Bin Xi's research focuses on multiscale modelling and sustainable design of cementitious materials, with particular emphasis on the coupling between material chemistry, microstructure, and transport properties. His work combines thermodynamic modelling, numerical simulation, image-based modelling, machine learning, and multi-objective optimization to understand and predict the long-term performance of cement-based materials.
Career
2024–date | Postdoctoral Researcher , Laboratory for Waste Management, Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland
Education
2020-2024 | PhD in Structural, Seismic and Geotechnical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
2017-2020 Master's degree | Shenzhen University, China
2013-2017 Bachelor's degree | Yunnan Agricultural University, China
Selected Research Projects
SCENE — Low-Carbon Cement Design
GEMS-based thermodynamic modelling, machine learning, and multi-objective optimization for low-carbon cement formulation.
EURAD-2 SUDOKU — Cement Transport Modelling
1D–3D/XCT-based modelling of diffusion and degradation in cementitious barriers, with a focus on matrix diffusivity and real microstructure effects.
Selected Publications
Boiger, R., Xi, B., Miron, G.-D., Bonvin, M., Provis, J. L., Churakov, S. V., Prasianakis, N. I. Machine learning-accelerated discovery of green cement recipes. Materials and Structures, 2025.
Xi, B., Huang, Z., Al-Obaidi, S., Ferrara, L. Healing capacity of Ultra High Performance Concrete under sustained load through crack tensile stresses and aggressive environments. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2023.
Xi, B., Al-Obaidi, S., Ferrara, L. Effect of different environments on the self-healing performance of Ultra High-Performance Concrete – A systematic literature review. Construction and Building Materials, 2023.
Xi, B., Huang, Z., Al-Obaidi, S., Ferrara, L. Predicting ultra high-performance concrete self-healing performance using hybrid models based on metaheuristic optimization techniques. Construction and Building Materials, 2023.
Xi, B., Zhang, N., Duan, H., et al. Optimization of rice husk ash concrete design towards economic and environmental assessment. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2023.
Xi, B., Zhou, Y., Yu, K., Sui, L., Hu, B., Xing, F. Use of nano-SiO₂ to develop a high performance green lightweight engineering cementitious composites containing fly ash cenospheres. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020.
Xi, B., Ferrara, L. Evolution of self-healing performance of UHPC exposed to aggressive environments and cracking/healing cycles. Materials and Structures.