Wet-dry Cycles Research Articles

Effect of water saturation in hardened mortar around a steel bar on corrosion considering exposure history

The corrosion rate of steel bar in carbonated concrete is dependent on the presence of water. However, there are few studies on corrosion rate considering the hysteresis behavior, which illustrates the difference between the water contents of concrete in the drying and wetting processes for the same RH. Therefore, this research was done to study the corrosion rate of hardened mortar exposed to various drying and wetting process. In the experiment, thin mortar specimens with an embedded steel plate were fabricated to represent changes in the water state around the steel bar in the mortar. Then, moisture desorption test using saturated specimens and moisture adsorption or dry-wet cycle test using dried specimens that is constant at 40 °C were carried out. The water saturation and corrosion rate were obtained by mass change of mortar specimen and weight loss of steel plate, respectively. The result shows that corrosion was barely observed in non-carbonated specimen but observed in carbonated specimen and the corrosion rate in moisture desorption process was larger than that in moisture adsorption process. In addition, arranging the relationship between water saturation and corrosion rate, constant relations can be seen being independent of process and as water saturation increased, corrosion rate increased by about 60 % and then became constant.

Progress in Corrosion and Protection Research in Offshore Petroleum Engineering

This paper summarizes the latest research progress on the corrosion of concrete structures in marine engineering and its protection technology. The article firstly emphasizes the influence of seawater on the performance of concrete engineering, and then discusses the application of composite corrosion inhibitors in the marine environment. The composite corrosion inhibitor significantly reduces the corrosion rate by simultaneously inhibiting the anodic and cathodic reactions and forming a protective hydrophobic film on the metal surface. The article describes in detail the classification of corrosion inhibitors, including adsorption or film-forming inhibitors with polar hydrophobic groups such as N, S, and -OH, as well as migratory corrosion inhibitors (MCIs) that diffuse through the pores of the concrete to the surface of the reinforcement bar to form a protective film. The article also discusses the performance evaluation criteria of corrosion inhibitors, including the electrochemical performance of saltwater impregnation, the performance of dry-wet cold-heat cycles, and the performance of resistance to Cl- penetration, etc., and lists the relevant national standards and test methods. Through a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years, the article points out that composite corrosion inhibitors show great potential in improving the durability of marine concrete structures, but the long-term stability and compatibility with different concrete types still need to be further studied. Future research should focus on developing more efficient and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors and expanding their application in marine engineering to meet the increasingly severe challenges of marine corrosion. At the same time, a comprehensive evaluation of the longevity, economy and environmental friendliness of corrosion inhibitors is also an important direction for future research.

Influence of Dry-Wet Cycle Induced by Atmospheric Environment on the Stability of Expansive Soil Slope

Influence of Dry-Wet Cycle Induced by Atmospheric Environment on the Stability of Expansive Soil Slope

Cellular Automata-Based Experimental Study on the Evolution of Corrosion Damage in Bridge Cable Steel Wire

Cable-stayed bridges have become the preferred bridge type for large-span bridges due to their unique advantages, and the long-term performance of the cable under the extreme conditions has been facing great challenges. An accelerated corrosion test was carried out using in-service cable, and the evolution model of the etch pit was established based on cellular automata to study the evolution law of corrosion damage to steel wire. This study showed that with the increase in the number of dry-wet cycles in the electrified accelerated corrosion, the macro- and micromorphology of the steel wire showed more serious corrosion damage, the tensile strength decreased, the ductility index decreased, and the tensile strength of the steel wire after corrosion decreased by nearly 5%; the geometric dimension of the steel wire etch pits all met a right-skewed distribution with a broader range of etch pit depth, mainly consisting of shallow spherical etch pits and deep ellipsoidal etch pits. The length, width, and depth sizes were mainly distributed in the range of 0.005 mm to 0.015 mm, 0.005 mm to 0.02 mm, and 0 mm to 0.04 mm; at the early stage of corrosion, the etch pits were first developed along the longitudinal direction. As the corrosion process progressed, the iron matrix participated in the electrochemical reaction, leading to the rapid expansion of the etch pits’ dimensions. The stress concentration effect at the bottom of the etch pit caused the maximum stress to approach 1800 MPa, with a stress concentration coefficient of more than 3.0; when the cable anchorage system was located in the connecting sleeve and the threaded splice seam, where corrosion protection was prone to failure, the outer steel wire bore most of the corrosive effects, and the internal cable was less eroded by the corrosive medium.

