Improvement of Concrete Characterization Using Nanosilica

Abstract

In recent years, different research works have been conducted to evaluate the addition of nanometer materials to concrete materials. In this paper, the influence of Nanosilica on compressive strength, abrasive strength, durability, and improvements in the micro-structure of concrete are discussed. The results showed that the compressive strength of concrete samples with Nanosilica and silica fume were higher than the compressive strength of other samples without nanometer materials in all ages, as well as increasing the dosage percentage of Nanosilica led to higher levels of compressive strength. In the mix designs with an equal dosage percentage, samples containing Nanosilica have shown a higher level of strength in comparison to samples containing silica fume. The application of Nanosilica in self-compacting concrete resulted in higher level of compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasive strength, elasticity module, ultrasonic waves permeability velocity (UPV), and lower water absorption compared to samples without Nanoparticles. Despite the evidences which show the improvement in mechanical characteristics of concretes with Nanosilica-particles, further developments for the applicability of Nanoparticles for improving the characteristics of concrete require the right knowledge and higher control over the effective mechanisms of Nanoparticles on concrete’s structure.

Keywords

• nanosilica
• concrete durability
• compressive strength
• abrasive strength