Multiscale Synergistic Mechanism of Seawater, Supplementary Cementitious Materials, and Heat Curing on the Microstructure and Performance of High-Performance Cement-Based Material

Abstract

To address the depletion of freshwater resources and the increasing demand for low-carbon, sustainable construction materials, this study integrates experimental investigations with molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the synergistic enhancement mechanisms of seawater-mixed high-performance cement-based material. Results reveal that seawater mixing and hot water curing significantly accelerate cementitious materials hydration and refine the pore structure. These factors synergistically increase the polymerization of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) gel and the proportion of ultra-high-density C-S-H, leading to notable improvements in both nano- and micro-scale mechanical properties. Furthermore, macroscale compressive and flexural strength tests validate the improvement in performance, while the Empathetic Added Sustainability Index shows up to 117 % enhancement due to material optimization and reduced freshwater dependency. This research offers multiscale perspectives on developing green and high-performance concrete for sustainable infrastructure, particularly in marine environments.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Comments

National Key Research and Development Program of China, Grant 2022YFE0133800

Keywords and Phrases

Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Multiscale; Seawater-mixed; Synergistic effect

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2352-7102

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

15 Dec 2025

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