Hyo Eun Joo , Xi Ji , Yuya Takahashi , Misato Fujishima , Taito Miura
{"title":"Experimental investigations on elasto-plastic behavior and fracture mechanism of ASR-damaged concrete","authors":"Hyo Eun Joo , Xi Ji , Yuya Takahashi , Misato Fujishima , Taito Miura","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The crack patterns of alkali silica reaction (ASR)-damaged concrete vary depending on many environmental factors, and the damaged concrete with dispersed crack patterns shows a compressive behavior that differs from that of cracked concrete owing to external loads, not ASR damage, despite undergoing a substantial ASR expansion. Therefore, investigating the mechanisms governing the mechanical behavior of ASR-damaged concrete is necessary. Monotonic and cyclic compression tests were conducted on ASR-damaged concrete with ASR expansion and long-term storage conditions as test variables. The elastoplastic behavior and fracture progress of the ASR-damaged concrete were investigated, and crack propagation was observed using digital image correlation (DIC) measurements. The test results showed that the compressive strength, elastic modulus, and shear elasticity of the concrete tended to decrease with increasing ASR expansion. However, the fracture parameter representing the fracture progress of the ASR-damaged concrete resembled that of the undamaged concrete. This indicates that ASR-damaged concrete with dispersed crack patterns with small widths effectively transferred stress through friction between cracks despite undergoing a large tensile strain owing to ASR. In addition, when the specimen was stored under dry conditions rather than wet conditions for over one year, the elastic modulus, compressive strength, and shear elasticity—degraded by ASR— showed improvement, while the fracture parameter remained nearly unchanged.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106192"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144311981","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}
Fabien Georget , Veronica Caprai , Alberto Belli , Arno Keulen , Thomas Matschei
{"title":"Investigation of a supplementary cementitious material with three reactive components: the example of a carbonated mineral composite","authors":"Fabien Georget , Veronica Caprai , Alberto Belli , Arno Keulen , Thomas Matschei","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The search for feasible low-carbon cement leads to an increase in the complexity of the mineralogy and chemistry of the binders. This study investigates a carbonated mineral composite as a potential SCM. It is composed of three major components: a filler (calcium carbonate), a pozzolanic component (Al-Si gel) and a potential hydraulic component (C<sub>2</sub>(A,F)). We examine the compatibility and contribution of each of these compounds as a supplementary cementitious material with the combined use of experimental methods and thermodynamic modelling. In particular, we demonstrate the early-age reactivity of this SCM in blended cement, validated by compressive strength on concrete (SAI = 1) at 28 days, although the reactivity test would imply a behavior similar to fly ash. The strength development is linked to an increased precipitation of AFm phases, and the contribution of the ferrite. The latter is confirmed through the direct observation of Fe-Si-hydrogarnet precipitation by SEM-EDS. The limitations of current analytical methods and their impact on the formulation of new ternary and quaternary blends are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106179"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144311976","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":"Micro-scale uniaxial compression assessment of hygro-thermo-mechanical interactions in limestone-filler cement paste at low water-to-fine ratio","authors":"Mahdiar Dargahi, Luca Sorelli","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106194","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106194","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The partial cement substitution with limestone filler (LF) enables the development of sustainable ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). While LF reduces the carbon footprint of cement production, its influence on the micromechanical behavior of cement paste under varying environmental conditions has not been fully understood. This study presents a twofold originality: first, by employing uniaxial compression on micrometer-sized specimens to characterize the mechanical properties of cement paste containing fine LF; and second, by assessing the effects of varying relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) conditions, as an effective method of testing under rapidly archived hygro-thermal equilibrium. Moreover, a dual-method characterization approach, including water adsorption isotherms and X-ray computed microtomography (μ-CT) was employed to verify hygro-thermal equilibrium in the specimens and analyze the microstructure, respectively.