ENHANCING CONCRETE PROPERTIES THROUGH USING NANO-CLAY AND NANO-SILICA IN CONCRETE MIX

Document Type : Original Article

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Concrete Structures Research Institute, Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC), Cairo, 1770, Egypt

Abstract

Substituting cement with modern materials in the field of construction became essential in the last few years to avoid the adverse effect of carbon diaoxide emissions on the environment. The current study focuses on nano-materials as a sustainable alternative for green building practices drawing from a wide range of previous research where optimal proportions of 6% nano-clay and 3% nano-silica were selected to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete. The study mainly examines different concrete mixes behaviors using these percentages and extends its objective to identify ordinary concrete mixes that exhibit mechanical properties equivalent to those containing nano-silica and nano-clay. Though nano-materials are currently costly due to their new production technology, large-scale production will decrease cost, leading to the emergence of specialized companies in these fields. Subsequent tests, including flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were conducted to compare the mechanical properties of mixes incorporating nano-materials with conventional mixes. The study confirmed that incorporating nanomaterials in concrete mixtures, particularly nano-clay particles, enhances structural properties and promotes denser C-S-H gel formation. This sustainable approach not only improves concrete performance but also addresses environmental concerns by reducing pollution and advancing green building practices.

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