Conventional Mixing Research Articles

Aspekti prikladnosti trostupanjskog miješanja gotove betonske smjese

Several studies have indicated that three-stage mixing (TM) methods improve the mechanical strength and slump of concrete compared to those of normal mixing methods, particularly when a recycled concrete aggregate is used. However, most studies did not address the technological aspects of ready-mixed concrete, including continuous mixing during site delivery. In this study, the properties of concrete (slump and compressive strength) based on the time lapse after mixing via the TM method (i.e. immediately, 45 min, and 90 min after mixing) were investigated, and the samples were tested after three years of curing. The results indicate some positive effects of TM on ready-mixed concrete and its characteristics on a delivery to the construction site, particularly a less severe loss of consistency compared to that of conventional mixing, as well as a positive effect on the compressive strength when fly ash is used as an aggregate coating additive in the first stage of concrete mixing.

Traditional marketing mix helps clothing store brands analyse service value and increase customer retention

This study sought to determine how the conventional marketing mix might assist low-cost clothes in assessing the value of their services and increasing client retention. Due to this shortage, contemporary authors have suggested introducing an additional crucial aspect, namely after-sales support, while studying the service marketing mix (SMM) for “cheap clothes”. This study examined and included one new dimension of the service marketing mix instead of the conventional 7 P's of SMM. In this study, the effects of SMM cloths on service quality and client retention in Hubei Province were also examined. These effects included advertising, place, people, product, pricing, process, physical evidence, and after- sales service. Clothing Store brand providers from “Hubei Province” compete with one another in a crowded market since there are so many new entrants selling and providing comparable goods and services. Retention consequently becomes an issue. Surveys with different persons in various positions, such as professors, PhD students, MSc students, and BSc students of various nationalities, were done, and data was obtained using the convenience sample technique. In “Hubei Province”, the sampling technique was utilized to gather information from clothes whose guests had ever stayed in low-cost Hubei Province clothes. The Partial Least Square Method was utilized to evaluate the data from the 385 valid questionnaires that were obtained for this investigation. The results showed that both directly and indirectly, through service value, the service marketing mix had a considerable beneficial impact on customer retention. This study will be valuable to the low-cost Cloth sector since it will clarify the role that marketing mix strategies have in sustaining long-term client connections.

Characteristics of the Warm Mix Asphalt with Emulsion as Additives in Engineering

The technology known as Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), just unveiled in Europe, is becoming increasingly popular across the globe. By lowering the bitumen binder's viscosity, this cuttingedge technique makes asphalt mixtures more workable at lower temperatures between 30-40°C needed to generate conventional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). Reduced pollutants, energy savings, and a less offensive smell result from the lower mixing and compaction temperatures. More studies are necessary to evaluate its long-term performance. Based on MORTH requirements, this study examines the efficacy of bitumen emulsion as an addition in WMA samples of Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) and Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) mixtures. The combinations' binder contents varied from 4% to 7% of the aggregate weight. For the DBM and SMA mixes, cement and stone dust were utilized as fillers, and VG 30-grade bitumen was employed as the binder. For SMA and DBM mixtures, the ideal binder contents were determined to be 6.92% and 6.32%, respectively.

Sustainable and strength-enhanced concrete using microbial consortia

The mechanical properties of concrete were examined by using steel fibres and two types of bacteria (Pseudomonas otitidis and Bacillus cereus). These steel fibres and bacteria were incorporated into the concrete mix in proportion to the weight of the cement. To ensure the resilience of microbial consortia incorporated into bio-concrete against the mechanical and chemical stresses encountered during concrete production, these microorganisms should exhibit critical characteristics, including robust alkali resistance and the ability to produce endospores. By employing 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we verified the identity of a group of organisms isolated from fermented lime mortar and curing construction water. Microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) was confirmed through microstructural analyses using techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The concrete was prepared with optimal concentrations of cultured bacteria (ranging from 103, 105 and 107 cells/ml), and steel fibres were added to the concrete at varying percentages (0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%). The optimal steel fibre content was 1.5%, and its strength properties were compared to conventional concrete. Notably, when Pseudomonas otitidis and Bacillus cereus bacteria were added to the traditional and optimal concrete mix, the compressive strength was significantly enhanced compared to the conventional concrete mix.