</div><div>Micro-prisms (150 × 150 × 300 μm<sup>3</sup>) were fabricated using a high-precision dicing saw from cement pastes with LF additions. Micro-scale uniaxial compression tests were then conducted under controlled conditions at varying RH (10, 30, and 80 %) and T (20, 40, and 60 °C), considering their coupled effects. The increased RH and T levels generally decrease both compressive strength and elastic modulus, showing a fairly non-linear dependence. Notably, LF not only enhances compressive strength, elastic modulus, and fracture energy, but also mitigates RH and T effects, due to the refined pore structure confirmed by μ-CT analysis. This study advances the understanding of the micromechanical properties of cement paste containing LF under varying RH and T conditions at low water-to-fine ratios, providing valuable insights for the development of sustainable UHPC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106194"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144311983","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}
Changhao Fu , Weijie Xu , Yiming Ge , Qiwei Zhan , Xuan Zhang , Tong Guo , Benqiang Pang
{"title":"Evaluation of crack self-healing performance in cement-based materials using deep learning and multidimensional characterization","authors":"Changhao Fu , Weijie Xu , Yiming Ge , Qiwei Zhan , Xuan Zhang , Tong Guo , Benqiang Pang","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106184","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106184","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cracks are a persistent issue in cement-based materials, especially in corrosive environments, such as marine conditions, where aggressive ions exacerbate the problem. To address this challenge, a novel self-healing method, which combines layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with microbial mineralization, has been proposed, with its effectiveness comprehensively evaluated. A new core-shell healing agent was developed, incorporating calcium-based and aluminum-based inorganic minerals as the core along with microbial spores. The concept of deep learning was introduced to quantitatively assess the healing performance. A dense residual network (DRN) and a multidimensional crack evaluation method were applied to quantify the crack repair effects, revealing considerable improvements in all performance indices after a certain curing period. In addition, the principles of various crack characterization methods were analyzed and classified. Results indicate that these methods may reflect the surface repair effects, internal repair effects, or a combination of both. Furthermore, repair products were microscopically analyzed to identify their composition, morphology, elemental distribution, and pore size distribution. The self-healing mechanism was elucidated as the in situ LDH formation from the healing agents, which expanded to fill the cracks while immobilizing chloride ions, sulfate ions, and water molecules, thereby mitigating the damage from aggressive ions. The LDH formation also consumed a substantial amount of hydroxide ions, converting the solution into a mildly alkaline environment that favored microbial growth and mineralization, further enhancing and consolidating the healing effect. This study provides a scientific basis for crack repair in corrosive environments and for the multidimensional characterization of crack healing performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106184"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144305181","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":"Fracture behavior of 3D printed geopolymer concrete containing waste ceramic","authors":"Chengjie Ye , Jie Xu , Giuseppe Lacidogna","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106193","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106193","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study systematically investigates the fracture behavior of 3D printed geopolymer concrete containing waste ceramic. Based on three-point bending tests, the effect of waste ceramic aggregate (CWA) content and printing direction on the cracking patterns of 3D printed geopolymer concrete (3DGPC) were investigated with the help of digital image correlation (DIC) and acoustic emission (AE) techniques. The test results showed that the addition of 40 % CWA significantly enhanced the mechanical properties, fracture toughness and fracture energy of concrete. Compared to inter-strip cracking, inter-layer cracking was verified to be more effective in mitigating stress concentrations which further improves the performance of concrete. DIC analysis revealed that CWA incorporation and interlayer fracture had significantly increased the crack opening displacement, effectively inhibiting crack propagation and alleviating stress concentration at the crack tip. AE analysis further indicated that the incorporation of CWA and interlayer fracture can reduced shear cracks and enhanced the fracture toughness effectively. This research not only provides optimal mix proportions and printing parameters for 3D printed geopolymer concrete, but also holds the potential to promote the sustainable development of 3D printing technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106193"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144306818","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":"Cement-based