Pub Date : 2025-11-12DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106394
Petr Miarka , José D. Ríos , Lucie Malíková , Vlastimil Bílek
This paper presents the outcome of an experimental study focused on the investigation of the fatigue fracture behaviour of high-performance concrete (HPC) with granite aggregates under three-point bending. Notched beam specimens were tested under static, low-cycle, and high-cycle regimes to obtain load-CMOD responses, S-N curves, crack propagation and damage accumulation. Key parameters were derived from CMOD-controlled tests, Paris' law fitting, and a compliance-based crack growth approach. Post-test microscopy was used to characterise the fracture process zone (FPZ). The results reveal a cohesive-like law governing the cyclic damage evolution, independent of the initial notch depth. Aggregate bridging and confinement effects from large granite aggregates (Dmax = 22 mm) significantly influenced crack trajectories, delaying failure and enhancing fatigue life. Fatigue crack growth analysis identified distinct propagation phases and multiple apparent threshold stress intensity factors (KI,th), closely linked to the material's meso-structure. The findings suggest that despite accumulated damage, final failure occurs when local conditions reach the fracture toughness of the unfatigued material. This work provides new insights into the role of aggregate type in fatigue performance and proposes a robust methodology for correlating static and cyclic fracture parameters in conventional HPC.
{"title":"Fatigue resistance of concrete revisited: Wide range data from low-cycle to high-cycle and influence of aggregate on fatigue lifetimes","authors":"Petr Miarka , José D. Ríos , Lucie Malíková , Vlastimil Bílek","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106394","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106394","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents the outcome of an experimental study focused on the investigation of the fatigue fracture behaviour of high-performance concrete (HPC) with granite aggregates under three-point bending. Notched beam specimens were tested under static, low-cycle, and high-cycle regimes to obtain load-CMOD responses, S-N curves, crack propagation and damage accumulation. Key parameters were derived from CMOD-controlled tests, Paris' law fitting, and a compliance-based crack growth approach. Post-test microscopy was used to characterise the fracture process zone (FPZ). The results reveal a cohesive-like law governing the cyclic damage evolution, independent of the initial notch depth. Aggregate bridging and confinement effects from large granite aggregates (<em>D</em><sub>max</sub> = 22 mm) significantly influenced crack trajectories, delaying failure and enhancing fatigue life. Fatigue crack growth analysis identified distinct propagation phases and multiple apparent threshold stress intensity factors (<em>K</em><sub>I,th)</sub>, closely linked to the material's meso-structure. The findings suggest that despite accumulated damage, final failure occurs when local conditions reach the fracture toughness of the unfatigued material. This work provides new insights into the role of aggregate type in fatigue performance and proposes a robust methodology for correlating static and cyclic fracture parameters in conventional HPC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106394"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145498725","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 : 2025-11-10DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106395
Shiping Li , Yan Sun , Ye Qian , Wujun Chen , Daxu Zhang , Xiaoniu Yu
The natural jigsaw-interlocking suture interfaces of the exoskeletal forewings (elytra) of the diabolical ironclad beetle, Phloeodes diabolicus, exhibit excellent mechanical response, enabling efficient load transfer and energy dissipation. Inspired by these natural jigsaw-interlocking suture interfaces, a groove structure with prefabricated interlocking sutures in 3D-printed Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (3DP-SHCC) was systematically studied to investigate the influence of suture geometries on load transfer efficiency, crack propagation paths, and failure modes, revealing the unique energy dissipation mechanism and exceptional deformation capacity of the jigsaw-interlocking suture. Experimental results show that bio-inspired jigsaw-interlocking sutures can significantly enhance flexural strength and energy dissipation, and delay suture interface failure through an interlocking mechanism. The optimized suture geometries (engagement angle = 25°; elliptical aspect ratio = 1.8) achieve synergistic optimization of flexural strength, ductility, and energy dissipation. Compared with its cast unjointed counterpart, specimen Y-A25°G1.8 retained 97.2 % of the flexural strength and 94.0 % of the total energy dissipation, indicating comparable mechanical performance without supplementary reinforcement. These findings challenge the conventional assumption that joints inherently compromise mechanical performance. The suture interface with nonlinear mechanical response provides a novel bio-inspired approach for the engineering joint design, holding significant application potential in the fields of earthquake resistance and prefabrication assembly.
