Hierarchical multiscale modeling for predicting the physicochemical characteristics of construction materials: A review

The growing demands for sustainable and high-performance construction materials necessitate a deep understanding of their physicochemical properties by that of these heterogeneities. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state-ofthe-art hierarchical multiscale modeling approach aimed at predicting the intricate physicochemical characteristics of construction materials. Emphasizing the heterogeneity inherent in these materials, the review briefly introduces single-scale analyses, including the ab initio method, molecular dynamics, and micromechanics, through a scale-bridging technique. Herein, the limitations of these models are also overviewed by that of effectively scale-bridging methods of length or time scales. The hierarchical multiscale model demonstrates these physicochemical properties considering chemical reactions, material defects from nano to macro scale, microscopic properties, and their influence on macroscopic events. Thereby, hierarchical multiscale modeling can facilitate the efficient design and development of next-generation construction.