Evaluation of Nanomaterials in Concrete for Improved Strength
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abstract
The reinforced concrete infrastructure in Texas has been plagued by various durability-related issues over the years. Modern concrete infrastructure requires structural components with higher mechanical strength and greater durability. A solution is the addition of nanomaterials to cement-based materials, which can enhance their mechanical properties. Some such nanomaterials include Colloidal Silica, Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Graphene-Based Nanomaterials, Nano-calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH), and Self-healing Nanomaterials. These nanomaterials can be added to cement with other supplementary cementitious materials. Optimal dosages of these materials can improve the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of cement-based materials, as well as their water absorption, workability, and durability. Therefore, a laboratory testing program is going to be conducted on different shapes and sizes of concrete specimens to provide further evaluation of nanomaterials. Cracking reduction and permeability improvements, as well as superior mechanical properties for high-performance concrete in both superstructure and substructure applications under severe exposure conditions, can be obtained. The use of these nanomaterials can enhance the performance and life cycle of concrete infrastructures. Moreover, microstructural characterization techniques are used to understand the mechanisms of improvement in the hardened properties of concrete mixtures with these materials.
