementitious systems, including but not limited to low carbon cements.","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146134210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108151
Veysel Kobya, Yahya Kaya, Ali Mardani, Kambiz Ramyar
{"title":"Effect of structural modification of polycarboxylate-based grinding aids on hydration kinetics and rheological properties of cementitious systems","authors":"Veysel Kobya, Yahya Kaya, Ali Mardani, Kambiz Ramyar","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108151","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108151","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146134211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108159
Qiaomu Zheng , En-Hua Yang , Yanqun Xu , Chen Li , Xinping Zhu , Zuhua Zhang , Zhengwu Jiang
By incorporating characteristic expansive agents, the crack self-healing capability of UHPFRC under aqueous carbonation is enhanced. Synergistic use of sulfur (ye'elimite-based, S-EA)- and magnesium (periclase-based, M-EA)-rich expansive agents reduces the capillary pore content/size through crystalline filling while increasing the gel pore volume by hydration promotion. Such a dual influence balances the overall chemical stability and the surface ion exchange capacity of UHPFRC. Post-cracking, slower periclase hydration from M-EA sustains the alkalinity of crack solution, thus stimulating secondary hydration and subsequent self-healing. S-EA-derived ettringite improves the spatial uniformity of self-healing products by templating the oriented carbonate nucleation during the early carbonation, whereas M-EA-derived brucite promotes the crack closure via prolonging the crack solution supersaturation and facilitating the calcite-aragonite intergrowth. During the later carbonation, Mg-calcite contributes to enhanced nanomechanical properties and modulated failure modes of self-healing products through localized lattice stress fields. Aragonite further reconstructs a more integrated self-healing phase-quartz aggregate interface through the reduction of lattice mismatches. These two mechanisms collectively reinforce the mechanical property restoration of UHPFRC.
{"title":"Aqueous carbonation-induced self-healing of UHPFRC: Role of sulfur/magnesium-rich expansive agents in crack closure and mechanical restoration","authors":"Qiaomu Zheng , En-Hua Yang , Yanqun Xu , Chen Li , Xinping Zhu , Zuhua Zhang , Zhengwu Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108159","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108159","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>By incorporating characteristic expansive agents, the crack self-healing capability of UHPFRC under aqueous carbonation is enhanced. Synergistic use of sulfur (ye'elimite-based, S-EA)- and magnesium (periclase-based, M-EA)-rich expansive agents reduces the capillary pore content/size through crystalline filling while increasing the gel pore volume by hydration promotion. Such a dual influence balances the overall chemical stability and the surface ion exchange capacity of UHPFRC. Post-cracking, slower periclase hydration from M-EA sustains the alkalinity of crack solution, thus stimulating secondary hydration and subsequent self-healing. S-EA-derived ettringite improves the spatial uniformity of self-healing products by templating the oriented carbonate nucleation during the early carbonation, whereas M-EA-derived brucite promotes the crack closure via prolonging the crack solution supersaturation and facilitating the calcite-aragonite intergrowth. During the later carbonation, Mg-calcite contributes to enhanced nanomechanical properties and modulated failure modes of self-healing products through localized lattice stress fields. Aragonite further reconstructs a more integrated self-healing phase-quartz aggregate interface through the reduction of lattice mismatches. These two mechanisms collectively reinforce the mechanical property restoration of UHPFRC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 108159"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108146
Laura Caneda-Martínez , Hela Bessaies-Bey , Xiaohan Yu , Karen Mourda , Patrick Belin , Belén González-Fonteboa , Nicolas Roussel
The contribution of early hydration products is often neglected in rheological studies of cementitious systems, particularly with respect to the quantitative evaluation of their influence on particle packing. Ettringite, owing to its predominance as an early-age hydration product and its frequently elongated morphology, is the most relevant phase to consider in this context. This study investigates the factors controlling ettringite morphology in the absence of admixtures and evaluates their impact on packing behaviour. Ettringite was synthesised under controlled solution conditions and analysed via microscopic techniques to assess the effect of ion concentration on morphology. In addition, the packing properties of ettringite samples of different morphology were studied by applying controlled compressive stress through centrifugation experiments. Results show that ettringite morphology is defined by solution supersaturation with respect to ettringite and mechanical stress: reduced supersaturation (i.e. dilution of the system) favours the formation of longer, thinner crystals, while stress induces breaking, with the resulting aspect ratio of the crystals dictated by the magnitude of the applied stress. Ettringite crystals were found to exhibit poor packing properties compared to those of common building materials. Moreover, a clear correlation between aspect ratio and packing properties was identified, consistent with predictive models for elongated macroscopic particles. These findings have significant practical implications, as understanding and controlling ettringite morphology can provide an effective means to tune early-age rheology in cement-based materials. We finally suggest that these findings are specifically relevant for low-clinker content binders where supersaturation is expected to be lower than traditional binders.
