Construction and Building Materials最新文献

{"title":"Enhanced pavement temperature prediction via a novel LSTM-GRU hybrid deep learning architecture with interpretability","authors":"Yared Bitew Kebede ,&nbsp;Ming-Der Yang ,&nbsp;Chien-Wei Huang ,&nbsp;Henok Desalegn Shikur","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145838","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145838","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Precise prediction of asphalt pavement temperature variations is critical for optimizing design and maintenance strategies, given their profound influence on material stiffness, strength, and fatigue resistance. Traditional forecasting methods, however, often struggle with the inherent time-dependent complexity of these temperature profiles. This study proposes a novel hybrid deep learning model, integrating Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) networks, to precisely predict daily maximum and minimum asphalt pavement temperatures at various depths using real-time meteorological data. By synergistically combining LSTM's capacity for long-term dependency modeling with GRU's efficiency in capturing short-term patterns and mitigating individual drawbacks like LSTM's overfitting and GRU's reduced complexity for intricate sequences, the LSTM-GRU architecture significantly enhances predictive accuracy. Rigorously trained and validated using an extensive dataset from May 2018 to March 2023, the hybrid model consistently outperformed a comprehensive suite of baseline models, achieving superior predictive accuracy with average R² values of 0.95 for maximum temperatures and 0.96 for minimum temperatures, along with notable improvements across MAE, MSE, and RMSE. Furthermore, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis provided critical interpretability, confirming atmospheric and surface temperatures as the most influential predictors, followed by wind speed, relative humidity, and precipitation. These findings unequivocally demonstrate the exceptional robustness, accuracy, and interpretability of the LSTM-GRU hybrid, offering a promising and advanced solution vital for informed pavement engineering decisions and proactive management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145838"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388453","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}

{"title":"Effects of aggregate gradation on asphalt mixture cracking and rutting: From laboratory testing to pavement-level modeling","authors":"Mohammad Sadeghi ,&nbsp;Zane Hartzog ,&nbsp;Nam Tran","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145884","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145884","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aggregate gradation adjustment remains underutilized in Balanced Mix Design (BMD) practice because limited systematic guidance exists on how gradation changes influence both cracking and rutting performance of asphalt mixtures. This study evaluates the effect of aggregate gradation on asphalt mixture performance while isolating its influence from other key design variables. Seven dense-graded mixtures were produced by varying virgin aggregate proportions within specification limits while holding asphalt binder content, nominal maximum aggregate size, and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content constant. Performance was characterized using IDEAL-CT, High-Temperature Indirect Tensile (HT-IDT), Hamburg Wheel Tracking (HWTT), and AMPT-based dynamic modulus, cyclic fatigue, and stress sweep rutting (SSR) tests. Pavement-level performance was assessed using FlexPAVE™ modeling. <em>CT</em>_{<em>Index</em>} consistently improved with coarser gradations and showed strong correlations with gradation-based parameters. Although HT-IDT indicated reduced high-temperature strength for coarser mixtures, HWTT results demonstrated that selected coarse gradations maintained comparable rutting resistance to the control mixture. Dynamic modulus and phase angle results revealed similar stiffness and viscoelastic response between the control (Fine 3) and the selected coarse mixture (Coarse 2), with Coarse 2 exhibiting a slightly lower Glover-Rowe parameter. Fatigue performance (<em>D</em>^<em>R</em> and <em>S</em>_<em>app</em>) and SSR-derived rutting susceptibility (<em>RSI</em>) were also comparable. FlexPAVE™ v2.2 predictions showed slightly higher percent damage, surface cracking, and rut depth for Coarse 2; however, reliability-based damage and cracking envelopes overlapped, and statistical testing indicated no significant differences. Overall, coarse gradation adjustments enhanced IDEAL-CT cracking resistance without substantially degrading rutting performance or predicted pavement-level distress, supporting aggregate gradation as a viable BMD design variable.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145884"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388376","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}