Application of solid waste materials in cold bitumen emulsion mixtures for cleaner pavement industry: a comprehensive review.

There is a global concern with continuous waste production, and efforts are underway to use these wastes in the construction sector. The negative effects of excessive waste production and the use of virgin materials and energy in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) construction are challenging and require attention. The right step towards developing resilient road infrastructure is using cold bitumen emulsion mixtures (CBEMs), a cold mix asphalt (CMA). A long-term fix to issues with waste generation and the creation of flexible pavements with HMA can be found by incorporating wastes into CMA. This work reviews the utilization of numerous wastes from different sectors (agricultural, industrial, construction and demolition, and municipal) that are well-known but underutilized and could be used as potential fillers in cold asphalt mixtures. Focus is given to the critical analysis of wastes' physiochemical characteristics and how these affected the effectiveness of mixtures against primary distresses like stability, stiffness, rutting, cracking, fatigue, and moisture susceptibility. Almost all waste materials incorporation reported enhancement in the mechanical performance of CBEM mixes concerning conventional CBEM mixes. The paper sums up the impact on various mechanical properties of CBEM mixes utilizing waste material filler, presents research gaps and a way forward to inspire researchers, and serves as a guideline for using waste materials as fillers in CBEM mixes. This will improve environmental quality and promote sustainability in the paving industry.

Leveraging 3D-printed microfluidic micromixers for the continuous manufacture of melatonin loaded SNEDDS with enhanced antioxidant activity and skin permeability

Vesicants are chemical warfare agents (CWAs) capable of causing severe skin damage and systemic toxicity. Melatonin, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can mitigate the effects of these agents. Self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) containing a high melatonin concentration (5 %, 50 mg/g) were optimized using a quality-by-design approach from biocompatible, non-irritant excipients with a particle size of about 100 nm. The melatonin-loaded SNEDDS showed a 43-fold greater permeability than a conventional melatonin cream. Chemical stability at ambient temperature (25 °C) was maintained for one year. The preparation of optimised melatonin-loaded SNEDDS using a simple mixing method was compared to microfluidic micromixers. Mixing was successfully achieved using a 3D-printed (fused deposition modeling or stereolithography) T-shaped toroidal microfluidic chip (with a channel geometry optimized by computational fluid dynamics), resulting in a scalable, continuous process for the first time with a substantial reduction in preparation time compared to other conventional mixing approaches. No statistically significant differences were observed in the key quality attributes, such as particle size and melatonin loading, between mixing method till kinetic equilibrium solubility is reached and mixing using the 3D-printed micromixers. This scalable, continuous, cost-effective approach improves the overall efficiency of SNEDDS production, reduces the cost of quality control for multiple batches, and demonstrates the potential of continuous microfluidic manufacture with readily customizable 3D-printed micromixers at points of care, such as military bases.

Malleable, printable, bondable, and highly conductive MXene/liquid metal plasticine with improved wettability

Integration of functional fillers into liquid metals (LM) induces rheology modification, enabling the free-form shaping of LM at the micrometer scale. However, integrating non-chemically modified low-dimensional materials with LM to form stable and uniform dispersions remain a great challenge. Herein, we propose a solvent-assisted dispersion (SAD) method that utilizes the fragmentation and reintegration of LM in volatile solvents to engulf and disperse fillers. This method successfully integrates MXene uniformly into LM, achieving better internal connectivity than the conventional dry powder mixing (DPM) method. Consequently, the MXene/LM (MLM) coating exhibits high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance (105 dB at 20 μm, which is 1.6 times that of coatings prepared by DPM). Moreover, the rheological characteristic of MLM render it malleable and facilitates direct printing and adaptation to diverse structures. This study offers a convenient method for assembling LM with low-dimensional materials, paving the way for the development of multifunctional soft devices.

