Physics-Informed Machine Learning for Carbonation Depth Prediction in Concrete.

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Title: Physics-Informed Machine Learning for Carbonation Depth Prediction in Concrete.
Authors: Abbas, Moutaman M.1 (AUTHOR), Bărbulescu, Alina1 (AUTHOR) alina.barbulescu@unitbv.ro
Source: Materials (1996-1944). Mar2026, Vol. 19 Issue 6, p1271. 25p.
Subjects: Concrete durability, Machine learning, Reinforced concrete, Structural health monitoring, Artificial neural networks, Durability, Data augmentation
Abstract: The durability of reinforced concrete structures is significantly affected by the carbonation process, which decreases the alkalinity of the pore solution and initiates corrosion of the steel reinforcement. However, the square roots of time equations, which are Fickian diffusion-based, are not able to accurately capture the nonlinear interactions of material properties with environmental factors. To overcome this limitation, this research introduces a novel hybrid model based on the integration of a physics-informed neural network (PINN) with residual regression via CatBoost, a categorical boosting algorithm. Using an expanded dataset of 6000 samples, the first stage of the model, which is based on the physics-informed neural network, is able to learn the underlying physics of the diffusion process by imposing monotonicity constraints. The second stage of the model, which is based on the CatBoost algorithm, is able to learn the residuals of the nonlinear interactions of factors such as the curing time, water–cement ratio, and supplementary cementitious material reactivity, which are not captured by the underlying physics of the diffusion law. Data augmentation via physics-based resampling increased the dataset from 3000 to 6000 samples. Validation of the model using 1200 samples resulted in R2 = 0.871, MAE = 15.362, and RMSE = 24.37. SHAP confirmed that the model was physically consistent with the principles of concrete technology, reversing the counterintuitive linear correlations to accurately capture the protective effect of longer curing times. The suggested framework offers a practical method for enhancing durability evaluation and aiding the maintenance and service-life management of reinforced concrete structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Materials (1996-1944) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Concrete+durability%22">Concrete durability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Machine+learning%22">Machine learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reinforced+concrete%22">Reinforced concrete</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+health+monitoring%22">Structural health monitoring</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+neural+networks%22">Artificial neural networks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Durability%22">Durability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+augmentation%22">Data augmentation</searchLink>
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  Data: The durability of reinforced concrete structures is significantly affected by the carbonation process, which decreases the alkalinity of the pore solution and initiates corrosion of the steel reinforcement. However, the square roots of time equations, which are Fickian diffusion-based, are not able to accurately capture the nonlinear interactions of material properties with environmental factors. To overcome this limitation, this research introduces a novel hybrid model based on the integration of a physics-informed neural network (PINN) with residual regression via CatBoost, a categorical boosting algorithm. Using an expanded dataset of 6000 samples, the first stage of the model, which is based on the physics-informed neural network, is able to learn the underlying physics of the diffusion process by imposing monotonicity constraints. The second stage of the model, which is based on the CatBoost algorithm, is able to learn the residuals of the nonlinear interactions of factors such as the curing time, water–cement ratio, and supplementary cementitious material reactivity, which are not captured by the underlying physics of the diffusion law. Data augmentation via physics-based resampling increased the dataset from 3000 to 6000 samples. Validation of the model using 1200 samples resulted in R2 = 0.871, MAE = 15.362, and RMSE = 24.37. SHAP confirmed that the model was physically consistent with the principles of concrete technology, reversing the counterintuitive linear correlations to accurately capture the protective effect of longer curing times. The suggested framework offers a practical method for enhancing durability evaluation and aiding the maintenance and service-life management of reinforced concrete structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Materials (1996-1944) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.3390/ma19061271
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 25
        StartPage: 1271
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      – SubjectFull: Concrete durability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Machine learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reinforced concrete
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      – SubjectFull: Structural health monitoring
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Artificial neural networks
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      – SubjectFull: Durability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data augmentation
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      – TitleFull: Physics-Informed Machine Learning for Carbonation Depth Prediction in Concrete.
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            NameFull: Abbas, Moutaman M.
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            NameFull: Bărbulescu, Alina
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              M: 03
              Text: Mar2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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