The main purpose of the present paper is to distinguish water located in various types of pores contained within cement paste. The water sorption isotherm is the starting point of the experimental analysis. The investigation was conducted employing the conventional gravimetric method on cement paste composed with w/c=0.5. The investigation was conducted for the following relative humidity values: 11%, 54%, 75%, 84%, 93%, 97% and 100%. Once samples reached the equilibrium water content they were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which enabled us to record exothermic peaks corresponding to the crystallization of different water portions. Moreover, we intended to investigate the thermodynamic characteristics of the liquid phase confined within cementitious materials. Hence, the artificial pore solution was prepared. In order to determine the phase transition temperature and the amount of formed ice, the solution was used to saturate silica gel, which is a chemically passive material. Then the thermal analysis was conducted.

Ceramic waste generated by demolition and manufacturing processes is a kind of widely discharged solid waste; its sustainable use can reduce resource extraction, energy consumption, and carbon emissions, thereby reducing the environmental impact. In this study, ceramic powder and ceramic sand were prepared using waste ceramic wall tiles. By using three water-to-binder ratios of 0.30, 0.32, and 0.34, five ceramic powder replacement rates of 10% to 50%, and completely using ceramic sand as the fine aggregate, specimens with large differences in mechanical properties were prepared. Firstly, the compressive strength was investigated. On this basis, hybrid fibers were employed to strengthen the new matrix material, and its bending resistance was experimentally studied. It was found that the incorporation of ceramic powder reduced the compressive strength of the matrix. The water-binder ratio significantly affects compressive strength at an early age. The effect of PVA fiber on improving the ductility of the new composite is distinct. Increasing the amount of steel fiber can effectively enhance the bending bearing capacity.With a ceramic powder dosage of 50%, the new composite has shown ductile failure characteristics, even with low total fiber content. The bending properties of this new composite material, which makes extensive use of ceramic waste, are well adjustable. The bearing capacity and ductility balance can be achieved with the steel fiber content of 1% and the PVA fiber content of 1.2% to 1.50%.