Resurface of rubber modified asphalt mixture with stress absorbing membrane interlayer: From laboratory to field application

The increasing concern over tire pollution, exacerbated by the improper disposal of waste tires, serves as the backdrop for this research, which aims to explore the efficacy of incorporating ground tire rubber (GTR) into asphalt mixtures enhanced with a stress-absorbing membrane interlayer (SAMI). In this study, three variations of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) were evaluated: a conventional mix, a rubber-modified asphalt mixture (RMA), and a trans-polyoctenamer rubber (TOR) modified asphalt mixture in the laboratory. The assessment focused on the high and low-temperature performance of the asphalt mix and binder. Key findings from the laboratory tests indicate that the integration of a SAMI layer and GTR as additives markedly boosts the crack resistance of the asphalt mixture. Despite a reduction in fracture energy across all three HMA types following long-term aging, the GTR-modified HMA maintained superior fracture energy relative to the conventional mix. Initially, the inclusion of GTR adversely affected the mixture's rutting resistance. However, after undergoing long-term aging, both the conventional and GTR-modified HMAs exhibited exceptional rutting and moisture damage resistance. Field noise assessments further demonstrated that GTR-enhanced pavements produced noise levels approximately 2 dB lower than those of standard asphalt pavements. Additionally, pavements lacking a SAMI layer manifested low-severity cracking, with an average cracking frequency occurring every 2 ∼ 6 m, whereas pavements equipped with a SAMI layer exhibited no cracking following two winter seasons. The rubber asphalt overlay may increase the leaching of 6PPD-quinone, but the SAMI layer helps reduce tire wear particle generation by preventing road cracking. Rubber asphalt overlay leaching tests resulted in 6PPD-quinone concentrations lower than currently available toxicity data (LC50 for Coho Salmon, 0.095 ug/L). In conclusion, the utilization of dry-processed rubber asphalt mixes alongside a SAMI layer in pavement construction not only has the potential to extend the service life of pavements but also contributes to the production of quieter road surfaces. This study underscores the environmental and functional benefits of incorporating rubber modifications into asphalt pavements, presenting a viable strategy for mitigating tire pollution through the reuse of waste tires in infrastructure.

Experimental investigation on fatigue and fracture behaviour of cold recycling materials

Cold Recycled Material (CRM) has emerged as a highly innovative road construction material, offering numerous advantages over conventional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), such as reduced construction costs, decreased energy consumption, and enhanced resistance to reflective cracking. CRM is primarily composed of Reclaimed Asphalt (RA) and bitumen emulsion, with the addition of cement as a co-binder. However, the presence of cement in CRM can lead to increased susceptibility to cracking under heavy traffic loads. In this study, the fracture-fatigue behaviour of CRM modified with by-product fillers was investigated in order to improve the overall performance of CRM mixtures. The Cyclic Indirect Tensile Fatigue test (CIT-CY) and Semi-Circular Bending (SCB) fracture tests were conducted on the CRM mixtures and mortars, respectively. The findings reveal that CRM materials incorporating specific fillers demonstrated a balanced combination of fatigue and fracture resistance, indicating the potential for these modified CRMs to enhance road construction applications.

Enhancement of porous asphalt mixtures modified with various fibers and ethylene–vinyl acetate polymer

Porous asphalt mixture is conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) with substantially decreased fines, which produces an open-graded mixture that enables the water to flow through an interconnected void space. Porous asphalt is a permeable system that has a lot of benefits. However, because of its open structure, the durability of this mixture decreases, and both its stability and resilient modulus are much lower compared to the dense conventional asphalt mixtures. Also, the high void percentage may lead to an increase in the draindown proportion. Fibers (cellulose or mineral) and polymer-modified binders are recommended for porous asphalt mixtures, especially in hot and moderate climates. The objective of this study is to improve the porous asphalt mixture's performance by using ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer-modified bitumen. Two types of fibers (cellulose fibers and glass wool fibers) were used, separately to determine the control mixture. Four different proportions of EVA polymer were added to the bitumen (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used for better investigating of the bitumen microstructure, then The Marshall mix design was used to determine the optimum EVA content (OEC) for the porous asphalt mixture. Several performance tests were conducted to investigate the characteristics of the porous asphalt mixture, such as the infiltration rate, binder draindown, the wheel track and the cantabro abrasion tests. The findings of the study conclude that the addition of EVA polymer to the porous asphalt mixtures enhances the performance as it increases stability by 20.8% and the infiltration rate by 20.6%. It decreases binder draindown proportion by 33.3%, cantabro abrasion loss by 25.1% and the rut depth at 5,000 cycles and 10,000 cycles by 29.8% and 19.7%, respectively.

