Increase In Energy Absorption Research Articles

Investigation of the effect of friction force on the energy absorption characteristics of thin-walled structures loaded with axial impact force

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in studies aimed at enhancing the energy absorption capabilities of thin-walled structures used in vehicles. These studies aim to mitigate the adverse effects of shock waves released during crashes by incorporating recesses that trigger folding on the walls of crash boxes, thereby increasing energy absorption. This particular study investigates the energy absorption and crushing behaviors of interpenetrating thin-walled structures under axial crushing conditions. Two different configurations were modeled to determine the contribution of friction force in dampening impacts in thin-walled structures. One configuration exhibited classical folding, while the other initiated folding after interpenetration upon the application of an axial impact load. The interpenetrating structures generate friction forces through recesses and protrusions on the surface of the crash box to provide energy absorption. The simulations were conducted using the finite element method (FEM) in a non-linear explicit dynamic collision scenario. The crash scenarios for both configurations were analyzed under identical conditions using two different materials (DP-600 and DP-800) and three different thicknesses (1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, and 1.5 mm). The dynamic crash simulations were compared based on Specific Energy Absorption (SEA), Total Energy (ET), Peak Crush Force (PK), Crush Force Efficiency (CE), and Mean Crushing Force (FM) values to examine the effects of friction force on energy absorption capabilities and crushing behaviors of the crash boxes. The analysis results demonstrated that friction force and energy absorption play a positive role in the crashworthiness characteristics of thin-walled structures.

Influence of void defects on impact properties of CFRP laminates based on multi-scale simulation method

The void defects produced in the composite material manufacturing process directly affect the basic mechanical properties of Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), resulting in weakened impact resistance. This paper combines the advantages of the fast calculation speed of the macro-model and the more accurate micro-model, and proposes a multi-scale method that can judge fiber and matrix damage at the micro-scale. According to this multi-scale method, the representative volume element (RVE) of the unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber was studied, and the relationship between the six elastic properties of the CFRP and the void defects and fiber volume fraction was obtained. It was assumed that the void defects were of the same size and randomly distributed in the matrix, ignoring the effect of void shape. Analyze the impact resistance of CFRP laminates containing void defects, and the relationship between each characteristic parameter and the content of void defects. Exploring the impact resistance of CFRP laminates containing void defects, it is found that under rebound conditions, as the void content increases, the peak force decreases, the maximum displacement and the final energy absorption increase, but they are not linear. Under penetration conditions, the peak force and final energy absorption decrease nonlinearly with the increase void defect content. The innovation of this paper is to combine the multi-scale analysis method and the void defects, and obtain the relationship between the void content and the elastic properties of the CFRP, and apply the CFRP laminate containing the void defects to the impact condition, to explore its impact on impact performance.

Numerical and experimental study of viscoelastic properties and energy absorption of functionally graded negative stiffness honeycomb made of Polyamide 12

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of a functionally graded negative stiffness (FGNS) honeycomb made from polyamide 12 (PA12) on increasing energy absorption. In addition, the viscoelastic model of PA12 was implemented in the finite element (FE) model to demonstrate the recoverability of these structures. First, a quasi-static compression test was performed on constant thickness negative stiffness (CTNS) honeycomb and FGNS honeycomb. Then, these two structures’ FE models were simulated. The stress relaxation test was utilised to derive Prony series coefficients for PA12 viscoelastic properties. The results of viscoelastic simulation for CTNS and FGNS honeycombs were then compared with experimental results. The comparison demonstrated a good agreement in both the loading and unloading stages. Furthermore, the critical parameters for evaluating the structural energy absorption of the FGNS honeycomb and the conventional ones were used in this study. According to the results, the FGNS honeycomb outperformed the CTNS experimentally and numerically.

