Chatting about ChatGPT: How does ChatGPT 4.0 perform on the understanding and design of cementitious composite?

Over the past year, ChatGPT's initial applications across diverse fields have progressed amid debates on its ethical implications and inherent biases. This paper investigates the comprehension level of ChatGPT 4.0 regarding cementitious composites and initiates preliminary research into its application in cementitious composites，including ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC), and Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). Initially, the study designed forty-five progressively challenging questions to examine the readability and accuracy of ChatGPT's responses related to cementitious composites. Building on this, the research explored the feasibility of utilizing ChatGPT for the identification and analysis of ECC cracks, the design of mix proportions for cementitious composites, and the real-time analysis of carbon emissions. The results demonstrate ChatGPT 4.0’s proficiency in acquiring foundational knowledge of cementitious composites, a capability verified through interactive human-computer modalities for analysing crack quantity and width, formulating preliminary material compositions, and providing instantaneous feedback on carbon emissions. However, the study also uncovers ChatGPT 4.0’s limitations in understanding the complex design mathematics and mechanics underlying cementitious composites, as well as its inadequate ability to synthesise and integrate interdisciplinary knowledge, occasionally leading to arbitrary and forced responses. These findings underscore the need for further enhancements in algorithmic sophistication and database comprehensiveness. The paper concludes by projecting the future applicability of ChatGPT in the cementitious composites sector, highlighting its initial contributions while delineating avenues for subsequent research and development.