A discussion on the paper “Role of porosity on the stiffness and stability of (001) surface of the nanogranular C-S-H gel”

This paper is a discussion of a recent publication by Sekkal and coworkers, which investigated the elasticity, cohesion, and stability of the C-S-H (001) surface as a function of porosity using molecular dynamics simulations. In our discussion, we highlight some doubts about their model system for the C-S-H structure. We also comment on the defined stoichiometry, applied methodology and on various incongruous results and erroneous interpretations. We also draw attention to the lack of fundamental details provided by the authors and how it could be improved both conceptually and practically to allow readers to better understand the paper.