Development of Multifunctional Cementitious Composites with Tailored Pore Structures for Intelligent Infrastructure Applications
In this study, porous cement-based electrolytes with three-dimensional interconnected microporous structures will be prepared using a controllable foaming strategy. The foaming process will be tailored to adjust pore size, connectivity, and overall porosity, enabling systematic investigation of how microstructural parameters influence ionic transport and overall functional performance. Multiple formulations, incorporating different foaming agents and mix proportions, will be developed to identify mixtures that maintain adequate mechanical integrity while providing enhanced ion mobility and stable electrochemical behavior. The resulting cementitious electrolytes will be comprehensively characterized using electrochemical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry to assess charge–discharge behavior and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to quantify ionic conductivity and interfacial resistance. These measures will be performed under varied curing conditions and testing environments to evaluate reproducibility and long-term stability. The data will correlate with microstructural observations (e.g., pore connectivity and distribution) and compressive strength results to establish quantitative relationships between pore architecture, mechanical performance, and electrochemical response. Through this approach, the project will define design guidelines for cement-based electrolytes that provide reliable functional properties suitable for integration into advanced, multifunctional civil infrastructure systems.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $62,000.00
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Contract Numbers:
69A3552348335
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Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Performing Organizations:
Center for Healthy and Durable Transportation
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri United States 64110 -
Principal Investigators:
Liu, Shihui
- Start Date: 20260401
- Expected Completion Date: 20260331
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Cement; Compressive strength; Electrolytes; Foamed materials; Microstructure; Porous materials
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Materials; Transportation (General);
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01987054
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Center for Healthy and Durable Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 69A3552348335
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Apr 25 2026 12:31PM