Influence of Chemical Treatment of Natural Fibre using Shape Memory Alloy for Aeronautics

This article offers a thorough review of shape memory alloys' (SMAs') uses in the Space research field. The utility of SMAs in a variety of applications, including morphing wings (using both experimental and modelling methods), customising orientation and inlet shapes for various propulsion systems, implementing flexible chevrons to improve thrust while lowering noise, and reducing overall power consumption, is the main topic of this paper. The use of SMAs in applications in space is also covered in the paper, including how they may be used to create low-shock launchers, isolate micro-vibrations, and enable self-deployable solar sails. The essay also emphasises the novel structures and tools made possible by SMAs. One noteworthy method covered in the article is putting SMA wires in the laminate's midplane and embedding them into the fabric a layer of composite laminates. When compared to traditional composite constructions, the incorporation of SMAs into composite has shown better damage resistance and ductility. The reaction of a bright hybrid plastic composite plates to a very low-velocity impact is examined experimentally and numerically in this paper, which highlights the benefits of inserting SMA wires. Among these benefits are improved damage resistance, better ductility, higher composite hardness, and increased energy absorption before failure. Shape memory alloy (SMA) are the subject of extensive industrial applications and ongoing study in the field of materials. Its two distinguishing qualities, the shape memory impact and superelasticity, are mostly to blame for this. A composition's structure that suffered a phase transition as a result of temperatures, pressures, mechanical forces, and other factors is implies to as having a "shape memory effect". The composition, despite the very significant plastic deformation to which its surface is susceptible to, may recover to its original form under the influence of temperature as well as other factors.

Crashworthiness of Additively Manufactured Lattice Reinforced Thin-Walled Tube Hybrid Structures

In this paper, a new hybrid structure of body-centered cubic lattice-filled thin-walled tube is designed, and the hybrid structure specimens of one-piece printing and split-printing are prepared by laser melting technique. The deformation mode and energy absorption characteristics of the new hybrid structure are investigated by experiments and numerical simulations. Under axial compression, the one-piece printed hybrid structure forms more wrinkles with smaller wavelengths, and the specific energy absorption increases by 12.14% compared with the split-printed structure; under transverse compression, the one-piece printed structure does not show the separation of the thin-walled tube from the lattice, and the specific energy absorption increases by 134.83% compared with the split-printed structure. It is worth noting that the designed hybrid structure has a 112.60% (580.15%) increase in specific energy absorption under axial compression (under transverse compression) compared to the empty tube. The effects of wall thickness, lattice density, and loading rate on the crashworthiness of the hybrid structure were investigated using a validated finite element model. This paper provides a new idea for the preparation of lightweight and high-strength energy-absorbing structures.

Development of the Johnson-Cook flow stress and damage parameters for the impact response of polycarbonate: Experimental and numerical approach

The Johnson and Cook (JC) flow stress and damage model parameters of a polycarbonate (PC) plate were determined by the mechanical tests and numerical simulations of the tests. The experimental tests included quasi-static and high strain rate tension and compression, quasi-static notched-specimen tension, quasi-static indentation (QSI), low velocity impact (LVI) and projectile impact (PI). Initially, five different quasi-static flow stress-strain equations were extracted from the experimental and numerical tests. The flow stress equation determined from the experimental average true stress-true strain curve well agreed with the effective stress-strain obtained from the quasi-static numerical tension test. The numerical QSI force-displacement curve based on the experimental average true stress-true strain equation was further shown to be very similar to that of the experiment. The LVI and PI test simulations were then continued with the experimental average true stress-true strain equation using five different flow stress-strain rate relations: JC, Huh and Kang (HK), Allen-Rule and Jones (ARJ), Cowper-Symonds (CS) and the nonlinear rate approach (NLA). The rate sensitivity parameters of these relations were extracted from the quasi-static and high strain rate tests. The LVI test simulations using the stress-strain rate relations exhibited force-displacement curves higher than those of the experiments. The detected almost no strain rate sensitivity in the LVI tests was ascribed to low strain rate dependency of the flow stress at these intermediate strain rates and large strains involved. On the other side, all the stress-strain rate relations investigated nearly predicted the experimental damage types: dishing at 100 and 140 m s−1 and petalling at 160 m s−1, except the CS relation which predicted the fracture of the plate at 140 m s−1. The experimental average projectile exit velocity at 160 m s−1 was further well predicted by the used stress-strain rate relations while the experimental average petal thicknesses were under estimated by the models. The absorbed energy at 160 m s−1 PI test was determined 1.6 times that of the QSI test, which proved an increased energy absorption capability of the tested PC at the investigated impact velocities.

