Performance of cementitious systems using high-volume industrial waste via studying mechanical damage evolution under corrosion in saline soil and mathematical modeling for sustainability

This study investigates the durability of three cementitious systems—cement (OPC), cement-silica fume concrete (CSC), and cement-silica fume-fly ash concrete (CSFC)—under saline-soil dual-ion attacks. Specimens were exposed for up to 24 months to four aggressive solutions (CE1: CO 3 2- /Cl - ; CE2: SO 4 2- /Cl - ; CE3: SO 4 2- /CO 3 2- ; CE4: SO 4 2- /Mg 2+ ) to assess time-dependent deterioration. Stress–strain response, peak stress/strain, elastic modulus, and toughness were quantified to characterize damage evolution. Both CSC and CSFC showed markedly better corrosion resistance than OPC; CSFC achieved the highest strength retention, improving by 40.96% (CE1), 34.42% (CE2), 25.74% (CE3), and 28.29% (CE4), while CSC showed 35.55%, 31.88%, 23.48%, and 28.11% improvements, respectively. Corrosion severity followed CE3 > CE4 > CE2 > CE1. The prism-to-cube strength ratio declined with increasing corrosion, indicating environmental effects outweighed mix-design differences. It validates CSFC as a sustainable solution for saline soil infrastructure, enhancing structural longevity under coupled chemical-mechanical attacks and reducing carbon emissions via industrial waste valorization. ⁃ The dual-ion corrosion resistance of CSC, CSFC, and OPC was compared. ⁃ CSFC showed the best performance under all corrosion conditions. ⁃ CE3 caused the most severe degradation among all dual-ion solutions. ⁃ The compressive strength ratio (prism/cube) declined with corrosion severity. ⁃ Waste-based CSFC improves durability and supports carbon reduction goals.