Case Studies in Construction Materials最新文献

{"title":"Reinforcement of weathered aggregates on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: Cross-scale coupling of microstructural evolution and macroscopic performance","authors":"Huijing Liu ,&nbsp;Xin Li ,&nbsp;Haisheng Ren ,&nbsp;Xue Zhang ,&nbsp;Yicheng Shuai ,&nbsp;Xinhang Wu ,&nbsp;Junhao Chen ,&nbsp;Wu Bo","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Weathered aggregates widely distributed on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) suffer from high initial porosity (32–52 %), elemental leaching, and insufficient mechanical resistance, severely restricting their direct use in cold-region transportation infrastructure where durable local materials are urgently required. This study establishes a cross-scale evaluation framework that quantitatively links microstructural evolution to macroscopic mechanical enhancements under targeted reinforcement. Seven aggregate lithologies were modified using epoxy resin, silane coupling agent, and nano-SiO₂ sol, and evaluated through both macroscopic indices (apparent density, water absorption, aggregate crushing value, Los Angeles abrasion value) and microscopic analyses (SEM–ImageJ porosity quantification and SEM–EDS elemental mapping). Results demonstrate significant performance improvement after treatment: epoxy resin consistently reduced porosity to 8–20 % and decreased ACV/LAAV by 2–4 %age points; silane provided up to 29 % porosity reduction; and nano-SiO₂ exhibited strong lithology dependence, with CF and AS achieving minimal porosity (3–4 %) while SD responded weakly. Grey relational analysis with entropy weighting further identified optimal lithology–modifier compatibilities, including AS–epoxy (Γ = 0.872) and SD–nano-SiO₂ (Γ = 0.806). By revealing how pore refinement and elemental stabilization drive macroscopic performance gains, this study elucidates lithology-specific reinforcement mechanisms and proposes a compatibility-oriented material selection workflow, supporting sustainable utilization of marginal aggregates in high-altitude cold-region infrastructure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05724"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921746","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":"Mechanistic influence of water chemistry on cement hydration through acidity–alkalinity interactions governing strength and durability","authors":"Anurag Angoth ,&nbsp;Reddy Babu Gude ,&nbsp;Srinivasulu Vemu","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2026.e05758","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2026.e05758","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The chemical composition of mixing water plays a critical yet often overlooked role in governing cement hydration, microstructure formation, and long-term durability. This study systematically investigates the influence of water chemistry covering acidic (S2), bicarbonate (S3), hydroxide (S4), and saline (S5) waters against potable control (S1) on the performance of ordinary Portland cement-based mortar and concrete. Experimental evaluation included fresh properties, mechanical strength, pore solution pH evolution, transport properties and microstructural characterization using SEM–EDS. Results revealed that water chemistry significantly altered hydration kinetics and matrix densification. Acidic water (S2) delayed setting and caused strength reductions exceeding 30 % relative to control, whereas hydroxide-rich water (S4) accelerated hydration, yielding the highest 90-day compressive (47 MPa) and flexural (6 MPa) strengths. Pore solution analysis confirmed stable alkalinity for S4 and S1 (pH &gt; 12.3 at 365 days), moderate decline for S3 (12.5 → 12.0), and severe depletion for S2 and S5 (11.9 → 11.1 and 12.1 → 11.4). Correspondingly, carbonation depth increased from 5 mm (S1) to 12 mm (S2), while S4 remained lowest (&lt; 3 mm). Hydroxide alkalinity produced the densest microstructure (porosity &lt; 7 %, absorption 2.3 %), whereas acidic and saline systems exceeded 12 % porosity and 5 % absorption. Chloride profiling further confirmed that S4 limited chloride ingress (&lt; 0.1 % by cement mass at 30 mm depth) compared with S5, which surpassed corrosion thresholds (&gt; 0.45 %). SEM–EDS observations validated these trends: hydroxide-rich mixes exhibited compact C–S–H morphology, while acidic and saline waters induced microcracking, carbonate precipitation, and salt crystallization. Findings confirm that pH alone cannot define water suitability for concrete. Instead, the combined effects of mineral acidity, CO₂ acidity, and hydroxide/bicarbonate alkalinity govern hydration efficiency, pore stability, and long-term durability providing essential criteria for using non-potable or recycled waters in sustainable construction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05758"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921821","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":"Structural optimization and anchorage performance analysis of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) anchor bolt system","authors":"Hao Wang ,&nbsp;Geng-ming Yan ,&nbsp;Wen-hao Jiang ,&nbsp;Zeng-kui Sun ,&nbsp;Qiang Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05678","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05678","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) anchor bolts offer high strength, corrosion resistance, and electrical insulation. To promote the reliable use of GFRP anchor bolts, this study investigates three typical locking structures (glass fiber reinforced plastic nut, steel wedge, and adhesive-type steel sleeves) to analyze their mechanical behavior and failure modes. The interfacial performance of the anchor bolt-grouting material system under