{"title":"Simulation of bacterial-based self-healing concrete: Reactive-transport modelling and semi-implicit finite difference implementation","authors":"Yaolan Tang ,&nbsp;Daniel Dias-da-Costa ,&nbsp;Abhijit Mukherjee ,&nbsp;Luming Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145877","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145877","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Self-healing concrete has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to reduce maintenance demands, with microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) standing out as one of its most efficient and reliable healing mechanisms. This study presents a numerical model for simulating the MICP healing process in concrete cracks. The model explicitly describes bacterial growth, decay, attachment, and encapsulation through simplified kinetic equations, while incorporating temperature effects on bacterial activity, nutrient consumption, and urea hydrolysis. The reduction in crack permeability is captured by extending the classical parallel-plate flow formulation to account for calcium carbonate deposition. To ensure numerical stability and efficiency, a semi-implicit finite difference algorithm is developed, which explicitly evaluates nonlinear reaction terms while implicitly solving diffusion-advection transport equations. The model is verified against analytical solutions and validated using experimental data. Further simulations investigate capsule- and vascular-based healing strategies. Results demonstrate that the proposed model accurately reproduces the coupled biochemical-transport processes and serves as a reliable and efficient predictive tool for assessing MICP-induced crack healing in concrete.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145877"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388377","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}

{"title":"Graphene oxide as a nanoadditive in cementitious composites: A comparative study of portland and magnesium oxychloride cement binders","authors":"Adéla Jiříčková ,&nbsp;Anna-Marie Lauermannová ,&nbsp;Ondřej Jankovský ,&nbsp;Michal Lojka ,&nbsp;Martina Záleská ,&nbsp;Adam Pivák ,&nbsp;Milena Pavlíková ,&nbsp;Zbyšek Pavlík","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145870","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145870","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The addition of graphene oxide (GO) to cement-based materials can improve their mechanical performance and durability. However, there are few direct comparisons between different binder systems. While GO has been widely studied in Portland cement (PC), its effect on alternative binders like magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) has usually been explored separately and under different experimental conditions. This study offers a direct comparison of GO-modified PC and MOC composites, with both prepared and tested under the same conditions. Composites containing up to 1.0 wt% GO were assessed using XRD, SEM, EDS, XRF, MIP, and thermal analysis, as well as mechanical and hygric testing. The results indicate that GO does not change the basic phase structure of either binder system but leads to different responses based on the system. Flexural strength increased by as much as 17.6% in PC and 13.4% in MOC composites. Compressive strength showed an optimal level at moderate GO amounts but declined at higher levels. Water absorption and transport were slightly lower, especially with increased GO amounts. In MOC composites, water resistance improved, shown by higher softening coefficients and retained compressive strength. Thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity increased with more GO content. These findings show that GO's effect varies with the type of binder. In hydration-based PC systems, its impact mainly appears in microstructure and mechanical response. In crystallization-based MOC systems, changes in water performance are more noticeable. The study offers a controlled comparison that aids in designing GO-modified cement-based materials for specific engineering uses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145870"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388458","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}

{"title":"Quantitative multiscale characterization of interlayer interface morphology and bonding behavior in fiber-reinforced shotcrete linings","authors":"Kaixin Zhu ,&nbsp;Zuliang Zhong ,&nbsp;Laiyang Li ,&nbsp;Xinrong Liu ,&nbsp;Nanyun Wang ,&nbsp;Jun Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145880","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145880","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The flatness of single-layer shotcrete lining interfaces is a critical factor affecting interlayer bonding performance. Conventional two-dimensional indices cannot capture the three-dimensional irregularity and multiscale roughness of interfaces. This study introduces a novel flatness index (PZD) based on three-dimensional laser scanning point clouds. Unlike traditional two-dimensional profile-based metrics, the PZD index is constructed using a weighted perpendicular deviation formulation, which enables full-field three-dimensional characterization and enhanced sensitivity to localized undulations and extreme morphological features. Single-layer shotcrete specimens with different PZD levels were prepared, followed by splitting tests, acoustic emission monitoring, and SEM analysis. Results show that interfacial bond strength increases from 0.588 MPa to 1.477 MPa (a maximum improvement of 151%) with increasing PZD, following an asymptotic enhancement–saturation trend (<em>R</em>² = 0.952). Morphology evolves from flat surfaces to groove interlocking and ultimately to pore-induced spalling under excessive roughness. Based on these observations, a two-stage multiscale mechanism is proposed: in the low–medium PZD stage, local interlocking dominates, whereas in the high PZD stage, global heterogeneity increases and energy dissipation intensifies, accompanied by stress concentration and potential instability. A quantitative control criterion was proposed (<span><math><mrow><mi>Δ</mi><mi>α</mi><mo>(</mo><mi>q</mi><mo>)</mo><mspace></mspace><mo>&gt;</mo><mspace></mspace><mn>0.60</mn><mspace></mspace></mrow></math></span>and <span><math><mrow><mn>0.62</mn><mspace></mspace><mo>≤</mo><mi>K</mi><mo>≤</mo><mspace></mspace><mn>0.69</mn><mspace></mspace><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span>, and a three-step closed-loop control pathway was established and validated in field applications. This study develops a multiscale evaluation framework integrating macroscopic mechanics, energy evolution, microscopic morphology, and multifractal analysis, providing theoretical and practical guidance for interface quality assessment and construction application of single-layer shotcrete linings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145880"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388223","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}

