Strength Development Research Articles

Effect of Fines Content on Cyclic Strength Development of Sand–Clay Mixtures under Cyclic Loading: A Process Evaluation Using Energy Methods

Effect of Fines Content on Cyclic Strength Development of Sand–Clay Mixtures under Cyclic Loading: A Process Evaluation Using Energy Methods

Physical properties and hydration behaviors of paste casting brick containing coal gasification slag (CGS): Effect of curing condition and CGS dosage

In the process of developing coal chemical technologies, it is necessary to address environmental pollution and resource waste caused by the associated solid waste coal gasification slag (CGS). This study investigated the feasibility of using CGS as a substitute for fly ash (FA) in the preparation of paste casting bricks. The effects of curing conditions and CGS dosages on the physical properties of the specimens were investigated and related to the hydration behaviors through various microscopic techniques. The results showed that the occurrence of electrostatic flocculation and the enrichment of active substances increased the yield stress of the slurry as the CGS replacement rose, which manifested as decreased fluidity at the macroscopic level. The secondary hydration reaction was facilitated with the increased CGS replacement rate due to the desirable hydraulic activity of CGS. XRD, FTIR and TG results corroborated that the content of hydration products which contributed to strength development were enhanced with the addition of CGS under different curing conditions. XRD and SEM-EDS results indicated that the doping of elements such as Mg and Al under autoclaved condition led to a reduction in the grain size of tobermorite, and the micro-morphology tended to concentrate stresses under pressure. The results of this study promote the resourceful utilization of CGS in building materials and lay the foundation for further scale-up industrial application.

Functionalizing heavy metal contained incinerated sewage sludge ash in recycled glass-based alkali-activated materials for sewer environment

This study evaluates the performance of alkali-activated cement (AAC) mortars in an artificial sewage environment. The mortars, initially prepared with waste glass powder (GP) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) in a 50:50 mass ratio, were modified by replacing 10 wt% of GGBS with incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA) with the goal of offering a biocidal effect. Comparisons were made with calcium aluminate cement (CAC), metakaolin (MK), and MK combined with zinc ferrite nanoparticles, each at a similar GGBS replacement level. The results showed that only incorporating CAC improved the strength development, achieving compressive and flexural strengths of 62.7 MPa and 7.4 MPa, respectively, at 28 days, while introducing ISSA or MK reduced the compressive strength to 47 MPa and flexural strength to 4.5 MPa. Although heavy metal ions from ISSA or zinc ferrite nanoparticles minimized biofilm thickness, they could not compensate for the reduced strength and increased alkalis leaching. Among all the tested mixtures, the 50GP40GGBS10CAC mixture exhibited superior biogenic acid resistance, possibly due to its Al-rich C-N-A-S-H gel phases (Ca/Si = 0.4, Na/Al = 0.8, Si/Al = 3.4) and refined pore structure (porosity = 3.4 %), making it the most microbial acid-resistant option for sewer rehabilitation.

Long-term investigation of uniaxial compressive and self-sensing performances of ultra-high performance seawater sea-sand concrete incorporating superfine stainless wires: Insights into underlying mechanisms and theoretical models

Developing intrinsic self-sensing concrete is expected to provide a digital intelligence solution to address the infrastructure’s challenges in terms of safety, lifespan, resilience, and carbon emission reduction. Using seawater and sea-sand as well as corrosion-resistant conductive fillers to fabricate self-sensing ultra-high seawater sea-sand performance concrete (UHPSSC) with outstanding mechanical and durability performances is the prerequisite for realizing localized resource utilization and in-situ monitoring of marine infrastructure. However, the potential effect of ions from seawater and sea-sand on the long-term stability of mechanical and electrical performances cannot be ignored. This paper presents a long-term investigation of uniaxial compressive, electrical, and self-sensing performances of superfine stainless wires (SWs) reinforced UHPSSC under natural curing. The results show that incorporating 1.5% SWs improves the compressive strength, elastic modulus, peak strain, and toughness of UHPSSC by 25.0%, 11.7%, 33.8%, and 119.2%, respectively. The established statistical damage constitutive models based on Weibull strength theory highlight the roles of SWs in delaying crack initiation. The dense microstructure of SWs-reinforced UHPSSC inhibits the growth of expansive hydration products formed by corrosive ions, thus guaranteeing its long-term strength development. Additionally, due to incorporating 1.5% SWs, the electrical resistivity of UHPSSC is reduced by seven orders of magnitude, with a strain sensitivity of 119.1 under monotonic compressive loading and a monitoring stress range of 0-148.4 MPa, indicating that SWs-reinforced UHPSSC can sense its stress and strain while providing early warning of crack initiation and propagation. Benefiting from the rust-free property, micron diameter, and high aspect ratio of SWs, the primary conductive path of composites comprises the overlapping networks formed by low-content SWs, which are not influenced by the ion conduction of conductive ions. Hence, SWs-reinforced UHPSSC exhibits stable electrical resistivity and sensitivity during long-term curing, suggesting its considerable potential for long-term in-situ monitoring of marine infrastructure.