multiple influencing factors is examined, and the effects of alkaline service environments on bolt performance are evaluated through corrosion tests. The results indicate that when epoxy resin is used as the adhesive and the clearance distance between the steel sleeve and the bolt is controlled at 1 mm, the adhesive-type steel sleeve locking structure can effectively utilize the tensile strength of the bolt, with a maximum tensile strength of 388.19 kN for a 28 mm-diameter bolt. The geopolymer shows the best interfacial bonding performance with the bolt. Bolt diameter and anchorage length have significant effects on tensile performance. In an alkaline environment with a pH value of 12.5, the mechanical properties of the bolt deteriorate noticeably, with a strength retention rate of 92.97 % after 112 days. This paper systematically investigates the selection, strength, and deformation characteristics of the locking structure-GFRP anchor bolt-grouting material system, and quantitatively analyzes the corrosion resistance of the bolts under alkaline environments. On this basis, optimization design recommendations for BFRP anchor bolts anchorage system under different working conditions are proposed, providing technical support for their practical engineering applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05678"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145735777","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":"Sustainable cementitious materials from bamboo leaf-derived hydrochar: Process optimization and mechanical performance","authors":"Lafiya S.L ,&nbsp;Kavitha M.Sambasivam","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research focuses on optimizing the production parameters and comprehensively characterizing bamboo leaf-derived hydrochar synthesized through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), aiming to advance its application in sustainable cementitious materials (SCM). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize process parameters. The hydrochar utilized in this study was synthesized under experimentally validated conditions of 205 °C, a 2.67:1 water-to-biomass ratio, and a residence time of 180 min, yielding a maximum solid recovery of 70.12 %. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), and PXRD (Powder X-ray Diffraction) confirmed deoxygenation, aromatization, and altered hydration phases, while Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) demonstrated improved thermal stability with lower volatile decomposition and higher residual mass at elevated temperatures. Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area analysis showed a transition to meso–macroporous structures with increased pore diameter and volume, beneficial for internal curing and durability enhancement. Mechanical testing revealed that 1.5 % hydrochar replacement improved compressive strength and microstructural integrity, as evidenced by FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) and micro-CT analyses, while higher dosages induced porosity and microcracking. The study found a strong predictive relationship in UPV strength correlation(R² = 0.8996). Adding 1.5 % bamboo hydrochar optimizes strength, showing its promise as a sustainable cement alternative and promoting eco-friendly composites. This work highlights bamboo leaves, an underutilized agro residue, as a precursor for carbon-based SCM. The mechanical enhancement and clinker reduction potential of bamboo leaf hydrochar make it a cost-effective and eco-friendly material for sustainable construction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05677"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145735776","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":"Experimental and numerical evaluation of indirect tensile properties of concrete containing macro fibers processed from waste GFRP composites","authors":"M. Qin ,&nbsp;P.L. LI ,&nbsp;Z.L. Hong ,&nbsp;C. Lian ,&nbsp;C. WANG ,&nbsp;Q.Q. Zou ,&nbsp;B. Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the increasingly widespread use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, the volume of non-biodegradable FRP solid waste is accumulating at a high rate, becoming a significant threat to environmental sustainability. To address this, the authors’ group has developed a novel mechanical recycling method to produce “macro fibers” for use as discrete reinforcement in concrete. In this study, an experimental program was conducted to explore the indirect tensile behavior of macro fiber reinforced concrete (MFRC) with an emphasis on the effect of fiber volume fractions and fiber length. Then, the finite element models (FEMs) of the splitting test and four-point bending test were established. The results reveal that the macro fibers have a limited influence of approximately ±5 % on the compressive strength, while increasing the splitting tensile strength and flexural tensile strength of concrete by 52.2 % and 125.0 % respectively. The comparison analysis indicates that the splitting tensile strength and flexural behavior of MFRC are effectively captured by the finite element models, although some discrepancies or overestimations are observed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05686"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145788422","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":"Enhancing the sulfate resistance of modified fly ash-based cementitious materials in marine environments using a graphene oxide–silane emulsion","authors":"Ruiyan Yu ,&nbsp;Jinming Jiang ,&nbsp;Shaochun Li ,&nbsp;Renyu Geng ,&nbsp;Koji Takasu ,&nbsp;Weijun Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05712","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05712","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Concrete