High Frictional Coated Multi-Layer Ballistic Fabrics for High Velocity and Hypervelocity Impact Protection

Increasing the inter-fiber friction of ballistic fabrics is crucial for improving their impact shielding performance. Shear thickening fluid (STF) impregnation is commonly used to improve inter-fiber friction, but it has several fundamental shortcomings. Polymer coating, with its superior properties, can be an ideal material for increasing the friction coefficient of fabrics. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the coating process in enhancing the energy absorption mechanism within and among the fabric layers. Additionally, we investigated the capability of a multi-layer coated fabric system for hypervelocity impact shielding and spall liners. Our findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the coating process in improving the ballistic limit of the fabric system. Coated fabrics showed a 19.6% and 23.4% increase in specific energy absorption compared to pristine fabrics. We conducted hypervelocity impact experiments with impact velocities between 1.9 km/s to 2.1 km/s using a triple bumper system. The front bumper generated a debris cloud, the back bumper comprised the coated fabrics, and the third bumper acted as a witness plate. We compared the area of impact on the witness plate and the penetration area to estimate the efficiency of the coated fabrics. Our results showed that the coated fabrics had a higher area of impact with lower intensity of damage and a decrease in the penetration area compared to pristine fabrics with similar areal densities, indicating excellent impact shielding performance.

Dissolved black carbon as a potential driver of surface water heating dynamics in wildfire-impacted regions: A case study from Pyramid Lake, NV, USA

Black carbon (BC), pyrogenic residues resulting from the incomplete combustion of organics, are liberated from wildfires at high rates. Subsequent introduction to aqueous environments via atmospheric deposition or overland flow results in the formation of a dissolved fraction, called dissolved black carbon (DBC). As wildfire frequency and intensity increases along with a changing climate, it becomes imperative to understand the impact a concurrent increase in DBC load might have to aquatic ecosystems. In the atmosphere BC stimulates warming by absorbing solar radiation, and similar processes may occur with surface waters that contain DBC. In this work we investigated whether the addition of environmentally relevant levels of DBC could impact surface water heating dynamics in experimental settings. DBC was quantified at multiple locations and depths in Pyramid Lake (NV, USA) during peak fire season while two large, proximal wildfires burned. DBC was detected in Pyramid Lake water at all sampled locations at concentrations (3.6–18 ppb) significantly higher than those reported for other large inland lakes. DBC was positively correlated (R2 = 0.84) with chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) but not bulk dissolved or total organic carbon (DOC, TOC), suggesting that DBC is a significant component of the optically active organics in the lake. Subsequent lab-based experiments were conducted by adding environmentally relevant levels of DBC standards to pure water, exposing the system to solar spectrum radiation, and creating a numerical model of heat transfer based on observed temperatures. The addition of DBC at environmentally relevant orders of magnitude caused reductions to shortwave albedo when exposed to the solar spectrum, which resulted in 5–8 % more incident radiation being absorbed by water and changes to water heating dynamics. In environmental settings, this increase in energy absorption could translate to increased heating of the epilimnion in Pyramid Lake and other wildfire-impacted surface waters.

Investigation of the effect of trapezoidal infill plate angle on the behavior of the corrugated steel shear walls – An experimental and numerical study

AbstractStudies on corrugated steel shear walls (CSSWs) generally indicate a noticeable increase in energy absorption, as well as an increasing shear buckling capacity of corrugated plates more than the flat plates. In this article, the effect of changing the angle of the trapezoidal panel on the behavior of CSSWs has extensively been investigated. Three specimens of CSSW with one story and single bay in half‐scale are tested under cyclic load. Gravity loads are not applied at the top of the walls; however, the horizontal load has been applied at the top of each specimen. The loading sequence has been implemented through “displacement control” with increasing and decreasing amplitudes. The observations of the experiment do indicate that stress concentration has been increased in the corner of subpanels, by increasing the corrugation angle. Also, the stiffness and energy dissipation are getting decreased, by growing the corrugation angle. Investigating the numerical models has been showing that in CSSW, seismic factors are affected by corrugation angle; however, varying parameters against changing angles do not show any reasonable relationship. The obtained results of investigating the effect of surrounding frame stiffness variation on the behavior of walls have also been indicating that increasing frame stiffness shall not be leading to improving all seismic parameters.

