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Open research questions in Concrete and Cement Materials Research

1,116 gap statements mined from Concrete and Cement Materials Research papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 7,295 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • Conventional ISS has drawbacks, including binder dependence, insufficient standalone strength, and inadequate durability assessment. There is a need for more effective and efficient soil stabilizers that can address the limitations of conventional methods.

    High-efficiency sodium silicate-based ISS for soft soil improvement: formulation optimization and performance evaluation · 2026 · DOI

  • The research gap exists for blends of cement, gypsum, and fly ash. While mass flow technology ensures reliable discharge of bulk solids in cement plants, a research gap exists for optimizing silo performance. The gap exists in understanding the effect of particle morphology and surface roughness on the flow behaviour of cementitious blends.

    Effect of particle morphology and surface roughness on the flow behaviour of cementitious blends · 2026 · DOI

  • Complex machine learning models lack transparency. Prior approaches to predict concrete strength provided limited rules of thumb or required large amounts of data. There is a need for an interpretable model that can provide a transparent screening tool for preliminary strength estimation.

    Practical prediction of concrete compressive strength using an interpretable enhanced linear regression model · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the need to reduce the consumption of Portland cement in construction due to its significant environmental impact. There is a gap in understanding the performance of pozzolanic cements compared to OPC.

    Performance Evaluation of Pozzolanic Cements Versus Ordinary Portland Cement: Mechanical, Durability, and Compositional Insights at the Paste and Mortar Scale · 2026 · DOI

  • One specific technical challenge identified is the potential reduction in compressive strength when using perlite and rhyolite as substitutes for cement. Another challenge is the need to optimize the particle size of the perlite to achieve desired mechanical properties.

    The Use of Perlite and Rhyolite in Concrete Mix Design: Influence on Physical-Mechanical and Environmental Performance · 2025 · DOI

  • The gap in current research is the need for a detailed study on the use of perlite and rhyolite in concrete mix design. The paper identifies the importance of investigating the influence of these waste materials on concrete performance.

    The Use of Perlite and Rhyolite in Concrete Mix Design: Influence on Physical-Mechanical and Environmental Performance · 2025 · DOI

  • The accessibility of high-grade kaolinitic clays poses a hurdle as they are confined to certain geographical areas worldwide. The use of high-grade kaolinitic clays is expensive due to their limited availability and high demand. There is a need to explore alternative materials that can substitute for Portland cement in concrete.

    Performance of Calcined Impure Kaolinitic Clay as a Partial Substitute for Portland Cement Concrete: A Review · 2025 · DOI

  • The need to balance the environmental benefits of LECA-based geopolymers with their mechanical and thermal properties.

    Thermal, Mechanical, and Microstructural Properties of Novel Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA)-Based Geopolymer Concretes · 2025 · DOI

  • The need for sustainable alternatives to traditional cement. The lack of investigation into the properties of LECA-based geopolymer concretes. The need to evaluate the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties of LECA-based geopolymers.

    Thermal, Mechanical, and Microstructural Properties of Novel Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA)-Based Geopolymer Concretes · 2025 · DOI

  • The gap in the literature is the lack of studies on the feasibility of metakaolin-based geopolymer composite as an environmentally friendly substitute for cement-based composite in repair applications. The study aims to fill this gap by investigating the impact of key mix parameters on the fresh and hardened properties of metakaolin-based geopolymer mortars.

    Optimization of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Composite for Repair Application · 2025 · DOI

  • The paper highlights the need for careful consideration of the testing methods and experimental design to ensure accurate results.

    Experimental Assessment of the Strength and Microstructural Properties of Fly Ash-Containing Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Sustainable Concrete · 2025 · DOI

  • There is a need to study the influence of these materials on concrete's impermeability, strength, and microstructure.

    Impermeability, Strength and Microstructure of Concrete Modified by Nano-Silica and Expansive Agent · 2025 · DOI

  • The study identifies the need to assess the variation in bond strength as a function of the bond length parameter. The study highlights the importance of determining the transfer length, which is defined as the bond length beyond which there is no significant increase in bond strength.

    Bond Performance of Geopolymer Concrete with Steel and FRP Reinforcements · 2025 · DOI

  • The lack of alternative activators for ground granulated blast-furnace slag. The need to reduce reliance on ordinary Portland cement due to its significant environmental challenges.

    Investigating the Properties of Composite Cement-Based Mortar Containing High Volumes of GGBS and CCR · 2025 · DOI

  • The properties of phosphogypsum from different industrial enterprises and their effect on phosphoanhydrite binders are not well understood. The influence of calcination temperature on the characteristics of supersulfated cements is not fully established. There is a need to study the optimal conditions for producing supersulfated cements with high compressive strengths.