structures in marine environments are highly vulnerable to sulfate attack, which leads to microstructural degradation and severe durability loss. Modified fly ash (MFA), obtained by flotation to reduce unburned carbon, has shown promise as a supplementary cementitious material due to its pozzolanic reactivity and ability to refine pore structures. However, its performance remains limited under aggressive sulfate exposure. To address this challenge, this study evaluates the combined use of MFA and a graphene oxide-isobutyltriethoxysilane (GO/IBTS) composite emulsion as an internal modifier for improving hydration behavior and long-term durability. Comprehensive experimental analyses, including calorimetry, compressive strength testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were conducted to assess hydration kinetics, microstructural evolution, and resistance to sulfate attack. The results reveal that low dosages of GO/IBTS emulsion (≤ 2 %) promote secondary hydration of MFA and refine the pore network, thereby enhancing structural stability during prolonged erosion. In contrast, higher dosages (&gt; 2 %) significantly suppress cement hydration, increase total porosity, and lead to marked strength loss. Under sulfate exposure, the incorporation of GO/IBTS reduces the formation of expansive phases such as gypsum and calcium aluminate hydrates, effectively limiting internal cracking and ensuring long-term stability. This study demonstrates a novel and reliable strategy for enhancing the durability of MFA-based cementitious systems in marine environments. The findings provide both theoretical insights and practical guidance for the design of eco-friendly, sulfate-resistant construction materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05712"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145788423","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":"The shrinkage and durability of concrete prepared with waste rock manufactured sand","authors":"Kuangliang Qian ,&nbsp;Lifeng Zhang ,&nbsp;Chuangbo Miao ,&nbsp;Chuang Qian ,&nbsp;Tongfa Fan ,&nbsp;Dongming Yan ,&nbsp;Xiaoqian Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Manufactured sand derived from solid wastes has not yet been widely adopted in engineering applications such as railway construction. This study systematically investigated concretes of two strength grades prepared with manufactured sands from tunnel-excavated tuff muck and granite cutting waste. Workability, mechanical strength, shrinkage, and various durability properties were evaluated and compared with river sand concretes of identical mix proportions. Mercury intrusion porosimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to investigate pore structure, hydration, and the interfacial transition zone. The results show that manufactured sand concretes met workability requirements and achieved higher mechanical strength. The 7-day compressive strength increased by 2.3–21.7 % and tensile strength by 2.5–11.1 %, while the ultimate tensile strain remained nearly unchanged. They also exhibited improved resistance to freeze–thaw cycles, water penetration, carbonation, and chloride ingress compared with river sand concrete, as a result of refined pore structures, higher hydration degrees, and a denser interfacial transition zone. However, early-age shrinkage measured from the initial setting was 8.5–32.4 % higher than that of river sand concrete at 3 days, but after three days of adequate curing, long-term shrinkage decreased by 4.3–13.9 %, highlighting the importance of proper early curing to prevent shrinkage-induced cracking and maintain the benefits of enhanced strength and durability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05699"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145788507","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":"Attention-enhanced neural networks and ensemble learning for accurate prediction of concrete carbonation","authors":"Zhixin Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaodong Yang ,&nbsp;Yuting Yang ,&nbsp;Jili Qu","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Concrete carbonation is a major contributor to reinforcement corrosion and durability loss in reinforced concrete, threatening structural integrity over time. While substantial research has been conducted on predicting carbonation depth using machine learning and deep learning techniques, many existing studies are limited by small datasets (300–600 samples) and a narrow focus on fly ash concrete, which restricts the robustness and generalizability of the models. In contrast, this study presents a novel approach by integrating a comprehensive dataset of 2163 samples from both natural and accelerated carbonation experiments, which is not confined to fly ash concrete. Eight key input variables were selected, and the dataset was randomly divided into training (80 %) and testing (20 %) subsets. Five predictive models were evaluated: Random Forest (RF), two baseline deep learning models (ANN and CNN), and two enhanced models that incorporate feature interaction terms, carbonation-related equations, and attention mechanisms (ATT-ANN and ATT-CNN). The results show that the enhanced models significantly outperform the baseline approaches in both accuracy and generalization. Specifically, ATT-CNN achieved the highest performance, reducing MSE by 24.6 % and 11.4 % relative to RF and CNN, respectively, and improving R² to 0.9142. ATT-ANN also demonstrated notable improvement, achieving an R² of 0.9063. Additionally, the integration of SHAP, Partial Dependence Plots (PDP), and Individual Conditional Expectation (ICE) methods provided deep insights into the decision-making process of the best-performing models. The findings indicate that carbonation time, temperature and