{"title":"Chemical and mechanical origin of ettringite morphology and packing properties","authors":"Laura Caneda-Martínez , Hela Bessaies-Bey , Xiaohan Yu , Karen Mourda , Patrick Belin , Belén González-Fonteboa , Nicolas Roussel","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The contribution of early hydration products is often neglected in rheological studies of cementitious systems, particularly with respect to the quantitative evaluation of their influence on particle packing. Ettringite, owing to its predominance as an early-age hydration product and its frequently elongated morphology, is the most relevant phase to consider in this context. This study investigates the factors controlling ettringite morphology in the absence of admixtures and evaluates their impact on packing behaviour. Ettringite was synthesised under controlled solution conditions and analysed via microscopic techniques to assess the effect of ion concentration on morphology. In addition, the packing properties of ettringite samples of different morphology were studied by applying controlled compressive stress through centrifugation experiments. Results show that ettringite morphology is defined by solution supersaturation with respect to ettringite and mechanical stress: reduced supersaturation (i.e. dilution of the system) favours the formation of longer, thinner crystals, while stress induces breaking, with the resulting aspect ratio of the crystals dictated by the magnitude of the applied stress. Ettringite crystals were found to exhibit poor packing properties compared to those of common building materials. Moreover, a clear correlation between aspect ratio and packing properties was identified, consistent with predictive models for elongated macroscopic particles. These findings have significant practical implications, as understanding and controlling ettringite morphology can provide an effective means to tune early-age rheology in cement-based materials. We finally suggest that these findings are specifically relevant for low-clinker content binders where supersaturation is expected to be lower than traditional binders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 108146"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108154
Gen Li, Xiong Qian, Yining Gao, Peiliang Shen, Yong Tao, Chi Sun Poon
Water adsorption and capillary condensation in cementitious mesopores govern early transport and hydration kinetics, yet how surface chemistry couples to pore wetting remains unclear. Using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations, we quantify water uptake and condensation in slit-shaped dicalcium silicate mesopores with varying surface hydroxylation degree. We identify a Matthew effect in hydration, i.e., a positive-feedback process in which water accumulation promotes surface hydroxylation, which in turn strengthens solid-liquid interactions and accelerates further uptake. The enhanced water adsorption on hydroxylated surfaces arises from more interfacial hydrogen bonds and shorter bonding distances, increasing the orientational ordering and structuring of interfacial water. Therefore, more reactive minerals develop more hydroxylated surfaces that increase water uptake and promote further hydration, exacerbating interphase heterogeneity in the hydration degree of cement paste. These results clarify the preferential transport and accumulation of water in cement mesopores and provide explanations for long-term hydration degree disparities of clinker phases.
