Research Articles | Challenge Journal of Concrete Research Letters

Synthesis and application of nano and micro-silica particles to enhance the mechanical proprieties of cement concrete

Dalal Abdul Latif Rajab Al Balushi, Geetha Devi, Soleen Jabr Ahmed, Nawal Said Almawali
Dalal Abdul Latif Rajab Al Balushi * Department of Mechanical &
Industrial Engineering, Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman
Geetha Devi Department of Mechanical &
Industrial Engineering, Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman
Soleen Jabr Ahmed Department of Built &
Natural Environment, Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman
Nawal Said Almawali Department of Built &
Natural Environment, Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman
View Counter: Abstract | 1387 times | ‒ Full Article | 738 times |
Citation Metadata Academic search Print
Email (login required) Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp
Contact author (login required)

Abstract

The purpose of the current research was to evaluate the influence of nano and micro silica on compressive strength properties of cement concrete. Silica nanoparticles of size around 350 nm are synthesized by Stober’s method using Tetra Ethyl Silicate (TEOS), Ethanol and ammonia solution. The synthesized silica particles are characterized using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Four different batches of sixteen cubes each of dimension 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm were prepared by mixing the cement with nano and micro silica, Ultra pozzolana, fine and coarse aggregates by incorporating 0.8% CF 615. The first batch composed of cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate and 0.8% CF 615 was considered as a reference batch. Same mix design of proportion 1:1.4:2.1 was followed for remaining mixes by replacing 1% of cement by nano silica, micro silica and Ultra pozzolana. The compressive strength tests of the above mixes are measured using Universal Testing Machine and the results were compared with the control mix. The results demonstrated that the sample were prepared using Ultra pozzolana with 0.8% CF 615, was found to have better strength of 37.45 N/mm2 compared to other samples.

References

- Diamanti, M.V., Lollini, F., Pedeferri, M.P., and Bertolini, L., Mutual interactions between carbonation and titanium dioxide photo activity in concrete. Building and Environment, 2013, 62(1): p. 174–181.

- Li, H., Xiao, H.G., Yuan, J., and Ou, J., Microstructure of cement mortar with nano-particles. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2004, 35(2): p.185–189.

- Nazari, A., and Riahi, S., Abrasion resistance of concrete containing SiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles in different curing media. Energy and Buildings, 2011, 43(1): p. 2939–2946.

- Shih, J.Y., Chang, T.P., Hsiao, T.C., Effect of nano silica on characterization of Portland cement composite. Cement Concrete Research, 2006, 36: p. 697-706.

- Davoud,T., Ali, H., Properties of high-volume fly ash concrete incorporating nano SiO. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2013, 6(1): p. 56-87.

- Hou, P., Kawashima, S., Kong, D., Corr, D.J., Qian, J., and Shah, S.P., Modification effects of colloidal nano SiO2 on cement hydration and its gel property. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2013, 45: p. 440-448.

- Hosseini, P., Mohamad, M.I., Nekooie, M.A., Taherkhani, R., Booshehrian, A., Toward Green Revolution in Concrete Industry: The Role of Nanotechnology (A Review). Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2011, 5(12): p. 2768-2782.

- Raiess-Ghasemi, A.M., Parhizkar, T., and Ramezanianpour, A.A., Influence of colloidal nano-SiO2 addition as silica fume replacement material in properties of concrete. In: Proceedings of the second international conference on sustainable construction materials and technologies, Universita Ploitecnica delle Marche, Ancona, 2010, pp 1-8.

- Ji, T., Preliminary Study on Water Permeability and Microstructure of Concrete Incorporating Nano-SiO2.Cement and Concrete Research, 2005, 35: p. 1943-1947.

- Collepardi, M., Collepardi, S., Skrap, U., Troli, R., Optimization of silica fume, Fly ash and Amorphous Nano- Silica in Superplasticized High-Performance Concretes. Proceeding of 8th CANMET/ACI International Conference on fly ash, Silica fume, Slag and Natural Pozzolans in Concrete, SP-221, Las Vegas. 2004, p. 495-506.

- Li, G., Properties of High –Volume Fly Ash Concrete Incorporating Nano-SiO2.Cement and Concrete Research, 2004, 34(6): p. 1043-1049.

- Singh, N.B., Middendorf, B., Chemistry of blended cements part-I: natural pozzolanas, fly ashes and granulated blast furnace slags. Cem. Inter., 2008, 6 (4) p. 76–91.

- Singh, N.B., Middendorf, B., Chemistry of blended cements part-II: silica fume, metakaolin, reactive ashes from agricultural wastes, inert materials and non-Portland blended cements. Cem. Inter., 2009, 6: p. 78–93.

- Mukesh, K., Singh, S.K., Singh, N.P., and Singh, N.B., Hydration of multicomponent composite cement: OPC–FA–SF–MK. Constr. Build. Mater, 2012, 36: p. 681–686.

- Shi, C., and Qian, J., High performance cementing materials from industrial slags: a review. Resour. Conserv. Recycl, 2000, 26: p.195–207.

- Pacheco-Torgal, F., and Jalali, S., Nanotechnology: advantages and drawbacks in the field of construction and building materials. Constr. Build. Mater, 2011, 25(2): p. 582-590.

- Senff, L., Tobaldi, D.M., Lucas, S., Hotza, D., Ferreira, V.M., and Labrincha, J.A., Formulation of mortars with nano-SiO2 and nano-TiO2 for degradation of pollutants in buildings. Composites Part B, 2013, 44: p. 40–47.

- Bittnar, Z., Bartos, P.J.M., and Zeman, J., Nanotechnology in construction. The 3rd International Symposium on Nanotechnology in Construction (NICOM 3) Proceedings of the NICOM3, 2009, Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH and Co.

- Raki, L., Beaudoin, J.J., Alizadeh, R., Makar, J., and Sato, T., Cement and concrete nanoscience and nanotechnology. Materials, 2010, 3: p. 918–942.

- Collepardi, M., Collepardi, S., Skarp, U., and Troli, R., Optimization of silica fume, fly ash and amorphous nano-silica in superplasticized high-performance concretes. Proceedings of 8th CANMET/ACI International Conference on Fly Ash, Silica Fume, Slag and Natural Pozzolan in Concrete SP 221 USA, 2004, p. 495–506.

- Senff, L., Hotza, D., Mortars with nano-SiO2 and micro-SiO2 investigated by experimental design. Constr. Build. Mater, 2010, 24: p. 1432–1437.

- Senff, L., Labrincha, J.A., Ferreira, V.M., Hotza, D., Repette, W.L., Effect of nano-silica on rheology and fresh properties of cement pastes and mortars. Constr. Build. Mater, 2009, 23: p. 2487–2491.

- Lee, B.Y., Thomas, J.J, Treager, M., and Kurtis, K.E., Influence of TiO2 Nano-particles on Early C3S Hydration, Nanotechnology of Concrete. The Next Big Thing is Small, ACI editors: Konstantin S, 2009, p. 267- 274.

- Bjornstrom, J., Martinelli, A., Matic, A., Borjesson, L., and Panas, I., Accelerating Effects of Colloidal Nanosilica for Beneficial Calcium-Silicate-Hydrate Formation in Cement. Chemical Physics Letters, 2004, 392(1-3): p. 242–248.

Related Articles