In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN) model is proposed to predict the hydration process of a new alternative binder. This model overcomes the lack of input parameters of physical models, providing a realistic explanation with few inputs and fast calculations. Indeed, four mortars are studied based on ordinary Portland cement (CEM I), cement with limited environmental impact (CEM III), and glass powder (GP) as the cement substitution. These mortars are named CEM I + GP and CEM III + GP. The properties of the mortars are characterized, and their life cycle assessment (LCA) is established. Indeed, a decrease in porosity is observed at 90 days by 4.6%, 2.5%, 12.4%, and 7.9% compared to those of 3 days for CEMI, CEMIII, CEMI + GP, and CEMIII + GP, respectively. In addition, the use of GP allows for reducing the mechanical strength in the short term. At 90 days, CEMI + GP and CEMIII + GP present a decrease of about 28% and 57% in compressive strength compared to CEMI and CEMIII, respectively. Nevertheless, strength does not cease increasing with the curing time, due to the continuous pozzolanic reactions between Ca(OH)2 and silica contained in GP and slag present in CEMIII as demonstrated by the thermo-gravimetrical (TG) analysis. To summarize, CEMIII mortar provides similar performance compared to mortar with CEMI + GP in the long term. This can later be used in the construction sector and particularly in prefabricated structural elements. Moreover, the ANN model used to predict the heat of hydration provides a similar result compared to the experiment, with a resulting R² of 0.997, 0.968, 0.968, and 0.921 for CEMI, CEMIII, CEMI + GP, and CEMIII + GP, respectively, and allows for identifying the different hydration modes of the investigated mortars. The proposed ANN model will allow cement manufacturers to quickly identify the different hydration modes of new binders by using only the heat of hydration test as an input parameter.

Materials optimization is an aspect of continuous endeavor for civil engineering in many applications, especially in construction where the materials' durability and mechanical performance are crucial for structural integrity. Structures such as aerogenerators, both towers and foundations, are highly susceptible to cyclic loads with a broad range of frequencies and levels. The improvement of the stiffness behavior can signi cantly enhance their fatigue resistance and consequently durability. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of a high-performance binder optimization, using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to improve the mechanical behavior of mortars and concretes, by improving stiffness response under dynamic loading, which is related to durability and fatigue lifeservice. Static tests (axial compressive and splitting tensile strengths) were conducted as well as cyclic stiffness tests that were proposed as a new methodology for these kinds of materials, that may better relate to dynamic behavior in eld. The proposition consists of testing complex modulus tests under sinusoidal loading either in pure compression or in pure tension, adopting low (0.1 Hz to 1 Hz) and midrange (1 Hz to 25 Hz) loading frequencies. The results show that the optimized binder resulted in a superior material with up to 23% stiffer loading response and 13.8% more energy storage elastically, with also inferences on improved durability, which is expected to delay pathological manifestations. The proposed testing protocol obtained results compatible with the literature and seems applicable for evaluating the dynamic behavior of cementitious materials.

Materials optimization is an aspect of continuous endeavor for civil engineering in many applications, especially in construction where the materials’ durability and mechanical performance are crucial for structural integrity. Structures such as aerogenerators, both towers and foundations, are highly susceptible to cyclic loads with a broad range of frequencies and levels. The improvement of the stiffness behavior can significantly enhance their fatigue resistance and consequently durability. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of a high-performance binder optimization, using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to improve the mechanical behavior of mortars and concretes, by improving stiffness response under dynamic loading, which is related to durability and fatigue life-service. Static tests (axial compressive and splitting tensile strengths) were conducted as well as cyclic stiffness tests that were proposed as a new methodology for these kinds of materials, that may better relate to dynamic behavior in field. The proposition consists of testing complex modulus tests under sinusoidal loading either in pure compression or in pure tension, adopting low (0.1 Hz to 1 Hz) and mid-range (1 Hz to 25 Hz) loading frequencies. The results show that the optimized binder resulted in a superior material with up to 23% stiffer loading response and 13.8% more energy storage elastically, with also inferences on improved durability, which is expected to delay pathological manifestations. The proposed testing protocol obtained results compatible with the literature and seems applicable for evaluating the dynamic behavior of cementitious materials.