The nanoscale forces that control how particles pack together during the formation of cement “paste,” the material that holds together concrete and causes that ubiquitous construction material to be a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
The researchers will now be able to modify the microstructure of the hardened cement paste, reducing pores and other sources of weakness to make concrete stronger, stiffer, more fracture-resistant, and longer-lasting.
New understanding of concrete’s properties could increase lifetime of the building material, decrease emissions.
Franz-Josef Ulm - Professor of CEE
MIT - Know more