{"title":"Scientific basis and industrial potential of vaterite and CaCO3 polymorphs in low-carbon cement: A review","authors":"Zhonglin Tian , Kiyofumi Kurumisawa","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106464","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106464","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vaterite, a metastable polymorph of CaCO<sub>3</sub>, is emerging as a promising multifunctional additive for low-carbon-cement design. Its distinct reactivity arises from a thermodynamically unstable and structurally disordered crystal lattice, which results in solubility and surface energy higher than that of the stable calcite form. Through its high reactivity and strong interfacial interactions with hydration products, vaterite accelerates early-age reactions and contributes to long-term improvements in the microstructure and mechanical properties. In contrast, calcite acts primarily as a filler and nucleation aid, while aragonite's effects are predominantly morphological. Scalable and carbon-negative synthesis routes for vaterite have been developed based on CO<sub>2</sub> mineralization and industrial-waste utilization. This review synthesizes the knowledge across vaterite's lifecycle—from crystallographic origins and synthesis strategies to its hydration mechanisms and performance impacts—identifying it as a programmable material for the next-generation eco-efficient concretes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106464"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145894551","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":"Retention mechanisms of stable- and radioactive- Cs and Sr in geopolymer materials: Insights into gel structural evolution and leaching behavior","authors":"Guiyan Xiong , Andrew B. Cundy , Xiaolu Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106490","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106490","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Geopolymers are potentially useful materials for radioactive wastes stabilization or immobilization. This study explores the retention mechanisms of stable- and radioactive-Cs and Sr in fly ash (FA)/ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) blended geopolymer materials by examining the evolution of phases evolution and gel structures during geopolymer curing and subsequent element/radionuclide leaching behavior in Milli Q water (MW) and simulated Sellafield underground water (UW). Results show that Cs<sup>+</sup> incorporation altered gel structures, while Sr<sup>2+</sup> disrupted the geopolymerization process and generated SrCO<sub>3</sub>. Diffusion and dissolution mechanisms governed the leaching of Cs<sup>+</sup> from the geopolymer, with geopolymer undergoing gel structural transformations during leaching in both MW and UW, while Cs <sup>+</sup> may facilitate Al release in the UW. Diffusion mechanism primarily drove the leaching of Sr<sup>2+</sup> from geopolymer into Milli Q water, involving localized structural reorganization. Leaching in the UW probably involved gel transformation/reorganization and SrCO<sub>3</sub> dissolution. Cs was more mobile than Sr regardless of whether stable or radioactive nuclides were applied, and compared with conventional cement stabilisers, geopolymer exhibited better immobilization. The leaching results and immobilization mechanisms of geopolymer for stable and radioactive nuclides were not always completely aligned, warranting further direct investigation using radioactive nuclides. This study provides a perspective on product evolution both during geopolymer incorporation and subsequent leaching of Cs and Sr, and highlights the potential of geopolymer materials to effectively stabilize and immobilize Cs and Sr-containing nuclear wastes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106490"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033330","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}
Haibin Yang , Weiyu Zhang , Lulu Hao , Yihang Ye , Rongtao Zeng , Weiyi Zhang , Hongzhi Cui
{"title":"Interfacial effects of thermal energy storage aggregates on the thermo-mechanical properties of cementitious composites","authors":"Haibin Yang , Weiyu Zhang , Lulu Hao , Yihang Ye , Rongtao Zeng , Weiyi Zhang , Hongzhi Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106487","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106487","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interface engineering plays a pivotal role in the successful encapsulation and integration of phase change materials (PCM) into cementitious composites for building energy applications. However, the incorporation of thermal energy storage aggregates (TESA) in such composites often results in compromised mechanical properties and inefficient heat transfer due to poor interfacial compatibility between TESA and cementitious composites matrix. In this study, we presented a bottom-up encapsulation strategy combining in situ polymerization with droplet granulation to fabricate TESA using sodium sulfate decahydrate as the PCM core, achieving a high latent heat of 129.5 J/g. To overcome interface-related limitations, silicon carbide (SiC) particles were embedded within the polymer shell to form a thermally conductive and structurally reinforcing interfacial layer. Both experimental and numerical analyses demonstrated that the improved interface accelerates latent heat utilization and lowers indoor temperature peaks, thereby enhancing thermal regulation. Simultaneously, interfacial strengthening promotes better bonding between TESA and the cement matrix, mitigating strength degradation and improving durability under thermal cycling. Overall, this work revealed the pivotal role of interface design in achieving high-performance energy storage cementitious composites, offering a scalable pathway to enhance both the thermal efficiency and structural viability in sustainable building materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106487"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995568","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}