Optimum Use of Recycled Waste Materials as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate in Portland Cement Concrete Mixes

This study explored the independent utilization of five common waste materials - rubber, plastic, glass, slag, and sewage sludge ash (SSA) - as partial replacement of fine aggregate in Portland cement concrete (PCC) mixes. The main objective was to determine an optimum substitution range for each waste material that would offer well performing concrete in terms of workability, compressive strength, and durability. To this end, multiple concrete batches were prepared, incorporating each waste material at four different levels: 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of fine aggregate. Then, concrete samples (100-mm diameter × 200-mm tall cylinders) were cast from each batch and were moisture-cured for 7, 14, and 28 days prior to testing. Also, the chemical composition of each waste material was identified using FTIR spectroscopy to understand its impact on the development of concrete strength. While most waste led to the diminished strength gains at all substitution rates, the addition of glass, slag, and SSA contributed positively to the strength development at specific replacement levels: 5% for glass, 10 - 15% for slag, and 5 – 15% for SSA. Furthermore, these additions of glass and slag exhibited comparable workability and durability although SSA did not exhibit comparable workability and durability. The findings of this study can hold significant implications for environmental sustainability and cost effectiveness in construction projects.

Assessing the Influence of Calcium-Based Alkaline Activators and Metakaolin on the Compressive Strength Development of Geopolymer Concrete for Different Mix Design Parameters

Assessing the Influence of Calcium-Based Alkaline Activators and Metakaolin on the Compressive Strength Development of Geopolymer Concrete for Different Mix Design Parameters

A Strengths‐Based Human Resource Management Approach to Neurodiversity: A Multi‐Actor Qualitative Study

ABSTRACTAlthough the attention for neurodiversity in human resource management (HRM) is growing, neurodivergent individuals are still primarily supported from a deficit‐oriented paradigm, which points towards individuals' deviation from neurotypical norms. Following the HRM process model, our study explored to what extent a strengths‐based HRM approach to the identification, use, and development of strengths of neurodivergent groups is intended, implemented, and perceived in organizations. Thirty participants were interviewed, including HRM professionals (n = 15), supervisors of neurodivergent employees (n = 4), and neurodivergent employees (n = 11). Our findings show that there is significant potential in embracing the strengths‐based approach to promote neurodiversity‐inclusion, for instance with the use of job crafting practices or (awareness) training to promote strengths use. Still, the acknowledgement of neurodivergent individuals' strengths in the workplace depends on the integration of the strengths‐based approach into a supportive framework of HR practices related to strengths identification, use, and development. Here, particular attention should be dedicated to strengths development for neurodivergent employees (e.g., optimally balancing strengths use). By adopting the strengths‐based HRM approach to neurodiversity as a means of challenging the ableist norms of organizations, we add to the HRM literature by contributing to the discussion on how both research and organizations can optimally support an increasingly diverse workforce by focusing on individual strengths.