Surface modification of kevlar fabric with a novel sulfonyl aryl containing monomer and its influence on inter yarn friction

The ballistic impact response of Kevlar textiles is significantly influenced by the friction between the yarns. It increases the dissipation of energy when yarns begin to displace relative to one another and it also results in to transfer of load to a larger area during ballistic impacts. In the present work, a novel sulfonyl aryl group containing monomer acrylic acid-2-(toluene sulphonyl amine)-ethyl ester (AATSAEE) was synthesized by a three-step process with ethanol amine and p-toluene sulfonic acid as starting material. The monomer was homopolymerized and grafted on Kevlar fabric by UV-induced free radical polymerization technique. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as initiator. Utilizing spectroscopic and thermal gravimetric methods, the monomer, precursor, and the homopolymer were characterized. The yarn pull-out tests on unmodified and AATSAEE grafted Kevlar fabrics were performed on Universal Tensile Tester at a steady speed of the upper jaw of 50 cm min−1. Increases in yarn pull out force have been noted with grafting of AATSAEE on Kevlar fabric. The peak force increases around 284% with grafting which indicates an increase in friction forces. When these yarns start to move apart from one another due to friction factors, the fabric’s energy dissipation increases and it may results in to increase in energy absorption at the time of ballistic impacts.

RC beams strengthened in shear with FRP-Reinforced UHPC overlay: An experimental and numerical study

In this study, a hybrid strengthening technique consisting of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) overlay reinforced by fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is proposed to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) beams in shear. Eleven beams, five of which are physical samples tested under static load, and the other six are virtual ones derived from a robust finite element (FE) analysis, are used to assess the effectiveness of this retrofitting technique. Several parameters are examined, namely overlay thickness, overlay configuration (continuous vs. discontinuous), FRP reinforcement ratio in the overlay, and type of FRP rebar (Glass-FRP vs. Carbon-FRP). Results showed that the system was very effective in increasing the beam capacity (Pu) and altering the failure mode from shear to flexure. Increasing the overlay thickness (toverlay) from 0 to 30 mm for plain and FRP-reinforced overlays results in a significant increase in Pu of 76–117%, compared to the control beam. Using discontinuous UHPC strips, although does not alter the shear failure, results in 89% increase in Pu. Reinforcing the overlay with GFRP and CFRP bars results in reducing the overlay thickness needed to shift the failure mode from shear to flexure. The energy absorption index, which is a measure of ductility, of the strengthened specimens was 4.0 to 6.9 times that of the control beam. FRP bars resulted in 11–25% increase in energy absorption compared to plain overlays, with GFRP showing more ductility than CFRP. An analytical procedure is also included and used to predict Pu from modifying existing code equations to include the contribution of UHPC overlay to shear.

Comparative Investigations on Fracture Toughness and Damping Response of Fabric Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Studies were conducted to observe the effect of fracture toughness and damping response on fabric reinforced epoxy polymer composites. The samples of glass fabric, kevlar fabric and carbon fabric having 15wt%, 25wt%, 35wt%, 45wt% and 55wt % fabric content were prepared and tested following ASTM standards. Fracture toughness, peak load and increase in energy absorption are determined for the fabric-epoxy composites. Effect of temperature on storage modulus, loss modulus and tan delta values for various percentages of fabric epoxy composites are noticed and corresponding damping response behaviour is determined. The results revealed that reduction in strength at higher percentage of fabric content is due to improper bonding between fabric and epoxy resin. Higher peak load values and increased values of energy absorption are observed at lower percentage of fabric content. Kevlar fabric proves to be beneficial for specific energy absorption capability. Strength retention capability at higher temperature is far better for carbon fabric epoxy combinations. Composites with lower fabric content retain much higher temperature and peak load. Also the experimental findings are in close proximity with that of theoretical results.

Large Deflection of Foam-Filled Triangular Tubes under Transverse Loading.