Jun Yang , Zhen Zhang , Jingchen Leng , Jianting Zhou , Xiuman Wang , Zhongya Zhang , Yang Zou , Le Teng , Soroush Mahjoubi , Jiang Du , Weina Meng
{"title":"Polydopamine-assisted carbon black grafting on natural fine aggregates for highly conductive and piezoresistive cement mortar","authors":"Jun Yang , Zhen Zhang , Jingchen Leng , Jianting Zhou , Xiuman Wang , Zhongya Zhang , Yang Zou , Le Teng , Soroush Mahjoubi , Jiang Du , Weina Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106493","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106493","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The inherent electrical insulation of cementitious composites fundamentally limits their application in smart infrastructure requiring self-sensing capabilities. Direct dispersion of conductive nanofillers, while improving conductivity, easily triggers nanoparticle agglomeration and internal defects, causing significant mechanical degradation. Conventional surface modification techniques on aggregates are energy-intensive or environmentally hazardous, posing barriers to scalable implementation. To overcome dual challenges, we hypothesize a mussel-mimetic interfacial engineering strategy, leveraging dopamine's spontaneous polymerization into a polydopamine (PDA) adhesive layer, anchors carbon black (CB) onto fine aggregates (CB + PDA@FA) for the conductive aggregate's fabrication, which is simple, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. The optimized cement mortar (M-0.4CF + CFA) containing CB + PDA@FA and carbon fibers achieves an electrical resistivity of 1.8 × 10<sup>3</sup> Ω cm (five orders of magnitude reduction), while preserving compressive and flexural strengths. This is attributed to that the utilization of CB + PDA@FA did not significantly compromise the pore structure and ITZ of cement mortar. Moreover, M-0.4CF + CFA exhibits exceptional piezoresistive sensitivity under cyclic loading, attaining a gauge factor of ∼98 and a fractional resistivity change up to 5.2 %. Density functional theory calculations validated the PDA interlayer amplifies the chemisorption energy between CB and aggregates, stabilizing the robust conductive network. This work potentially resolves the conductivity-mechanical property conflict in cementitious materials which provide new insights into bio-inspired interfacial design for smart composites, paving the way for energy-efficient, self-sensing infrastructure systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106493"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000930","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}
Junjie Du , Fengling Zhang , Huigang Xiao , Leong Hien Poh
{"title":"Influence of matrix strengthening, interface enhancement and fiber orientation on the flexural behavior and damage evolution of UHPC","authors":"Junjie Du , Fengling Zhang , Huigang Xiao , Leong Hien Poh","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106494","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106494","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The damage evolution of performance-enhanced ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has always been a research focus. Herein, a combination of acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) is adopted to systematically investigate the effects of interface enhancement, matrix strengthening and fiber orientation on the damage temporal evolution of UHPC. Nano-SiO<sub>2</sub> coated steel fibers and high dosage of nano-SiO<sub>2</sub> are adopted to achieve interface enhancement and matrix strengthening, respectively. The results indicate that interface enhancement, matrix strengthening and fiber orientation can effectively delay the unstable propagation of the main crack in UHPC, and the failure initiation time of UHPC is delayed by more than 20 s. Different from the single crack failure of matrix-strengthened UHPC, interface-enhanced UHPC is more prone to multi-crack failure. The principal component analysis results indicate that the acoustic energy of matrix cracking in interface-enhanced UHPC increases by more than 200 %, significantly improving the strength utilization of the matrix, and this tendency is promoted after orientation. The high dosage of nano-SiO<sub>2</sub> simultaneously strengthened both the interface and the matrix. Compared with unreinforced UHPC, the failure initiation time of interface-enhanced and matrix-strengthened UHPC was delayed by 28s and 61s, respectively, and the failure duration increases by 19s and 102s, respectively. By combining the load-displacement curve and AE characteristic parameters, the boundary values of the historic index (<em>HI</em>) and severity (<em>S</em><sub><em>r</em></sub>) are proposed, which has potential significance to provide safety warning for UHPC structures based on AE technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106494"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014914","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}
Xingjie Huang , Xiang Hu , Hussaini Abdullahi Umar , Tianwen Bai , Caijun Shi
