Case Studies in Construction Materials最新文献

{"title":"Optimizing cement-treated recycled concrete aggregates for road bases using secondary additive","authors":"Zainul Abedin Khan ,&nbsp;Umashankar Balunaini ,&nbsp;Nhu H.T. Nguyen ,&nbsp;Susanga Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05687","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the feasibility of a secondary additive treated recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) to reduce the required cement content for the construction of pavement base/subbase layers. The effectiveness of secondary additive was assessed based on extensive studies involving strength, durability and microstructural analysis considering different cement contents (2 %, 3 %, 4 %, and 5 % by weight of aggregates) and a silica-rich secondary additive (2 % and 4 %, by weight of cement). The addition of a secondary additive significantly reduced the required cement content (from 7 % to 5 %) to meet the minimum 7-day unconfined compressive strength criteria for base layers. Accordingly, 5 % cement content and 4 % additive contents are proposed in the study for base layer applications. The weight loss percentage of treated RCA specimens prepared with this optimal mix (3.1 %) is found to be less than the maximum permissible value (14 % after 12 wet-dry cycles). The 7-day cured specimens prepared with this mix showed a significantly high resilient modulus value (667 MPa). Additionally, the designed pavement section incorporating 5 % cement and 4 % additive-treated layers exhibited a 13 % reduction in pavement crust thickness compared to the non-treated pavement section. Treated RCA satisfied the requirements of pavement base/subbase layer in accordance with American, Australian, and Indian road standards and can be a viable solution towards sustainable road infrastructure. The findings demonstrate that secondary additive treated RCA can be effectively utilized in road pavement base/subbase layers with lower cement dosage and promoting sustainable road construction using recycled waste materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05687"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145788615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative life cycle assessment of chip seal preventive maintenance techniques: Cost and environmental implications","authors":"Farnaz Saadat,&nbsp;Mohammad Zia Alavi,&nbsp;Fateme Labbafi","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment and lifecycle cost analysis of seven chip-seal preventive maintenance treatments (Single, Double, and Triple chip seals; Scrub seal; Cape seal; Fiber-modified chip seal; and Rubberized chip seal) using a cradle-to-construction system boundary. Environmental impacts were quantified with SimaPro v9 (Ecoinvent) using the ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) method for a functional unit of 1 m² of treated pavement and for the economic analysis, documented U.S. project costs and the Iranian price list were used and annualized with a 10 % discount rate. Results indicate that, under a cradle-to-construction boundary, Single Chip Seal and Scrub Seal have the lowest total normalized costs (1.88 and 2.6 USD/<span><math><msup><mrow><mi>m</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></math></span>), while Rubberized and Triple Chip Seals show the highest total costs (7.06 and 6.28 USD/<span><math><msup><mrow><mi>m</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></math></span>). When costs are annualized by service life, Single chip seal and Scrub seal remain the least costly (0.5 and 0.69 USD/<span><math><msup><mrow><mi>m</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></math></span>), whereas Fiber chip seal, Cape seal and Triple chip seal are the most expensive ones (1.03, 1.05, and 1.05, respectively). From an environmental standpoint, Scrub Seal has the lowest total GHG emissions (≈1545 g CO₂e) and the lowest weighted endpoint scores across Human Health, Ecosystems and Resources, whereas Cape Seal and Triple Chip Seal are the worst performers (Cape seal total GHG ≈ 5301 g CO₂e; Triple chip seal frequently attains the maximum normalized score across midpoint categories). However, when these values normalized per service year, Rubberized Chip Seal yields one of the lowest annual GHG burdens (≈177.5 g CO₂e/year), illustrating the trade-off between higher upfront material and installation impacts and longer service life. Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis (1000 runs, 95 % CI) confirms that the relative ranking of alternatives is robust. The results highlight clear cost–environment tradeoffs and the importance of life-span weighting in selecting preservation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05663"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145788625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mix design optimisation for concrete with alternative binders and aggregates incorporating environmental, mechanical and durability performance","authors":"A. Razmi ,&nbsp;T. Bennett ,&nbsp;T. Xie ,&nbsp;P. Visintin","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The design of environmentally efficient concretes remains challenging due to the conflicting requirements of reducing embodied carbon while maintaining durability and mechanical performance, particularly when recycled aggregates and supplementary cementitious materials (<em>SCMs</em>) are used. This study presents a performance-based optimisation framework that integrates mix design variables, service-life prediction, and