In this paper, the large deflection of the foam-filled triangular tube (FFTT) is studied analytically and numerically under transverse loading. Considering the strengths of the foam and the tube, the yield criterion of FFTT is established. Based on the yield criterion, a theoretical model for the large deflection of the clamped triangular tube filled with foam under transverse loading is developed. The numerical simulations are carried out using ABAQUS/Standard software, and the analytical results are compared with the numerical ones. The effects of foam strength, thickness of the tube, and the width of the punch on the load-bearing capacity and energy absorption of the clamped FFTT loaded transversally are discussed in detail. It is demonstrated that the load-bearing ability and the energy absorption increase with increasing foam strength, tube thickness, and punch width. The closer the loading position is to the clamped end, the greater the increases in the capacity of load bearing and the energy absorption of the triangular tube filled with foam. The theoretical model can be used to foresee the large deflection of metal FFTT under transverse loading.

On the Use of a Hybrid Metallic-Composite Design to Increase Mechanical Performance of an Automotive Chassis

Thanks to the introduction of high-performance composite materials, 'metal replacement' approaches are successfully gaining ground even in the most challenging engineering applications. Among these, one of the most recent application challenges is improving the driving range of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) by adopting innovative materials to lighten the mass of structural components, thus reducing energy requirements and enabling the use of smaller and less expensive batteries. Hence, in the present work, the employment of laminated composite panels in an electric minibus chassis is investigated as an effective way to reduce the global mass of the chassis’ structure and, at the same time, to increase its structural performances in terms of torsional stiffness and crashworthiness. By replacing specific steel tubulars with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminated composite structures, different chassis configurations were numerically developed and detailed simulations to compare both masses and mechanical responses were carried out. The paper proves that with this approach it is possible to lighten the chassis up to 9%, while achieving a 7% increase in torsional stiffness and a 9% increase in Specific Energy Absorption (SEA).

Investigation of strain rate dependent microscopic failure mechanisms in short fiber reinforced plastics using finite element simulations

For predicting the strain rate dependent failure of short fiber reinforced plastics (SFRP) a two-phase simulation model is developed using the finite element method and comparing the results to microscopic specimen tests for uniaxial tension under quasi-static (0.007/s) and dynamic loads (250/s). Experimentally the failure behavior of SFRP is observed to be strain rate dependent. The global strain at failure and the absorbed energy increase with strain rate. Moreover, locally an influence of the strain rate on the amount of material involved in the deformation can be observed. The suggested model can represent these effects accurately. Also, the present micro-mechanical effects and their influence on the strain distribution are investigated by unit cell simulations. Thereby the material model of the fibers, the matrix, and the boundary layer are varied respectively. These reveal the important role of strain rate dependent decohesion leading to a correct representation of the plastically deformed volume. Consequently, the distortion energy density is evaluated and is found to be constant at failure for all strain rates.

Experimental and finite element simulation study of the mechanical behaviors of aluminum foam-filled single/double tubes

Aluminum foam-filled tubes are complicated structures created by filling one or more thin-walled metal tubes with varying shapes in cross-sections with aluminum foam. We optimized the structure of aluminum foam-filled tubes using software simulation, compression, and three-point bending experiments. Filling aluminum foam not only improves the axial compressive performance and bending strength of the thin-walled metal tube but also eliminates the disadvantage of the low strength of the aluminum foam. The aluminum foam-filled single tube exhibited significant improvements in load-bearing and energy absorption, with a one-time increase in load-bearing and five times increase in energy absorption compared with an empty tube. The aluminum foam-filled single tube with a smaller diameter-to-thickness ratio has a higher load-bearing capacity. In contrast, the length-to-diameter ratio has a lower impact on load-bearing capacity. Once the filling length reaches the effective filling length, the structure can still support higher loads and effectively reduce its overall weight. The compression and bending properties in the double-tube structure filled with foam aluminum improved significantly compared with the empty tube and single-tube structure filled with aluminum foam. The total compressive energy absorption capacity in the double-tube structure filled with aluminum foam is 2.01 times that of the empty tube and 1.81 times that in the single-tube-filled structure. When the wall thickness of the filled stainless steel tube is 1.0 mm, the total bending energy absorption and the specific absorption energy of the aluminum foam-filled double tube structure are 1.5 and 2.1 times that of the corresponding aluminum foam-filled single tube, respectively.

