Murillo Mosquera Edinson, Cifuentes Sergio, Obando Juan Carlos, Monteiro Sergio Neves, Colorado Henry A
CCComposites Laboratory, Engineering School, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellin 050010, Colombia.
Conasfaltos S.A., Medellín 051051, Colombia.
Materials (Basel). 2025 Jul 29;18(15):3558. doi: 10.3390/ma18153558.
The following investigation presents concrete cement obtained with the Viterbo O'Reilly Diaz method, introduced to quantify the concrete mixture by using an aggregate gradation method. This research uses this procedure to decrease the amount of cement in the mix, thus reducing the CO footprint and production costs, which directly impact the environmental and economical sustainability of the material. The formulations used structural and general use Portland cements. As aggregates, fine sand and 3/4" gravel were included. Several characterization techniques were used, including granulometry testing for the aggregates, compression strength testing for the concrete samples, and granulometry testing for the raw materials. Compressive tests were conducted on samples after 28 days of curing, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to understand the microstructure. The results revealed the optimal amounts of water, cement, and aggregates. Combinations of fine and coarse aggregates were determined as well. The main novelty in this manuscript is the use of the Viterbo O'Reilly mix design method to innovatively enhance concrete mixes by analyzing material properties and behavior in detail, an unexplored method in the literature. This research considers not only strength but also durability and workability, using mathematical tools for data analysis. This data-driven approach ensures effective aggregate gradation towards sustainability when compared to other traditional methods.