Curing Ages Research Articles

Impact of plastic waste fiber and treated construction demolition waste on the durability and sustainability of concrete

This study explores the mechanical and durability properties of Plastic-Fibre Reinforced Concrete, incorporating hand-shredded plastic fibers sourced from polyethylene bags and PET bottles. Evaluations, including compressive and split tensile strength tests, were conducted on M40 grade mixes containing plastic fibers and 100% treated Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), comparing them with conventional concrete. The results demonstrate a significant enhancement in strength properties with the addition of 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% plastic-fibres, alongside the complete replacement of coarse aggregate with CDW, particularly noticeable at both 7 and 28-day curing ages. Although higher fiber dosages led to a slight reduction in compressive by 7% at the optimum percentage of 0.25% of PE and 0.5% of PET, the flexural strengths and split tensile strength exhibited a proportional increase of 11.7% and 18%. Surface analysis via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and elemental composition determination using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed minimal fiber damage post-exposure, confirming its efficiency and contribution to higher strength and reduced weight loss in optimum mix. This novel approach combines manually recycled plastic waste as fibers with treated CDW, enhancing concrete properties while promoting sustainability. Sustainability analysis indicates that utilizing 100% CDW and plastic fiber contributes to reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and economic benefits. These findings underscore the potential of integrating non-degradable plastics into concrete mixtures, combined with treated CDW, offering both environmental sustainability and enhanced performance advantages in construction materials.

Performance of Molasses Waste as a Cement Replacement to Study Concrete Compressive Strength

To reduce the negative environmental impact of cement production and preserve natural resources, an experimental investigation was conducted to study the performance of concrete specimens at different curing ages and to determine the compressive strength of these specimens by replacing cement with molasses. Experimentation was carried out on the concrete specimens at a temperature range of 25 °C to 30 °C; six specimens were cast for each replacement ratio, except for 0.75% wt. of cement (86.55 g) and 1% wt. of cement (113.6 g), where five samples were considered for each ratio. The average 28-day compressive strength of the conventional concrete specimens came out to be 29 MPa, but increased to 40 MPa with the addition of 0.25% wt. of cement molasses (28.85 g). It was observed that as the percentage of molasses waste in the concrete mix was further increased by replacing the cement, the compressive strength of the concrete specimens increased gradually and then significantly decreased. The findings shed light on the prospect of using molasses waste instead of cement in the concrete mix. Also, it is worth mentioning that about 30% of the cost–benefit was obtained with reference to that of conventional admixtures available in the market for the production of concrete. However, it is notable that a long-term durability study needs to be conducted before making it viable. This work not only addresses a sustainable and innovative method of waste management (SDG12), but also contributes to low carbon emissions (SDG13). The novelty of this work lies in the fact that no such kind of study has been conducted in Pakistan so far, in addition to the very limited international literature available, and, in particular, no evidence on the compressive strength results at higher molasses dosages, i.e., 1% wt. of cement (113.6 g) and 2% wt. of cement (230.8 g).

Self-healing performance of silica nanoparticle-infused concrete based on microbial mineralization

This study investigates the effects of incorporating two substances–expanded perlite as a carrier for bacteria and nanosilica–into cement mortar. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the dosage of these two substances on the strength and self-healing properties of mortars. The strengths of the specimens at different curing ages are tested using a pressure-testing machine and recorded. Additionally, precracks are introduced into the specimens. The cracks and their healing products are observed via electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction to validate the experimental results. The results show that the self-healing agents agglomerate at the cracks and trigger a metabolic reaction, thus resulting in the formation of numerous calcium carbonate precipitates that sealed the cracks. Therefore, the addition of self-healing agents significantly improves the self-healing properties of the cement mortar. The nanosilica facilitates the hydration reaction of cement in mortar. Additionally, nanosilica undergoes a pozzolanic reaction with calcium hydroxide, which consumes calcium hydroxide and generates hydrated calcium silicate to fill the pores. Consequently, the incorporation of an appropriate amount of nanosilica effectively enhances the strength of the cement mortar. Therefore, simultaneously incorporating self-healing agents and nanosilica while controlling the dosage provides a new approach for optimizing both the mechanical properties and self-healing performance of concrete.