{"title":"The Matthew effect in cement hydration: Hydroxylation-driven wetting of C2S mesopores","authors":"Gen Li, Xiong Qian, Yining Gao, Peiliang Shen, Yong Tao, Chi Sun Poon","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water adsorption and capillary condensation in cementitious mesopores govern early transport and hydration kinetics, yet how surface chemistry couples to pore wetting remains unclear. Using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations, we quantify water uptake and condensation in slit-shaped dicalcium silicate mesopores with varying surface hydroxylation degree. We identify a Matthew effect in hydration, i.e., a positive-feedback process in which water accumulation promotes surface hydroxylation, which in turn strengthens solid-liquid interactions and accelerates further uptake. The enhanced water adsorption on hydroxylated surfaces arises from more interfacial hydrogen bonds and shorter bonding distances, increasing the orientational ordering and structuring of interfacial water. Therefore, more reactive minerals develop more hydroxylated surfaces that increase water uptake and promote further hydration, exacerbating interphase heterogeneity in the hydration degree of cement paste. These results clarify the preferential transport and accumulation of water in cement mesopores and provide explanations for long-term hydration degree disparities of clinker phases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 108154"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108155
Jiahao Chu , Haixiao Xu , Weijie Yue , Xu Tao , Jinfeng Sun , Suhua Ma , Weifeng Li
In this study, the influences of sodium ions on the phase formation, microstructure, and hydration behavior of Belite-Ye'elimite-Ternesite (BYT) clinker were investigated. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of Na2O (derived from Na2CO3) significantly reduced the formation temperatures of primary phases—belite (2CaO·SiO2, C2S) and ye'elimite (4CaO·3Al2O3·SO3, C4A3$)—by 50 °C and 100 °C, respectively, and enhanced their formation kinetics at low temperatures (800–1000 °C). However, it also decreased the decomposition temperature of ye'elimite. The addition of Na2O had an adverse effect on the thermal stability of ternesite (5CaO·2SiO2·SO3, C5S2$), although a small amount of Na2O (≤0.5%) facilitated the formation of ternesite at low temperatures (850–950 °C). An excessive content of Na2O (≥2.0%) inhibited the formation of C5S2$ due to the reactions between Na2CO3 and CaSO4. Furthermore, Na2O stabilized β-C2S but induced lattice distortion in C4A3$. A low dosage of Na2O (0.5%) shortened the induction period by promoting AFt formation, whereas higher dosages (≥2.0%) eliminated it through rapid nucleation of U-phase (4CaO·Al2O3·1.85SO3·0.85Na2O·12H2O). The 30-h hydration degree decreased progressively with increasing Na2O dosage.
{"title":"Influence of sodium ions on the synthesis and hydration of belite-ye'elimite-ternesite clinker","authors":"Jiahao Chu , Haixiao Xu , Weijie Yue , Xu Tao , Jinfeng Sun , Suhua Ma , Weifeng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108155","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108155","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, the influences of sodium ions on the phase formation, microstructure, and hydration behavior of Belite-Ye'elimite-Ternesite (BYT) clinker were investigated. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of Na<sub>2</sub>O (derived from Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>) significantly reduced the formation temperatures of primary phases—belite (2CaO·SiO<sub>2</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>S) and ye'elimite (4CaO·3Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>·SO<sub>3</sub>, C<sub>4</sub>A<sub>3</sub>$)—by 50 °C and 100 °C, respectively, and enhanced their formation kinetics at low temperatures (800–1000 °C). However, it also decreased the decomposition temperature of ye'elimite. The addition of Na<sub>2</sub>O had an adverse effect on the thermal stability of ternesite (5CaO·2SiO<sub>2</sub>·SO<sub>3</sub>, C<sub>5</sub>S<sub>2</sub>$), although a small amount of Na<sub>2</sub>O (≤0.5%) facilitated the formation of ternesite at low temperatures (850–950 °C). An excessive content of Na<sub>2</sub>O (≥2.0%) inhibited the formation of C<sub>5</sub>S<sub>2</sub>$ due to the reactions between Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> and CaSO<sub>4</sub>. Furthermore, Na<sub>2</sub>O stabilized β-C<sub>2</sub>S but induced lattice distortion in C<sub>4</sub>A<sub>3</sub>$. A low dosage of Na<sub>2</sub>O (0.5%) shortened the induction period by promoting AFt formation, whereas higher dosages (≥2.0%) eliminated it through rapid nucleation of U-phase (4CaO·Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>·1.85SO<sub>3</sub>·0.85Na<sub>2</sub>O·12H<sub>2</sub>O). The 30-h hydration degree decreased progressively with increasing Na<sub>2</sub>O dosage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 108155"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108145
Mahdiar Dargahi , Luca Sorelli
Reducing time-dependent deformation is critical for the long-term performance of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), particularly when targeting low-clinker, low water-to-fine (w/f) ratio formulations. This study investigates the micro-scale creep behavior of cement paste systems incorporating fine limestone filler (LF) as partial cement substitution under coupled relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) conditions. All mixtures were designed with a stoichiometrically saturated water-to-cement ratio (w/c = 0.40) to promote a high degree of hydration, whereas the water-to-fine (w/f) ratio was adjusted to form dense, UHPC-like matrices. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze the porosity and microstructure of the cement paste systems. Using an advanced uniaxial creep recovery test on micrometer-sized prismatic specimens (150 × 150 × 300 μm3), the viscoelastic response was quantified under seven RH-T combinations. Substituting 30% of cement with LF increased the uniaxial creep modulus by 67% and reduced porosity by 25%. Across all systems, creep deformation increases with higher RH and T levels, and these effects are coupled, each amplifying the influence of the other. Within the investigated range, creep is more sensitive to RH variations than to T, although the inclusion of LF mitigates RH-T-induced creep amplification. Despite the environmental loading, all systems exhibited long-term logarithmic creep kinetics and a consistent recovery index (~ 56%). The study offers original micro-scale evidence that mineral filler addition not only improves the microstructure but also enhances long-term environmental robustness, supporting its role in the next generation of low-carbon, high-performance cement-based materials.