humidity interactions, and the interaction between water-binder ratio and CO₂ concentration are the most influential factors in carbonation prediction. This study offers a novel, interpretable framework that not only enhances predictive accuracy and robustness but also deepens understanding of carbonation mechanisms, contributing to more scientifically rigorous service life assessments of reinforced concrete structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05697"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145788590","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":"Monitoring of reinforced concrete beam damages using EMD-based acoustic emission and digital imaging correlation technologies","authors":"Ziping Wang ,&nbsp;Dongwei Shang ,&nbsp;Napoleon Kuebutornye ,&nbsp;Jiazhen Zhang ,&nbsp;Nataša R. Trišović","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05674","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05674","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A comprehensive experimental method for monitoring and characterizing the damage evolution of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams was conducted under three-point bending load, using a combination of Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) based Acoustic Emission (AE) technology and Digital Image Correlation (DIC). AE sensors capture the passive elastic waves emitted during damage progression, and their signals are analyzed using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) to extract key features such as frequency and amplitude. Simultaneously, DIC and strain gauges monitor the deformation and stress distribution on the beam surface and reinforcement. The experimental results demonstrate a clear correlation between AE signal characteristics and the various stages of crack initiation, propagation, and structural failure. AE signals exhibit stage-specific spectral changes, evolving from low-frequency, low-amplitude patterns during micro crack formation to high-frequency, high-amplitude signals during major crack propagation. The DIC strain fields visually capture deformation concentration zones that align well with AE signal trends. This integrated monitoring approach enables the quantitative evaluation of structural damage and offers a reliable method for health monitoring of concrete structures. Subsequently, a database of characteristic parameters for different damage stages is established, providing theoretical support for the application of HHT in analyzing non-stationary signals in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05674"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921501","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":"The role of liquid and solid polymers in bitumen emulsions: A microstructural and nano-mechanical investigation of homogeneity and performance","authors":"Danial Khadivar,&nbsp;Amir Modarres","doi":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05737","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05737","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ordinary bitumen emulsions often face significant challenges, especially when incorporated into cold asphalt mixtures, slurry seals, and microsurfacing. Their poor thermal storage stability and unsuitable viscosity limit their effectiveness. To address these issues, polymer-modified bitumen emulsions (PMBE)s have become a preferred alternative. This study assessed the homogeneity and stability of three PMBEs, using either liquid SBR latex and solid SBS/HDPE polymers (3 % or 5 % concentration). For solid polymers, the mixing temperature was reduced by 20 °C for energy efficiency, compensated by using small 0.3 mm particles to maintain production output. A comprehensive suite of laboratory techniques was employed to evaluate these PMBEs. The Sessile drop method was used for surface free energy (SFE) measurements, providing insights into their adhesion potential. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed nanoscale phases, polymer distribution uniformity, nanoscale adhesion, and elastic modulus. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze elemental composition and microstructural homogeneity. A new method was presented to analyze the homogeneity and stability of PMBE at microstructure. In this method, the maps obtained from the EDS were analyzed using image processing techniques with Python 3.13.5. The output of this analysis was a homogeneity coefficient at the microstructure scale, which was calculated for different PMBAs. SBR samples demonstrated the highest overall homogeneity, but a new method for SBS and HDPE using smaller particle sizes and lower mixing temperatures achieved comparable microstructural quality. SBR enhanced both the polar and non-polar SFE components, suggesting superior adhesion to aggregates, a finding supported by AFM analysis. Conversely, SBS proved more effective at increasing internal strength and nano-mechanical properties, with a 15 % higher elastic modulus than the reference sample. Unlike the others, HDPE lowered the polar SFE component, making it a poor choice for adhesion but a strong performer for stiffness, with an elastic modulus over 70 % greater than the reference sample. This makes HDPE ideal for dry climates where high stiffness is valued. A multi-criteria analysis, considering factors like adhesion and homogeneity, determined optimal concentrations to be 4.2 % for SBR, 3.8 % for SBS, and 3.4 % for HDPE.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9641,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in Construction Materials","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e05737"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145921566","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}