Experimental study on the long-term performance of sisal fiber reinforced high-performance concrete subjected to drying-wetting cycles

Plant fibers have been gradually used in cement concrete. However, the long-term performance of high-performance concrete (HPC) reinforced with plant fibers has yet to be studied. This paper investigated the degradation of sisal fiber in HPC subjected to 9 months of drying-wetting cycles. The mechanical properties of HPC specimens were tested, and the degradation of sisal fibers in the HPC matrix was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffractometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope. After drying-wetting cycles for 9 months, the mechanical properties of the HPC specimens showed little change (within 10 %); the lignin content of sisal fiber was significantly reduced (the C1/C2 value was decreased by 68.9 %), and a portion of the cellulose was also subjected to alkaline hydrolysis, but there was no significant mineralization phenomenon. Therefore, sisal fiber reinforced HPC has good long-term performance under drying-wetting cycle conditions, but its durability under the coupling of multiple deterioration factors still needs further exploration.

Modeling nonlinear stress-strain model for sulfate dry-wet cycle erosion of concrete: considerations for the initial compaction stage

Sulfate dry-wet cycle erosion significantly affects the mechanical properties of concrete. Investigating the uniaxial compressive stress-strain relationship under these conditions is essential for developing accurate constitutive models. This study analyzes the uniaxial stress-strain curves of concrete subjected to dry-wet cycles in 5% and 15% sulfate solutions. The results show that the initial compaction phase in the stress-strain relationship is particularly pronounced under increasing sulfate concentrations and cycle counts. The concrete experiences an extended compaction phase, which accounts for up to 35.71% of the total strain process. This finding challenge traditional constitutive models, which struggle to accurately describe this phase. To address this issue, the study develops a nonlinear stress-strain model for concrete, incorporating the initial damage caused by sulfate dry-wet cycle erosion, based on Weibull statistical damage mechanics principles. The research indicates that the effects of sulfate concentration and cycle count are predominantly reflected in the pronounced nonlinearity of the skeleton strain function’s opening size (a) and shape characteristics (b), modeled using a fourth-degree polynomial. The model demonstrates an excellent fit to experimental data with an R2 value of 0.99989, showing that the proposed nonlinear stress-strain relationship effectively captures the uniaxial mechanical behavior of concrete under sulfate dry-wet cycle erosion and provides a robust framework for developing constitutive models in such environments.

Insights into self-healing capacity of cement matrix containing high-efficiency bacteria under challenging conditions

This study provides novel insights into enhancing the self-healing capacity of cement matrix through the integration of natural Bacillus isolates derived from leached and calcified soils. The challenging and highly alkaline environment of cement matrix typically impedes bacterial activity, making the successful application of these bacteria in such conditions particularly significant. In this research, Bacillus licheniformis-Bacillus muralis co-culture was identified as highly effective in inducing calcium carbonate precipitation, a critical factor for self-healing. The selected co-cultured bacterial activity resulted in the formation of up to 2.885 g/100 mL of CaCO₃, while the co-culture's effectiveness was demonstrated by the complete repair of a 0.5 mm crack within 96 h demonstrating a repair rate of approximately 0.125 mm per 24 h. Furthermore, the study showed that the bacterial co-culture could survive and remain active under varying environmental conditions, including wet-dry cycles and extreme pH levels, which are typical of construction sites. This rapid crack closure, achieved without additional protective measures for the bacteria, marks a significant advancement in the application of microbial co-cultures for enhancing the durability of cement-based materials. The study also provides a detailed analysis of bacterial behavior under various environmental stresses typical of construction sites, highlighting the robustness and practical applicability of this biotechnological approach. As the long-term output, the obtained results represent a substantial advancement in the practical application of microbial co-cultures for self-healing effect of cement-based materials.

