A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability properties

Strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) are rapidly gaining popularity as building materials because of their remarkable ductility, increased tensile strain capacity, and controlled saturated microcrack propagation with tight crack width. Careful tailoring of materials and fiber-matrix inter...

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Main Authors: Isyaka Abdulkadir, Leong Sing Wong, Lee Woen Ean, G. Murali, Bashar S. Mohammed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025001872
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author Isyaka Abdulkadir
Leong Sing Wong
Lee Woen Ean
G. Murali
Bashar S. Mohammed
author_facet Isyaka Abdulkadir
Leong Sing Wong
Lee Woen Ean
G. Murali
Bashar S. Mohammed
author_sort Isyaka Abdulkadir
collection DOAJ
description Strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) are rapidly gaining popularity as building materials because of their remarkable ductility, increased tensile strain capacity, and controlled saturated microcrack propagation with tight crack width. Careful tailoring of materials and fiber-matrix interaction are credited to these exceptional properties. However, the primary challenges to the performance and widespread application of SHCC include the difficulty in achieving an optimum fiber-matrix bonding due to variations in surface properties at the interface, increased porosity because of the incorporation of polymeric fibers, and low modulus of elasticity and high shrinkage due to the absence of coarse aggregates and high cementitious material content. Extensive research has revealed that incorporating nanomaterials (NMs) into SHCC, either directly or as fiber pretreatment, can significantly enhance the matrix properties and the fiber-matrix interfacial transition zone. These enhancements address several key challenges, resulting in improved overall composite performance. Different types of NMs, such as nano silica (NS), and carbon-based nanomaterials—including carbon nanotubes/nanofibers (CNTs/NFs), graphene oxide (GO), and carbon black (CB)—influence SHCC behavior through multiple mechanisms. These mechanisms include refining the pore structure, improving the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the fibers, cementitious matrix, and aggregates, and providing additional nucleation sites for cement hydration products. These contributions lead to enhanced mechanical properties, durability, and energy absorption capacity. Furthermore, NMs play a crucial role in crack bridging and crack tip shielding, both of which are essential for achieving the strain-hardening behavior characteristic of SHCC. This review aims to explore the roles and effectiveness of various NMs in enhancing the critical properties of SHCC, including micromechanical, macromechanical, smart, and durability characteristics. By examining current trends in nanotechnology research applied to SHCC, the review seeks to inform future strategies for the efficient selection and application of nanomaterials in SHCC. The review's outcome is significant as it provides valuable insights into the influence of nanomaterials on improving the properties of SHCC. These improvements include reducing porosity, expediting cement hydration, inducing denser microstructure, enhancing fiber bridging capacity, stimulating self-healing and self-sensing capabilities, and boosting durability.
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spelling doaj-art-5d0866b21ad3447ca80c4bd076f6279f2025-02-02T05:29:14ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-03-0125104099A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability propertiesIsyaka Abdulkadir0Leong Sing Wong1Lee Woen Ean2G. Murali3Bashar S. Mohammed4Institute of Energy Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia; Civil Engineering Department, Bayero University, Kano 700241, Nigeria; Corresponding authors at: Centre for Promotion of Research, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clementtown, Dehradun, India.Institute of Energy Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, MalaysiaInstitute of Energy Infrastructure, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan IKRAM-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, MalaysiaCentre for Promotion of Research, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clementtown, Dehradun, India; Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140417, Punjab, India; Corresponding authors at: Centre for Promotion of Research, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clementtown, Dehradun, India.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, MalaysiaStrain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) are rapidly gaining popularity as building materials because of their remarkable ductility, increased tensile strain capacity, and controlled saturated microcrack propagation with tight crack width. Careful tailoring of materials and fiber-matrix interaction are credited to these exceptional properties. However, the primary challenges to the performance and widespread application of SHCC include the difficulty in achieving an optimum fiber-matrix bonding due to variations in surface properties at the interface, increased porosity because of the incorporation of polymeric fibers, and low modulus of elasticity and high shrinkage due to the absence of coarse aggregates and high cementitious material content. Extensive research has revealed that incorporating nanomaterials (NMs) into SHCC, either directly or as fiber pretreatment, can significantly enhance the matrix properties and the fiber-matrix interfacial transition zone. These enhancements address several key challenges, resulting in improved overall composite performance. Different types of NMs, such as nano silica (NS), and carbon-based nanomaterials—including carbon nanotubes/nanofibers (CNTs/NFs), graphene oxide (GO), and carbon black (CB)—influence SHCC behavior through multiple mechanisms. These mechanisms include refining the pore structure, improving the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the fibers, cementitious matrix, and aggregates, and providing additional nucleation sites for cement hydration products. These contributions lead to enhanced mechanical properties, durability, and energy absorption capacity. Furthermore, NMs play a crucial role in crack bridging and crack tip shielding, both of which are essential for achieving the strain-hardening behavior characteristic of SHCC. This review aims to explore the roles and effectiveness of various NMs in enhancing the critical properties of SHCC, including micromechanical, macromechanical, smart, and durability characteristics. By examining current trends in nanotechnology research applied to SHCC, the review seeks to inform future strategies for the efficient selection and application of nanomaterials in SHCC. The review's outcome is significant as it provides valuable insights into the influence of nanomaterials on improving the properties of SHCC. These improvements include reducing porosity, expediting cement hydration, inducing denser microstructure, enhancing fiber bridging capacity, stimulating self-healing and self-sensing capabilities, and boosting durability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025001872Strain-hardening cementitious composites, NanomaterialsMechanical properties, Deformation, Microstructure, durability
spellingShingle Isyaka Abdulkadir
Leong Sing Wong
Lee Woen Ean
G. Murali
Bashar S. Mohammed
A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability properties
Results in Engineering
Strain-hardening cementitious composites, Nanomaterials
Mechanical properties, Deformation, Microstructure, durability
title A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability properties
title_full A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability properties
title_fullStr A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability properties
title_full_unstemmed A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability properties
title_short A holistic review of nanomaterials in strain-hardening cementitious composites: Insights into micro- and macromechanical, deformation, smart, and durability properties
title_sort holistic review of nanomaterials in strain hardening cementitious composites insights into micro and macromechanical deformation smart and durability properties
topic Strain-hardening cementitious composites, Nanomaterials
Mechanical properties, Deformation, Microstructure, durability
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025001872
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