3D printed octet plate-lattices for tunable energy absorption

Tunable energy absorption achieved through grading of lattice structures shows high potential to be used in lightweight cellular cores for energy absorbing structures. This study investigates structurally graded and multi-material lattices consisting of plate-based octet unit cells, under quasi-static compression, to assess their energy absorption ability. Variations in the structure and material compositions of the plate-lattice structures are achieved through changing the plate thickness and through changing the filament material along the lattice in the direction of applied compressive force. The compressive stress–strain behavior reveals a near 10% increase of specific energy absorption (SEA) in the plate thickness graded designs at higher strain compared to the baseline octet lattices. The multi-material arrangements significantly modified onset location of the structure collapse. Finite element models of the structures were developed, and good agreements with experimental results were observed. Effects of varying each of the unit cell geometric parameters were analyzed, and the high sensitivity to the plate inclination angle, which resulted in greater changes to the maximum stress values and control of the overall SEA, was identified. The results demonstrate the capacity to adapt the octet lattice structure design through additive manufacturing to better suit the expected load and application.

MULTI-OBJECTIVE DESIGN OF HONEYCOMB HYBRID CRASH BOX UNDER FRONTAL LOADING

This research aims to obtain the optimal honeycomb hybrid crash box design. Finite elements, parametric studies, and multi-objective optimization are carried out sequentially. Parametric studies are carried out to obtain important parameters to increase energy absorption and minimize mass. The effect of structure angle, honeycomb side length, and structure thickness are selected as the design parameter. Energy absorption and crash box mass are observed as design responses. Based on the results, it can be determined the optimal design from multi objective optimization is angle structure of 21.1310, side length of 8.006 mm, and thickness of 1.2 mm. The model validation results for the optimal solution are appropriate; it is characterized by a honeycomb-filled structure that supports the folding of the outer wall of the crash box.

Quasi-static compressive behaviour of epoxy composites reinforced with crumb rubber

Quasi static compressive response of crumb rubber-epoxy composites was examined by varying the crumb rubber composition (0, 10, 20 and 30 vol.%). All the composites, irrespective of the strain rates, depict elastic regions tailed by a wide plateau area that is credited with the densification of rubber particulates. Higher strains to failure of composites were revealed as compared with neat epoxy signifying higher energy absorption ability of constituents. The modulus of elasticity of composites was noted to be lower than neat epoxy specimens, irrespective of the strain rates. Irrespective of strain rates, the strength of all the composites were inferior to neat epoxy specimens. Energy absorption of EC-30 was higher compared to EC-20 and EC-10 and noted to be increased in the range of 6–14% for 0.1 mm/min strain rate while it increases in the range of 5–9% for 0.01 mm/min strain rate, respectively. Rubber-toughening mechanism was credited with the increase in energy absorption of composites. Higher energy absorption of composites was mainly due to higher strain realisation indicating more deformation ability. Fracture features of specimens were analysed by scanning electron microscope.

Dynamic mechanical properties and constitutive model of specified density concrete reinforced by waste incineration tailings

As a green alternative building material for aggregates and admixtures in concrete, domestic waste incineration tailings recently have gained increasing attention from the scientific community, and can improve the sustainability of building materials. This paper studies the performance and mechanism of the specified density concrete reinforced by waste incineration tailings under dynamic impact, focusing on the influence of the dosage (25, 50 and 75 wt%) and the intermediate strain rate (20–80 s-1) of the incineration tailings, and the feasibility of using them as the lightweight aggregate in the specified density concrete. The results show that the failure morphology of the static and dynamic mechanical properties of the specified density concrete (SDC) is similar, and the failure crack passes through the weak interface between the tailing lightweight aggregate and the ordinary aggregate mortar. The addition of incineration tailings is conducive to improving the anti-impact properties of specified density concrete under intermediate strain rate. Due to the internal and external interlocking structure effect of aggregate, the dynamic increase factor (DIF) and energy absorption (ωs) of three types of specified density concrete (SDC-25, SDC-50 and SDC-75) are 79.6%∼99.1% and 1.09 ∼ 1.79 times higher than that of ordinary concrete respectively, and the degree of fragmentation, peak stress and peak strain are significantly improved. The dynamic constitutive equation of specified density concrete with good applicability is proposed and successfully applied to numerical calculation. Considering the engineering performance and potential economic benefits of specified density concrete, incineration tailings can be used as a sustainable and cost-effective substitute for some cement-based materials.