{"title":"Effect of limestone filler on micro-scale creep of stoichiometrically saturated cement paste systems under coupled relative humidity and temperature conditions","authors":"Mahdiar Dargahi , Luca Sorelli","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reducing time-dependent deformation is critical for the long-term performance of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), particularly when targeting low-clinker, low water-to-fine (w/f) ratio formulations. This study investigates the micro-scale creep behavior of cement paste systems incorporating fine limestone filler (LF) as partial cement substitution under coupled relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) conditions. All mixtures were designed with a stoichiometrically saturated water-to-cement ratio (w/c = 0.40) to promote a high degree of hydration, whereas the water-to-fine (w/f) ratio was adjusted to form dense, UHPC-like matrices. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze the porosity and microstructure of the cement paste systems. Using an advanced uniaxial creep recovery test on micrometer-sized prismatic specimens (150 × 150 × 300 μm<sup>3</sup>), the viscoelastic response was quantified under seven RH-T combinations. Substituting 30% of cement with LF increased the uniaxial creep modulus by 67% and reduced porosity by 25%. Across all systems, creep deformation increases with higher RH and T levels, and these effects are coupled, each amplifying the influence of the other. Within the investigated range, creep is more sensitive to RH variations than to T, although the inclusion of LF mitigates RH-T-induced creep amplification. Despite the environmental loading, all systems exhibited long-term logarithmic creep kinetics and a consistent recovery index (~ 56%). The study offers original micro-scale evidence that mineral filler addition not only improves the microstructure but also enhances long-term environmental robustness, supporting its role in the next generation of low-carbon, high-performance cement-based materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 108145"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146074539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108148
Snežana Marinković , Petar Bajić , Nikola Tošić
To prevent serious consequences of climate change, it is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO₂. The concrete industry, largely made up of ready-mixed reinforced concrete (RC), is a key part, as concrete is produced more than all other construction materials combined. This study evaluates decarbonization strategies in the RC sector, including low-clinker concrete (concrete with limestone calcined clay cement - LC3 and high-volume limestone powder concrete - HVLPC), carbon capture and storage (CCS) and concrete with carbonated recycled aggregates (CRAC). Life cycle assessment was conducted on a typical RC floor slab under current and future conditions, including CCS and full electricity decarbonization. Results show a 60%–90% CO₂ reduction at the concrete level, but only ∼50% overall due to reinforcement impact—insufficient for net-zero under the assumptions made in this study. The best option combines HVLPC, oxyfuel CCS, and green electricity. With CCS and fully decarbonized electricity implemented in the future scenario, differences between conventional and low-clinker concretes drop below 10%. Possible mitigation strategies that can contribute to achieving carbon neutrality in the RC sector are decarbonization of the steel sector, increasing bioenergy and/or green hydrogen use in the kiln's fuel mix and decarbonization of transport.