{"title":"Bio-inspired jigsaw-interlocking suture interfaces for enhanced flexural response of 3D-printed strain-hardening cementitious composites (3DP-SHCC)","authors":"Shiping Li , Yan Sun , Ye Qian , Wujun Chen , Daxu Zhang , Xiaoniu Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106395","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106395","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The natural jigsaw-interlocking suture interfaces of the exoskeletal forewings (elytra) of the diabolical ironclad beetle, <em>Phloeodes diabolicus</em>, exhibit excellent mechanical response, enabling efficient load transfer and energy dissipation. Inspired by these natural jigsaw-interlocking suture interfaces, a groove structure with prefabricated interlocking sutures in 3D-printed Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (3DP-SHCC) was systematically studied to investigate the influence of suture geometries on load transfer efficiency, crack propagation paths, and failure modes, revealing the unique energy dissipation mechanism and exceptional deformation capacity of the jigsaw-interlocking suture. Experimental results show that bio-inspired jigsaw-interlocking sutures can significantly enhance flexural strength and energy dissipation, and delay suture interface failure through an interlocking mechanism. The optimized suture geometries (engagement angle = 25°; elliptical aspect ratio = 1.8) achieve synergistic optimization of flexural strength, ductility, and energy dissipation. Compared with its cast unjointed counterpart, specimen Y-A<sub>25°</sub>G<sub>1.8</sub> retained 97.2 % of the flexural strength and 94.0 % of the total energy dissipation, indicating comparable mechanical performance without supplementary reinforcement. These findings challenge the conventional assumption that joints inherently compromise mechanical performance. The suture interface with nonlinear mechanical response provides a novel bio-inspired approach for the engineering joint design, holding significant application potential in the fields of earthquake resistance and prefabrication assembly.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106395"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145478096","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 : 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106390
Tan Duy Phan , Su Sung Jo , Dong Joo Kim
This study investigated the effects of high strain rates on the direct tensile behavior of ultra-high-performance lightweight fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (UHP-LFRCCs) containing hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) and 1.5 % steel fibers by volume at strain rates between 0.00033 and 203 s−1. The UHP-LFRCCs with a density of 1899.5 kg/m3 and a compressive strength of 107.1 MPa demonstrated a tensile strain hardening response accompanied by multiple microcracks, even at high strain rates (184 s−1). The UHP-LFRCCs exhibited favorable rate-sensitive tensile responses, higher tensile strengths, and structural efficiencies at higher strain rates. The tensile strength and structural efficiency of the UHP-LFRCCs were measured as 10.99 MPa and 5.79 MPa/(tonf/m3) at static strain rate (0.00033 s−1) and 21.24 MPa and 11.19 MPa/(tonf/m3) at high strain rate (150 s−1), respectively. Compared with the ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete, UHP-LFRCCs produced slightly lower post-cracking tensile strength, peak toughness, and number of cracks at both static and high strain rates. The addition of HGMs significantly improved the workability, strain capacity, and tensile structural efficiency of UHP-LFRCCs.