life-cycle assessment (<em>LCA</em>) to minimise global warming potential (<em>GWP</em>) while meeting durability requirements. The framework combines artificial neural networks (trained on 4828 experimental mixes), phenomenological chloride diffusion modelling, and a cradle-to-gate life-cycle assessment, optimised using genetic algorithms to minimise global warming potential and natural aggregate usage while meeting chloride diffusion requirements. Results show that switching from <em>GWP</em> minimisation to natural aggregate conservation requires a reduction in water-to-binder ratio (<em>w/b</em>) by 8–30 % and an increase in binder-to-aggregate ratio (<em>b/a</em>) by 40–114 %, which consequently raises <em>GWP</em>. Among <em>SCMs</em>, <em>GGBFS</em> achieves up to 48 % lower <em>GWP</em>, followed by silica fume (47 %) and fly ash (35 %). Multi-objective analysis indicated that incorporating recycled aggregate at approximately 30 % balances durability, resource efficiency, and emissions, whereas full replacement significantly increases <em>GWP</em> unless offset by the use of large volumes of <em>SCMs</em>. Service-life modelling revealed that high-diffusivity concretes required up to 58 <span><math><mrow><mi>kg</mi><msub><mrow><mi>CO</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>eq</mi></mrow></msub><mo>/</mo><msup><mrow><mi>m</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span> additional emissions through increased cover depths, while <em>SCM</em>-enhanced mixes consistently achieved target service-lives with minimal cover penalties. By combining material optimisation with performance-based cover design, the framework identifies mix designs that balance durability, environmental efficiency, and resource conservation, supporting long-lasting, low-carbon concrete elements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05638"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145735779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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 specimen longitudinal dimensions on the compressive mechanical properties of timber: Experimental investigation and quantitative analysis","authors":"Jifei Liao,&nbsp;Zhenlin Chen,&nbsp;Xiao Hu,&nbsp;Yang Song,&nbsp;Huaxin Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wood is recognized as a sustainable, low-carbon construction material, yet a comprehensive theoretical model explaining length-dependent size effects on its longitudinal compressive properties is lacking. Although previous studies have highlighted the importance of longitudinal compressive performance, the impact of wood species variation on this property has not been fully explored. Critically, quantitative relationships between longitudinal compressive behavior and specimen length across various species remain undefined, hindering the application of laboratory results to engineering practice. This study addresses existing knowledge gaps by examining three wood species: Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (conifer), Elm (broadleaved) and Paulownia (broadleaved). Specimens with varying lengths were subjected to systematic longitudinal compression tests. The analysis focused on compression characteristics across different sizes and a thorough investigation of failure mechanisms. Load-displacement and stress-strain curves were used to elucidate the relationship between mechanical properties and specimen size. Longitudinal compressive strength size effect coefficients were determined using Weibull's weakest-link theory, while finite element simulations modeled axial compression behavior based on experimental data. Key findings include: (1) A significant negative correlation between longitudinal compressive strength and specimen length, with size effect coefficients of 0.08 for Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica, 0.16 for elm, and 0.18 for paulownia. (2) The elastic modulus decreased with increasing specimen length, whereas Poisson's ratio remained unaffected by size variations. (3) Finite element models accurately replicated axial compression failure patterns but required strength reduction factors to account for length-dependent size effects. The proposed model for length-dependent size effect coefficients offers a new framework for characterizing the multiscale mechanical behavior of wood.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05665"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145735778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined influence of treated eggshell powder and polypropylene fiber on the mechanical, durability and microstructural properties of sustainable concrete: Experimental and machine learning-based analysis","authors":"Samiha Islam ,&nbsp;Md. Ikramul Hoque ,&nbsp;Md. Habibur Rahman Sobuz ,&nbsp;Md. Kawsarul Islam Kabbo ,&nbsp;Abdullah Alzlfawi ,&nbsp;Sani Aliyu Abubakar","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, there has been a rise in the application of waste materials as a result of the carbon emissions associated with concrete production. This study investigates the fresh, mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties of concrete incorporating a combination of treated waste eggshell powder (ESP) at replacement levels of 5 %, 10 %, and 15 %, and polypropylene fiber (PPF) at dosages of 0.05 % and 0.10 %. Mechanical performance was evaluated through compressive, tensile, and flexural strength tests, while durability was assessed by water permeability, sorptivity, and rapid chloride permeability tests. Furthermore, the