    Effect of Phosphogypsum Origin and Calcination Temperature on Characteristics of Supersulfated Cements · 2025 · DOI

  • The relationship between the dosage of mineral powder and the mechanical properties and microstructure of self-compacting concrete is not well understood. The effects of different dosages of mineral powder on the workability, mechanical properties, and pore distribution in C80 self-compacting concrete are not well studied.

    The Influence of Mineral Powder Dosage on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Self-Compacting Concrete · 2025 · DOI

  • One of the challenges identified in the study is the need to improve the fineness of glass powder to match that of cement. Another challenge is the need to optimize the mixture of materials to achieve the best mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. The study also highlights the challenge of reducing the carbon footprint associated with concrete production.

    Effects of Recycled and Supplemented Cementitious Materials on Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Properties in Reinforced Concrete · 2025 · DOI

  • There is a need to improve the durability and sustainability of reinforced concrete. Current concrete mixtures are prone to corrosion, which shortens their service life and increases maintenance expenses. There is a lack of research on the use of recycled and supplemented cementitious materials in improving the mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of reinforced concrete.

    Effects of Recycled and Supplemented Cementitious Materials on Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Properties in Reinforced Concrete · 2025 · DOI

  • There exists no strategy to regulate the suitable design of mixtures. The mechanisms underlying the effect of principal oxide ratios on the performance of N-A-S-H geopolymers in acid-rich environments are missing. There is a lack of understanding of the optimal range for SiO2/Al2O3, Na2O/Al2O3, and H2O/Na2O ratios under acid attack.

    Refining Oxide Ratios in N-A-S-H Geopolymers for Optimal Resistance to Sulphuric Acid Attack · 2025 · DOI

  • The current methods for disposing of industrial waste are harmful to the environment and costly. The paper proposes a novel method for using industrial waste in construction.

    Studies on the Production of a Ground Silicate Composite Based on a Mineral Slag Binder with the Disposal of Industrial Waste · 2025 · DOI

  • Optimizing calcination processes and fully harnessing the pozzolanic properties of low-grade calcined clays - Investigating the impact of low-grade calcined clay on fresh and hardened concrete and the durability properties of concrete and mortar - Exploring the potential of heat-treating and converting low-grade clays into pozzolans - Studying the effects of calcination methods and optimal firing temperatures…

    Performance of Calcined Impure Kaolinitic Clay as a Partial Substitute for Portland Cement Concrete: A Review · 2025 · DOI

  • The increased water demand due to the higher surface area and fineness of the sludge particles - The potential for hazardous leaching from the quarry sludge - The need for optimal mix design and workability in concrete mixes with high levels of quarry sludge…

    Utilization of Stone Quarry Sludge in the Development of Environmentally Friendly High-Strength Concrete · 2025 · DOI

  • The study only considered up to 50% SQS substitution, - The likelihood of hazardous leaching was considered minimal but not extensively tested, - Long-term durability studies…

    Utilization of Stone Quarry Sludge in the Development of Environmentally Friendly High-Strength Concrete · 2025 · DOI

  • Further research is needed to fully understand the bond behavior between GPC and reinforcing bars, - Studies on the long-term durability of GPC structures are necessary, - Investigations on the effect of different surface finishes and bar diameters on the bond behavior…

    Bond Performance of Geopolymer Concrete with Steel and FRP Reinforcements · 2025 · DOI

  • Developing a local source of cementitious materials is imperative to overcoming material scarcity, - Utilizing high-quality dead coral as cementitious material may address this issue and facilitate the construction of offshore reef…

    Study on the Mechanical Development of Alkali Coral Cementitious Materials Excited by Weak Alkali and the Formation, Development and Evolution of Gel Structure · 2025 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Concrete and Cement Materials Research

Most recent work

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) There is a need for more effective and efficient soil stabilizers that can address the limitations of conventional methods (“High-efficiency sodium silicate-based ISS for soft soil improvement:…”, 2026); (2) There is a need for an interpretable model that can provide a transparent screening tool for preliminary strength estimation (“Practical prediction of concrete compressive strength using an interpretable…”, 2026); (3) There is a need to explore alternative materials that can substitute for Portland cement in concrete (“Performance of Calcined Impure Kaolinitic Clay as a Partial Substitute for…”, 2025); (4) The lack of investigation into the properties of LECA-based geopolymer concretes (“Thermal, Mechanical, and Microstructural Properties of Novel Light Expanded…”, 2025); (5) The gap in the literature is the lack of studies on the feasibility of metakaolin-based geopolymer composite as an environmentally friendly substitute for cement-based composite in repair applications (“Optimization of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Composite for Repair Application”, 2025). 1,116 gap statements have been mined from Concrete and Cement Materials Research papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 7,295 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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