{"title":"Tensile response of ultra-high performance lightweight fiber-reinforced cementitious composite containing hollow glass microspheres at high strain rates","authors":"Tan Duy Phan , Su Sung Jo , Dong Joo Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106390","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106390","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the effects of high strain rates on the direct tensile behavior of ultra-high-performance lightweight fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (UHP-LFRCCs) containing hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) and 1.5 % steel fibers by volume at strain rates between 0.00033 and 203 s<sup>−1</sup>. The UHP-LFRCCs with a density of 1899.5 kg/m<sup>3</sup> and a compressive strength of 107.1 MPa demonstrated a tensile strain hardening response accompanied by multiple microcracks, even at high strain rates (184 s<sup>−1</sup>). The UHP-LFRCCs exhibited favorable rate-sensitive tensile responses, higher tensile strengths, and structural efficiencies at higher strain rates. The tensile strength and structural efficiency of the UHP-LFRCCs were measured as 10.99 MPa and 5.79 MPa/(tonf/m<sup>3</sup>) at static strain rate (0.00033 s<sup>−1</sup>) and 21.24 MPa and 11.19 MPa/(tonf/m<sup>3</sup>) at high strain rate (150 s<sup>−1</sup>), respectively. Compared with the ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete, UHP-LFRCCs produced slightly lower post-cracking tensile strength, peak toughness, and number of cracks at both static and high strain rates. The addition of HGMs significantly improved the workability, strain capacity, and tensile structural efficiency of UHP-LFRCCs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106390"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145454767","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 : 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106391
Hanbing Zhao , Yixiang Gan , Kejin Wang , Shuhua Peng , Ippei Maruyama , Wengui Li
Recycled lump-filled concrete is a sustainable concrete material produced by stacking large-sized recycled lumps in moulds and subsequently filling the gaps between the lumps with self-compacting concrete or mortar. However, the homogeneity of the interfacial transition zones (ITZs) and cement paste matrix surrounding the recycled lumps is critical in determining the overall mechanical properties and permeability resistance. In this study, two specimen preparation methods were used including the sequential casting method (directly pouring self-compacting mortar onto the recycled lump stacks) and the reverse casting method (extruding recycled lumps into self-compacting mortar). The results show that both casting methods adequately fill the voids in the recycled lump-filled concrete and form an effective bond between the recycled lumps and self-compacting mortar. However, the sequential casting method relies more strongly on the relationship between the yield stress and shear stress of self-compacting mortar. Particle accumulation occurred mainly at the top and upper sides of the recycled lumps due to sedimentation, while rough surface of recycled lumps and the viscosity of the mortar led to more voids at the bottom of the specimens fabricated by the sequential casting method. In contrast, the ‘wall effect’ was less significant and a more homogeneous interface was achieved in specimens prepared by the reverse casting method, although the bottom interface was slightly denser than the top. Overall, the reverse casting method was more conducive to achieving a homogeneous distribution of micro-pores and phases, thereby stabilising the mechanical properties and permeability resistance of recycled lump-filled concrete.
{"title":"Nanocharacterisation on the cement paste-recycled lump interface in recycled lump-filled concrete using reverse casting method","authors":"Hanbing Zhao , Yixiang Gan , Kejin Wang , Shuhua Peng , Ippei Maruyama , Wengui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recycled lump-filled concrete is a sustainable concrete material produced by stacking large-sized recycled lumps in moulds and subsequently filling the gaps between the lumps with self-compacting concrete or mortar. However, the homogeneity of the interfacial transition zones (ITZs) and cement paste matrix surrounding the recycled lumps is critical in determining the overall mechanical properties and permeability resistance. In this study, two specimen preparation methods were used including the sequential casting method (directly pouring self-compacting mortar onto the recycled lump stacks) and the reverse casting method (extruding recycled lumps into self-compacting mortar). The results show that both casting methods adequately fill the voids in the recycled