Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approach
Concrete structures exposed to marine environments are most prone to high degradation through chloride-induced corrosion and, therefore, require modern materials with superior hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance. This paper focuses on the optimisation of a Symbio-Pozzolanic Composite Hydrophobic...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005340 |
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| author | S. Joseph Gnanaraj K. Vasugi |
| author_facet | S. Joseph Gnanaraj K. Vasugi |
| author_sort | S. Joseph Gnanaraj |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Concrete structures exposed to marine environments are most prone to high degradation through chloride-induced corrosion and, therefore, require modern materials with superior hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance. This paper focuses on the optimisation of a Symbio-Pozzolanic Composite Hydrophobic Powder to improve the overall mechanical performance and durability of the cementitious matrix. Using Response Surface Methodology with a Central Composite Design, 30 formulations were prepared and tested with major ingredients Class F Fly Ash, Silica Fume, Metakaolin, and Zinc Stearate. The optimised mix attained the age of 56 days with a C of 46.19 MPa and an outstandingly low corrosion rate of 0.000241 mm per year, which reflects superior resistance to chloride and durability. Water contact angle measurements showed a high value of 146.5°, confirming effective hydrophobicity due to the synergistic interaction between Zinc Stearate and supplementary cementitious materials. Microstructural analyses revealed a denser matrix characterised by increased calcium-silicate-hydrate and calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate phases, reduced porosity and the formation of hydrophobic surface layers. The results of this research reveal that SPCHP, particularly Mix M4, can be an alternative material that is durable in marine environments. The material contains mechanical strength together with hydrophobic and anti-corrosive properties to prolong service life while minimising the costs of maintaining concrete infrastructures exposed to severe environmental conditions. The research provides insights into SPCHP performance in relation to the further development of sustainable and durable concrete technologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb1da750c1a94aeb9e00255a56e5ac32 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-5095 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Construction Materials |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb1da750c1a94aeb9e00255a56e5ac322025-08-20T03:48:51ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0473610.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04736Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approachS. Joseph Gnanaraj0K. Vasugi1School of Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai-campus, Chennai 600127, IndiaVellore Institute of Technology, Chennai-campus, Chennai 600127, India; Corresponding author.Concrete structures exposed to marine environments are most prone to high degradation through chloride-induced corrosion and, therefore, require modern materials with superior hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance. This paper focuses on the optimisation of a Symbio-Pozzolanic Composite Hydrophobic Powder to improve the overall mechanical performance and durability of the cementitious matrix. Using Response Surface Methodology with a Central Composite Design, 30 formulations were prepared and tested with major ingredients Class F Fly Ash, Silica Fume, Metakaolin, and Zinc Stearate. The optimised mix attained the age of 56 days with a C of 46.19 MPa and an outstandingly low corrosion rate of 0.000241 mm per year, which reflects superior resistance to chloride and durability. Water contact angle measurements showed a high value of 146.5°, confirming effective hydrophobicity due to the synergistic interaction between Zinc Stearate and supplementary cementitious materials. Microstructural analyses revealed a denser matrix characterised by increased calcium-silicate-hydrate and calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate phases, reduced porosity and the formation of hydrophobic surface layers. The results of this research reveal that SPCHP, particularly Mix M4, can be an alternative material that is durable in marine environments. The material contains mechanical strength together with hydrophobic and anti-corrosive properties to prolong service life while minimising the costs of maintaining concrete infrastructures exposed to severe environmental conditions. The research provides insights into SPCHP performance in relation to the further development of sustainable and durable concrete technologies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005340Cementitious matrixSupplementary cementitious materialsHydrophobicityCorrosion resistanceResponse surface methodology |
| spellingShingle | S. Joseph Gnanaraj K. Vasugi Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approach Case Studies in Construction Materials Cementitious matrix Supplementary cementitious materials Hydrophobicity Corrosion resistance Response surface methodology |
| title | Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approach |
| title_full | Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approach |
| title_fullStr | Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approach |
| title_short | Optimising symbio-pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix: A response surface methodology approach |
| title_sort | optimising symbio pozzolanic composite hydrophobic powder for enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance in cementitious matrix a response surface methodology approach |
| topic | Cementitious matrix Supplementary cementitious materials Hydrophobicity Corrosion resistance Response surface methodology |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525005340 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sjosephgnanaraj optimisingsymbiopozzolaniccompositehydrophobicpowderforenhancingmechanicalstrengthandcorrosionresistanceincementitiousmatrixaresponsesurfacemethodologyapproach AT kvasugi optimisingsymbiopozzolaniccompositehydrophobicpowderforenhancingmechanicalstrengthandcorrosionresistanceincementitiousmatrixaresponsesurfacemethodologyapproach |