Enhancing Compressive Strength of Cement by Indigenous Individual and Co-Culture Bacillus Bacteria

Using a Taguchi experimental design, this research focuses on utilizing indigenous bacteria from the Danube River to enhance the self-healing capabilities and structural integrity of cementitious materials. Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus muralis were used as individual bacterium or in co-culture, with a concentration of 8 logs CFU, while the humidity variation involved testing wet and wet–dry conditions. Additionally, artificial neural network (ANN) modeling of the compressive strength of cement samples results in improvements in compressive strength, particularly under wet–dry conditions. By inducing targeted bacterial activity, the formation of calcium carbonate precipitates was initiated, which effectively sealed formed cracks, thus restoring and even enhancing the material’s strength. In addition to short-term improvements, this study also evaluates long-term improvements, with compressive strength measured over periods extending to 180 days. The results demonstrate sustained self-healing capabilities and strength improvements under varied environmental conditions, emphasizing the potential for long-term application in real-world infrastructure. This study also explores the role of environmental conditions, such as wet and wet–dry cycles, in optimizing the self-healing process, revealing that cyclic exposure conditions further improve the efficiency of strength recovery. The findings suggest that autochthonous bacterial co-cultures can be a viable solution for enhancing the durability and lifespan of concrete structures. This research provides a foundation for further exploration into bio-based self-healing mechanisms and their practical applications in the concrete industry.

Study on the Effect of Hot and Humid Environmental Factors on the Mechanical Properties of Asphalt Concrete.

To investigate the effect of hot and humid environmental factors on the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures research, in this paper, the dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures under the effects of aging, dry-wet cycling, and coupled effects of aging and dry-wet cycling were measured by the simple performance tester (SPT) system, and the dynamic modulus principal curves were fitted based on the sigmoidal function. The results show that under the aging effect, the dynamic modulus of asphalt mixture increases with the aging degree; the dynamic modulus of short-term aged, medium-term aged, long-term aged, and ultra-long-term aged asphalt mixtures increased by 9.3%, 26.4%, 44.8%, and 57%, respectively, compared to unaged asphalt mixtures at 20 °C and 10 Hz; the high-temperature stability performance is enhanced, and the low temperature cracking resistance performance is enhanced; under the dry-wet cycle, the aging effect of asphalt water is more obvious in the early stage, and dynamic modulus of resilience of the mixture is slightly increased. In the long-term wet-dry cycle process, water on the asphalt and aggregate erosion increased, the structural bearing capacity attenuation, and the dynamic modulus of rebound greatly reduced at 20 °C and 10 Hz. For example, the dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures with seven wet and dry cycles increased by 3% compared to asphalt mixtures without wet and dry cycles, and the dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures with 14 cycles of wet and dry cycles and 21 cycles of wet and dry cycles decreased by 10.8% and 16.5%, respectively, compared to asphalt mixtures without wet and dry cycles. The main curve as a whole shifted downward; the high-temperature performance decreased significantly; in the aging wet-dry cycle coupling, the aging asphalt mixture is more susceptible to water erosion, and the first wet-dry cycle after the mix by the degree of water erosion is relatively small, along with the dynamic modulus of rebound. The dynamic modulus of resilience is relatively larger, and the high-temperature performance is relatively better, while the low-temperature performance is worse.

