On Tuesday, July 21, a seminar will be held in Grandori Room, starting at 12:00 CET.
The seminar will be given by Ivan Navarrete, Assistant Professor in the Department of Construction Engineering and Management at the School of Engineering of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Director of the UC Concrete Innovation Hub, and is titled “Assessing the Influence of Supplementary Cementitious Materials on the Temperature Dependence of Structural Build-Up of 3D-printable Cementitious Pastes”.
Abstract
The early-age structural build-up of cementitious materials is strongly influenced by temperature, yet the role played by the intrinsic properties of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on the thermal dependency of this process remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the effect of the particle size and physicochemical properties of SCMs on the temperature-dependent evolution of the storage modulus (G′) of cementitious pastes. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted using a range of SCMs characterized by distinct particle size distributions, and surface electrochemical properties. Oscillatory rheological measurements were performed under controlled temperature conditions to monitor the evolution of the storage modulus during the early stages of hydration. In addition, the interaction between SCM properties and key mixture design parameters—namely the water-to-cement ratio and the cement replacement fraction—was systematically evaluated. The results reveal that both the physical characteristics and electrochemical surface properties of SCMs significantly influence the rate and magnitude of structural build-up, as well as its sensitivity to temperature variations. Furthermore, these effects are strongly modulated by mixture design parameters, highlighting the coupled role of SCM characteristics and mixture composition in governing early-age rheological behavior. The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms controlling structural evolution in blended cement systems and contribute to improving mixture design strategies for applications sensitive to early-age rheology, such as digital fabrication and 3D concrete printing.
The early-age structural build-up of cementitious materials is strongly influenced by temperature, yet the role played by the intrinsic properties of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on the thermal dependency of this process remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the effect of the particle size and physicochemical properties of SCMs on the temperature-dependent evolution of the storage modulus (G′) of cementitious pastes. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted using a range of SCMs characterized by distinct particle size distributions, and surface electrochemical properties. Oscillatory rheological measurements were performed under controlled temperature conditions to monitor the evolution of the storage modulus during the early stages of hydration. In addition, the interaction between SCM properties and key mixture design parameters—namely the water-to-cement ratio and the cement replacement fraction—was systematically evaluated. The results reveal that both the physical characteristics and electrochemical surface properties of SCMs significantly influence the rate and magnitude of structural build-up, as well as its sensitivity to temperature variations. Furthermore, these effects are strongly modulated by mixture design parameters, highlighting the coupled role of SCM characteristics and mixture composition in governing early-age rheological behavior. The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms controlling structural evolution in blended cement systems and contribute to improving mixture design strategies for applications sensitive to early-age rheology, such as digital fabrication and 3D concrete printing.
Speaker’s bio
Ivan Navarrete is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Construction Engineering and Management at the School of Engineering of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he also serves as Director of the UC Concrete Innovation Hub. He obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering through a joint program between Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and the University of Notre Dame (USA). His research focuses on sustainable cementitious materials and new concrete technologies, with particular emphasis on 3D concrete printing, rheology of cement-based materials, self-compacting concrete, geopolymers, and the valorization of industrial by-products and mining tailings. His work combines experimental research with analytical and data-driven approaches to develop low-carbon, high-performance construction materials. Dr. Navarrete has led and participated in several competitive research projects funded by the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) and has established collaborations with leading international institutions, including the University of Tokyo, Politecnico di Milano, TU Dresden, and the University of Notre Dame. He is an active member of multiple RILEM Technical Committees related to digital concrete and cementitious materials. In addition to publishing in leading international journals, he supervises undergraduate and graduate students and actively promotes technology transfer and industry collaboration through the UC Concrete Innovation Hub.
Ivan Navarrete is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Construction Engineering and Management at the School of Engineering of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he also serves as Director of the UC Concrete Innovation Hub. He obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering through a joint program between Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and the University of Notre Dame (USA). His research focuses on sustainable cementitious materials and new concrete technologies, with particular emphasis on 3D concrete printing, rheology of cement-based materials, self-compacting concrete, geopolymers, and the valorization of industrial by-products and mining tailings. His work combines experimental research with analytical and data-driven approaches to develop low-carbon, high-performance construction materials. Dr. Navarrete has led and participated in several competitive research projects funded by the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) and has established collaborations with leading international institutions, including the University of Tokyo, Politecnico di Milano, TU Dresden, and the University of Notre Dame. He is an active member of multiple RILEM Technical Committees related to digital concrete and cementitious materials. In addition to publishing in leading international journals, he supervises undergraduate and graduate students and actively promotes technology transfer and industry collaboration through the UC Concrete Innovation Hub.
