A Study on the Cement Gel Formation Process during the Creation of Nanomodified High-Performance Concrete Based on Nanosilica
Alexey N. Beskopylny,
Sergey A. Stel’makh,
Evgenii M. Shcherban’,
Levon R. Mailyan,
Besarion Meskhi,
Valery Varavka,
Nikita Beskopylny,
Diana El’shaeva
Affiliations
Alexey N. Beskopylny
Department of Transport Systems, Faculty of Roads and Transport Systems, Don State Technical University, Gagarin, 1, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Sergey A. Stel’makh
Department of Engineering Geology, Bases, and Foundations, Don State Technical University, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Evgenii M. Shcherban’
Department of Engineering Geology, Bases, and Foundations, Don State Technical University, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Levon R. Mailyan
Department of Roads, Don State Technical University, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Besarion Meskhi
Department of Life Safety and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Life Safety and Environmental Engineering, Don State Technical University, Gagarin, 1, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Valery Varavka
Research and Education Center “Materials”, Don State Technical University, Gagarin sq., 1, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Nikita Beskopylny
Department Hardware and Software Engineering, Don State Technical University, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Diana El’shaeva
Department of Technological Engineering and Expertise in the Construction Industry, Don State Technical University, 344003 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
One of the most science-intensive and developing areas is nano-modified concrete. Its characteristics of high-strength, high density, and improved structure, which is not only important at the stage of monitoring their performance, but also at the manufacturing stage, characterize high-performance concrete. The aim of this study is to obtain new theoretical knowledge and experimental-applied dependencies arising from the “composition–microstructure–properties” ratio of high-strength concretes with a nano-modifying additive of the most effective type. The methods of laser granulometry and electron microscopy are applied. The existing concepts from the point of view of theory and practice about the processes of cement gel formation during the creation of nano-modified high-strength concretes with nano-modifying additives are developed. The most rational mode of the nano-modification of high-strength concretes is substantiated as follows: microsilica ground to nanosilica within 12 h. A complex nano-modifier containing nanosilica, superplasticizer, hyperplasticizer, and sodium sulfate was developed. The most effective combination of the four considered factors are: the content of nanosilica is 4% by weight of cement; the content of the superplasticizer additive is 1.4% by weight of cement; the content of the hyperplasticizer additive is 3% by weight of cement; and the water–cement ratio—0.33. The maximum difference of the strength characteristics in comparison with other combinations ranged from 45% to 57%.