Optimization of Proportions of Alkali-Activated Slag-Fly Ash-Based Cemented Tailings Backfill and Its Strength Characteristics and Microstructure under Combined Action of Dry-Wet and Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

To enhance the application of alkali-activated materials in mine filling, cemented tailings backfill was prepared using slag, fly ash, sodium silicate, and NaOH as primary constituents. The effects of the raw material type and dosage on the backfill were examined through a single-factor experiment. Additionally, response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to optimize the mixing ratios of the backfill, with a focus on fluidity and compressive strength as key objectives. The evolution of backfill quality and compressive strength under the combined effects of dry-wet and freeze-thaw (DW-FT) cycles was analyzed. The hydration products, microstructure, and pore characteristics of the specimens were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and nitrogen adsorption tests (NATs) across varying cycles. The results demonstrate that the optimal backfill composition includes 47.8% fly ash, 6.10% alkali equivalent, and a 1.44 sodium silicate modulus. The macroscopic behavior of the backfill under DW-FT coupling followed this progression: pore initiation → pore expansion → crack formation → crack propagation → structural damage. After a minor initial increase, the backfill strength steadily decreased. Microscopic analysis revealed that the decline in internal cementation products and the deterioration of pore structure were the primary causes of this strength reduction. Thus, the DW-FT coupling can cause significant erosion of the backfill. The technical solutions presented in this paper offer a reference for solid waste utilization and provide valuable insights into the durability of backfill under DW-FT coupling.

Effects of interlayer-modified layered double hydroxides with organic corrosion inhibiting ions on the properties of cement-based materials and reinforcement corrosion in chloride environment

Developing novel, environmentally friendly, and efficient corrosion inhibitors is of great significance for improving the durability of marine concrete against chloride ion erosion. This paper aims to explore the potential of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as nanocontainers, incorporating organic corrosion inhibitors between LDHs layers to synergistically enhance their effectiveness. In this study, Mg/Al-pAB-LDH was synthesized through the interlayer modification of LDHs with an organic corrosion inhibitor, p-aminobenzoic acid (pAB), employing a calcination-rehydration method. Chloride ion (Cl−) adsorption behavior was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed and the effect on mortar properties was investigated. The corrosion resistance of steel bars in the mortar was assessed under chloride salt simulated concrete pore solution (SCPs) and chloride salt wet-dry cycles via electrochemical tests and microscopic characterization of Mg/Al-pAB-LDH. The results demonstrate that Mg/Al-pAB-LDH efficiently captures Cl− and releases corrosion-inhibiting ions pAB, with the adsorption process conforming to pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Mg/Al-pAB-LDH enhances the pore structure of mortar, effectively improving mechanical properties and resistance to chloride ion penetration, with the optimal effect observed at a 4 % addition rate. Mg/Al-pAB-LDH demonstrates outstanding corrosion resistance to steel bars in both SCPs and mortar. In SCPs, it serves as a corrosion inhibitor by adsorbing Cl− and releasing pAB, whereas in mortar, it functions as a corrosion inhibitor by enhancing the physical barrier effect of mortar, adsorbing Cl−, and releasing pAB. This study demonstrates the promising potential of utilizing Mg/Al-pAB-LDH as a novel corrosion inhibitor to mitigate the corrosion of steel bars in marine concrete.

Study on the Influence of Thermoplastic Microcapsules on the Sulfate Resistance and Self-Healing Performance of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement Concrete.

Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), enhanced through reactions with volcanic ash and the interaction between limestone and clay, significantly improves the performance of cementitious materials. It has the potential to cut CO2 emissions by up to 30% and energy consumption in cement manufacture by 15% to 20%, providing a promising prospect for the large-scale production of low-carbon cement with a lower environmental effect. To effectively manufacture LC3 concrete, this study utilized limestone (15%), calcined clay (30%), and gypsum (5%) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), replacing 50% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, in regions abundant in sulfate, sulfate attack can cause interior cracking of concrete, reducing the longevity of the building. To address this issue, microcapsules containing microcrystalline wax, ceresine wax, and nano-CaCO3 encapsulated in epoxy resin were prepared and successfully incorporated into LC3 concrete. Sulfate resistance tests were conducted through sulfate dry-wet cycles, comparing samples with and without microcapsules. The findings revealed that the initial mechanical and permeability properties of LC3 concrete did not significantly differ from OPC concrete. LC3 concrete with added microcapsules (SP4) exhibited enhanced resistance to sulfate attack, reducing mass loss and compressive strength degradation. SEM images displayed a mesh-like structure of repair products in SP4. After 14 days of self-repair, SP4 exhibited a 44.2% harmful pore ratio, 98.1% compressive strength retention, 88.7% chloride ion diffusion coefficient retention, 91.12 mV maximum amplitude, and 9.14 mV maximum frequency amplitude. The experimental results indicate that the presence of microcapsules enhances the sulfate attack self-healing performance of LC3 concrete.

Assessing Wetland Health Through Decomposition in Degraded and Semi-Intact Wetlands in Uganda

The assessment of ecological functions of wetland areas offers a more dependable measure of the health of these ecosystems. The study examined the decomposition process within two urban wetlands with different degree of disturbance as a means of evaluating their ecological health and functionality. The study also inspected the influence of various physicochemical parameters on rates of decomposition. 20g of Pennisetum purpureum, an increasingly common invasive species in natural ecosystems due to human activities, was harvested, air dried to a constant weight and utilised in litter bag decomposition experiments within the two wetlands. Invasive species such as Pennisetum purpureum often have similar impacts across different ecosystems, making them useful models for generalizing results. Changes in leaf mass over time and leaf breakdown rates using a single exponential decay model were determined. Wetland physicochemical characteristics (pH, temperature, TDS, dissolved oxygen & conductivity) were also measured and recorded for the two wetlands within the duration of the experiment. Pearson’s correlation test was conducted to validate the relationship between the physico-chemical parameters and decomposition rates of the two different wetlands. Results revealed a significant difference in mean decomposition rates, (p < 0.001) with the degraded wetland exhibiting a higher value (0.20 kd-1) compared to the semi-intact wetland (0.015 kd-1). The rates of decomposition were also found to positively correlate with temperature (r = 0.54), conductivity and pH, while showing a slight negative correlation with TDS and dissolved oxygen. The study concluded that rapid decomposition in degraded wetlands is primarily due to human disturbances that alter their physical characteristics indicating deteriorating ecological health inform of eutrophication, altered native plant growth, subsidence, decreased carbon storage, oxygen depletion and so forth. Additionally, the alternating periods of inundation within the wetlands, caused by the wet-dry cycles is a primary influencer of decomposition rates in wetlands especially within the tropical region

Unlocking the solution-phase molecular transformation of biochar during intensive rainfall events: Implications for the long-term carbon cycle under climate change

The unclear turnover of soluble and solid phases of biochar during increasingly severe climate change (e.g., intensive rainfall) raised questions about the carbon stability of biochar in soil. Here, we present an in-depth analysis of the molecular-level transformations occurring in both the soluble and solid phases of biochar subjected to prolonged wet-dry cycles with simulated rainwater. Biochar properties, including surface functionality and carbon texture, greatly affected the transformation route and led to a distinct stability variation. The rich alkyl −CH3 on the low-temperature biochar (450 °C) was oxidized to hydroxymethyl −CH2OH or formyl −CHO, and the ester −COOC− or peptide −CONHC− bonds were fragmented in the meantime, causing the release of protein- or lipid-like organic carbon and the declined carbon stability (Æ, tested by H2O2 oxidation, from 60.1% to 53.2%). After a high-temperature (750 °C) pyrolysis process, only oxidation of the surface −OH with limited bond breaking occurred after rainwater elution, presenting a marginal composition difference with constant stability. However, the fragile carbon nature of biochar, caused by CO2 activation, led to enhanced fragmentation, oxidation, and hydration, resulting in the release of tannin-like organic carbon, which compromised the carbon storage (Æ decreased from 81.2% to 73.0%). Our findings evaluated the critical transformation of biochar during intensive rainfall, offering crucial insights for designing sustainable biochar and achieving carbon neutrality.