lump-filled concrete and form an effective bond between the recycled lumps and self-compacting mortar. However, the sequential casting method relies more strongly on the relationship between the yield stress and shear stress of self-compacting mortar. Particle accumulation occurred mainly at the top and upper sides of the recycled lumps due to sedimentation, while rough surface of recycled lumps and the viscosity of the mortar led to more voids at the bottom of the specimens fabricated by the sequential casting method. In contrast, the ‘wall effect’ was less significant and a more homogeneous interface was achieved in specimens prepared by the reverse casting method, although the bottom interface was slightly denser than the top. Overall, the reverse casting method was more conducive to achieving a homogeneous distribution of micro-pores and phases, thereby stabilising the mechanical properties and permeability resistance of recycled lump-filled concrete.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106391"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145448087","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 : 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106392
Ngoc Kien Bui, Ryo Kurihara, Takafumi Noguchi, Ippei Maruyama
The long-term microstructural evolution of hardened cement paste under nearly two years of enforced carbonation was examined using water vapor sorption and 1H NMR relaxometry. The results show that nanopore evolution, including interlayer spaces and gel pores, in carbonation at different relative humidity (SDC) was reduced significantly by as much as approximately 50 % degree of carbonation (DoC). In contrast, wet carbonation (WC) showed distinct pore changes and rapid matrix degradation from structural breakdown, with pore evolution following a trend similar to pH. The specific surface area (SSA) in WC is higher than in SDC owing to the formation of highly polymerized Al–Si gel, which also increases the SSA measured by 1H NMR relaxometry. Lower relative humidity (RH) leads to a much greater reduction in nanopores. The reduction in interlayer spaces and gel pores and metastable CaCO3 polymorph transformation retards further carbonation in SDC. In SDC, vaterite tends to form at DoC <50 %, whereas stable forms, such as aragonite and calcite, dominate at later stages, depending on the RH. At 60 % RH, aragonite and vaterite were depleted at a DoC of approximately 50 %, owing to the disappearance of the interlayer spaces and gel pores. By contrast, at 90 % RH, the interlayer spaces decreased to approximately 50 % DoC, whereas the gel pores decreased significantly beyond 70 % DoC. Vaterite is depleted around 50 % DoC as it transforms into aragonite alongside nanopore reduction, and aragonite seeds promote further aragonite growth. This behavior is attributed to aragonite crystal growth through Ostwald ripening and polymorph transformation.
{"title":"Microstructural evolution of cement pastes under long-term carbonation: new insights in nanopores from water vapor sorption and 1H NMR relaxometry","authors":"Ngoc Kien Bui, Ryo Kurihara, Takafumi Noguchi, Ippei Maruyama","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The long-term microstructural evolution of hardened cement paste under nearly two years of enforced carbonation was examined using water vapor sorption and <sup>1</sup>H NMR relaxometry. The results show that nanopore evolution, including interlayer spaces and gel pores, in carbonation at different relative humidity (SDC) was reduced significantly by as much as approximately 50 % degree of carbonation (DoC). In contrast, wet carbonation (WC) showed distinct pore changes and rapid matrix degradation from structural breakdown, with pore evolution following a trend similar to pH. The specific surface area (SSA) in WC is higher than in SDC owing to the formation of highly polymerized Al–Si gel, which also increases the SSA measured by <sup>1</sup>H NMR relaxometry. Lower relative humidity (RH) leads to a much greater reduction in nanopores. The reduction in interlayer spaces and gel pores and metastable CaCO<sub>3</sub> polymorph transformation retards further carbonation in SDC. In SDC, vaterite tends to form at DoC <50 %, whereas stable forms, such as aragonite and calcite, dominate at later stages, depending on the RH. At 60 % RH, aragonite and vaterite were depleted at a DoC of approximately 50 %, owing to the disappearance of the interlayer spaces and gel pores. By contrast, at 90 % RH, the interlayer spaces decreased to approximately 50 % DoC, whereas the gel pores decreased significantly beyond 70 % DoC. Vaterite is depleted around 50 % DoC as it transforms into aragonite alongside nanopore reduction, and aragonite seeds promote further aragonite growth. This behavior is attributed to aragonite crystal growth through Ostwald ripening and polymorph transformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106392"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145441556","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 : 2025-11-04DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106389
