## 2 Bibliometric Analysis
The University of Sherbrooke in Canada stands out as the most productive with 22 publications (3.6%) related to the use of VMAs in construction materials (Figure 4). The top 10 most productive research institutions span seven different countries: Canada (University of Sherbrooke and Toronto Metropolitan University), France (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS), China (Southeast University, Tongji University, and Wuhan University of Technology), India (Indian Institute of Technology), Poland (Silesian University of Technology), Ireland (Queen's University Belfast), and the USA (Missouri University of Science Technology). Moreover, based on our data, [PERSON] is the most productive author, with 18 publications (2.98%) (Figure 5). His most cited publication (166 citations) about the use of VMA in constructions materials was published in 2017 and presented important results regarding the dosage of VMA in self-consolidating concrete to enhance steel fiber distribution and flexural performance [16]. In general, [PERSON]'s studies focus on the mechanism of action of VMAs in cement-based materials, the ability of VMAs to ensure the required rheological properties, the effect of VMAs on the concrete properties in the hardened state, and the compatibility between VMAs and HRWR admixtures. The main VMAs tested in [PERSON]'s publications are Welan gum, Diutan gum, and cellulose ether. After [PERSON], [PERSON] and [PERSON], who belong to the same research team at the University of Toronto, are ranked second among the ten most productive authors, with 14 publications between 2000 and 2023 in this field. Their most cited publication (187 citations) was published in 2004 and presented the performance of four new polysaccharide-based VMAs in order to identify and produce a new type of low-cost VMA [13]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] focused, in their studies, on the performance of VMAs in binder manufactured with fly ash, slag cement and metakaolin; the development of new low cost VMAs; and the bond behavior of SCC made with different VMAs. The main VMAs tested in Hossein  
Figure 4: Top 10 most productive scientific research institution. Figure 3: Geographic distribution of publication counts by country. [PERSON] and [PERSON]'s publications are Welan gum and new polysaccharide-based VMAs. Finally, [PERSON] holds the fourth position in this field with nine studies published between 2000 and 2023. His most cited publication (59 citations) was published in 2009 and was co-authored by [PERSON] and [PERSON]. The authors tested, in their study, a low (1.3 L/m\({}^{3}\)) and medium (2.9 L/m\({}^{3}\)) VMA incorporation in SCC, and they observed a strong correlation between the yield stress, plastic viscosity, and thixotropy of SCC and the corresponding Concrete-Equivalent Mortar mixtures [17]. In general, [PERSON]'s studies focus on the interaction between VMAs and HRWRs, the use of VMAs in the 3D printing of cement-based materials, the effect of VMAs on the air-void system in SCC, and the use of kappa-carrageenan as a new low-cost VMA in cement-based materials. The main VMAs tested in [PERSON] studies are Welan gum and carrageenanan. However, keyword analysis can unveil the diverse research topics explored in the field of VMAs and construction materials, providing valuable insights into areas that may require further investigation. Figure 6 depicts three major topics studied between 2000 and 2023 in the VMA and construction materials field, namely cement paste, self-consolidating concrete, and asphalt mixtures. Within the realm of concrete research, studies predominantly focus on examining the impact of VMAs on the fresh state (rheological properties) of concrete using cement paste. In the field of construction materials, VMAs find primary applications in SCC. Moreover, there is a noticeable absence of keywords related to the impact of VMAs on the hardened properties of concrete.