Deracemization of sodium chlorate by hydrodynamic attrition of Taylor vortex flow

We investigated the deracemization of sodium chlorate in the unique hydrodynamic environment of Taylor vortex flow (TVF) in Couette-Taylor (CT) crystallizer. Our findings revealed a remarkable enhancement in the deracemization due to the effective hydrodynamic attrition of crystals, as compared to conventional mixing tank (MT) crystallizers utilizing the turbulent eddy flow (TEF). So, the deracemization of initial ee = 0 % in the CT crystallizer was significantly enhanced as increasing the rotation speed whereas the deracemization in the MT crystallizer occurred seldom with increase of agitation speed. Using the sparsely soluble solvent, it was demonstrated the TVF was much more effective for the hydrodynamic attrition of the crystals than the TEF. The deracemization depended not only on the flow intensity (viscous energy dissipation) but also the flow pattern. So, the TVF always produced the higher deracemization than the TEF at the same viscous energy dissipation. Also, the flow intensity and flow pattern significantly dictated the crystal agglomeration of homo-chiral (L-form and D-form) and hetero-chiral (L/D-form) forms during the deracemization. Our findings demonstrated the potential of the periodic TVF in the deracemization. The hydrodynamic attrition effect in the CT crystallizer provides a means to enhance enantiomeric purity and offers insights into the design of novel deracemization systems.

Research Progress of Natural Rubber Wet Mixing Technology.

The performance of natural rubber (NR), a naturally occurring and sustainable material, can be greatly enhanced by adding different fillers to the NR matrix. The homogeneous dispersion of fillers in the NR matrix is a key factor in their ability to reinforce. As a novel method, wet mixing technology may effectively provide good filler dispersion in the NR matrix while overcoming the drawbacks of conventional dry mixing. This study examines the literature on wet mixing fillers, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, silica, carbon black, and others, to prepare natural rubber composites. It also focuses on the wet preparation techniques and key characteristics of these fillers. Furthermore, the mechanism of filler reinforcement is also examined. To give guidance for the future development of wet mixing technology, this study also highlights the shortcomings of the current system and the urgent need to address them.

Exploring optimal cathode composite design for high-performance all-solid-state batteries

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) have attracted considerable attention due to their high stability, offering a safer alternative to currently used batteries. Extensive research has been conducted to improve cathode part performance. However, the conventional hand mixing (HM) process results in inhomogeneous particle distribution, causing poor interparticle contact due to uneven stress distribution, and the solution process causes unwanted solid electrolyte (SE) deterioration when using a polar solvent although it ensures uniform SE distribution. To overcome these limitations, based on the design rule considering SE surface coverage of less than 100 %, we propose a cathode/SE composite, showing decent ionic/electronic conductivities, uniform SE distribution, and intimate interparticle contact, achievable through a mass-producible mechanical mixing (MM) process. Unlike the HM cell, the MM cell forms well-defined ionic percolating pathways and shows excellent structural stability. Consequently, the MM cell exhibits improved capacity retention during 1000 cycles and stable cyclability even under the harsh condition of 7 wt% SE. Finite element analysis theoretically demonstrates that uniform electrode and electrolyte currents are responsible for the improved performances including increased cathode utilization efficiency and reduced overpotentials. This study reveals the importance of composite design and uniform SE distribution in developing high-performance ASSBs at a practical cell level.

Evaluation of Bio-Rejuvenator and Compaction Conditions on Stiffness Modulus and Indirect Tensile Strength of Recycled Hot Mix Asphalt.

This study focuses on the investigation of the effect of a reclaimed asphalt material (RAP) and a bio-rejuvenator (mix of vegetable oils) on the stiffness modulus and indirect tensile strength (ITS) values of eight bituminous mixtures produced by using three types of compaction, with different RAP amounts (25% and 50%) and rejuvenator (0%, 0.20%, 0.40% and 0.60% by mass of RAP). A conventional hot mix asphalt was considered as the reference mix. All tests were performed on cylindrical samples produced using: Marshall compaction with 50 blows/side, cored cylindrical specimens from slabs compacted using a roller compactor (39 passes), and, respectively, gyratory compaction on 80 gyrations. Stiffness modulus and ITS values showed strong linear variation with the increase in rejuvenator content, independently of test temperature and type of compaction. The rejuvenating effect of the bio-rejuvenator was observed to counterbalance the impact of RAP. The results at 20 °C for gyratory specimens for the mix with 50% RAP and 0.40% bio-rejuvenator were comparable/closer (under 5% relative difference) to those obtained for the reference mix. A strong correlation between stiffness modulus values of mixes and penetration values of the corresponding binder blends was obtained (R2≥0.977).