microstructures of the concrete matrix were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) tests. In addition, supervised machine learning (ML) models were developed to predict compressive strength. Results showed that the optimum mix of 5 % ESP and 0.10 % PPF enhanced compressive, tensile, and flexural strength by 13.47 %, 22.37 %, and 12.47 %, respectively, compared to the control. The significant durability performance was noted in the 5 % ESP and 0.10 % PPF mix, with reduced chloride permeability and water penetration. Among the ML models, XGBoost showed superior predictive accuracy, achieving an R² of 0.954 and the lowest MAE of 3.776 MPa. These study outcomes suggest that the incorporation of ESP and PPF into concrete results in elevated mechanical and durability performance, thereby committing to more sustainable and eco-friendly concrete production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05656"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145735780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanical properties, durability, and life cycle assessment of recycled brick powder concrete reinforced with different fibers","authors":"Yuanyuan Zhao ,&nbsp;Huifang Tao ,&nbsp;Dongze Xie ,&nbsp;Min LV ,&nbsp;Shiqi Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The recycling of construction and demolition waste containing clay bricks inevitably yields waste clay brick powder as a by-product. By optimizing the particle size and replacement level of waste clay brick powder, a composite cementitious material with high mechanical strength and enhanced durability can be developed. In this study, recycled brick powder (RBP) of varying particle sizes was produced from discarded clay bricks. RBP was then used to replace cement at different substitution rates to produce recycled brick powder concrete (RBPC). Then, five types of fibers, including 12 mm long polypropylene fiber (PPF-12), 19 mm long polypropylene fiber (PPF-19), copper-coated steel fiber (CF), glass fiber (GF), and basalt fiber (BF), were added to RBPC to further enhance the performance of RBPC. The mechanical properties, durability tests, and life cycle assessment of the fiber-reinforced RBPC were also carried out. The results show that the optimal particle size and substitution rate of RBP are 0.075 mm and 5 %, respectively. CF has the best effect on improving the mechanical properties of RBPC, while PPF-12 has a stronger impact on improving the mechanical properties of RBPC than PPF-19. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that CF and BF had the best binding effect with cement hydration products. In addition, the durability of RBPC was improved after adding fibers. Among them, BF had the best impact on improving the high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance of RBPC, and CF had the best effect on improving the freeze-thaw resistance of RBPC, followed by BF. Life cycle assessment shows that fiber-reinforced RBPC is more sustainable and economically friendly. Among them, RBPC doped with BF has the best sustainability, while RBPC doped with PPF-12 is the most economical.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05723"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of fiber-induced tensile strain hardening on the bearing performance of ECC and UHPC pipes: Experimental study and strength modeling","authors":"Chung-Chan Hung,&nbsp;Shu-Er Chen,&nbsp;Ya-Jung Tsai,&nbsp;Cheng-Hao Yen","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The mechanical and durability performance of concrete pipes is critical in modern infrastructure, particularly in regions with high load demands and stringent maintenance requirements. This study addresses these challenges by exploring the use of tensile strain-hardening cementitious materials—namely, Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) and Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC)—as advanced alternatives to conventional concrete. A total of seven specimens were evaluated under three-edge bearing tests in accordance with ASTM C497 to assess their damage pattern, cracking strength, ultimate strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity. The effects of fiber type, fiber volume fraction, and the presence of a steel cage reinforcement were systematically explored. Experimental results demonstrated that both ECC and UHPC pipes offered significantly enhanced cracking and ultimate strengths. The inclusion of steel fibers in UHPC was particularly effective, allowing pipes with just 0.5 % fiber volume to achieve comparable or even superior stiffness and energy dissipation capacities compared to steel-reinforced conventional concrete counterparts. These findings suggest the feasibility of either reducing or completely replacing traditional steel reinforcement with high-performance fiber reinforcement. Furthermore, the study developed and validated analytical models that reasonably predict the cracking and ultimate strengths of the pipes, with an average underestimation of 5 % and 7 %, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05726"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Valorization of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash in ecological cement mortar: Mechanical enhancement, effective immobilization of hazardous heavy metals, and life cycle environmental benefits","authors":"Jun Yan,&nbsp;Zhaoxi Li,&nbsp;Jun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05718","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05718","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the