Magneto-rheology control of cementitious materials: principles, current status, and opportunities

Dengwu Jiao

doi:10.21809/rilemtechlett.2025.221

Magneto-rheology control of cementitious materials: principles, current status, and opportunities

Dengwu Jiao^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

19 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Magneto-rheology control, an advanced active rheology control (ARC) technique, is achieved by applying an external magnetic field to a cementitious mixture with responsive additives. It is a promising method to address the contradicting rheological requirements of cementitious materials during the placing process, enabling the development of smart and reliable concrete structures. This article reviews recent advances in magneto-rheology control for cementitious materials. The fundamental principles of magnetic particle movement and cluster formation in cementitious suspensions are first examined. Afterwards, the typical magneto-rheological responses and the key factors influencing the responsive behaviors are discussed. Finally, the potential applications and challenges of this technology in modern construction practices, including smart casting process, 3D/4D concrete printing, and the development of sustainable and multifunctional concrete, are provided.
© The Author(s) 2025.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	44-50
Journal	RILEM Technical Letters
Volume	10
Online published	4 Jul 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.21809/rilemtechlett.2025.221
Publication status	Published - 2025

Funding

The financial supports from National Natural Science Foundation of China (52408295), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2025A1515012809), Research Grants Council of Hong Kong SAR (21211024), and ERC (693755) are highly acknowledged. Appreciation is also given to Shengming Hu and Feng Hu for their valuable suggestions.

Research Keywords

Rheology control
Magnetic field
Magneto-rheology
3D concrete printing
Smart casting

Publisher's Copyright Statement

This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

RGC Funding Information

RGC-funded

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10.21809/rilemtechlett.2025.221

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title = "Magneto-rheology control of cementitious materials: principles, current status, and opportunities",

abstract = "Magneto-rheology control, an advanced active rheology control (ARC) technique, is achieved by applying an external magnetic field to a cementitious mixture with responsive additives. It is a promising method to address the contradicting rheological requirements of cementitious materials during the placing process, enabling the development of smart and reliable concrete structures. This article reviews recent advances in magneto-rheology control for cementitious materials. The fundamental principles of magnetic particle movement and cluster formation in cementitious suspensions are first examined. Afterwards, the typical magneto-rheological responses and the key factors influencing the responsive behaviors are discussed. Finally, the potential applications and challenges of this technology in modern construction practices, including smart casting process, 3D/4D concrete printing, and the development of sustainable and multifunctional concrete, are provided. {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025.",

keywords = "Rheology control, Magnetic field, Magneto-rheology, 3D concrete printing, Smart casting",

author = "Dengwu Jiao",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.21809/rilemtechlett.2025.221",

language = "English",

volume = "10",

pages = "44--50",

journal = "RILEM Technical Letters",

issn = "2518-0231",

publisher = "RILEM Publications S.A.R.L.",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Magneto-rheology control of cementitious materials

T2 - principles, current status, and opportunities

AU - Jiao, Dengwu

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Magneto-rheology control, an advanced active rheology control (ARC) technique, is achieved by applying an external magnetic field to a cementitious mixture with responsive additives. It is a promising method to address the contradicting rheological requirements of cementitious materials during the placing process, enabling the development of smart and reliable concrete structures. This article reviews recent advances in magneto-rheology control for cementitious materials. The fundamental principles of magnetic particle movement and cluster formation in cementitious suspensions are first examined. Afterwards, the typical magneto-rheological responses and the key factors influencing the responsive behaviors are discussed. Finally, the potential applications and challenges of this technology in modern construction practices, including smart casting process, 3D/4D concrete printing, and the development of sustainable and multifunctional concrete, are provided. © The Author(s) 2025.

AB - Magneto-rheology control, an advanced active rheology control (ARC) technique, is achieved by applying an external magnetic field to a cementitious mixture with responsive additives. It is a promising method to address the contradicting rheological requirements of cementitious materials during the placing process, enabling the development of smart and reliable concrete structures. This article reviews recent advances in magneto-rheology control for cementitious materials. The fundamental principles of magnetic particle movement and cluster formation in cementitious suspensions are first examined. Afterwards, the typical magneto-rheological responses and the key factors influencing the responsive behaviors are discussed. Finally, the potential applications and challenges of this technology in modern construction practices, including smart casting process, 3D/4D concrete printing, and the development of sustainable and multifunctional concrete, are provided. © The Author(s) 2025.

KW - Rheology control

KW - Magnetic field

KW - Magneto-rheology

KW - 3D concrete printing

KW - Smart casting

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105010761184

UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/pubmetrics.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105010761184&origin=recordpage

U2 - 10.21809/rilemtechlett.2025.221

DO - 10.21809/rilemtechlett.2025.221

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 2518-0231

VL - 10

SP - 44

EP - 50

JO - RILEM Technical Letters

JF - RILEM Technical Letters

ER -

Magneto-rheology control of cementitious materials: principles, current status, and opportunities

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ECS: Active Control of Steel Fiber Orientation in Three-Dimensional Concrete Printing

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Magneto-rheology control of cementitious materials: principles, current status, and opportunities

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

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ECS: Active Control of Steel Fiber Orientation in Three-Dimensional Concrete Printing

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