Built Environment Materials and Structural Systems
Our laboratory focuses on structural members, interior and exterior materials, mainly reinforced concrete members. We are working to evaluate and predict the performance and condition of materials from various information such as constituent components, void structure, and the behavior of water in the material, and apply it to the durability evaluation and maintenance of buildings.
As part of this effort, we are promoting joint research with researchers in different fields such as nanotechnology and microbial ecology, and are also actively working to improve sensing technology for information that has not been acquired or has not been easily acquired in the construction field.
Academic Staff
Atsushi TERAMOTO
Associate Professor (Graduate School of Engineering)
Research Topics
- Durability design and maintenance of reinforced concrete buildings
- Development of non-destructive diagnostic technology utilizing microorganisms community and semiconductor chemical sensors
- Evaluation of CO2 fixation in concrete structures
- Aesthetic evaluation of interior and exterior materials
Contacts
Room 486, Bldg. C1, Katsura Campus
TEL: +81-75-383-3286
E-mail: teramoto
archi.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Luge CHENG
Assistant Professor (Graduate School of Engineering)
Research Topics
- Mechanistic understanding of carbonation process in cementitious materials, with emphasis on water distribution and microstructural evolution
- Modeling and prediction of carbonation depth of cementitious materials
- Quantification of CO₂ uptake and evaluation of carbonation potential in cementitious materials
- Corrosion mechanisms and prediction of steel corrosion in carbonated reinforced concrete
Contacts
Room 484, Bldg. C1, Katsura Campus
TEL: +81-80-3576-0608
E-mail: cheng.luge.3tkyoto-u.ac.jp
Research Topics
Relationship Between Moisture, Volume Change, and Deterioration Mechanisms in Concrete
Focusing on porous building materials such as concrete and mortar, we are conducting research to clarify various deterioration mechanisms that degrade the performance of buildings. We also aim to develop diagnostic and preventive techniques.
Cracks around rebar caused by autogenous shrinkage
Evaluation of Building Material Conditions Using Microbial Diversity Indices
This research proposes a method to assess and predict concrete deterioration in aging concrete structures using microbial diversity indices.
Almost all forms of concrete deterioration involve changes in moisture content, pore structure, and ionic composition of pore solution. We analyze microbial community types, quantities, and composition ratios that respond to these factors, and evaluate them using diversity indices.
Differences in microbial diversity in mortar with varying porosity
Development of an Embedded pH Sensor Using a Semiconductor Chemical Sensor
Currently, CO₂ fixation in concrete structures is estimated using simplified methods based on carbonation depth and degree. However, measuring carbonation depth is destructive, and the degree of carbonation can vary due to environmental factors.
This study proposes a method to directly measure pH reduction in concrete caused by carbonation using a semiconductor chemical sensor (LAPS), and to estimate CO₂ fixation based on the measured pH.
Formation of cement hydration products on a LAPS sensor
Modeling the Effects of Surface Finishing Materials and Cracks on Carbonation in Concrete Structures
As part of efforts to combat global warming, the concrete field is exploring CO₂ fixation through carbonation reactions between atmospheric CO₂ and Ca(OH)₂ or C-S-H in concrete, in addition to using low-emission materials.
Although prediction methods using carbonation degree and depth have been proposed, the concrete surfaces of many RC buildings are finished or have microcracks.
This study develops prediction methods for CO₂ fixation that account for these characteristics of RC buildings.
Monitoring of painted concrete members
Development of Quantification and Control Methods for Biological Staining on Building Materials
While aesthetics is an important factor in building evaluation, studies on its relationship with other performance aspects like mechanical strength are limited.
This research focuses on biological staining on building materials, investigating its causes and how such phenomena may affect other performance characteristics.
Ring-shaped stain on a gypsum board ceiling
Development of Methods to Control Indoor Microbial Environments Through Building Material Selection
Microorganism-derived components such as mold, bacteria, and viruses can reach deep into the respiratory system, potentially causing allergic reactions or severe health effects. However, few studies have addressed how to suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms from a hygienic microbiological perspective.
This study focuses on the types of materials used in buildings, aiming to clarify material-related factors (mainly pore structure, surface moisture content, and pH) that influence the microbial environment, and identify materials and environmental conditions that inhibit pathogen growth.
Our ultimate goal is to establish a foundation for using beneficial microbes to improve living environments.