An Experimental Study on Properties of Microbial Blended Concrete

Several efforts are being made by researchers to turn concrete into a more sustainable material. Various research are being carried out to substitute cement in concrete, either whole or in part. The current work uses mineral admixtures like metakaolin and GGBS (blended concrete) to partially substitute cement in concrete. Concrete prone to cracking due to structural and Non-structural conditions. All kinds of fissures have the potential to harm concrete by letting water and other substances pass through them, which weakens and distorts the material while also compromising the reinforcing. To repair the concrete cracks, a certain type of treatment and routine upkeep are required, and they will be very costly. So, the current research is to study the impact of Bacteria (microbes) on crack healing as well as on properties of blended concrete. Different mixes of M25-grade concrete were done by using M-sand as fine aggregate to obtain the optimum percentage of GGBS used as supplementary cementitious material (0, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%), and the same percentage was used in blended concrete, which included metakaolin at different percentages (0, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%).Among different mixes, the proportions of blended concrete with enhanced mechanical properties were considered, and bacteria were induced at a constant percentage in that mix. The results indicated that the microbial blended concrete mix has significantly improved mechanical and durability properties, when compared to conventional and blended concrete mixes.

Experimental Analysis of Light Weight Concrete by Using of Light Weight Aggregat

This project investigates light weight concrete by replacing coarse aggregate with Light weight Aggregate (LWA). The methodology involves meticulous data collection, analysis, material selection, and the design of M30 grade concrete. It aims to evaluate how different proportions of LWA replacement affect concrete properties. Beginning with data gathering on conventional concrete mixes and LWA properties, material selection balances structural integrity with light weight characteristics. Varying percentages of LWA replacement (0%, 20%, 40%, and 50%) are then incorporated into the design phase, followed by precise mixing to maintain consistency. Concrete specimens undergo tests including slump, compaction factor, cube casting, and rebound hammer testing to evaluate workability, compact ability, and compressive strength. The project highlights the importance of the compressive test in determining concrete strength. Through meticulous analysis, it discusses LWA's effects on properties like workability, density, and durability, contributing insights into sustainable construction practices and emphasizing empirical analysis for engineering material selection. Key words LWA-Light Weight aggregate, LWC- Light Weight concrete, LECA- Light Weight expended clay aggregate, conplast SP430(G), Fosroc, SSD – Saturated Surface Dry, DRY WEIGHT – Dry Weight of Material.

ANALISIS PERBANDINGAN KUAT TEKAN BETON NORMAL DENGAN BETON CAMPURAN BAN BEKAS

This study evaluates the comparison of compressive strength between conventional concrete and concrete mix with used tire aggregate, focusing on its influence on compressive strength and concrete weight. The testing used cylindrical specimens with variations of used tire addition at 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% of the coarse aggregate volume. The targeted concrete design strength is fc' 20 MPa at 28 days. Experimental methods were employed to compare their mechanical properties, measuring compressive strength and concrete weight across different mix compositions. The results for normal concrete yielded an average of 30.96 MPa, while for 3% tire mix yielded an average of 30.12 MPa, 6% tire mix yielded an average of 25.51 MPa, 9% tire mix yielded an average of 22.51 MPa, and 12% tire mix yielded an average of 21.54 MPa. The reduction in concrete weight for 3% tire mix was 0.035 kg from normal concrete, for 6% tire mix was 0.04 kg from normal concrete, for 9% tire mix was 0.23 kg from normal concrete, and for 12% tire mix was 0.35 kg from normal concrete. The study findings indicate that concrete mix with used tire aggregate exhibits competitive compressive strength with conventional concrete, while showing a tendency towards lower weight. The implication is that concrete mix with used tire aggregate has the potential to be a lighter and mechanically strong alternative. This study provides important insights for the construction industry in seeking more sustainable and cost-efficient solutions, while reducing the environmental impact of used tire waste.