Huilin Wang , Zihan Ma , Long Jiang , Ligang Peng , Guangqi Xiong , Yi Jiang , Tung-Chai Ling , Peiliang Shen , Chi Sun Poon
Reactivity of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag could be improved using modified carbonation techniques, by facilitating the formation of silica gel and calcium carbonate (Cc) of different polymorphs. In this study, carbonated BOF slag containing calcite (BOF-Cal), aragonite (BOF-Ara), and vaterite (BOF-Vat) were produced. Their differences in basic properties, phase compositions, reactivity as well as influences on the hydration kinetics and compressive strength of blended cement pastes were critically investigated and compared. Results indicated that BOF slags showed significantly improved performances after carbonation, while exhibiting distinct physiochemical effects at different stages of hydration. Generally, BOF-Vat favored both early- and late-age strength development of blended cement paste, leading to 221 % and 22 % improvement in 1 d and 28 d compressive strength respectively, as compared to uncarbonated BOF slag. BOF-Ara showed a similar beneficial effect at the early age, improving the 1 d strength of blended cement paste by 200 %. Whereas it impeded strength development thereafter. In contrast, BOF-Cal showed a more favorable effect on enhancing late-age strength than early-age strength, leading to comparable 28 d compressive strength tothe reference group with pure cement and the blended cement paste containing BOF-Vat. The results were due to a joint influence of physical and chemical effects. Specifically, the high solubility of vaterite and aragonite in BOF-Vat and BOF-Ara facilitated more rapid reactions between carbonate ions and aluminate phases. Simultaneously, BOF-Vat showed the highest specific surface area than BOF-Ara and BOF-Cal due to the porous nature of vaterite, and BOF-Ara exhibited the highest pozzolanic reactivity from the carbonation-induced silica gel. Collectively, they triggered a fast and intensive heat releasing behavior during hydration. Nevertheless, aragonite crystals, characterized by its elongated morphology, resulted in agglomeration and poor dispersion, hindering the formation of a robust microstructure at late ages. By comparison, BOF-Cal provided strong nucleation and filling effects, ensuring its beneficial effect on late-age strength despite an initial slow growth. Overall, this study allowed enhanced understanding on the reactivity engineering of steel slag through polymorph controlling.
{"title":"Enhanced reactivity of basic oxygen furnace slag by modified carbonation: Comparison among different calcium carbonate polymorphs","authors":"Huilin Wang , Zihan Ma , Long Jiang , Ligang Peng , Guangqi Xiong , Yi Jiang , Tung-Chai Ling , Peiliang Shen , Chi Sun Poon","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reactivity of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag could be improved using modified carbonation techniques, by facilitating the formation of silica gel and calcium carbonate (Cc) of different polymorphs. In this study, carbonated BOF slag containing calcite (BOF-Cal), aragonite (BOF-Ara), and vaterite (BOF-Vat) were produced. Their differences in basic properties, phase compositions, reactivity as well as influences on the hydration kinetics and compressive strength of blended cement pastes were critically investigated and compared. Results indicated that BOF slags showed significantly improved performances after carbonation, while exhibiting distinct physiochemical effects at different stages of hydration. Generally, BOF-Vat favored both early- and late-age strength development of blended cement paste, leading to 221 % and 22 % improvement in 1 d and 28 d compressive strength respectively, as compared to uncarbonated BOF slag. BOF-Ara showed a similar beneficial effect at the early age, improving the 1 d strength of blended cement paste by 200 %. Whereas it impeded strength development thereafter. In contrast, BOF-Cal showed a more favorable effect on enhancing late-age strength than early-age strength, leading to comparable 28 d compressive strength tothe reference group with pure cement and the blended cement paste containing BOF-Vat. The results were due to a joint influence of physical and chemical effects. Specifically, the high solubility of vaterite and aragonite in BOF-Vat and BOF-Ara facilitated more rapid reactions between carbonate ions and aluminate phases. Simultaneously, BOF-Vat showed the highest