Road Performance of Cold Repaired Asphalt Mixture with New Green Maintenance Materials

Cold patched asphalt mixture plays a crucial role in road maintenance, providing flexibility and the ability to quickly recover from harsh weather conditions. This article conducts in-depth research on the performance of cold patched asphalt mixture through multiple experiments, with special attention paid to the influence of diluent content and curing conditions on its performance. The experimental results show that using a mixture of green curing agents is feasible, and the diluent content is one of the main factors affecting the physical properties of cold patched asphalt. The optimal content of asphalt diluent was determined to be 25% through mass evaporation experiments and rotational viscosity experiments. Meanwhile, it was found that single component polyurethane prepolymers and SBS curing agents have a negative impact on the adhesion of cold patched asphalt, but have an improving effect on its strength, high-temperature resistance, and water stability. After comparing the performance of cold patched asphalt mixtures under different curing conditions, it was found that the performance of cold patched materials with long-term curing was better. Finally, this study determined the optimal dosage ratio of base asphalt, bio oil diluent, and single component polyurethane prepolymer as 100:25:12, providing technical support for the design and application of cold patched asphalt concrete pavement under high adverse weather conditions.

Exploring the role of SAP chemical composition in the internal curing of high-performance cementitious materials

This study investigates the impact of the chemical composition of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on their effectiveness in internal curing within high-performance cementitious materials. Although the use of commercial SAPs in cementitious systems has been widely researched, there is still no consensus on how different SAP structures influence material properties. For the first time, this research employs photoinitiated free radical polymerization technology to synthesize three structurally distinct SAPs: SAP with sulfonic acid groups (PAMPS), SAP with amide groups (PAM), and SAP with carboxyl groups (PAAs). The effects of these SAPs on the cement hydration process and microstructure were examined by analyzing their water absorption behavior in cement filtrate. The residual cation content on the SAP surface was evaluated using EDS, while XRD and TGA were used to study how SAP structure affects cement hydration products. Furthermore, the impact of these SAPs on the strength and autogenous shrinkage of the material was investigated. The results indicate that PAMPS, with its sulfonic acid groups, exhibited stable water absorption performance in the alkaline cement environment, promoting hydration reactions and increasing the formation of needle-shaped C-S-H. This stability contributed to mitigating the negative effects on mechanical properties. While the inclusion of SAPs generally reduced the strength of the cement matrix, PAMPS was the most effective in mitigating autogenous shrinkage, achieving a shrinkage mitigation efficiency of 86 %. These findings highlight the importance of SAP chemical structure in influencing cement hydration and material performance, offering insights for the development of effective internal curing agents to enhance high-performance concrete.

Interfacial shear behavior of salt freeze-thaw pre-damaged NC with ECC: Experimental and theoretical investigations

This study aims to clarify the interfacial shear behavior of salt freeze-thaw pre-damaged normal concrete (NC) with engineered cementitious composite (ECC). A comprehensive analysis was conducted to study the effects of the cycle number, interfacial roughness, and ECC curing age on the interfacial shear performance. The results showed that, as the cycle number increased, the interfacial shear strength decreased to varying degrees. The optimal interfacial roughness was 5.5mm, and further increasing roughness would decrease the interfacial shear stiffness. When the ECC curing age was 7 days, it had already reached 85% of the interfacial shear strength of specimens cured for 28 days. Additionally, considering the effects of cycle number and interfacial roughness, an interfacial shear strength calculation model and a shear-slip curve prediction model were established, providing a valuable reference for the engineering application of ECC repair for salt freeze-thaw damaged NC.

Performance evaluation of fly ash–copper slag-based geopolymer bricks

This study investigates the production and evaluation of geopolymer bricks made from a blend of fly ash, copper slag, soda ash activator, and sand as fillers. Locally abundant industrial and mining waste materials were selected as the primary components. The bricks were synthesized using two binders: 60% fly ash with 40% copper slag, or 70% fly ash with 30% copper slag. Both were milled with the activator at a 0.2 soda ash-to-precursor ratio. Fine sand was added to the mixes at 1:2 and 1:3 binders-to-sand ratios. The bricks’ physical, mechanical, and durability properties were examined through compressive strength, modulus of rupture, density, water absorption, drying shrinkage, and efflorescence test, and their performance was compared to established industry standards. The experimental findings indicate that bricks made with 60% fly ash, 40% copper slag, and a 1:2 binder-to-sand ratio exhibited optimal compressive strength (9.64 MPa) and water absorption (7.5%) at 28 days of curing age. Conversely, there was only a marginal increase of up to 4.7% in the strength of the formulation with 70% fly ash and 30% copper slag, attaining a compressive strength of 4.9 MPa between the curing ages. Furthermore, the results indicated a positive correlation between the density and compressive strength of the geopolymer bricks at similar curing ages. The bricks’ density showed minimal variation with curing age and the highest modulus of rupture value observed was 2.5 MPa. The optimal bricks also exhibited relatively low linear shrinkage, good resistance to efflorescence, and met the relevant industry standards.