{"title":"Formation and stability of bubbles in concrete and their influence on the performance of air-entrained concrete: A state-of-the-art review","authors":"Xingjie Huang , Xiang Hu , Hussaini Abdullahi Umar , Tianwen Bai , Caijun Shi","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106466","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106466","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The performance of concrete in high-altitude environments presents distinct challenges due to harsh climatic conditions, including low atmospheric pressure, temperature fluctuations, and low relative humidity. The key factor influencing the performance of concrete in such environments is the air void system, which is critical to its resistance to frost damage. The introduction of air bubbles into concrete through air entrainment improves various properties, such as resistance to frost damage, rheology, and fire resistance. This review explores the mechanisms of bubble formation and stability in cementitious materials under low air pressure, focusing on the physicochemical interactions between air-entraining agents (AEAs) and cementitious materials, and the resulting influence on rheology and resistance to frost damage. The effects of low air pressure on air-entraining efficiency, as well as bubble formation and stability, are discussed. Furthermore, the relationship among air void parameters and rheological behaviour of concrete is discussed comprehensively, along with rheological models developed for air-entrained concrete. By summarizing current research, case studies, and empirical data, this review highlights the need to optimize air entrainment for enhanced concrete performance in low-pressure environments. The findings of the study also reveal the necessity for a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between bubble parameters and rheological properties, which is essential for optimizing the workability and durability of concrete. Moreover, the review reveals existing challenges and proposes research directions to expedite the application of air-entrained concrete in high-altitude construction projects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106466"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956775","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":"Impact of synthetic C-S-H-GO seeds on hydration kinetics and pore structure evolution of cement pastes","authors":"Jixi Chen , Jinqing Jia , Zhiyong Qi , Shun Dong , You Mou , Mengyu Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106470","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106470","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nano-C-S-H is well known to serve as crystal nuclei in ordinary Portland cement, and its dispersion and mechanical properties can be enhanced by modification. In this study, we used graphene oxide (GO) as a modifier to prepare nano-C-S-H-GO (CG) seeds through a nucleation and growth separation method. Hydration kinetics, XRD, FT-IR, TG-DSC, MIP, SEM, and EIS were used to analyze the properties of CG seeds and their effects on cement performance, including the heat of hydration, phase of hydration products, pore structure and mechanical properties. The research shows that GO intercalation within the C-S-H matrix enhanced crystallinity and promoted the formation of highly polymerized, flocculent C-S-H structures. Incorporation of CG significantly accelerates hydration kinetics and shifted the reaction mechanism from NG-I-D to NG-D, leading to higher compressive and flexural strength at 1 day. Moreover, CG accelerated the transformation of petal-shaped hydration products into rod-like crystals and acted as a “bridge,” connecting AFt and C-S-H gels, contributing to a 0.8 %–2.1 % increase in gel pore population. Besides, EIS analysis confirms a progressive increase in the semicircle diameter of the Nyquist curve and a corresponding reduction in pore connectivity with increasing CG content and curing age. These findings highlight the potential of CG for utilize as an effective hardening accelerator for enhancing early-age performance in cementitious systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106470"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956759","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}
Wenkui Dong , Caiyu Zhao , Ziyan Gao , Linguangze Zhuo , Guoxu Liu , Jin Zhang , Shuhua Peng , Chi Zhang , Surendra P. Shah , Wengui Li
{"title":"Assessment of environmental and mechanical factors affecting cement-based triboelectric nanogenerators: Stability and durability","authors":"Wenkui Dong , Caiyu Zhao , Ziyan Gao , Linguangze Zhuo , Guoxu Liu , Jin Zhang , Shuhua Peng , Chi Zhang , Surendra P. Shah , Wengui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cement-based triboelectric nanogenerators (CBTENGs) offer a transformative pathway toward self-powering and intelligent transportation infrastructure by harvesting mechanical energy from pavement surfaces. However, their practical deployment requires a comprehensive understanding of their environmental and mechanical durability and adaptability. This study presents the first systematic durability assessment of CBTENGs under combined environmental and mechanical interferences, investigating their stability under diverse service conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycling, acid attack, abrasion, dynamic impact loading, and fatigue. The results reveal that output current increases by up to 35 % as temperature rises from −20 °C to 80 °C, mainly attributed to enhanced interfacial polarization, increased dielectric mobility, improved charge localization, and reduced energy barriers. An optimal humidity level (∼50 % relative humidity) maximizes charge generation through hydrogen bond-mediated dipole alignment, whereas excessive moisture induces conductive