{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,18]],"date-time":"2026-07-18T21:58:39Z","timestamp":1784411919180,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"13","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,26]],"date-time":"2025-06-26T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750896000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Materials"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study presents a systematic method for mix design for optimizing the aggregate proportions in concrete, aiming to minimize paste volume while ensuring adequate workability. Based on a binary paste\u2013aggregate system model, the method refines the calculation of the aggregate packing density by excluding fine particles smaller than 75 \u03bcm and incorporating inter-particle interactions across multiple size fractions. A modified approach for calculating the aggregate\u2019s specific surface area is introduced, which accounts for both intra-fraction particle size variation and particle morphology through image-based shape coefficients. Inter-particle spacing is identified as a key control parameter of concrete flowability. Using this criterion, an optimization strategy is developed to determine the ideal aggregate composition that achieves the required spacing with the least amount of paste. Experimental validation confirms that the model reliably predicts paste demand while maintaining desired workability and compressive strength. This physics-based, interpretable approach offers a practical alternative to data-intensive machine learning models and contributes to more sustainable and efficient concrete mix design.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ma18133047","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,26]],"date-time":"2025-06-26T11:15:23Z","timestamp":1750936523000},"page":"3047","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Optimizing Aggregate Systems Based on a Binary Paste\u2013Aggregate Model"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"given":"Chunming","family":"Lian","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Education Ministry, School of Material Science and Technology, Tongji University, 4800 Cao\u2019an Road, Shanghai 201804, China"},{"name":"China Construction Eighth Bureau Science and Technology Construction Co., Ltd., 899 Gaoke West Road, Shanghai 201804, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xiong","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Materials of Education Ministry, School of Material Science and Technology, Tongji University, 4800 Cao\u2019an Road, Shanghai 201804, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lu","family":"Han","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"China Construction Eighth Bureau Science and Technology Construction Co., Ltd., 899 Gaoke West Road, Shanghai 201804, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Weiguo","family":"Shen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lifang","family":"Han","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"China Construction Eighth Bureau Science and Technology Construction Co., Ltd., 899 Gaoke West Road, Shanghai 201804, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Weijun","family":"Wen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"China Construction Eighth Bureau Science and Technology Construction Co., Ltd., 899 Gaoke West Road, Shanghai 201804, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,26]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Mehta, P.K., and Monteiro, P.J. 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