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Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is characterized by a dense microstructure that yields ultra-high strength and durability properties. This paper presents an innovative method to produce eco-efficient mixtures of UHPC using locally available materials based on optimization using the packing density and a statistical mixture design approach. The results showed an optimal packing density of 0.79% for a combination of all granular materials (quartz sand, quartz powder, cement, and silica fume). The study presents experimentally based models with high coefficients of correlation in predicting the workability and strength of UHPC as a function of mixture design parameters (water-binder ratio [w/b] and high-range water-reducing admixture [HRWRA] dosage). Contour diagrams to facilitate the use of the models were established. In this research, UHPC mixtures with a slump flow between 130 and 300 mm (5.1 and 11.8 in.) and compressive strength between 135 and 225 MPa (19.6 and 32.6 ksi) were produced; such concretes are required for different industrial applications. Keywords: design; packing density; statistical design approach; ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC).

The pyroclastic aggregate concrete of Trajan’s Markets (110 CE), now Museo Fori Imperiali in Rome, has absorbed energy from seismic ground shaking and long-term foundation settlement for nearly two millenia while remaining largely intact at the structural scale. The scientific basis of this exceptional service record is explored through computed tomography of fracture surfaces and synchroton X-ray microdiffraction analyses of a reproduction of the standardized hydrated lime–volcanic ash mortar that binds decimeter-sized tuff and brick aggregate in the conglomeratic concrete. The mortar reproduction gains fracture toughness over 180 d through progressive coalescence of calcium–aluminum-silicate–hydrate (C-A-S-H) cementing binder with Ca/(Si+Al) ≈ 0.8–0.9 and crystallization of sträätlingite and siliceous hydrogarnet (katoite) at ≥90 d, after pozzolanic consumption of hydrated lime was complete. Platey strääätlingite crystals toughen interfacial zones along scoria perimeters and impede macroscale propagation of crack segments. In the 1,900-y-old mortar, C-A-S-H has low Ca/(Si+Al) ≈ 0.45–0.75. Dense clusters of 2- to 30-µm sträääätlingite plates further reinforce interfacial zones, the weakest link of modern cement-based concrete, and the cementitious matrix. These crystals formed during long-term autogeneous reaction of dissolved calcite from lime and the alkali-rich scoriae groundmass, clay mineral (halloysite), and zeolite (phillipsite and chabazite) surface textures from the Pozzolane Rosse pyroclastic flow, erupted from the nearby Alban Hills volcano. The clast-supported conglomeratic fabric of the concrete presents further resistance to fracture propagation at the structural scale. Significance A volcanic ash–lime mortar has been regarded for centuries as the principal material constituent that provides long-term durability to ancient Roman architectural concrete. A reproduction of Imperial-age mortar based on Trajan’s Markets (110 CE) wall concrete resists microcracking through cohesion of calcium–aluminum–silicate–hydrate cementing binder and in situ crystallization of platey strätlingite, a durable calcium-aluminosilicate mineral that reinforces interfacial zones and the cementitious matrix. In the 1,900-y-old mortar dense intergrowths of the platey crystals obstruct crack propagation and preserve cohesion at the micron scale. Trajanic concrete provides a proven prototype for environmentally friendly conglomeratic concretes that contain ∼88 vol % volcanic rock yet maintain their chemical resilience and structural integrity in seismically active environments at the millenial scale.

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials and has a high tendency to form cracks. These cracks lead to significant reduction in concrete service life and high replacement costs. Although it is not possible to prevent crack formation, various types of techniques are in place to heal the cracks. It has been shown that some of the current concrete treatment methods such as the application of chemicals and polymers are a source of health and environmental risks, and more importantly, they are effective only in the short term. Thus, treatment methods that are environmentally friendly and long-lasting are in high demand. A microbial self-healing approach is distinguished by its potential for long-lasting, rapid and active crack repair, while also being environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the microbial self-healing approach prevails the other treatment techniques due to the efficient bonding capacity and compatibility with concrete compositions. This study provides an overview of the microbial approaches to produce calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Prospective challenges in microbial crack treatment are discussed, and recommendations are also given for areas of future research.

Concrete, as the most widely used construction material, is inextricably connected with human development. Despite conceptual and methodological progress in concrete science, concrete formulation for target properties remains a challenging task due to the ever-increasing complexity of cementitious systems. With the ability to tackle complex tasks autonomously, machine learning (ML) has demonstrated its transformative potential in concrete research. Given the rapid adoption of ML for concrete mixture design, there is a need to understand methodological limitations and formulate best practices in this emerging computational field. Here, we review the areas in which ML has positively impacted concrete science, followed by a comprehensive discussion of the implementation, application, and interpretation of ML algorithms. We conclude by outlining future directions for the concrete community to fully exploit the capabilities of ML models.

The beneficial effect of microbially induced carbonate precipitation on building materials has been gradually disclosed in the last decade. After the first applications of on historical stones, promising results were obtained with the respect of improved durability. An extensive study then followed on the application of this environmentally friendly and compatible material on a currently widely used construction material, concrete. This review is focused on the discussion of the impact of the two main applications, bacterial surface treatment and bacteria based crack repair, on concrete durability. Special attention was paid to the choice of suitable bacteria and the metabolic pathway aiming at their functionality in concrete environment. Interactions between bacterial cells and cementitious matrix were also elaborated. Furthermore, recommendations to improve the effectiveness of bacterial treatment are provided. Limitations of current studies, updated applications and future application perspectives are shortly outlined.