Mechanical, physical and durability performance of engineered cementitious composites prepared with calcium aluminate cement

This research aims to fill a gap in existing studies by exploring the use of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) as an eco-friendly substitute for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC). The study investigates the impact of CAC, both with and without the presence of fly ash (FA), on the mechanical, physical, durability, and microstructural properties of ECC-CAC mixtures. Various proportions of FA-to-CAC up to 1.5 were considered, while assessing different engineering parameters of compressive and flexural strengths, ductility, ultrasonic measurements, chloride penetrability, and drying shrinkage. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized to analyze the reaction products related to CAC and/or FA in selected mixtures. Higher strengths of CAC-ECC were achieved at earlier curing ages, though the transformation of CAC’s metastable phases led to reduced strengths in ECC-CAC mixtures compared to the control ECC during extended curing periods. Furthermore, the combination of FA with CAC played a crucial role in avoiding the hydrates conversion and minimizing the shrinkage in CAC-ECC, achieving even lower shrinkage levels than those observed in control OPC-ECC.

Experimental Study on Direct Shear Behavior of New-to-Old Interface for Recycled Aggregate Concrete with Different Replacement Ratios

The large amount of construction waste produced by the construction industry brings severe natural resource consumption and environmental pollution, elevating the awareness of sustainable development. Recycled aggregate concrete, crushed from construction waste, is recognized as an eco-friendly material and the current optimal solution for the environmental problem. The interface shear failure between substrate recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RAC) and overlay natural aggregate concrete becomes vital for structural safety. In order to study the direct shear performance, a total of 19 specimens were designed to carry out the direct shear test with different replacement ratios, interface types and curing ages. The whole process and failure mode were recorded. The relationships between the shear capacity and deformation, ductility, damage evolution, and energy dissipation were evaluated and discussed. The results demonstrate that the RAC component in the interface was the weak line in the shear plane, accelerating the damage evolution. In the early curing stage, the replacement ratio had a slight influence on the shear properties. Increasing the recycled aggregate replacement ratio from 0 to 100% improved the normalized strength ratio by 8.94% and 14.62%, respectively, for curing ages of 3 days and 7 days. A regression equation was proposed to predict the shear strength, accounting for the curing ages. With the increase in the replacement ratio, the ductility and energy dissipation gradually enhanced.

Preparation of Imidazole Compounds as Latent Curing Agents and Their Application in RGB LED Packaging.

LED packaging miniaturization has raised more requirements for LED materials. As a material contacting the LED chip directly, the reliability of LED non-conductive adhesive has also garnered increasing attention. This study optimized the formula for non-conductive adhesives for an imidazole curing system. The optimized composition of the adhesive is 25%wt for the curing agent and 30%wt for the silica. The prepared non-conductive adhesive has a 7-day pot life and 9-month storage stability. The shear strength reached 87 g and 72 g at 25 °C and 160 °C, respectively. The reliability of the LED modules packaged with the non-conductive adhesive was researched. The green and blue light intensity change was 4.7%, 43.7%, respectively, indicating good anti-aging properties. The blue light decay was mainly due to adhesive aging. The non-conductive adhesive effectively prevented "caterpillar" growth. This provides useful and practical guidelines for industry for applications of adhesive in different packages.

Dampak Penggunaan Abu Marmer terhadap Kuat Geser Tanah Lempung

Soil is an important part of the building structure because it has a function as a support for the building. Therefore, soil stability must be considered so that building construction is safe and durable. There are types of clay soils that have high plasticity values and low shear strength. Soils like this require stabilization with the addition of additives such as marble ash. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of marble ash content has an optimal impact on improving the plasticity, density, and shear strength properties. The added material used was marble ash with a content of 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% by weight of dry soil. The specimens were differentiated based on their curing age before being tested by triaxial. Based on the research results, it was found that the use of marble ash had the maximum impact on improving the plasticity properties and maximum density at an addition of 6%. This was followed by a significant increase in shear strength at the same addition. A good curing age for increasing the angle of internal friction in the soil was obtained at 14 days.