mechanical metamaterials with spiral resonators for vibration control","authors":"Koichi Imagawa , Motohiro Ohno , Yoichiro Koga , Tetsuya Ishida","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a single-phase cement-based mechanical metamaterial for vibration control. The unit cell consists of a cement-based matrix with tailored spiral slits, functioning as an embedded spring-mass system. The local resonance of the spiral resonators generates a band gap within a specific frequency range, in which input vibration energy is effectively absorbed. Both experimental and analytical investigations were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of this cement-based metamaterial. First, the frequency response under sinusoidal excitation was evaluated using finite element analysis. The simulation results indicated that a metamaterial plate consisting of three unit cells exhibits a distinct band gap ranging from 46 Hz to 62 Hz. To validate this unique behavior, specimens were prepared using fiber reinforced cement mortar, and their transmissibility was measured by sine sweep testing. The experimental results confirmed a band gap ranging from 21 Hz to 50 Hz. Furthermore, significant anti-resonant vibration in the spiral resonators was observed during testing. Following this feasibility study, strategies for adjusting the band gap range by tailoring the internal structure were explored. Analytical modeling and numerical simulations suggest that tailoring the unit cell design alone involves a trade-off between achieving a low-frequency band gap and widening the band gap width. However, by employing different unit cell designs and optimizing their arrangement within the structure, it is possible to widen the band gap while maintaining its position. Such non-periodic metamaterial designs offer greater flexibility for tuning band gaps, enabling more versatile applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106191"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144296311","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}
Qinglu Yu , Xing Ming , Yueyang Wang , Long Sun , Mingkai Cui , Guoxing Sun
{"title":"Effects of highly dispersed LDH nano-platelets on chloride binding and corrosion protection of cementitious materials","authors":"Qinglu Yu , Xing Ming , Yueyang Wang , Long Sun , Mingkai Cui , Guoxing Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The chemical binding of free chloride ions in cementitious materials, crucial for prolonging their lifespan, relies heavily on aluminate hydrates and can be modulated by incorporating the layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Yet, the currently synthesized LDHs in field of cement and concrete usually suffer from nano crystallites aggregation, limiting their potential as nanofillers and hindering the chloride-capturing efficiency. This study compares the cementitious materials containing highly dispersed LDH nano-platelets (HDLNPs) with those using conventional LDH powder (LP) to unveil the ion-exchange-efficiency-dependent aluminates regulation and particle-size-related pores refinement of LDHs. HDLNPs regulate the sulfate to aluminate balance at a concurrent rate with early-age hydration of tricalcium aluminate (C<sub>3</sub>A) to promote the conversion from ettringite (AFt) to alumino-ferrite-mono (AFm) phases. Furthermore, due to their high dispersion, HDLNPs mitigate the interlayer inertness toward chloride binding induced by carbonation. However, HDLNPs primarily occupy micropores around outer C-S-H, failing to refine capillary pore, which is amplified by the concomitant AFt shortage, leads to higher capillary adsorption rates. Nevertheless, HDLNPs outperform LP in terms of corrosion protection at equivalent dosage, evoking the LDHs’ unsung ion-exchange capacity in delaying chloride ingress. This advancement in the dispersion of incorporated LDHs underscores their valuable roles in designing durable and sustainable cementitious materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106178"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144290009","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}
Huzi Ye , Qianpeng He , Pengxin Ping , Jinlong Pan , Binrong Zhu
{"title":"Anisotropic flexural behavior and energy absorption of 3D printed engineered cementitious composites (3DP-ECC) beams under low-velocity impact","authors":"Huzi Ye , Qianpeng He , Pengxin Ping , Jinlong Pan , Binrong Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study systematically investigates the mechanical behavior and energy absorption properties of anisotropic 3D-printed engineered cementitious composite (3DP-ECC) beams under low-velocity impact, with a focus on performance variations across different loading directions. A comprehensive experimental program, including quasi-static compression, tensile, three-point flexural, and low-velocity impact tests, was conducted to evaluate the mechanical response and failure mechanisms of 3DP-ECC in the U, V, and W loading directions. The results demonstrate that 3DP-ECC exhibits significant anisotropy