{"title":"Interfacial behavior and molecular insights into adhesion between metallurgical slag and bitumen for sustainable asphalt pavements","authors":"Haiqin Xu ,&nbsp;Shaopeng Wu ,&nbsp;Haopeng Wang ,&nbsp;Jun Xie ,&nbsp;Xinkui Yang ,&nbsp;Yu Song ,&nbsp;Jianlin Feng ,&nbsp;Yaoyang Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The massive accumulation of metallurgical slags has emerged as a major obstacle to the sustainable transformation of the steel industry, while metallurgical slags valued for excellent properties, represent a highly promising substitute for natural aggregates in asphalt pavements. However, its interfacial adhesion mechanism with bitumen remains insufficiently understood and significantly oversimplified. This research aims to explore interfacial behavior and molecular insights into adhesion between metallurgical slag and bitumen for sustainable asphalt pavements. Molecular models of metallurgical slags from different sources and bitumen were firstly established, then the construction of slag-bitumen interfacial systems, with quartz and calcite as controlled group. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to reach equilibrium. Crystal structure, atomic diffusion, adhesion energy, and relative concentration distribution were analyzed respectively. Then, contact angle test, modified boiling test and moisture resistance test were then conducted to verify the adhesion behavior. The results show that the atomic structure and interfacial adhesion of metallurgical slags strongly depend on their chemical composition. Blast furnace slag exhibits a highly polymerized aluminosilicate network, whereas Fe- and Ca-rich steel slags present more depolymerized structures. Steel slags from different sources display distinct structural characteristics, leading to pronounced differences in adhesion behavior. The interfacial adhesion strength follows the order calcite &gt; SS-1 &gt; SS-5 &gt; SS-4 &gt; SS-2 &gt; SS-3 &gt; BFS &gt; quartz. Bitumen–slag interactions are compositionally selective, with resins and aromatics contributing dominantly to adhesion, while asphaltenes and saturates play secondary roles. Macroscopic adhesion tests of adhesion and moisture resistance further confirm the simulation result. These findings would promote sustainable valorization of waste in asphalt pavements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145886"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388243","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}

{"title":"Performance enhancement of SBS modified asphalt using polyurethane precursor-based reactive modifiers","authors":"Junfu Liu ,&nbsp;Lihao Song ,&nbsp;Jiaqiu Xu ,&nbsp;Tianshuai Li ,&nbsp;Zepeng Fan ,&nbsp;Yiqiu Tan ,&nbsp;Dawei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145899","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145899","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymer modifiers represented by SBS is widely used to enhance the mechanical performance and durability of asphalt pavement. However, complex environments and growing vehicle loads have placed higher requirements on the long-term performance of SBS modified asphalt. In this study, a polyurethane precursor-based reactive modifier (PRM) was incorporated into SBS modified asphalt, and the resulting SBS-PRM composite modified asphalt exhibited better pavement performance compared to conventional SBS-modified asphalt. The basic properties were measured to verify that the PRM composite modified asphalt satisfy the requirements in specification. Test procedures of dynamic shear rheometer and bending beam rheometer, were conducted to evaluate the rheological performance of modified asphalt binders. Experimental tests indicated that the high-temperature performance grades (PG) of SBS modified asphalt are enhanced due to the addition of PRM. The stress sensitivity of asphalt samples is reduced resulted in the excellent permanent deformation resistance. And the Bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests revealed that the addition of PRM did not significantly change the low-temperature PG of SBS modified asphalt, although a moderate increase in creep stiffness was observed. Besides, the SBS-PRM composite modified asphalt exhibit better fatigue resistance based on linear amplitude sweep (LAS) tests. The presence and interaction mechanisms of different modifiers were investigated using fluorescence microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, correlation analysis was employed to elucidate the relationship between chemical modification and the enhancement of asphalt performance. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for the practical implementation of PRM modifiers in asphalt pavement engineering applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145899"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388244","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}