Investigating the impact of foundry by-product sand as an activator on workability improvement and strength development in alkali-activated blast furnace slag mortar

The substitution of alkali-activated furnace slag significantly reduces the necessity of cement manufacture and mitigates the continuous growth of carbon emissions. In addition, it shows superior mechanical properties compared to traditional concrete materials. However, rapid setting issues hinder its widespread applications. This study investigated the innovative use of zero-carbon waste sodium silicate-bonded sand as a substitute for the fine aggregate and sodium silicate in traditional alkali-activated blast furnace slag mortar. The primary objective is to analyze the impact of waste sodium silicate-bonded sand on the workability and mechanical properties of the mortar. The key properties such as flowability, setting time, temperature measurement, compressive strength, and microstructural were analyzed to determine the improvement in workability and the strength development of alkali-activated blast furnace slag mortar resulting from the use of waste sodium silicate-bonded sand. The research showed the integration of waste sodium silicate-bonded sand results in an eco-friendly and cost-effective material, which addresses limitations in traditional activated blast furnace slag mortars. The finding revealed that substituting fine aggregate and sodium silicate with waste sodium silicate-bonded sand significantly improved the mechanical and workability properties of alkali-activated mortars. Notably, the compressive strength of mortars incorporating waste sodium silicate-bonded sand exceeded that of traditional Portland cement and effectively mitigated rapid setting issues. In addition, this approach led to an environmentally friendly mortar with satisfactory workability. The research emphasizes the practical benefits of utilizing waste sodium silicate-bonded sand and offers new insights into its effects on mortar performance. This has provided more details for future exploration and refinement in the field of alkali-activated materials.

Investigating the influence of various metakaolin combinations with different proportions of pond ash and Alccofine 1203 on ternary blended geopolymer concrete at ambient curing.

This paper explores the use of a ternary blended geopolymer concrete (TBGPC) incorporating metakaolin (MK), pond ash (PA), and Alccofine 1203 (AF). Three combinations of MK (25%, 50%, and 75%) with varying proportions of PA and AF were prepared, validating against M30 grade cement concrete (CC). TBGPC was prepared with an 8 molarity sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio of 2.0, liquid to binder ratio of 0.5, and an ambient curing mode. For CC, a water to cement ratio of 0.42 and water curing mode were adopted. The mechanical properties and durability behavior of TBGPC and CC specimens were evaluated through compressive strength, rapid chloride penetration test, permeability test, sorptivity test, and water absorption test. The M50P35A15 mix demonstrated remarkable compressive strength improvements, showing a 203% increase over the CC mix at 1day and 250% by 3days. This trend continued with a 155% increase at 7days, 68% at 28days, and 52% at 90days, consistently outperforming the CC mix. Additionally, microstructure characteristics of the M50P35A15 mix were analyzed through SEM studies, providing validation for the observed strength development. Notably, M50P35A15 mix demonstrated substantially higher early and later strength gain. This enhancement in strength was attributed to the gradual densification of the microstructure over time and the formation of additional NASH and CASH gel in M50P35A15 mix. At 28days, the M50P35A15 mix exhibited excellent durability characteristics, with a Coulomb value of 1008, permeability of 10mm, sorptivity of 0.45mm/√min × 10-4, and water absorption of 1.07%. This study demonstrates the potential of MK, PA, and AF as viable materials for sustainable geopolymer concrete, offering a low-carbon alternative to traditional cement concrete with superior strength and durability aspects.

Impact of Smartphone-Induced Mental Fatigue on Resistance Training Performance and Efficiency - The Role of Smartphone Use During Workout

Introduction Resistance training volume is a key determinant of muscle hypertrophy and strength development. However, mental fatigue can significantly impact this volume, ultimately affecting performance. One prominent source of mental fatigue in modern gym environments is smartphone use, which has become pervasive and may reduce workout efficiency and overall training volume. Purpose This review examines the dual effects of smartphone use on resistance training outcomes and offers strategies to balance these impacts effectively. Conclusions Smartphone-induced mental fatigue increases perceived exertion, leading to reduced performance during resistance training by lowering volume-load and endurance, particularly in low- and moderate-intensity exercises. Despite this, maximal strength appears to remain unaffected. Additionally, smartphone use diverts cognitive resources, resulting in mental fatigue and impairing both physical and technical performance due to distractions during workouts. It can also unintentionally prolong rest periods, which disrupts the balance between muscle recovery and mental readiness, further decreasing training efficiency. However, smartphones also offer valuable benefits, such as access to fitness apps, progress tracking, and motivational music, which can help maintain or even enhance performance by improving focus and motivation. To minimize distractions and optimize training outcomes, strategies such as using airplane mode or scheduling specific times for phone use are recommended. While excessive smartphone use can impair training efficiency, careful management and strategic use can enable athletes to capitalize on its benefits and improve resistance training results. Future research should focus on developing best practices for incorporating smartphone use in fitness settings to balance its advantages while minimizing its downsides.

