The development of cement composites that simultaneously achieve high compressive strength and low density remains a fundamental scientific challenge, particularly because optimizing weight reduction often compromises mechanical performance under sustained high-pressure conditions. In modern construction—especially high-rise buildings, large-span structures, and underground projects—there is an urgent applied need for lightweight materials that can reduce structural self-weight, enhance seismic resilience, simplify foundation design, and improve construction efficiency without sacrificing load-bearing capacity or long-term durability. To address this dual problem, this study investigates high-pressure-resistant lightweight cement composites incorporating hollow glass microspheres (HGMSs) of three different particle sizes as functional fillers, modified with isobutyl triethoxy silane (IBTES) to strengthen interfacial bonding. Ten formulations with varying HGMS types and dosages (5%, 10%, and 15% by volume) were systematically evaluated through creep tests, uniaxial compression experiments, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The scientific results demonstrate marked qualitative and quantitative improvements: the optimal formulation (25 μm HGMS at 5% dosage) exhibited a 22.01% reduction in creep deformation and a 67.85% increase in compressive strength compared to plain cement, while bulk density was reduced by 8.8–19.0%. Enhanced hydration was confirmed by a 23.6% reduction in residual Ca(OH)2 content and a 31.2% increase in chemically bound water, indicating more complete formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) gel. Energy evolution analysis revealed a prolonged elastic energy accumulation stage (increasing from 56% to 95% of total compression duration), signifying a transition toward quasi-ductile failure behavior. From an applied perspective, these quantitative enhancements translate directly into practical construction benefits: the 8.8–19.0% density reduction enables lighter structural components, easing transportation and installation; the 67.85% higher compressive strength ensures reliable performance in high-pressure environments; and the 22.01% lower creep deformation guarantees long-term dimensional stability. Collectively, these findings confirm that the HGMS-IBTES-modified composite offers a scalable, high-performance solution for advanced construction applications where both weight reduction and superior pressure resistance are critical.
Ni et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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