State-of-the-art report on use of nano-materials in concrete

Abstract

Nanotechnology application to concrete presents an innovative approach to improve concrete properties based on the ability to manipulate the cementitious material at an atomic scale. This paper presents a review of the nano-materials that have been used in concrete. The literature survey revealed that four nano-materials are most often used to modify concrete properties; these include nano-silica (nano-SiO₂), nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO₂), carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) and carbon nano-fibres (CNFs). All of these four nano-materials have shown improvement in many concrete properties. Both nano-TiO₂ and nano-SiO₂ reduce bleeding and segregation, and improve mechanical and transport properties. CNFs and CNTs tend to adversely affect the fresh properties due to agglomerations, which are overcome when a surfactant or ultrasonic mixer is used. However, both CNFs and CNTs significantly improve the mechanical properties of concrete. This paper also discusses how concrete durability is improved when nano-materials are added to concrete. In addition, this paper identifies several research needs based on the gaps in the current state of knowledge on using nano-materials in concrete.

Keywords::

• concrete properties
• durability
• nanotechnology
• nano-materials
• nano-concrete

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support and contribution of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Cement Association of Canada (CAC), particularly Rico Fung who is the Director of CAC's Markets and Technical Affairs in Ontario. The authors are also thankful to Gloria Stephens, Physiotherapist from South Metropolitan Area Public Health Care Service (Health Ministry of Chile) for her advice about health risks of using nano-materials.