{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,28]],"date-time":"2026-06-28T22:53:23Z","timestamp":1782687203683,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]],"date-time":"2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1740096000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Natural Science Foundation of China","award":["42107168"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["42107168"]}]},{"name":"Natural Science Foundation of China","award":["23ZR1443600"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["23ZR1443600"]}]},{"name":"Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai of China","award":["42107168"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["42107168"]}]},{"name":"Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai of China","award":["23ZR1443600"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["23ZR1443600"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Materials"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study investigates the root causes of substandard concrete quality in a newly constructed residential complex, addressing the critical issue of compressive strength failure in structural elements. To tackle this problem, twelve core samples were extracted from affected areas and analyzed using a combination of macro-scale techniques (high-temperature heating, acid-immersion tests) and advanced microscopic methods (SEM-EDS, XRF, XRD, FTIR, TGA). The results revealed that while material proportions generally met specifications, uneven aggregate gradation and excessive use of mineral admixtures were key factors compromising strength. Microscopic analysis further identified harmful phases and chemical corrosion products, such as sulfates, which weakened the concrete matrix. These findings underscore the necessity of stringent quality control in raw material selection, aggregate gradation, and admixture dosage. The research demonstrates that integrating macro- and microanalytical methods can significantly optimize concrete mix designs, enhance durability, and prevent premature deterioration in reinforced concrete structures. This approach has broad implications for improving construction quality and ensuring the longevity of residential and infrastructure projects.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ma18050953","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]],"date-time":"2025-02-21T07:53:06Z","timestamp":1740124386000},"page":"953","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Investigating the Causes of Substandard Concrete Strength: A Macro- and Microanalysis"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Xi","family":"Du","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Civil Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Rd, Shanghai 200093, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Youliang","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Civil Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Rd, Shanghai 200093, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lantao","family":"Xu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Civil Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Rd, Shanghai 200093, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Aiping","family":"Shen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"USST Center for Instrumental Analysis, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Rd, Shanghai 200093, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1829-9672","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bo","family":"Lu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China"},{"name":"Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FA, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jie","family":"Wu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Civil Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Rd, Shanghai 200093, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tomas Manuel","family":"Fernandez-Steeger","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Engineering Geology, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Technical University of Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rafig","family":"Azzam","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20 Haus A, 52064 Aachen, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102074","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jobe.2020.102074","article-title":"Durability deterioration of concrete under marine environment from material to structure: A critical review","volume":"35","author":"Qu","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. 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