Characteristics of dynamic mechanics and energy loss in reef limestone concrete during dry-wet carbonation periods

Coral reef limestone is a unique type of rock and soil body characterized by high porosity. Its dynamic mechanical properties under impact loads differ significantly from those of conventional land-sourced aggregate concrete.This study utilizes coral reef limestone as both coarse and fine aggregates to prepare C40 strength concrete. The research investigates the effects of dry-wet carbonation cycles on its dynamic mechanical behavior and energy evolution characteristics using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) mechanical testing system.The findings reveal that increasing the number of dry-wet carbonation cycles leads to a significant weakening of the internal structural bonding in coral reef limestone concrete. Notably, the degree of phenolphthalein color change diminishes, while uniaxial compressive strength and tensile strength demonstrate an overall downward trend. The reduction in tensile strength is less pronounced than the decrease in compressive strength. Additionally, the relative dynamic elastic modulus gradually decreases, and a size effect is noted, with a rapid acceleration in mass loss. As the number of dry-wet carbonation cycles increases, dynamic compressive strength declines, and failure modes shift from surface cracking to crush-type failure.The dynamic increase factor (DIF) of the coral reef limestone concrete indicates a high sensitivity to strain rate, with a significant rise in DIF value as the strain rate increases. Various energies generated under impact load exhibit clear strain rate effects. Furthermore, the effects of dry-wet carbonation cycling enhance energy dissipation, especially at 30 cycles, where energy dissipation increases sharply, while a hindering effect on transmitted energy is observed.

Degradation mechanism and strength prediction of aeolian sand concrete under sulphate dry-wet cycles

In this paper, aeolian sand (AS) with different contents (0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %) was used as fine aggregate to prepare aeolian sand concrete (ASC). The effects of AS content and dry-wet cycle (DWC) times on the durability of ASC under sulfate (5 % Na2SO4) erosion conditions were investigated by DWC tests. The mass loss rate, compressive strength loss rate and relative dynamic elastic modulus (RDEM) were used as the macroscopic performance evaluation indexes, while the damage degradation mechanism of ASC was revealed by combining the microscopic technical means such as SEM, XRD, TG-DSC and NMR. The results show that the macroscopic properties of ASC under the action of DWC of sulphate all show the first increase and then decrease, as when the dosage of AS is below 50 %, the "bead effect" and "padding effect" of AS can further improve the internal densification of ASC, thus effectively resisting external sulphate erosion. During sulphate erosion, SO42- firstly reacts with cement hydration product Ca(OH)2 to generate erosion products such as Ettringite (AFt) and fills them within the original defects, with short-term rnhancement of macroscopic properties. As the DWC continue, the excessive erosion products accumulated, resulting in the destruction of pore structure and extension through the phenomenon, the matrix compactness is reduced, and the macroscopic properties degraded. The grey entropy correlation analysis yielded that the grey entropy correlation grade of bound fluid saturation, harmless pore percentage and less harmful pore percentage with compressive strength were all above 0.8, and the GM(1,4) strength prediction model established on the basis of the above pore structure parameters has a high prediction accuracy, and the relative errors between the predicted strength values and the actual strength values are within 10 %, and the research results can provide certain theoretical support for the study of the durability of ASC in sulfate erosion environment.