Concepción de estudiantes de secundaria integradain Rio de Janeiro sobre fortalezas de carácter y virtudes

Strengths and virtues are defined as positive characteristics that have moral value. The objectiveof this research wasto investigate the conception of the students of Integrated Technical High School on strengths and virtues, if there is a difference between the conception between female and male students, how they understand the role of strengths and virtues in the choice and performance of the future technical profession and if the perception of the concept differs from the literature.Participated 21 students, 10 girls and 11 boys from the first year of different coursesfrom a Brazilianpublic educational institution.Two focus groups were held on different dates. The results showed thatconceptions brought by the students are related to characteristics responsible for promoting personal and academic goals for current and future situationstotheir professional career.The data obtained can contribute to actions, expanding the possibilities of applying positive psychology in the school context as a resource favorable to learning and the development of strengths and virtues.Prospective research can investigate the impact of strengths and virtues with constructions related to the concept investigated in the present studywith the use of instruments that can collaborate with qualitative data presented.

The effect of copper slag as a precursor on the mechanical properties, shrinkage and pore structure of alkali-activated slag-copper slag mortar

Copper slag, an industrial by-product produced in large quantities during copper smelting and refining, has the potential to be used as an alternative precursor for alkali-activated materials. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact of copper slag but also addresses the growing scarcity of conventional precursors, such as ground granulated blast furnace slag. In this research, copper slag was used as an alternative precursor for alkali-activated slag-copper slag mortars. Sodium hydroxide and water glass served as the activators. The workability, mechanical properties, autogenous shrinkage and drying shrinkage were investigated to evaluate the influence of copper slag content. Furthermore, the reaction products and pore structure of hardened mortar were analysed to gain deeper insights into its performance. The results show that the incorporation of copper slag effectively prolongs the setting time and increases the fluidity. Copper slag reduces the autogenous shrinkage, but it also results in an undesirable increase in drying shrinkage. While copper slag delays strength development and reduces the strength, incorporating copper slag at a 50 % ratio still results in strength comparable to that of mortars utilizing 100 % ground granulated blast furnace slag as the precursor. The incorporation of copper slag alters the composition of calcium aluminosilicate hydrate and promotes the formation of ferro-silicate. Although it reduces the proportion of macropores in the total pore volume, it simultaneously increases the amount of capillary pores. Copper slag alters pore solution, and although heavy metal leaching remains minimal, risks in complex environments require further study.

Sulphate influence on strength development of cemented paste backfill with superplasticizer under field-like curing conditions

This study investigates the impact of sulphate on the strength development of cemented paste backfill (CPB) with polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizers (PES) under curing conditions mimicking real field environments. These conditions include thermal (T, non-isothermal field temperature), hydraulic (H, drainage), mechanical (M, overburden stress), and chemical (C, PES, sulphate ions) factors. CPB samples with varying sulphate and PES contents were examined through mechanical and microstructural tests under these THMC conditions. The findings reveal that traditional methods for assessing sulphate influence on CPB strength, typically under standard lab conditions, do not adequately capture the mechanical response of CPB structures to sulphate in field scenarios. Real field curing conditions such as temperature, drainage, and stress significantly affect CPB’s mechanical response to sulphate. CPB samples incorporating PES and sulphate show notable improvements in early-age strength, emphasizing the beneficial role of elevated temperatures and the complex relationship between drainage, sulphate, and strength development. Elevated curing temperatures counterbalance sulphate's negative effects, boosting initial strength, while drainage conditions play a critical role in strength development by facilitating the removal of sulphate ions and reducing capillary water. Additionally, stress application at the start of curing aids solid particle rearrangement, promoting the release of free water and enhancing mechanical strength. The competitive adsorption between sulphate ions and PES on the cementitious matrix influences the dispersion of particles and strength development. This research offers crucial technical insights for designing durable CPB mixes suited to various on-site curing conditions, particularly enhancing initial strength across diverse field curing scenarios.