{"title":"Piezoresistive mechanism of asphalt mixtures with carbon fibers","authors":"Federico Gulisano ,&nbsp;Juan Gallego ,&nbsp;Freddy Richard Apaza Apaza ,&nbsp;Rafael Jurado-Piña","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The adoption of emerging sensing technologies to automate pavement management is crucial for developing Digital Twin solutions aimed at extending infrastructure lifespan, optimizing resource allocation, reducing rehabilitation costs, and ensuring road user safety. Incorporating carbon fibers can transform conventional asphalt mixtures into piezoresistive materials with self-sensing capabilities. However, the piezoresistive mechanisms and the capability to predict the viscoelastic behavior of carbon fibers asphalt mixtures remain uncertain. This study investigates the piezoresistive response of carbon fibers asphalt mixtures under dynamic loading conditions for self-sensing applications. Asphalt mixture specimens with varying carbon fibers contents were tested in the laboratory to assess the impact of carbon fibers content, loading frequency, and strain level on piezoresistive behavior. Results showed that the electrical response reflects the strain behavior of the mixtures, providing insight into both resilient and plastic strain components. This study contributes to advancing the development of materials with intrinsic sensing capabilities for monitoring asphalt pavement condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145903"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388246","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}

{"title":"Laboratory investigation of anti-stripping agents for improving the interfacial interaction between PE wax modified asphalt binder and aggregate","authors":"Jinyuan Lu ,&nbsp;Wenguang Yang ,&nbsp;Deli Sun ,&nbsp;Silin Zhang ,&nbsp;Chuanqiang Li ,&nbsp;Chaoliang Fu ,&nbsp;Zhimei Wang ,&nbsp;Yangchi Zeng ,&nbsp;Jiamei Du ,&nbsp;Shaofeng Xu ,&nbsp;Junwei Kou","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145907","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145907","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The utilization of wax obtained from waste PE (PEW) as warm-mix additive (WMA) in asphalt pavement was attractive for environmental and economic benefits. However, this may lead to a decrease in the interfacial interaction between asphalt binder and aggregate, thus causing a moisture damage of asphalt pavement. In order to achieve the increase of PEW modified asphalt (WA) adhesion, this work investigated the effects of two types of anti-stripping agents (ASAs) with or without amino-group (XT-1 and KH-550) on the adhesion property and high-and-low temperature performance. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Fluorescence microscope (FM) were employed to analyze the micro-properties of ASA modified WA binders. The DSR and BBR tests were used to evaluate the high-and-low temperature performance of the binders. The adhesion property of the binders was evaluated based upon surface free energy theory as well as using water-boiling method. The results indicated that both of the ASA and PEW can be dispersed into asphalt binder uniformly. Both the XT-1 and KH-550 improved the high temperature performance of WA. KH-550 improved the low temperature performance of WA based upon BBR results. In the terms of adhesion property of WA to limestone aggregate, the XT-1 and KH-550 improved the adhesion work of WA by 14% and 16%, respectively. This study suggested that the KH-550 with trimethylsilyl ether group and amino group can improve both the adhesion property and high-low temperature performance of WA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145907"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388250","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}

{"title":"Durability-related synergistic hydration and mechanical performance of electrolytic manganese residue-based binders","authors":"Liang Tang ,&nbsp;Xiangping Xian ,&nbsp;Zhaoyi He","doi":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145876","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.145876","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A ternary solid-waste binder composed of carbide slag (CS), electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) was developed, and its workability, mechanical properties, hydration mechanism, and durability performance were systematically investigated. The results showed that, under the strong alkalinity provided by CS, the dissolved sulfates in EMR actively reacted with the reactive SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ in GGBS, generating abundant ettringite (AFt) and calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels, thereby densifying the microstructure and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Consequently, the CS-EMR-GGBS mortar achieved a 28-day compressive strength of 45.84 MPa at the optimum mix proportion (4% CS, 55% EMR, and 41% GGBS). Regarding volumetric stability, the mortar exhibited moderate expansion during water curing, whereas its drying shrinkage under air curing was significantly lower than that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Under sulfate exposure, the mortar displayed a notable “self-adaptive sulfate-induced strengthening” effect, with the compressive strength increasing to 55.56 MPa after 360 days in a 5% Na₂SO₄ solution, which is attributed to additional AFt formation and further microstructural densification. In contrast, its resistance to carbonation, freeze-thaw cycles, and wet-dry cycling was comparatively weaker, mainly due to the limited stability of AFt and the insufficient Ca(OH)₂ reserve. Overall, this study elucidates the sulfate-driven hydration mechanism and microstructural densification process of the CS-EMR-GGBS mortar and provides a systematic evaluation of its durability performance. These findings offer mechanistic insights and performance evidence that support the engineering application of EMR-based eco-friendly cementitious materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":288,"journal":{"name":"Construction and Building Materials","volume":"519 ","pages":"Article 145876"},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147388251","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}