Nanotechnology in Construction Materials

 Nanotechnology is defined as the design,

characterization, production and application
of structures, devices and systems by
controlling shape and size at the nanoscale.

In its popular use nanorefers to length and

the nanoscale usually refers to a length from
the atomic level of around 0.1nm up to 100
nm.
-The term ‘nanotechnology’ was coined by Norio
Taniguichi of Tokyo Science University on a paper
about the production technology of objects on the
order of a nanometer.

Richard Feynman( Father of nanotechnology was the

first to discuss nanotechnology in 1959. It was titled:
"There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." In this speech
Feynman discussed the importance "of manipulating
and controlling things on a small scale" and how they
could "tell us much of great interest about the
strange phenomena that occur in complex
situations."
Advantages (Concrete)
 Nanotechnology can modify the structure of concrete material
and finally improves in properties of materials such as: bulk
density, mechanical performance, volume stability, durability
and sustainability

 The addition of nano scale pores could compensate for its

weakness in tension and result in concrete with greatly
improved stress-strain behavior.

 Addition of nanoparticles will lead to self-healing, air

purifying, fire resistant, easy to clean and quick compacting
concrete.
Advantages(Steel)
 Addition of nanoparticles reduces the surface
unevenness of steel which then limits the
number of stress risers.
 It increases weld toughness of the steel.
 Makes the steel corrosion resistant.
 Infusion of steel with nano scale copper
particles could maintain structural integrity
up to 1000 F.
Advantages(Wood)
 Mixing nanoparticles in coating will be be
highly water repellent.
Advantages(Glass)
 Nanoparticle form to coat glazing since itas
sterilizing and anti-fouling properties.
 Fire-protective glass is another application of
nanotechnology.
Advantages(Coatings)
 Nanotechnology is being applied to paints
and insulating properties, produced by the
addition of nano-sized cells, pores and
particles.
 Nanotechnology based construction products
might be harmful to health. Example the
nanotubes might cause lung problems to the
workers.
 It will create a new category of nano-waste which
has to be extracted and treated.
 It can affect natural environment.
 The cost of most nanotechnology materials and
equipment are relatively high in comparison to
traditional method.
 It’s a challenge for construction engineer to
provide a facility to the general public at a
reasonable cost.
The areas of applying nanotechnology in
construction are mainly focusing on lighter and
stronger structural composites, low maintenance
coating material, enhanced properties of
cementitious materials, reducing the thermal
transfer rate of fire retardant and insulation
material and other construction related nano-
sensors.
 Nanotechnologies for Concrete: The addition of
nano-silica (SiO2) to cement based materials can
control the degradation of the calcium-
silicatehydrate reaction caused by calcium
leaching in water, blocking water penetration and
leading to improvements in durability
 Nanotechnologies for Glass: The use of TiO2
nanoparticles to glasses leads to so-called self
cleaning technology
 Nanotechnologies for Coatings and Paintings:
Nanotechnology is applied to paints in order to
assure the corrosion protection under insulation
 Nanotechnologies for Thermal Insulation:
Micro or nano-electomechanical systems
offer the possibility of monitoring and
controlling the internal environment of
buildings and this could lead to energy
savings
 Nanotechnologies for Fire Protection: Fire
resistance of steel structures is often
provided by a coating produced by a spray-
on cementitious process.
Nanotechnology in a
microscopic scale
The The “Jubilee Church” in The “Nano House” in
Gartnerplatzbruke Rome Australia
across the Fulda in
Kassel river