Modeling the bond–slip behavior of the interface between a stiffened core and cemented soil based on machine learning approaches

The bond–slip behavior of stiffened deep cement mixing (SDCM) piles—which is crucial for their bearing capacity—evolves continuously with curing age. In the study reported here, 20 element tests were conducted on the interface between cemented soil and a stiffened core, analyzing the bond–slip behavior affected by curing temperature and age, and then ensemble learning methods (XGBoost, random forest) were used to establish models for the evolution of the bond–slip behavior considering thermal effects. The constructed models can predict the peak shear strength (τmax), the residual shear strength (τres), and the interfacial shear modulus (G). The test results show that the shear strength of the stiffened-core–cemented-soil interface grows with the increasing curing temperature and age, with faster growth at 0–14 days compared to 60–90 days. To lessen the reliance on ineffective brute-force searching, Bayesian optimization with a tree-structured Parzen estimator is used to select the hyperparameters of the established models. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the chosen approach, with R2 > 0.93 for the training set and R2 > 0.81 for the test set. The results of the XGBoost model are best for τmax, with a mean absolute percentage error of less than 5 %, thereby enabling accurate predictions of the mechanical parameters of the stiffened-core–cemented-soil. This research enhances the understanding of the mechanical properties of SDCM piles and provides valuable guidance for projects involving such piles.

Mechanical behavior and strengthening mechanism of loess stabilized with xanthan gum and guar gum biopolymers

Abstract The structural properties of loess are susceptible to change when subjected to external loads and complex environments, leading to various geological disasters. To investigate the mechanical behavior and strengthening mechanism of loess stabilized with biopolymers such as xanthan gum and guar gum, especially for soils with low bearing capacity and stability in engineering applications, we conducted research on the improvement of soil with xanthan gum and guar gum, tests including unconfined compressive strength, disintegration, direct shear, and microstructure tests were conducted. Among the four different dosages of biopolymers (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%) and four different curing ages (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days), the 2% content of biopolymer and 14 days had the greatest impact on the mechanical properties of loess, Both the compressive and shear strength, as well as the water stability of solidified loess, improve with higher content of xanthan gum and guar gum or prolonged curing time; however, the disintegration rate decreases. Microscopic analysis indicates that the biopolymers effectively fill the gaps between soil particles and attach to the particle surfaces, forming fibrous and reticular structures that improve the interparticle bonding and ultimately increase the strength and water stability of the loess. Xanthan gum and guar gum biopolymers can improve the mechanical properties and water stability of loess, enhance the erosion resistance and improve the water-holding capacity. These outcomes suggest that guar gum and xanthan gum biopolymers have the potential to serve as environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional soil stabilizers.

Impact of TiO2 powder type on hydration and photocatalytic NOx degradation in cement paste

This study was aimed at developing novel functional construction materials with NOx removal capabilities using TiO2 powder. To this end, the effects of the chemical composition of TiO2 powder on the hydration process and the mechanical properties of cement were investigated. The hydration characteristics of the cement were assessed by analyzing the setting time and heat of hydration, while the mechanical properties were evaluated by measuring compressive strength at different curing ages. Additionally, the NOx degradation performance was examined. The results demonstrate that TiO2 powder accelerates the hydration of cement, enhancing the compressive strength during the early stages of hydration. Furthermore, the NOx degradation performance of mortar specimens was enhanced with the incorporation of TiO2 powder. However, the extent of these improvements varied significantly depending on the chemical composition of the TiO2 powder, with the composition ratio of anatase and rutile being particularly influential. When utilizing TiO2 powder to enhance the performance of construction materials or impart new functional properties, it is advisable to consider the composition of the TiO2 powder to ensure alignment with the intended performance improvement objectives.