specific surface area than BOF-Ara and BOF-Cal due to the porous nature of vaterite, and BOF-Ara exhibited the highest pozzolanic reactivity from the carbonation-induced silica gel. Collectively, they triggered a fast and intensive heat releasing behavior during hydration. Nevertheless, aragonite crystals, characterized by its elongated morphology, resulted in agglomeration and poor dispersion, hindering the formation of a robust microstructure at late ages. By comparison, BOF-Cal provided strong nucleation and filling effects, ensuring its beneficial effect on late-age strength despite an initial slow growth. Overall, this study allowed enhanced understanding on the reactivity engineering of steel slag through polymorph controlling.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106389"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145434420","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 : 2025-11-04DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106388
Haibo Hu , Xiaosong Ma , Junqing Zuo , Yongqi Wei , Anming She , Wu Yao , Min Wu
Durability remains one of the key factors determining the long-term performance and service life of concrete structures. This study investigated a novel way to use waste dolomite powder (WDP) in concrete, aiming to develop a ternary aggregate system that simultaneously improves mechanical properties and durability. Experimental results showed that incorporating WDP in the concrete increased the 90-day compressive strength by up to 21.06 % and the splitting tensile strength by 10.84 %. Meanwhile, durability was significantly enhanced: compared to that of the control concrete, the reductions in drying shrinkage, water absorption and chloride migration coefficient of the concrete containing WDP were up to 17.27 %, 35.59 %, and 43.20 %, respectively. The XRD, FTIR, and TGA results verified that WDP provided a stable crystalline phase dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) which contributes to maintaining long-term dimensional stability. Acting as a micro-aggregate, WDP effectively filled into pores and refined the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Pore structure analysis confirmed that the cumulative pore volume decreased by up to 21.83 %, while the content of the harmless pore content (≤20 nm) increased by 35.49 %. The SEM-EDS and Vickers hardness measurements further showed a narrower ITZ. Notably, the microhardness of the ITZ and the matrix were improved by 38.38 % and 39.62 %, respectively. In addition, the life-cycle assessment results show that incorporating WDP in concrete effectively reduced CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and economic costs. These findings demonstrate that WDP can be effectively utilized to produce more sustainable concrete with superior durability and mechanical performance.
{"title":"Improvement of concrete performance through a ternary aggregate system: Microstructural insights into pore structure and ITZ characteristics","authors":"Haibo Hu , Xiaosong Ma , Junqing Zuo , Yongqi Wei , Anming She , Wu Yao , Min Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Durability remains one of the key factors determining the long-term performance and service life of concrete structures. This study investigated a novel way to use waste dolomite powder (WDP) in concrete, aiming to develop a ternary aggregate system that simultaneously improves mechanical properties and durability. Experimental results showed that incorporating WDP in the concrete increased the 90-day compressive strength by up to 21.06 % and the splitting tensile strength by 10.84 %. Meanwhile, durability was significantly enhanced: compared to that of the control concrete, the reductions in drying shrinkage, water absorption and chloride migration coefficient of the concrete containing WDP were up to 17.27 %, 35.59 %, and 43.20 %, respectively. The XRD, FTIR, and TGA results verified that WDP provided a stable crystalline phase dolomite (CaMg(CO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>) which contributes to maintaining long-term dimensional stability. Acting as a micro-aggregate, WDP effectively filled into pores and refined the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Pore structure analysis confirmed that the cumulative pore volume decreased by up to 21.83 %, while the content of the harmless pore content (≤20 nm) increased by 35.49 %. The SEM-EDS and Vickers hardness measurements further showed a narrower ITZ. Notably, the microhardness of the ITZ and the matrix were improved by 38.38 % and 39.62 %, respectively. In addition, the life-cycle assessment results show that incorporating WDP in concrete effectively reduced CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, energy consumption, and economic costs. These findings demonstrate that WDP can be effectively utilized to produce more sustainable concrete with superior durability and mechanical performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106388"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145434419","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 : 2025-10-31DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106387