Safflower cake as an ingredient for a composite flour development towards a circular economy: extrusion versus conventional mixing

Food waste is responsible for the loss of 1.3 billion tons of food, some of which are related to by-products with great nutritional and energy potential that are still underexplored, such as safflower cake derived from the oil extraction industry. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of incorporating safflower cake (Carthamus tinctorius) and the mixing method used to produce composite wheat-based flour in order to develop a new ingredient. The results were analyzed using ANOVA, and the Tukey test was applied at a significance level of 5 %. The composite flours obtained by the conventional mixing method showed, when compared to wheat flour, a higher concentration of proteins (+5g 100 g−1), minerals (+86 mg kg−1 of Fe, +30 mg kg−1 of Zn), phenolic compounds (15 mg GAE g−1), flavonoids (0.3 mg QE g−1), and lower oil absorption (−0.5 g oil g sample-1), making them suitable for hot flour-based sauces, salad dressings, frozen desserts, cookies and fried products. While extruded composite flours presented better homogenization, reduction of moisture (1 g 100 g−1), lipids (3 g 100 g−1), and mycotoxin concentrations, increased antioxidant activity (DPPH −0.07 IC50 mg/L and ORAC +9 µmol Trolox Eq/g), water absorption and solubility indexes, and oil absorption index, making it suitable for bakery products, meat, and dairy sausages. The developed composite flour proved to be a good nutritional ingredient; thus, its consumption can represent an important nutritional strategy with low production costs, as well as a sustainable solution, reducing food waste and, therefore, toward the concepts of the circular economy.

On the computational evaluation of carbon dioxide emissions of concrete mixes incorporating waste materials: A strength-based approach

In the last decades, the high emissions of carbon dioxide during concrete production have pushed the scientific community to develop innovative ways towards reductions of such carbon dioxide emissions. An effective way is to use waste materials to replace conventional concrete materials, but this may come at the cost of reduced concrete performance. Hence, there is a need to link the carbon dioxide emission of concrete with concrete strength (strength-carbon dioxide emission relationship). This study bridges this gap by investigating the possibility of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in concrete by incorporating waste brick powder (WBP) and waste tire rubber (WTR) using a strength-based approach. This resulted in the formulation of three concrete grades of 20 MPa, 25 MPa and 30 MPa. It is shown that the impacts of including WBP and WTR on carbon dioxide emissions of concrete mixes are significant. Moreover, the compressive strength values corresponding to contents of 5 % WBP and 20 % WTR reduce dramatically by more than 32.57 % in comparison with conventional concrete mixes. However, 5P0T and 5P10T concrete mixes reveal both the reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and reasonable concrete strength. The present research therefore shows that certain concrete mixes incorporating WBP and WTR can provide the driving force for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and preventing substantial compressive strength reductions.

Assessment of interface characteristics and durability aspects of manufactured sand (M-sand) in engineered cementitious composites

Concrete structures usually tend to crack and cause several distresses, thus resulting in regular maintenance activities. Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) in structural applications are becoming popular due to their cracking resistance and deformability. However, the conventional mix design of ECC with silica sand levied a negative influence on cost and drying shrinkage, thereby affecting their practical implementation. In this study, the matrix properties and interface characteristics of ECC tailored with Manufactured sand (M-sand) replacing the river sand at varying proportions were investigated. The study conducted mechanical characterization, matrix fracture toughness, and single-crack tension tests to evaluate the micro-mechanical properties and fiber-matrix interaction. Furthermore, the shrinkage characteristics and permeability properties of ECC mixtures were also evaluated at various replacement levels of M-sand. The natural river sand adhered to the finer gradation, characterized by a fineness modulus of 1.63, while the M-sand exhibits a coarser gradation, having a fineness modulus 2.74. The experimental results showed that the ECC mixtures with M-sand improved the compressive strength (up to 29 %) at 100 % replacement level and marginally influenced the tensile strength. However, the tensile ductility and fiber bridging characteristics showed a noticeable decrease as the percentage replacement increased in the mixtures. On the other hand, the drying shrinkage of all M-sand ECC mixtures showed a notable reduction irrespective of the curing ages. It is also seen that the permeability properties were slightly increased compared to that of the control mixture. In summary, the study observed a trade-off between mechanical strength and tensile ductility, highlighting the effects of fiber-matrix interface tailoring on the overall performance of ECC mixtures with M-sand for various structural applications.