Failure behaviour of various rocks coated new thin spray-on liner with different curing time under uniaxial compression: Insights from AE and DIC

Thin spray-on liners (TSL) is increasingly popular in underground mine support operations. In this study, a new type of TSL material is proposed, and its macro-micro physical and mechanical properties are characterized. A systematic investigation on the deformability behaviour of six rocks (i.e., coal rock, soft red sandstone, marble, hard sandstone, granite, and limestone) covered TSL materials with different curing ages (i.e., 0-day, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day, 21-day, and 28-day) under uniaxial compression circumstance is performed using acoustic emission (AE) and digital image correlation (DIC) methods. The results show that TSL improves the peak strain of each rock sample, except hard sandstone. The impact of TSL on the peak compressive strength of coal rock, soft red sandstone, and marble is nearly negligible, while it diminishes the strength of hard sandstone, granite, and limestone. As the TSL ages, the peak strength and elastic modulus of limestone initially increase and then decrease, reaching the minimum at 14-day of age, with values 89.81 MPa and 23.13 GPa respectively. However, for other rock samples, the effect of TSL age is not significant. The AE signal produced inside the rock diminishes during the elastic-plastic stage, while the ratio of shear cracks increases upon failure of each rock specimen. The macroscopic failure modes of coal rock and limestone exhibit prominent axial splitting characteristics, whereas marble and hard sandstone undergo mixed failure processes involving shear, tension, and shear-tension. The test data highly correspond to the macroscopic fracture characteristics. The research findings can serve as guidance for TSL support in both soft and hard rock scenarios.

Performances enhancing of supersulfated cement (SSC) using waste alkaline activators: Red mud and carbide slag

Supersulfated cement (SSC), since its invention, showed lower early-age strength gain, which has limited its practical applications. The urgent issue is how to regulate and enhance its early-age performance. In this context, solid waste materials such as bauxite residue-red mud (RM) and carbide slag residue (CS) from acetylene production by calcium carbide hydrolysis were used to improve the hydration and performance of SSC. By utilizing a range of analytical techniques such as isothermal calorimetry (IC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), backscatter scanning electron images (BSE), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the hydration process, phase assemblages and microstructure of CS/RM-modified SSC were systematically investigated. It’s found that CS, as a calcareous alkaline activator, act as a regulator for adjusting the two main hydration reactions of C-A-S-H deposition and ettringite formation in SSC. The alkaline activator induces the hydration of slag and promotes the formation of hydration products. However, an excessively high dosage of carbide slag delays the primary ettringite formation reaction because it inhibits the dissolution of slag and promotes the formation of outer products. It leads to a looser and more porous paste matrix, resulting in higher expansion strain and poor strength gain at full curing ages. In contrast, red mud improves the hydration rate and enhances the hydration degree of SSC within the studied content (up to 30 wt%). With addition of red mud, SSC hydration is significantly advanced and deepened, resulting in more hydrates, particularly inner products. Red mud facilitates the depolymerization of the slag glass network and promotes the forming of nuclei and growth of hydration products. However, an excessively high red mud content would lead to a looser and more porous paste matrix due to the characteristics of red mud particle itself. An optimal red mud content has been identified as 20 wt%.

Multiscale model for concrete cured under geothermal environment: Theoretical analysis and experimental validation

Concrete poured as linings of geothermal tunnel would deviate normal curing condition. A multiscale model based on continuum micromechanics, accounting for temperature-dependent factors, is established from the cement paste level to the concrete level. This model predicts the physical properties and compressive strength of concrete and is validated against measured strength, which incorporates the impact of high-temperature curing on the hydration degree, density of C-S-H, and chemical shrinkage of cement. Evolutions of the average hydration degree and compressive strength of concrete were experimentally investigated to this end, and then simulated with multiscale approach. The specimens were subjected to curing temperature 20°C, 40°C, 60°C, and 80°C for first 7 days while maintaining constant relative humidity of 100 %, and then water curing at 20°C for the rest days till tests. The high-temperature curing accelerates the hydration process, but the variance in hydration degree between standard temperature (20°C) and high-temperature conditions diminishes with prolonged water curing. An enhancement in compressive strength is also observed in the early stages of high-temperature curing, succeeded by a decline compared with standard curing after the 50th curing day. Quantitative analysis reveals that volume fractions of hydrates and porosity subjected to high-temperature curing show a substantial increase in the first 7 curing days, and the denser layer of hydration products formed on cement slows down the hydration in later curing ages. The complex evolution of strength in concrete undergoing high-temperature curing is influenced by temporal consideration (the hydration degree) and spatial considerations (the density of C-S-H and the chemical shrinkage of cement). The surge in hydration significantly contributes to strength promotion in early stages. However, the pivotal factor leading to strength deterioration is the increase of porosity when the difference in the hydration degree is less than 0.065.

