NANO CONCRETE

Abstract
Typical concretes consist of ordinary
Portland cement (OPC), fillers such
as sand, coarse aggregates,
admixtures and water. This
combination of materials allows
concrete to be produced in a fluid
form that can be pumped and
moulded.

The complex chemistry and physical

structure of cement hydrates in
concrete however mean that issues
of fundamental science still need to
be resolved.
Research at the nanoscale has the
potential to contribute to these
debates and questions.

Analysis at the nanoscale

may provide further insight
into the nature of hydrated
cement phases and their
interaction with admixtures,
nanofillers and nanofibers.

These interactions offer the possibility of

modifying cement reactions, creating
new surface chemistries (referred to as
nanoscience), developing new products
for the concrete industry (referred to as
nanotechnology), and allowing a more
controlled and ecologically friendly
manufacturing route to cement and
concrete.

INTRODUCTION

Nanotechnology is one of the most active

research areas which has wide applications in
almost all the fields.
As concrete is most usable material in
construction industry its been required to
improve its quality.
Improving concrete properties by addition of
nano particles have shown significant
improvement than conventional concrete.

 Nano

concreteis created
byHigh-energy mixing(HEM) of
cement, sand and water using a
specific consumed power of 30 600 watt/kg for a net
specific energyconsumption of at
least 5 kJ/kg of the mix.

 Aplasticizeror

asuperplasticizeris then
added to the activated mixture which
can later be mixed with aggregates in a
conventionalconcrete mixer. In the HEM
process sand provides dissipation of
energy and increases shear stresses on
the surface of cement particles.

 The

quasi-laminar flow of the mixture

characterized withReynolds numberless
than 800[52]is necessary to provide more
effective energy absorption. This results
in the increased volume of water
interacting with cement and
acceleration ofCalcium Silicate
Hydrate(C-S-H) colloid creation.

 The

initial natural process of cement

hydration with formation of colloidal
globules about 5nm in diameter[53]after
3-5 min of HEM spreads out over the
entire volume of cement water matrix.
HEM is the "bottom-up" approach
inNanotechnologyof concrete.

The

liquid activated mixture

is used by itself for casting
small architectural details
and decorative items, or
foamed (expanded)
forlightweight concrete.

HEM

Nano concrete hardens in

low and subzero temperature
conditions and possesses an
increased volume of gel, which
drastically reducescapillarityin
solid and porous materials.

Why nanotechnology for

concrete?
1.

Improves the materials bulk properties.

2. Ability to control or manipulate materials
at the atomic scale. NANOSCALE ATTACK
ON ASR (ALKALI SILICATE REACTION)
3. To obtain thinner final products and
faster setting time.
4. Cost effectiveness.
5. Lowered levels of environmental
contamination.

What is nano concrete?

A

concrete made with portland

cement particles that are less
than 500nm as a cementing
agent.
Currently cement particle sizes
range from a few nano-meters
to a maximum of about 100
micro meters.

NANO MATERIALS
Carbon

Nanotubes.
Nano-silica.
Polycarboxylates.

CARBON NANO TUBES

Carbon

nanotubes are molecularscale tubes of graphitic carbon with

outstanding properties.
They can be several millimetres in
length and can have one layer or
wall (single walled nanotube) or more
than one wall (multi walled
nanotube).

SINGLE WALLED CARBON

NANO TUBES

MULTI WALLED CARBON

NANO TUBES

PROPERTIES
CNT

are also highly flexible.

Mechanically, CNT appear to be the
strongest material.
The smaller diameters.
Stiffest and strongest fibers.

NANO SILICA
It

is the first nano product

that replaced the micro silica.
Advancement made by the
study of concrete at nano
scale have proved nano silica
much better than silica used
in conventional concrete.

NANO SILICA

PROPERTIES

High compressive strengths concretes ( 15 MPa

and 75 MPa at 1 day; 40 MPa and 90 MPa at 28
days and 48 MPa and 120 MPa at 120 days.)
High workability with reduced water/cement
ratio.
Use of super plasticizing additives is
unnecessary.
Fills up all the micro pores and micro spaces.
Cement saving upto 35-45%.

POLYCARBOXYLATES
Polycarboxylates

or polymer based
concrete admixtures are High Range Water
Reducing admixture (HRWR).
low dosage-reduce water as much as high
dosage of conventional admixtures.
Higher dosage-produce Self Compacting
Concrete (SCC).
This admixture type is very suitable for
underwater anti-washout concrete.

POLYCARBOXYLATES

RESULTS
Resistance

to compression - 40 to 90MPa
in 1 day.Resistance to compression from
70 a 100 MPa (or more) in 28 days.
Produces high resistance even with low
addition (1 to 1.5 % of the cements
weight) and gives self compacting
characteristics with higher proportions
(2.5 %).

Meets

the norms of environmental

protection.

70%

less use of additives as

traditional silica, super plasticizers or
traditional fibres.

BENEFITS OF NANO
CONCRETE
Cessation

of contamination caused by
micro silica solid particles.
Lower cost per building site.
Concrete with high initial and final
compressive and tensile strengths.
Concrete with good workability.
Cessation of super plasticizing utilization.
Cessation of silicosis risk.

CONCLUSION
Well

dispersed nano particles increase the

viscosity of the liquid phase, improves the
segregation resistance and workability of
the system.
Accelerates the hydration.
Better bond between aggregates and
cement paste.
Improves the toughness,shear,tensile
strength and flexural strength of concrete.

SCOPE
If Portland cement can be formulated
with nano-size cement particles, it will
open up a large number of opportunities.
The cement will not only be more
economical than organic polymers but
also will be fire resistant.
A number of investigations have been
carried out for developing smart concrete
using carbon fibers.

This

will become a reality with nanocement because nano-carbontubes

are much more effective than carbon
fibers. The thickness of the
composite can be reduced to microns
and hence flexible and smart cement
composite can be manufactured.

Thank You!