ITZ properties of LWA surroundings in high strength mortar according to LWA/sand with relative humidity

The internal moisture content significantly influences the quality and durability of cement-based composite materials. However, reliable methods to analyze the moisture retention of concrete and mortar are lacking, particularly in relation to internal curing with lightweight aggregates (LWA). In this study, the internal moisture retention of mortar with different lightweight aggregate/sand (L/S) ratios was investigated while considering the absorption characteristics of LWA. Furthermore, the impact of internal moisture retention on the development of the interface transition zone (ITZ) between the LWA and cement matrix was analyzed. Additionally, compressive strength development was evaluated over different curing periods (3, 7, 28, 56, and 90 days) under internal curing conditions. The results showed that the L/S ratio, which is directly proportional to the amount of moisture absorbed, enhanced the compressive strength and plastic hardness, contributing to the development of depletion of internal moisture in the mortar was could be observed. The moisture consumption for different types of LWA was analyzed using CT scanning. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses confirmed the abundant presence of hydration products in the ITZ. This study demonstrates that the L/S ratio that considers the LWA absorption characteristics, can serve as a critical parameter for precisely correlating the curing time and compressive strength in internally cured mortars.

The dynamics of indicators of power abilities development in 16-17-year-old boys

The purpose of the research: to reveal changes in indicators of power abilities development in 16-17-year-old boys. Material and methods of the research. The research was carried out based on “Housing and Municipal Professional College of O.M. Beketov Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy”. There were examined 26 students of the 1st and 2nd courses. The level of strength development was determined by three indicators: strength of the shoulder girdle muscles, strength of the abdominal muscles and strength of the hip flexors. The level of development of muscle strength of a shoulder girdle was investigated by means of the motor test “Flexion and extension of arms in a lying down support” (number of times); the level of development of strength of abdominal muscles was investigated by means of the test “Lifting a trunk sitting from a starting position lying on a back for 30 s” (number of times); strength of muscles-flexors of a hip joint and muscles of an abdominal press by means of the test “Holding of legs in a lying position” (s). Results of the research. The initial level of strength development was determined, changes of the obtained indicators were traced, and the analysis in the age aspect was carried out. Conclusions. Boys’ strength development was found to be below average at the beginning of the year. It was determined that the indicators of 17-year-old boys are significantly higher than those of 16-year-old boys. At the end of the year, the level of 16-year-old boys increased from below average to average, while 17-year-old boys showed no significant changes. By age, the trend of differences didn’t change significantly, with a more significant increase in results among boys aged 17.

Features of the development of strength and flexibility of middle school children by means of fitness with elements of martial arts

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the development of flexibility and strength of schoolchildren aged 13-14 under the influence of martial arts fitness. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of using fitness exercises with elements of martial arts for the development of flexibility and strength abilities of secondary school children. The research involved 20 boys and 20 girls who studied in the 8th grade of a secondary school. The following methods were used to solve the research tasks: studying and analyzing literary sources on the research topic; pedagogical experiment; pedagogical testing of the level of physical abilities development, methods of mathematical statistics. To conduct the pedagogical experiment all participants of the experiment were divided into two groups: experimental (10 girls and 10 boys) and control (the same composition). The essence of the experiment was that for children who were included in the experimental group during 5 weeks during physical education lessons an experimental variable module on fitness with elements of martial arts was introduced. When developing the variable module on martial arts fitness, we adhered to the requirements for variable modules in the current physical education curriculum for schools. Girls and boys in the control group attended physical education classes based on the educational material of the variable module gymnastics. The study proved that the use of a variable fitness module based on the use of classical aerobics exercises and martial arts elements during physical education lessons in middle school contributes to a statistically significant improvement in flexibility (forward bending) and strength (flexion and extension of the arms in a lying position and lifting the torso from a lying position in 30 seconds). At the same time, such exercises are emotional and can have a positive impact on adolescents' functional fitness, well-being, and mood.

Strength Development and Environmental Impact of Waste-Glass-Based Cements Activated with Portland Cement, NaOH, Na-Silicate or Na-Carbonates at Ambient Temperature.