Study of Polymer Ceramic-Inorganic Composites for Electromagnetic Radiation Absorption

The aim of the presented work is to study polymer ceramic-inorganic composites for electromagnetic radiation absorbing. Epoxy-based polymer composites modified with ceramic-inorganic graphite-ferromagnetic (CIGF) fillers were first obtained: silicon carbide, chromium oxide Cr2O3, graphite, humic substances and potassium titanate. As polymer matrix epoxy resin based on Epikote Resin MGS LR 285 and Epikure Curing Agent MGS LH 285 was studied. Primary research was directed to study humic substance, silicon carbide SiC, chromium oxide Cr2O3, graphite and potassium titanate nanoparticles introduction impact on polymer ceramic-inorganic composites strength and technological properties. Complex of technological and strength characteristics were researched and compositions with humic substances 0.5 wt%, a higher silicon carbide SiC – 10 wt% content were studied, while chromium oxide Cr2O3, graphite content in 5–25 % wt. range was optimized. Results shows, that addition of humic substances, silicon carbide SiC, chromium oxide Cr2O3, graphite and potassium titanate nanoparticles into the epoxy resin up to 20 wt% filler content increases the composite impact strength and breaking stress during bending. The CIGF fillers complex system using advantage is proven by studying the nature of modification effect on ceramic-ferromagnetic-graphite polymer composites for electromagnetic radiation absorption.

Damage characteristics and constitutive model of magnesium slag-based cemented backfill based on energy dissipation

Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on magnesium slag-based backfill with different curing ages (3, 7, and 28 d) and different magnesium slag grinding time (0, 40, 60, and 80 min) to investigate the energy damage characteristics and the constitutive model of ground magnesium slag-based cemented backfill in depth. The effects of curing age and magnesium slag grinding time on the energy evolution and distribution characteristics, as well as energy indexes at characteristic points of magnesium slag-based backfills, were examined. From the perspective of energy dissipation, damage variables and modified damage constitutive models were proposed to address the shortcomings of existing damage constitutive studies. The results of the study show that extending the curing age can effectively increase the energy storage limit of backfill and exhibit higher linear elastic deformation capacity. The elastic energy ratio curves of the backfill show an upward and then a downward trend, while the dissipated energy ratio curves show the opposite trend. The relationship between the total energy at the peak stress and the curing age and magnesium slag grinding time can be characterized by linear and quadratic polynomial functions, respectively. The pre-peak energy consumption, post-peak energy consumption, total energy consumption, and energy storage limit of magnesium slag-based backfill all show a linear increase with increasing curing age. The modified energy damage constitutive of magnesium slag-based backfill considering the compaction stage and residual strength shows higher consistency with the test constitutive, which can more realistically reflect the deformation process of the backfill. These results can provide a theoretical basis for investigating the stability of magnesium slag-based backfills in mine filling applications.

Effects of Polymer-Curing Agent Ratio on Rheological, Mechanical Properties and Chemical Characterization of Epoxy-Modified Cement Composite Grouting Materials.

This study designs and uses water-borne epoxy resin (WBER) and curing agent (CA) to modify traditional cement-based grouting for tunnels. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the rheological and mechanical properties of composite grouting with different ratios of WBER and CA and analyze the modification mechanism by means of chemical characterization to explore the feasibility of WBER as a high-performance modifier for tunnel construction. The composite grouting is prepared by mixing cement paste with polymer emulsion. A series of experiments was carried out to investigate the effects of WBER and CA, including the slump test, viscosity, rheological curve, setting time, bleeding rate, grain size distribution, zeta potential, compressive and splitting tensile strength, X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), on the composite grout. The results show that WBER improves grout fluidity, which decreases in combination with CA, while also reducing the average particle size of the composite grout for a more rational size distribution. Optimal uniaxial (38.9%) and splitting tensile strength (48.7%) of the grout are achieved with a WBER to CA mass ratio of 2:1. WBER accelerates cement hydration, with the modification centered on the reaction between free Ca2+ and polymer-OH, significantly enhancing the strength, fluidity, and stability of the polymer-modified composite grout compared to traditional cement-based grouting.