Improvement of hydrophysical properties and corrosion resistance of self-compacting concrete to the effects of alternate freezing–thawing and aggressive soils of Southern and Central Kazakhstan is of interest to a wide range of researchers from the side of practical application of the obtained results in construction practice. It is proposed to form a spatially reinforced fine crystalline structure of a cement matrix with the maximum dense packing by using a complex modifier (hyperplasticizer + polymer + microsilica + fibro fibers) in the composition of self-compacting concretes (SCCs). The introduction of the calculated amount of the above additives increases the operational reliability of the current SCC compositions, increasing the water resistance to W16, frost resistance to F = 500, increasing the compressive strength by 20%, and reducing the mass loss of samples during corrosion leaching to 50%. It has been experimentally established that the proposed addition of the complex modifier (hyperplasticizer + polymer + microsilica + fibro fibers) to the SCC composition allows obtaining self-compacting concrete of high quality with improved performance characteristics (compressive strength, water resistance, frost resistance, and corrosion resistance). Studies have shown that the complex modifier-modified SCC compositions have a high degree of resistance in aggressive environments and leaching corrosion. Based on the results of the conducted tests, it is possible to recommend the obtained SCC compositions for the production of building products working in the zone of alternating freezing–thawing and aggressive soils.

Improvement of hydrophysical properties and corrosion resistance of self-compacting concrete to the effects of alternate freezing-thawing and aggressive soils of southern and central Kazakhstan is of interest to a wide range of researchers from the side of practical application of the obtained results in construction practice. It is proposed to form a spatially reinforced fine crystalline structure of cement matrix with maximum dense packing by using a complex modifier (Hyperplasticiser + Polymer + Microsilica + Fibro fibers) in the composition of self-compacting concretes (SCC). The introduction of the calculated amount of the above additives increases the operational reliability of the current SCC compositions, increasing the water resistance to W16, frost resistance to F=500, increasing the compressive strength by 20%, reducing the mass loss of samples during corrosion leaching to 50%. It has been experimentally established that the proposed addition of complex modifier (Hyperplasticiser + Polymer + Microsilica + Fiber fibers) to the SCC composition allows obtaining self-compacting concrete of high quality with improved performance characteristics (compressive strength, water resistance, frost resistance and corrosion resistance). Studies have shown that the complex modifier-modified SCC compositions have a high degree of resistance in aggressive environments and leaching corrosion. Based on the results of the conducted tests, it is possible to recommend the obtained SCC compositions for production of building products working in the zone of alternating freezing-thawing and aggressive soils.

The growing demand for low-carbon cementitious materials has increased interest in natural zeolite as a supplementary cementitious material capable of reducing clinker consumption while modifying cement system performance. This study presents an integrated experimental evaluation of natural zeolite-modified cementitious materials by combining rheological behavior, hydration, compressive strength, density, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) within a single experimental framework. Natural zeolite was used as a partial replacement for cement at dosages of 5–12.5 wt.%. The results showed that zeolite significantly affected both fresh-state and hardened-state properties. Zeolite increased the rheological resistance of fresh mixtures, shifted the exothermic hydration peak from 12 h to 8–10 h, and reduced the maximum hydration temperature by approximately 8–12%. Among the investigated compositions, the mixture containing 7.5% zeolite exhibited the highest compressive strength (44.9 MPa at 28 days) together with increased hardened density, suggesting more efficient particle packing and matrix development than the reference mixture. SEM observations indicated a more uniform distribution of hydration products in mixtures containing moderate zeolite dosages, while XRD analysis confirmed changes in the crystalline phase assemblage associated with zeolite incorporation. The results demonstrate that moderate natural zeolite replacement, particularly at 7.5%, provides an effective balance between rheological behavior, hydration characteristics, mechanical performance, and microstructural development, highlighting its potential as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material for low-carbon cement-based composites.

This study investigates the effects of waste glass (GL) and silica fume (SF) on the physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of clay-based ceramic materials produced from low-grade calcite-rich clay loam. Waste glass and silica fume were incorporated at 10–20 wt.%, and the specimens were fired at temperatures ranging from 1050 to 1150 °C. The average density, water absorption, compressive strength, phase composition (XRD), and microstructure (SEM) were evaluated. The results showed that waste glass significantly enhanced the sintering behavior of the ceramic body through liquid-phase formation at elevated temperatures. The average density increased from approximately 1650 to 2200 kg/m³, while water absorption decreased from 6.5% to 3.2%. The optimum firing temperature was 1125 °C, at which the ceramic compositions containing 10 wt.% and 15 wt.% waste glass exhibited no visible deformation and achieved compressive strengths of 32–36 MPa. In contrast, silica fume was less effective as a fluxing additive, resulting in lower strength, increased deformation, and cracking at temperatures above 1100 °C. SEM observations confirmed the formation of a denser, more homogeneous microstructure in the waste glass-modified specimens, while XRD analysis revealed a reduction in quartz content, accompanied by enhanced formation of the diopside and anorthite phases. Among all investigated compositions, the ceramic material containing 10 wt.% waste glass and fired at 1125 °C exhibited the most balanced combination of density, water absorption, and compressive strength, demonstrating its potential for producing high-performance clay-based ceramic materials.

This study presents a multiscale investigation of cement-based systems modified with silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA) for self-compacting concrete (SCC). Cement pastes and mortars with replacement levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were evaluated for rheological behavior, hydration kinetics, and microstructural evolution using rotational rheometry, semi-adiabatic calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results show that SF increases plastic viscosity and promotes structural build-up due to its high specific surface area and pozzolanic reactivity, while its influence on yield stress depends on dispersion conditions and superplasticizer efficiency. In contrast, FA reduces both yield stress and viscosity, improving flowability due to its spherical particle shape. Thermal analysis indicates that SF modifies hydration by reducing and slightly delaying the main exothermic peak at higher dosages, whereas FA mainly lowers the peak temperature with limited effect on its timing. Microstructural analysis reveals that SF contributes to a denser, more homogeneous matrix through pore refinement and increased C–S–H formation, whereas FA systems exhibit a more heterogeneous structure with slower early-age development. The results demonstrate a clear relationship between rheology, hydration, and microstructure. The combined use of SF and FA has been shown to be an effective approach to improving the performance and sustainability of SCC.

For the experimental studies, waste from the processing of marbleized limestone (MLPW) was used as the primary raw material. White Portland cement M500 was employed as the binder. Inorganic red, green, and blue pigments were used to produce colored products. The specimens were moulded under a compaction force of 300 kN. The products were cured for 7 days in a water-curing environment. After 7 days of water curing (tested at the total age of 9 days), the compressive strength of the specimens ranged from 48.3 to 53.8 MPa, corresponding to a high early-age strength level typically associated with brick grades M450–M500. The results of the experimental studies indicate that the incorporation of pigments at dosages of 3.5–6.5% enables the production of colored hyperpressed bricks without a substantial change in their average density; however, it has a noticeable effect on their strength characteristics. For all pigments investigated, the highest mean strength values were obtained at a pigment content of 5%, whereas a further increase in the dosage to 6.5% was accompanied by a reduction in the mean strength. The microstructure of the investigated specimens was characterised by a predominantly dense and heterogeneous structure consisting of a cement matrix, mineral particles of MLPW of various sizes, pores, and microcracks. Fine inclusions morphologically distinct from the surrounding phase were observed within the cement matrix and were presumed to correspond to the incorporated pigments. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was performed to determine their elemental composition and assess the distribution of the pigment components. The aim of this study was to develop compositions and a manufacturing technology for colored hyperpressed bricks based on waste from the processing of marbleized limestone.