Microbial sampling in a brick building
Mechanistic understanding of carbonation processes in cementitious materials, particularly the role of water distribution and microstructural evolution
Carbonation in cementitious materials plays a key role in both durability degradation and CO₂ uptake. While its impact on material performance is widely recognized, the governing mechanisms remain insufficiently understood, particularly due to the complex interactions among water transport, microstructure, and chemical reactions. Current work focuses on clarifying these coupled mechanisms, particularly the role of water distribution within the pore network. Non-destructive techniques such as single-sided NMR are employed to characterize the evolution of water content in different pore classes during drying and carbonation. By integrating experimental observations with mechanistic interpretation, a more comprehensive understanding of carbonation behavior is being established. Future work aims to extend this mechanistic framework to a wider range of cementitious materials and environmental conditions, with the goal of improving its general applicability and supporting the design of materials with enhanced durability and CO₂ sequestration performance.
Luge Cheng et al., 2025. “Mechanisms of change in accelerated carbonation progress in cement paste under different relative humidity conditions,” Cem. Concr. Res., vol. 195, no. November 2024, p. 107898, Sep. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.107898.
Luge Cheng et al., 2024. “Plugging effect of fine pore water in OPC and LC3 paste during accelerated carbonation monitored via single-sided nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy,” Cem. Concr. Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2024.107688)
Modeling and prediction of carbonation depth of cementitious materials
Accurate prediction of carbonation depth is essential for durability assessment and service life design of concrete structures. While simplified models based on water transport behavior have shown potential in describing carbonation progression, their applicability across different cementitious systems and environmental conditions remains limited. To address these challenges, current work focuses on developing physically meaningful models that incorporate water diffusion behavior into the prediction of carbonation depth. The resulting framework captures carbonation front evolution using a limited number of measurable parameters and shows good agreement with experimental observations. Future work aims to further validate and extend this framework across a wider range of cementitious materials and environmental conditions, ultimately establishing a generalized and practical approach for carbonation depth prediction in durability assessment and material design.
L. Cheng, R. Kurihara, Z. Yang, T. Ohkubo, R. Kitagaki, A. Teramoto, Y. Suda, I. Maruyama, Accelerated carbonation fronts in cement pastes: Mechanistic insights and simplified modeling, Cem. Concr. Res. 199 (2026) 108050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2025.108050)
Quantification of CO₂ uptake and evaluation of carbonation potential in cementitious materials
CO₂ uptake in cementitious materials has been increasingly recognized for its potential contribution to carbon neutrality. While carbonation enables CO₂ fixation, its governing mechanisms and influencing factors are not yet fully understood, and a consistent evaluation of carbonation potential across different materials remains challenging. In addition, although experimental and analytical approaches have been developed to quantify CO₂ uptake, the influence of environmental conditions, pretreatment history, and microstructural evolution introduces significant complexity in practical assessment.
To address these challenges, current work focuses on quantifying CO₂ fixation during carbonation and clarifying the mechanisms controlling carbonation potential through experimental investigation and mechanistic interpretation. Future work aims to establish a unified and quantitative framework for evaluating carbonation potential across diverse cementitious systems, while enhancing CO₂ uptake capacity and supporting the development of low-carbon and carbon-neutral construction materials.
Luge Cheng, Haruka Takahashi, and Ippei Maruyama, 2024. “Application of total carbon analysis for carbon dioxide fixation in cementitious materials,” Case Stud. Constr. Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e03880)
Corrosion mechanisms and prediction of steel corrosion in carbonated reinforced concrete
Steel corrosion in carbonated reinforced concrete is a key factor governing the durability and service life of RC structures. Although empirical models have been proposed to estimate corrosion rates, the underlying mechanisms and their dependence on environmental and material conditions remain insufficiently understood. The coupled effects of moisture conditions, pore structure, and electrochemical reactions introduce significant complexity, particularly under varying relative humidity and temperature. Current work focuses on identifying corrosion-controlling mechanisms through integrated electrochemical measurements, including electrical resistivity, corrosion potential, and corrosion rate. Based on these insights, a mechanism-based prediction model is being developed to capture the coupled effects of environmental conditions and material properties.
Future work aims to validate the framework under controlled RH–temperature conditions and extend it to multi-scale modeling by linking electrochemical parameters with microstructural evolution. This approach enables quantitative prediction of steel corrosion kinetics in diverse cementitious systems under variable environmental conditions and supports more reliable soundness assessment of RC structures.
Ippei Maruyama, and Yuqi Ren. 2021. “Novel Accelerated Test Method for RH Dependency of Steel Corrosion in Carbonated Mortar.” Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology.)