{"title":"Environmental assessment of several paths toward a carbon neutral ready-mixed concrete sector","authors":"Snežana Marinković , Petar Bajić , Nikola Tošić","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To prevent serious consequences of climate change, it is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO₂. The concrete industry, largely made up of ready-mixed reinforced concrete (RC), is a key part, as concrete is produced more than all other construction materials combined. This study evaluates decarbonization strategies in the RC sector, including low-clinker concrete (concrete with limestone calcined clay cement - LC<sup>3</sup> and high-volume limestone powder concrete - HVLPC), carbon capture and storage (CCS) and concrete with carbonated recycled aggregates (CRAC). Life cycle assessment was conducted on a typical RC floor slab under current and future conditions, including CCS and full electricity decarbonization. Results show a 60%–90% CO₂ reduction at the concrete level, but only ∼50% overall due to reinforcement impact—insufficient for net-zero under the assumptions made in this study. The best option combines HVLPC, oxyfuel CCS, and green electricity. With CCS and fully decarbonized electricity implemented in the future scenario, differences between conventional and low-clinker concretes drop below 10%. Possible mitigation strategies that can contribute to achieving carbon neutrality in the RC sector are decarbonization of the steel sector, increasing bioenergy and/or green hydrogen use in the kiln's fuel mix and decarbonization of transport.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 108148"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108150
Miguel A.G. Aranda , Angeles G. De la Torre , Susan A. Bernal , John L. Provis
Synchrotron X-ray techniques have been extensively applied to characterise the mineralogy of anhydrous cementitious materials, the hydration processes and products in cementitious systems, and the alterations induced by different environmental exposure conditions. However, with changes in cement compositions and performance requirements, and an increased focus on materials design for sustainability, there is now strong emphasis on the use of advanced analytical tools to bring fundamentally based, multi-scale, multi-modal, spatially-resolved and/or time-resolved understanding of the physico-chemical factors influencing cementitious materials in the fluid, hardening and cured states. Beamline-based analysis complements conventional laboratory techniques, bringing unique capabilities to develop high-level insights. Here we provide a critical overview of the application of synchrotron radiation-based techniques to cementitious materials, and the opportunities and research needs to unlock their full potential for their use in future cement materials research, including issues related to handling and processing the very large datasets that can be generated.
{"title":"Insights into the nano- and microstructures of cementitious materials using synchrotron X-rays","authors":"Miguel A.G. Aranda , Angeles G. De la Torre , Susan A. Bernal , John L. Provis","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Synchrotron X-ray techniques have been extensively applied to characterise the mineralogy of anhydrous cementitious materials, the hydration processes and products in cementitious systems, and the alterations induced by different environmental exposure conditions. However, with changes in cement compositions and performance requirements, and an increased focus on materials design for sustainability, there is now strong emphasis on the use of advanced analytical tools to bring fundamentally based, multi-scale, multi-modal, spatially-resolved and/or time-resolved understanding of the physico-chemical factors influencing cementitious materials in the fluid, hardening and cured states. Beamline-based analysis complements conventional laboratory techniques, bringing unique capabilities to develop high-level insights. Here we provide a critical overview of the application of synchrotron radiation-based techniques to cementitious materials, and the opportunities and research needs to unlock their full potential for their use in future cement materials research, including issues related to handling and processing the very large datasets that can be generated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":266,"journal":{"name":"Cement and Concrete Research","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 108150"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2026.108140
Yue Zhang , Fengxiao Zhu , Pan Wang , Muhan Wang , Xinpeng Wang , Yunqi Liu , Jing Guan , Fengxia Xu , Yizhao Gao , Peixuan Shen , Dongshuai Hou
Immobilizing Cu2+ from copper tailings in cement is crucial, yet its atomic-scale mechanism remains poorly understood. Using ab initio metadynamics, we delineate the complete multi-step leaching pathway of Cu2+ from a C-S-H surface, characterized by two distinct energy barriers. Initial detachment involves a stepwise ligand exchange, with the first barrier primarily dictated by the rupture of the Cu-Osi covalent bond. A highly stable, singly-anchored intermediate (State C) is maintained by a novel “triple-lock” of secondary interactions: a direct H-bond, a water-mediated bridge, and Ca-Ow coordination. This robust anchoring significantly contributes to the higher second energy barrier for complete dissolution. Final desorption is governed by a compensatory mechanism where the hydrated ion reinforces internal stability as the “triple-lock” gradually weakens. Crucially, Cu2+ adopts a labile, four-coordinate geometry throughout, challenging previous rigid six-coordinate models and offering fundamental insights for designing environmentally robust cementitious materials.
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