compared to Cast-ECC. Specifically, the W-direction exhibited a 33.4 % increase in flexural strength, along with enhanced energy absorption capacity, improved toughness, and reduced strain-rate sensitivity. Additionally, a novel methodology for calculating inertial forces and a predictive model for energy absorption were developed, categorizing impact energy into components associated with matrix fracture, fiber-matrix interactions, and inertial effects. The findings indicate that 3DP-ECC in the W-direction offers optimal impact resistance, while the U-direction exhibits the highest inertial force and acceleration, which may pose risks to structural integrity. This research offers valuable insights into the optimization and application of 3DP-ECC in impact-resistant infrastructure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106183"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144290076","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}
Yifan Zhao , Xiang Hu , Xiao-Ling Zhao , Gaozhan Zhang , Caijun Shi
{"title":"Chloride induced corrosion behavior of carbon steel rebar in seawater mixed Portland cement-SF-MK ternary pastes with low w/b ratio","authors":"Yifan Zhao , Xiang Hu , Xiao-Ling Zhao , Gaozhan Zhang , Caijun Shi","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Utilizing seawater in the formulation of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) presents promising opportunities in marine civil engineering. This study investigates the chloride-induced corrosion behavior of carbon steel within seawater-mixed Portland cement-SF-MK ternary pastes with a low water-to-binder ratio, through electrochemical measurements. The findings reveal that the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as SF (Silica Fume) and MK (Metakaolin), at appropriate replacement levels, significantly enhances the chloride binding capacity. This improvement stems from the pozzolanic reaction and the formation of Friedel's salt. The corrosion of steel is effectively mitigated by partially substituting cement with SF or MK, attributed to the reduction in oxygen diffusion and the concentration of free chlorides in the pore solution. This enhancement in corrosion resistance is further bolstered by the refinement of the microstructure and the increased chloride binding capacity. However, the effectiveness of corrosion mitigation is found to be dependent on the composition of the binder. Regardless of whether it's a binary or ternary system, steel corrosion exacerbates as the total replacement level of SF and MK reaches 30 %, primarily due to the consumption of portlandite. Therefore, the judicious selection of SF and MK replacement levels is crucial. Optimally, SF and MK replacement levels of around 10 % are recommended to improve the resistivity (R<sub>1</sub>) of the paste, increase the impedance (R<sub>2</sub>) of the passivation film or corrosion products, and enhance the charge transfer impedance (R<sub>3</sub>) of the steel significantly. This inhibits the redox reaction of steel in seawater-mixed Portland cement-SF-MK ternary pastes with low water-to-binder ratio.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106182"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144288335","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}
Shuqing Zhang , Jianhui Liu , Leping Liu , Zheng Chen , Caijun Shi
{"title":"Effect of CO2 partial pressure and temperature on degradation kinetics of cement paste in CO2-rich water","authors":"Shuqing Zhang , Jianhui Liu , Leping Liu , Zheng Chen , Caijun Shi","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2025.106185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In karst areas, the groundwater typically exhibits high levels of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>-rich water), which leads to the calcium leaching of underground concrete structures. The deterioration of concrete cover can cause the corrosion of the steel bars, resulting in a serious threat to the durability of the structures. In this paper, the degradation behaviors and microstructure development of cement paste under different CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressures (0.1, 0.4, 0.8 MPa) and temperatures (5 °C, 25 °C, 50 °C) of CO<sub>2</sub>-rich water were studied, and the degradation kinetics were discussed. The results indicate that the reaction of the cement paste is prone to occur in CO<sub>2</sub>-rich water, with an activation energy of 6.46 kJ/mol. The degradation process results from the combined effects of carbonation and calcium leaching. Both increased CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure and temperature accelerate degradation, however, and the sensitivity of temperature is significantly higher than pressure. Based on this, we establish a prediction model of degradation depth, which is applied to the cement paste with intact degradation layer in low flow rate of CO<sub>2</sub>-rich water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"163 ","pages":"Article 106185"},"PeriodicalIF":10.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144268861","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}