pathways, leading to approximately 28 % output degradation. The devices retain over 90 % of their initial output after 20 freeze-thaw or wet-dry cycles and maintain stable performance over 9000 fatigue cycles. Nevertheless, sulfuric acid exposure reduces output by 55 %, highlighting chemical degradation as the dominant deterioration mode. The results establish the environmental and mechanical reliability of CBTENGs and elucidate the microstructural and interfacial mechanisms governing charge retention, providing a robust foundation for the development of durable and efficient energy-harvesting pavement systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106489"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995567","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":"Does crack localization occur at the peak tensile strength of strain-hardening slag composites? A statistical approach","authors":"Dongsun Lee , Nemkumar Banthia , Doo-Yeol Yoo","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the validity of the conventional assumption that crack localization and peak tensile stress occur simultaneously in high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites, with emphasis on the useable tensile strain prior to localization-induced softening. Statistical analysis was performed using direct tensile test data from 70 strain-hardening slag-based composites tested with digital image correlation (DIC). Crack-width histories obtained from the DIC images were denoised using outlier removal and smoothing splines. The onset of localization was identified as the time at which the curvature (second derivative) of the dominant crack-width curve reached a pronounced maximum. The strain at localization was then quantitatively compared with the strain at peak tensile stress. For specimens exhibiting typical strain-hardening behavior, the localization-to-peak strain ratio had an average value close to unity. A 95 % prediction interval indicated that localization generally occurred between approximately 94 % and 107 % of the peak strain. On the stress axis, a beta-distribution model with bootstrap verification yielded a one-sided 95 % prediction interval of approximately 97–100 % for the stress at localization relative to the peak stress, showing that the two stresses are practically indistinguishable in most cases. These bounds define a strain–stress prediction box enclosing about 95 % of the observed localization points, which are superimposed on a conventional tensile stress–strain curve to conservatively estimate localization. A small subset of specimens showed delayed localization at larger strains while maintaining near-peak stress, attributed to time-dependent degradation of fiber-bridging capacity. The proposed framework supports localization-aware tensile design and helps avoid underestimation of tensile performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106482"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995536","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}
Zhizhong Deng , Quang Dieu Nguyen , Aziz Hasan Mahmood , Wengui Li , Daichao Sheng
{"title":"Thermochromic coatings for self-sensing seawater-mixed cementitious sensors: towards multifunctional applications in concrete pavements","authors":"Zhizhong Deng , Quang Dieu Nguyen , Aziz Hasan Mahmood , Wengui Li , Daichao Sheng","doi":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work explores the integration of thermochromic materials and self-sensing cementitious sensors to advance the development of multifunctional pavement systems. By employing seawater as the mixing medium, the pore solution chemistry is deliberately modified through elevated ionic concentrations, thereby enabling new pathways for performance enhancement and sustainability in coastal infrastructure. The temperature regulation capability of three different thermochromic (TC) coatings was experimentally verified, achieving a maximum temperature reduction of approximately 20.5 °C. With the TC coating, the rate of water loss of pore solutions was measured in this study. To demonstrate the solar radiation reflection, transmittance, and intensity of light, UV–Vis Spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy (RS) methodologies have been applied in this research. Due to the high absorbance of visible light and near-infrared (NIR) radiation, more energy can be absorbed by the cement surface, causing the temperature of pure cementitious specimens to rise rapidly. With a suitable range of water saturation in cementitious mixtures (95–100 %), the ion conduction of self-sensing cementitious sensors has been improved. An elevated ion concentration within the self-sensing sensors stabilises their piezoresistive response, yielding a more consistent relationship between cyclic pressure variations and corresponding resistance changes. In addition, the incorporation of thermochromic coatings enables effective temperature regulation of the composites under solar irradiation. The compressive strength of the samples was enhanced by the 65 °C heating. After 72 h of heating, the strength improved due to the acceleration of the hydration of cement particles. The combination of TC materials and self-sensing function improved the mechanical and piezoresistivity properties of the cementitious matrix. It proved the application potential of multifunctional cementitious mixtures in pavement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9865,"journal":{"name":"Cement & concrete composites","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 106488"},"PeriodicalIF":13.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974812","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}