Work

Regulating thermal damage evolution of concrete under prolonged dry-thermal exposure: Insights into moisture retention, crystal filling and crack restraint

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Prolonged dry–thermal exposure induces multiple deterioration processes in concrete, including dehydration, pore coarsening, and microcrack development, ultimately resulting in late-age strength deterioration. To explore a microstructure-based regulation strategy, this study investigated the effects of a graphene oxide (GO)–calcium carbonate whisker (CW) composite system on concrete subjected to long-term exposure at 50 °C. GO–CW improved long-term strength retention, with the 90 d heat resistance coefficients for compressive and splitting tensile strengths being 16.9% and 5.9% higher, respectively, than those of the reference concrete. This improvement was primarily associated with the regulation of thermal damage evolution. Mechanistically, GO enhanced moisture retention within hydration products and promoted CH crystal growth for pore filling, while CW restrained microcrack development through its bridging effect. This regulation largely confined pore coarsening to the 100–1000 nm range, reduced macropore content by up to 65.8%, and limited pore–microcrack connectivity during prolonged thermal exposure. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for improving the long-term performance of concrete under prolonged dry–thermal exposure through microstructural regulation.

Source: Case Studies in Construction Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2026.e06466

Authors: Liangxian Huang, Yue Wang, Siyi Zhao, Mingzhe An, Song Han, Jizhong Liu

Institutions: Beijing Jiaotong University, University of South China, Central Research Institute of Building and Construction (China)

Language: English

Topic: Fire effects on concrete materials

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,660