Effects of amorphous nano-silica additions on mechanical and durability performance of SCC mixtures
(2012)
In the recent years the application of nanotechnology in building materials has increased
exponentially. One of the most referred and used nano-materials is amorphous silica with
particles size in the nano-range, even though its application and effect in concrete has not been
fully understood yet. It has been reported that nano-silica (nS) addition increases the
compressive strength and reduces the overall permeability of hardened concrete due to the
pozzolanic properties which are resulting in finer hydrated phases (C-S-H gel) and densified
microstructure (nano-filler and anti leaching effects). These effects enhance the durability of
concrete structures such as bridges, quays or off-shore oil facilities in marine environments.
In this study two different types of nano-silica were applied in self-compacting concrete (SCC),
both having similar particle size distributions (PSD) but produced in two different processes
(fumed powder silica and precipitated silica in colloidal suspension). The influence of nanosilica
on SCC was investigated with respect to the properties of concrete in the fresh state
(workability) and hardened state (mechanical properties and durability). Additionally, the
densification of microstructure of the hardened concrete was verified by SEM and EDS analyses.
The obtained results demonstrate that an efficient use of nano-silica in SCC can improve its
mechanical properties and durability. Considering the reactivity of the two nano-silica studied,
colloidal type shown more reactivity at early age, which influenced all the final SCC properties.
In this study two different types of nano-silica (nS) were applied in self-compacting concrete (SCC), both having similar particle size distributions (PSD), but produced through two different processes: fumed powder silica and precipitated silica in colloidal suspension. The influence of nano-silica on SCC was investigated with respect to the properties of concrete in fresh (workability) and hardened state (mechanical properties and durability). Additionally, the densification of the microstructure of the hardened concrete was verified by SEM and EDS analyses. The obtained results demonstrate that nano-silica efficiently used in SCC can improve its mechanical properties and durability. Considering the reactivity of the two applied nano-silicas, the colloidal type showed a higher reactivity at early age, which influenced the final SCC properties.
The high demand for sustainable and durable building materials requires profound knowledge on the material properties. In this respect, the phenomena occurring at nano-level are of crucial importance for the design of new building materials. Therefore, all around the world, increasing amounts of funding are being directed to research projects dealing with material properties on nano-level, which is claimed to have tremendous potential for the future. One of the most referred to and used cementitious nano-material is amorphous silica with a particle size in the nano-range, even though its application and effects on concrete have not been fully understood yet. Olivine (Mg,Fe)2Si04 is the fastest weathering siiicate mineral dissolving easily in acid. Düring dissolution in acid the metallic ions (Mg2+,Fe2+) are replaced by H+, yielding Si(OH)4 monomers and metallic ions in solution. After cleaning treatments an amorphous nano-silica is obtained. The produced olivine nano-silica (OnS) has a specific surface area between 100 and 400 m2/g, the size of the primary particles, which are agglomerated in Clusters, ranges from 10 to 25 nm and the impurity content is below 5 % IV. Literature related with the application of OnS in cement based materials is scarce; only one research work performed by Justnes and Ostnor 121 is available. Thus, the effect of adding OnS in cement based Systems has been not studied. Based on this, the present research aims on elucidating the effects of OnS in the fresh and hardened state of cement pastes and mortars.