This paper presents an experimental approach to the study of the compressive strength, isothermal calorimetry and life cycle assessment (LCA) of alkali-activated pastes based on soda-lime-silica glass, established to investigate the effect of the nature and proportion of the activator. Four different activators are compared: Portland cement, sodium silicate, sodium carbonate (at four percentages by weight: 5, 10, 15 and 25 wt% relative to glass) and sodium hydroxide (3.5 wt%). Portland cement and sodium carbonate were added in dry form (powder), while sodium hydroxide (pellets) and silicate were used in solution. At room temperature, glass exhibited slow reaction kinetics, with mechanical performance increasing significantly beyond 28 days of curing. The nature of the activator had a direct impact on the mechanical performance of the activated glass. Cement-activated pastes and those containing 25 wt% of sodium carbonate developed strength at an early age (0-7 days). The other activators showed lower strength development before 28 days of reaction. While a higher activator content improved short-term performance, it also increased the environmental impact, primarily due to the activator. The LCA, conducted on 11 indicators, revealed that the environmental impact was largely driven by the type and amount of activator used. A performance impact indicator (PII) related to global warming was introduced to compare pastes with different performance values. At an early age (0-28 days), the PII was lower when the activator level was high but decreased over time as the strength improved. In terms of long-term performance (360 days), hydroxide and sodium carbonate (10 wt%) achieved compressive strengths of 91 and 74 MPa, respectively. These systems offered a balance between high performance and a reduced environmental impact, making them of interest for sustainable applications.

Difficulties in Determining the Pozzolanic Activity of Thermally Activated Lower-Grade Clays.

Thermally activated clays (TACs) have been identified as possible supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). To find a suitable clay and to optimise the activation process, it is necessary to determine its pozzolanic activity. However, the nature of clays is different from that of conventional SCMs. Therefore, the results of commonly used methods may differ; in some cases, they can even be misrepresented and misleading. This article aims to assess their applicability to TAC. Four direct and four indirect methods were compared by determination of the pozzolanic activity of three different clays calcined at varying temperatures. The isothermal calorimetry with lime combined with the mechanical strength's development was identified as an ideal combination. Contrarily, the lime saturation test was inapplicable. For the Frattini method, it was found to be beneficial to assess the change in activity due to the thermal treatment rather than the strict comparison with a calcium hydroxide saturation curve.

Flexural behavior of hybrid C-PET FRP-strengthened RC beams with U-strip anchorages

In this study, a comprehensive experimental and theoretical work was conducted on the bending performance of hybrid carbon-polyethylene terephthalate (C-PET) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams with U-strip anchorages. Eleven RC beams were tested under a four-point bending load to investigate the influence of stacking sequence and U-strip anchorages. The bending performance of strengthened beams was carefully examined and discussed with regard to failure mode, flexural strength, ductility coefficient, and FRP strain development. The hybrid strengthened beams with U-strip anchorages exhibited 10.54 %−21.97 % higher flexural strength and 4.30 %−206.27 % higher ductility factors than the corresponding strengthened beams without U-strip anchorages. In addition, a theoretical analysis model with high accuracy was proposed to simulate the load-deflection curves of the strengthened beams based on the section analysis and plastic hinge model. Finally, this paper evaluated the accuracy of design guidelines (including GB 50608, ACI 440.2 R, and CNR DT 200 R1) in calculating the load-bearing capacities of strengthened beams.

Elucidating factors on the strength of carbonated compacts: Insights from the carbonation of γ-C2S, β-C2S and C3S

Accelerated carbonation presents a promising approach for enhancing the early strength of cement-based materials while simultaneously sequestering CO₂. This study examines the carbonation of γ-C₂S, β-C₂S, and C₃S compacts to identify the critical factors influencing strength development over extended curing periods. Analysis of the evolution of mechanical properties, microstructure, and phase assemblages reveals three key factors: 1) Degree of carbonation, which directly correlates with the density of the compacts; 2) Crystalline form and crystal size of calcium carbonate, influencing the strength of the crystal interface; and 3) Silica gels, which act as a phase boundary, with hydration products forming in the later stages of β-C₂S carbonation potentially affecting strength. The findings indicate that calcite promotes rapid strength gain in the early stages, while aragonite contributes to long-term performance. The presence of hydration products within the silica gel phase boundary may explain the observed strength reduction in β-C₂S compacts during extended carbonation. These insights provide valuable guidance for optimizing the design and application of carbonated cement-based materials for sustainable construction.