Chitosan-based anion exchange membranes for fuel cell application: Enhanced hydration & durability to dry-wet cycling

Herein, a new type of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) based on chitosan (CS) and poly(4-vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVB) polymers is reported. Depending on whether the PVB side chains are mono-cationic (quaternized PVB, QPVB) or di-cationic (di-quaternized PVB, DQPVB), the AEMs are denoted as QPVB@CS and DQPVB@CS, respectively. Due to the lateral aggregation of chitosan chains assisted by hydrogen bonds, the in-plane expansion is limited (1.4–11.5 % at 80 °C), resulting in excellent mechanical properties of AEMs (dry tensile strength of 55.2–81.0 MPa). And after 10 dry-wet cycles, the AEMs maintain their appearance and show improved mechanical properties. Due to high through-plane swelling degree, AEMs effectively retaining water (water uptake of 272.5–501.5 % at 80 °C) in the AEMs. DQPVB@CS AEMs, with their higher ion content, exhibit superior ionic conductivity (74.2–116.5 mS cm−1 at 80 °C) compared to QPVB@CS (27.7–44.3 mS cm−1 at 80 °C) and achieve a peak power density of 729.6 mW cm−2 in an anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC), versus 128.1 mW cm−2 for QPVB@CS-2. To the best of our knowledge, the AEMs developed in this study represent the first example of AEMs prepared from chitosan gel membranes, achieving anisotropic swelling degree, high water uptake, and excellent dry-wet cycling resistance without the need for additional chemical cross-linking.

Effects of dry-wet cycles on the mechanical properties of sandstone with unloading-induced damage

Effects of dry-wet cycles on the mechanical properties of sandstone with unloading-induced damage

Vapor flux induced by temperature gradient is responsible for providing liquid water to hypoliths

Commonly comprised of cyanobacteria, algae, bacteria and fungi, hypolithic communities inhabit the underside of cobblestones and pebbles in diverse desert biomes. Notwithstanding their abundance and widespread geographic distribution and their growth in the driest regions on Earth, the source of water supporting these communities remains puzzling. Adding to the puzzle is the presence of cyanobacteria that require liquid water for net photosynthesis. Here we report results from six-year monitoring in the Negev Desert (with average annual precipitation of ~ 90 mm) during which periodical measurements of the water content of cobblestone undersides were carried out. We show that while no effective wetting took place following direct rain, dew or fog, high vapor flux, induced by a sharp temperature gradient, took place from the wet subsurface soil after rain, resulting in wet-dry cycles and wetting of the cobblestone undersides. Up to 12 wet-dry cycles were recorded following a single rain event, which resulted in vapor condensation on the undersides of the cobblestones, with the daily wet phase lasting for several hours during daylight. This ‘concealed mechanism’ expands the distribution of photoautotrophic organisms into hostile regions where the abiotic conditions limit their growth, and provides the driving force for important evolutionary processes not yet fully explored.

Mechanical properties and durability of lightweight cenosphere cementitious composites under coupling effect of dry-wet cycles and salt erosion

Cenospheres are suitable as supplementary cementitious materials to partially replace cement in the production of environmentally friendly lightweight cenosphere cementitious composites (LCCC). In this study, the correlation between the content and particle size of the cenosphere, the early curing system and the performance of LCCC was analyzed. The macroscopic properties and microstructural changes of LCCC under the conditions of dry-wet cycles and salt erosion were studied with different early curing conditions. The durability changes of LCCC mortar under the coupling effect of salt erosion and dry-wet cycles were studied by examining the mass loss rate, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and salt corrosion resistance coefficient of LCCC mortar. Finally, a comparative analysis of the impact of existing cracks on the performance of LCCC under the coupling effect of dry-wet and salt erosion was conducted. The main innovation of the study includes the mechanical properties and durability of LCCC under dry-wet-salt erosion conditions, as well as the clarification of the impact of prefabricated cracks on the mechanical properties and durability of LCCC. It is found that the flexural strength and the compressive strength of specimens cured at high temperature is generally lower than that of the specimens cured under normal temperature conditions. The wet-dry salt corrosion can exacerbate the erosion the outer shell and inner wall of cenospheres and disrupt the stability of the internal interface transition zone (ITZ) in LCCC. LCCC with CsS exhibits better macroscopic performance and microstructural properties. Pre-existing cracks accelerates the erosion in the cenosphere shell and inner wall under salt solution.