Ana Bergmann, Leandro F.M. Sanchez
Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) is among the most harmful durability issues affecting concrete infrastructure, with prevention being the most effective strategy. Widely used laboratory tests, such as the Accelerated Mortar Bar Test (AMBT) and Concrete Prism Test (CPT), assess aggregate reactivity and often present discrepancies with field performance that remain unquantified. This study introduces a probabilistic, risk-based framework to evaluate the reliability of these tests using a multifactorial analysis that integrates field and laboratory data with Bayesian inference and Beta distribution modelling. The likelihood of AAR occurrence is evaluated considering test outcomes, environmental exposure, and alkali loading. Results show AMBT outperforms in identifying non-reactive cases (41% vs. 61% posterior probability for mixes without supplementary cementitious materials [SCMs]; 16% vs. 30% with SCMs), while both tests perform similarly for reactive cases (i.e., 74% for mixes without SCMs and 50% with SCMs). Moreover, warm climates, high alkali content, and the absence of SCMs increase the risk of the tests’ misclassification, while cold environments with low alkali levels and SCMs enhance their reliability.
{"title":"Multifactorial analysis of AAR development: Integrating laboratory and field data with statistical and probabilistic modelling","authors":"Ana Bergmann, Leandro F.M. Sanchez","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106387","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106387","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) is among the most harmful durability issues affecting concrete infrastructure, with prevention being the most effective strategy. Widely used laboratory tests, such as the Accelerated Mortar Bar Test (AMBT) and Concrete Prism Test (CPT), assess aggregate reactivity and often present discrepancies with field performance that remain unquantified. This study introduces a probabilistic, risk-based framework to evaluate the reliability of these tests using a multifactorial analysis that integrates field and laboratory data with Bayesian inference and Beta distribution modelling. The likelihood of AAR occurrence is evaluated considering test outcomes, environmental exposure, and alkali loading. Results show AMBT outperforms in identifying non-reactive cases (41% vs. 61% posterior probability for mixes without supplementary cementitious materials [SCMs]; 16% vs. 30% with SCMs), while both tests perform similarly for reactive cases (i.e., 74% for mixes without SCMs and 50% with SCMs). Moreover, warm climates, high alkali content, and the absence of SCMs increase the risk of the tests’ misclassification, while cold environments with low alkali levels and SCMs enhance their reliability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106387"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145412116","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 : 2025-10-31DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106386
Xiuwen Cui , Meng Chen , Feixiang Chen , Tong Zhang , Jun Feng , Hang Yu
Shotcrete (sprayed concrete) is widely applied to build tunnels and strengthen slopes in cold regions. At the same time, while the application of ultra-high performance shotcrete (UHPS) is limited by its high cost and the lack of knowledge about its dynamic behaviour at cryogenic temperatures. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the dynamic splitting tensile behaviour of UHPS under cryogenic temperatures, where the industrial steel fiber (ISF) in UHPS was replaced by wasted steel fiber (WSF). Dynamic tests were carried out using the Split Hopkinson pressure bar, and the fracture process was monitored with high-speed digital image correlation (HS-DIC). The results show that the dynamic splitting tensile behaviour of UHPS is enhanced at cryogenic temperatures compared to ambient temperatures. For instance, with the temperature decrease to −60 °C, the dynamic splitting tensile strength enhanced by 31.0 %–38.8 %, the dynamic increase factor (DIF) increased by 12.9 %–21.7 %, and the energy dissipated capacity increased by an average of 54.8 %. However, the replacement of WSF reduced the dynamic splitting tensile performance of UHPS. Considering both the cost and dynamic splitting tensile behaviour, the optimal replacement rate of WSF is 50 %.