In this study, lightweight sand is used as an internal curing agent in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). A factorial design approach was employed to evaluate the effects of multiple mixture proportioning parameters that are important for mixture optimization of UHPC. The investigated mixture design parameters included the substitution volume ratio of lightweight sand for river sand (LWS/NS: 0 to 25%), the cementitious materials-to-sand volume ratio (cm/s: 0.8 to 1.2), and the water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm: 0.17 to 0.23). The evaluated properties included fresh properties, compressive strengths at up to 91 days, and autogenous shrinkage at up to 28 days. Statistical models that take into account the coupling effects of mixture proportioning parameters were formulated to predict the UHPC properties. The w/cm and LWS/NS were the most significant parameters influencing the compressive strength and autogenous shrinkage, respectively. By replacing the river sand with 25% lightweight sand, the compressive strength at 91 days increased from 150 to 170 MPa (22.5 to 25.5 ksi) and the autogenous shrinkage at 28 days decreased from 410 to 70 [micro]m/m (410 x [10.sup.-6] to 70 x [10.sup.-6] in./in.). The mixture with w/cm of 0.23, LWS/NS of 0.25, and cm/s of 1.2 is determined as the optimum UHPC mixture. The material properties of the mixture: the HRWR demand was 0.6%, the 28-day autogenous shrinkage was 260 [micro]m/m (260 x [10.sup.-6] in./in), and the 91-day compressive strength was 147 MPa (22.1 ksi). Keywords: autogenous shrinkage; compressive strength; factorial design; internal curing; lightweight sand; rheological properties; ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC).

With the advent of new sustainable construction materials, self-healing concrete has been used and tested in the last decade, raising the question of the efficacy of said mechanisms to prevent water permeation after crack formation. Thus, new novel mechanical methodologies have been introduced to induce controlled cracks in concrete specimens to improve the standardisation and effectiveness of permeability tests. This research explores those new mechanical techniques to create consistent and reproducible crack patterns, crucial for assessing the efficacy of self-healing mechanisms in concrete. This study systematically evaluates how different crack configurations influence the self-healing ability of the material. Findings from this research are expected to aid in refining testing protocols and to contribute significantly to the field of material science within civil engineering by demonstrating the potential of self-healing concrete to revolutionise building practices.

In this paper, a support vector machine (SVM) model which can be used to predict the compressive strength of mortars exposed to sulfate attack was established. An accelerated corrosion test was applied to collect compressive strength data. For predicting the compressive strength of mortars, a total of 638 data samples obtained from experiment was chosen as a dataset to establish a SVM model. The values of the coefficient of determination, the mean absolute error, the mean absolute percentage error and the root mean square error were used for evaluating the predictive accuracy. The main factors affecting the predicted compressive strength were obtained by sensitivity analysis. A SVM model was calibrated, validated, and finally established. Moreover, the performance of the SVM model was compared to an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Results show that the prediction values from the SVM model were close to the experimental values; the main factors sensitive to concrete compressive strength were exposure time, water-cement ratio and sulfate ions; the performance of the SVM model was better than the ANN model. The SVM model developed in this study can be potentially used for predicting the compressive strength of cement-based materials servicing in harsh environments.

Many cases of high-quality reinforced concrete structures in marine environments show little or no corrosion despite very high chloride contents in the concrete. To explain this, it is necessary to separate initiation from active corrosion because they are governed by different mechanisms. The present paper considers corrosion initiation. It reports observations for realistic model concrete specimens at intervals for up to 12 years of exposure in a high-humidity environment. Initiation of reinforcement corrosion occurred soon after first exposure and was predominantly localized (pitting) on the side away from the casting direction. The localized corrosion was consistent with air voids at the concrete steel interface. After 2 to 3 years, the rate of corrosion declined very considerably owing to oxygen depletion within the concrete. To explain these observations, a model involving electrochemical differential aeration at the air voids at the concrete-steel interface is proposed. Numerous practical implications are discussed. Keywords: alkalinity; chloride-induced; corrosion; reinforcement.

ASTM C618 is used to qualify fly ash and natural pozzolans for use in concrete and for sale to the concrete industry. This study tests the notion that ASTM C618 does not adequately qualify natural pozzolans for use in concrete, with the primary concern that ASTM C618 has the potential to provide \"false positives\" for inert materials. Pozzolanicity tests and the tests outlined in ASTM C618 were performed on a variety of natural materials, including those that were known to be pozzolanic or inert and those with unknown pozzolanicity. Compressive strength testing at a fixed water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) was also performed on the materials, and the results were compared against the results of the strength activity index (SAT) from ASTM C618, which has a variable w/cm. This study proves that inert natural minerals passed ASTM C618 for a Class N natural pozzolan for use in concrete, suggesting that the standard is inadequate. Keywords: ASTM C618; Class N; natural pozzolan; pozzolanic reaction.