utilization of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (IBA), pretreated via simple co-grinding and sieving, in ecological cement mortar (ECM) designed with a modified Andreasen–Andersen particle-packing model and an ultra-low water-to-binder ratio (w/b = 0.16). Mortars with 0–15 % IBA by mass replacing natural river sand were evaluated for mechanical, microstructural, and environmental performance. Strength improved at 5–10 % IBA, with the 10 % mix reaching a 28-day compressive strength of 127.6 MPa. XRD/TGA confirmed pozzolanic reactivity, showing ∼42.9 % consumption of Portlandite (Ca(OH)₂) and additional C–A–S–H formation. SEM and MIP revealed a densified matrix and refined pore structure. Leaching concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr were below regulatory thresholds, and mixes with 5–10 % IBA exhibited lower values than the control. Life-cycle assessment indicated that 15 % IBA reduced global warming potential by ∼9.8 % and yielded net benefits in ecotoxicity and human-toxicity categories due to avoided-burden credits. Overall, 10 % IBA provided the best balance between mechanical performance and environmental safety, whereas 15 % maximized environmental benefits, supporting the large-scale, low-cost use of IBA in sustainable construction materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05718"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pore characteristics and properties of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) foam concrete: Effects of foam content and water-to-binder ratio","authors":"Yun-Lin Liu ,&nbsp;Zi-Yao Tang ,&nbsp;Xing-Yu Zhou ,&nbsp;Dong Guo ,&nbsp;Yan-Shuai Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05708","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05708","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement presents a promising alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in the production of ultra-lightweight foam concrete for marine applications, owing to its environmentally friendly characteristics and enhanced early strength development. This study investigates mixture optimization strategies to enhance the performance of ultra-lightweight CSA cement-based foam concrete. The macroscopic properties examined include flowability, density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity. In addition, cross-sectional images of the specimens were analyzed to quantify key microscopic pore characteristics, such as porosity, pore size distribution, and pore roundness. These properties were systematically evaluated and compared to assess the effects of foam content (ranging from 59 % to 87 %) and water-to-binder ratio (ranging from 0.70 to 0.90). The results revealed that higher foam content and water-to-binder ratio significantly increased porosity and average pore diameter of the CSA foam concrete. Moreover, both compressive strength and thermal conductivity showed an inverse relationship with the porosity, while pore roundness further influenced these key properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05708"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resource recovery for sustainable construction: Strength and microstructure characteristics of municipal solid waste incineration ash as a green alternative to cement in cementitious composites","authors":"Siva Avudaiappan ,&nbsp;Ramon Francisco Arrue Munoz ,&nbsp;G. Murali ,&nbsp;Manuel Chávez-Delgado ,&nbsp;Ramirez-Madrid Andres ,&nbsp;Paulraj Manidurai ,&nbsp;Erick Saavedra Flores ,&nbsp;Nelson Maureira-Carsalade","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The building sector is confronted with significant issues related to sustainability due to high carbon emissions and resource consumption from conventional cement production. Additionally, the disposal of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA) poses environmental risks. This study examines the potential of MSWI-BA as partial substitution of cement in cementitious composite formulations, with particular emphasis on its influence on strength and microstructure. The research aims to promote resource recovery, reduce landfill usage, lower carbon emissions, and foster eco-friendly building solutions and efficient waste utilization. Cement was partially replaced with MSWI-BA at substitution levels of 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 30 %, and the effects on density, porosity, water absorption, compressive strength, flexural strength, and microstructural characteristics were systematically investigated. Results show a consistent reduction in density and compressive strength with elevating the proportion of MSWI-BA. The compressive strength declined at all ages with higher MSWI-BA levels, showing a 28.49 % loss at 30 % replacement after 28 days. At early age (3 days), the mortar incorporating 10 % MSWI-BA exhibited a modest reduction in flexural performance (13.83 %). However, by 28 days, this mixture surpassed the control matrix with an 8.15 % improvement, reflecting the delayed benefits associated with BA incorporation. In contrast, higher replacement levels (20–30 %) resulted in flexural strength reductions of up to 37 %. Overall, up to 10 % MSWI-BA replacement is optimal for balancing performance and sustainability. Incorporating up to 10 % MSWI-BA as a partial cement replacement supports sustainable construction and circular economy practices without significantly affecting material performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05675"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}