{"title":"Dynamic splitting tensile behaviour of hybrid industrial-wasted steel fiber reinforced ultra-high performance shotcrete (UHPS) under cryogenic temperatures: An experiment using high-speed digital image correlation (HS-DIC) technology","authors":"Xiuwen Cui , Meng Chen , Feixiang Chen , Tong Zhang , Jun Feng , Hang Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106386","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106386","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shotcrete (sprayed concrete) is widely applied to build tunnels and strengthen slopes in cold regions. At the same time, while the application of ultra-high performance shotcrete (UHPS) is limited by its high cost and the lack of knowledge about its dynamic behaviour at cryogenic temperatures. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the dynamic splitting tensile behaviour of UHPS under cryogenic temperatures, where the industrial steel fiber (ISF) in UHPS was replaced by wasted steel fiber (WSF). Dynamic tests were carried out using the Split Hopkinson pressure bar, and the fracture process was monitored with high-speed digital image correlation (HS-DIC). The results show that the dynamic splitting tensile behaviour of UHPS is enhanced at cryogenic temperatures compared to ambient temperatures. For instance, with the temperature decrease to −60 °C, the dynamic splitting tensile strength enhanced by 31.0 %–38.8 %, the dynamic increase factor (DIF) increased by 12.9 %–21.7 %, and the energy dissipated capacity increased by an average of 54.8 %. However, the replacement of WSF reduced the dynamic splitting tensile performance of UHPS. Considering both the cost and dynamic splitting tensile behaviour, the optimal replacement rate of WSF is 50 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106386"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145405087","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 : 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106385
Yali Hao , Wu Yao , Kanghai Tan , Cheng Shi , Anming She
The pursuit of carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability is driving the transformation of traditional cementitious composites toward intelligence and multifunctionality. Herein, an innovative, scalable, and effective strategy is proposed to advance rapid structural self-reinforcement through smart means. Benefiting from the unique design of laminated-type structural molding technology, the electrothermally induced volumetric expansion of the upper carbon fiber reinforced cementitious composite (CFRC) enables effective regulation of structural deformation. Then, a multi-criteria synergistic optimization, encompassing electrical conductivity, thickness, output power, and interfacial bonding, is conducted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the structural response. Furthermore, a theoretical model of electrothermal actuation in laminated beams is established to provide enhanced guidance for practical engineering applications. Experimental results show that the optimized specimen achieved a 25.7 % increase in flexural load-bearing capacity and a 234.05 % improvement in flexural toughness at the L/600 deflection point. This innovative strategy serves as a promising candidate, emphasizing its substantial potential in promoting rapid structural self-reinforcement via smart actuation.
{"title":"Multi-criteria optimization strategy for realizing rapid structural self-reinforcement via smart actuation","authors":"Yali Hao , Wu Yao , Kanghai Tan , Cheng Shi , Anming She","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106385","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106385","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pursuit of carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability is driving the transformation of traditional cementitious composites toward intelligence and multifunctionality. Herein, an innovative, scalable, and effective strategy is proposed to advance rapid structural self-reinforcement through smart means. Benefiting from the unique design of laminated-type structural molding technology, the electrothermally induced volumetric expansion of the upper carbon fiber reinforced cementitious composite (CFRC) enables effective regulation of structural deformation. Then, a multi-criteria synergistic optimization, encompassing electrical conductivity, thickness, output power, and interfacial bonding, is conducted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the structural response. Furthermore, a theoretical model of electrothermal actuation in laminated beams is established to provide enhanced guidance for practical engineering applications. Experimental results show that the optimized specimen achieved a 25.7 % increase in flexural load-bearing capacity and a 234.05 % improvement in flexural toughness at the L/600 deflection point. This innovative strategy serves as a promising candidate, emphasizing its substantial potential in promoting rapid structural self-reinforcement via smart actuation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 106385"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145397620","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}
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