Real-time performance analysis of nano-enhanced concrete for high-strength and crack-resistant infrastructure applications

Mohan, Arumugam Mohan Arun; Kaliappan, Seeniappan; Natrayan, Lakshmaiya; Maranan, Ramya

doi:10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2024-0968

home Sumário navigate_before Anterior Atual Seguinte navigate_next

home Sumário

Articles • Matéria (Rio J.) 30 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-7076-RMAT-2024-0968 linkcopy

Real-time performance analysis of nano-enhanced concrete for high-strength and crack-resistant infrastructure applications

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the improvement of mechanical properties and durability of Crushed Recycled Concrete (CRC) and Reprocessed Material Concrete (RMC) by dual nano-strengthening immersion treatment with Nano-SiO₂ and Nano-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. The main goal is to enhance the structural quality and applicability of recycled concrete for high-strength; crack-resistant infrastructure use by attacking the Phase Transition Layer (PTL) between recycled aggregates and cement paste. The research uses a two-step immersion procedure in which samples are immersed for 48 hours in a 5% Nano-SiO₂ sol solution and 48 hours in a 2% Nano-Al₂O₃ slurry, allowing for even nano-material absorption at room temperature. Extensive experimental testing was undertaken, comprising compressive and flexural strength tests, bond strength evaluation through pull-out tests, Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) for porosity examination, and micro-hardness tests to assess the densification of the PTL. Results show remarkable enhancements in treated samples as opposed to untreated controls: compressive strength enhanced from 21.5–23.0 MPa to 29.5–31.0 MPa in CRC, and from 19.9–20.8 MPa to 27.8–29.1 MPa in RMC. Flexural strength exhibited improvements of up to 17% for RMC and 13% for CRC, while bonding strength for steel reinforcement was improved appreciatively. Microstructure analysis verified the decreased porosity and densification of the PTL as the main factors for the overall improved mechanical properties. Simulation results were in good agreement with experimental data, verifying the efficiency of the nano-strengthening treatment. This research illustrates the promise of incorporating nano-materials into recycled concrete as a viable step towards sustainable high-performance materials for key infrastructure.

Keywords:
Nano-strengthening; Crushed Recycled Concrete; Reprocessed Material Concrete; Phase Transition Layer; Mechanical Strength

SAMPLE TYPE	NUMBER OF SAMPLES	RECYCLED AGGREGATE TYPE	BINDER (CEMENT) CONTENT (kg/m³)	WATER-CEMENT RATIO	CURING DURATION	CURING TEMPERATURE	CURING HUMIDITY
Control CRC (Untreated)	5	Crushed Recycled Concrete (10–20 mm)	350	0.4–0.45	28 days	20°C	90%
Control RMC (Untreated)	5	Reprocessed Material Concrete	350	0.4–0.45	28 days	20°C	90%

SAMPLE TYPE	NUMBER OF SAMPLES	RECYCLED AGGREGATE TYPE	NANO-MATERIAL TREATMENT	BINDER (CEMENT) CONTENT (kg/m³)	NANO-SiO₂ SOL CONCENTRATION (%)	NANO-Al₂O₃ SLURRY CONCENTRATION (%)
Treated CRC (Nano-SiO₂ & Nano-Al₂O₃)	5	Crushed Recycled Concrete (10–20 mm)	Nano-SiO₂ sol & Nano-Al₂O₃ slurry	350	5%	2%
Treated RMC (Nano-SiO₂ & Nano-Al₂O₃)	5	Reprocessed Material Concrete	Nano-SiO₂ sol & Nano-Al₂O₃ slurry	350	5%	2%

SAMPLE TYPE	SAMPLE ID	EXPERIMENTAL COMPRESSION STRENGTH (MPa)	SIMULATED COMPRESSION STRENGTH (MPa)
Control CRC (Untreated)	SCU1	22.5	22.3
	SCU2	23.0	22.8
	SCU3	21.8	21.6
	SCU4	22.2	22.0
	SCU5	21.5	21.3
Control RMC (Untreated)	SRU1	20.5	20.3
	SRU2	20.8	20.5
	SRU3	19.9	19.7
	SRU4	20.2	20.0
	SRU5	20.0	19.8
Treated CRC	SCT1	30.2	30.5
	SCT2	31.0	31.2
	SCT3	29.5	29.8
	SCT4	30.7	30.9
	SCT5	30.1	30.4
Treated RMC	SRT1	28.3	28.5
	SRT2	29.1	29.3
	SRT3	27.8	28.0
	SRT4	28.6	28.8
	SRT5	28.0	28.2

TEST TYPE	SAMPLE TYPE	MEAN	RANGE	STANDARD DEVIATION (SD)
FLEXURAL STRENGTH	UNTREATED CRC	5.6 MPa	5.4–5.8 MPa	±0.14 MPa
	Treated CRC (SCT1–SCT5)	8.0 MPa	7.6–8.2 MPa	±0.22 MPa
	Untreated RMC	4.8 MPa	4.6–5.0 MPa	±0.16 MPa
	Treated RMC (SRT1–SRT5)	7.2 MPa	6.8–7.3 MPa	±0.20 MPa
Pull-out Strength	Untreated RMC	2.7 MPa	2.5–2.9 MPa	±0.16 MPa
Pull-out Strength	Treated RMC (SRT1–SRT5)	4.5 MPa	4.3–4.7 MPa	±0.16 MPa
Total Pore Area	Untreated CRC	0.120 m2/g	–	±0.004 m2/g (estimated)
	Treated CRC (SCT1–SCT5)	0.075 m2/g	–	±0.003 m2/g (estimated)
	Untreated RMC	0.135 m2/g	–	±0.005 m2/g (estimated)
	Treated RMC (SRT1–SRT5)	0.085 m2/g	–	±0.004 m2/g (estimated)
Pore Size Distribution	Untreated CRC	1.0–5.0 µm	–	–
	Treated CRC	0.5–3.5 µm	–	–
	Untreated RMC	1.2–6.0 µm	–	–
	Treated RMC	0.6–4.0 µm	–	–
Micro-Hardness (MH)	Untreated CRC	18.4 HV	18.2–18.6 HV	±0.14 HV
	Treated CRC (SCT1–SCT5)	22.6 HV	22.4–23.0 HV	±0.22 HV
	Untreated RMC	16.7 HV	16.5–17.0 HV	±0.20 HV
	Treated RMC (SRT1–SRT5)	21.2 HV	21.0–21.4 HV	±0.16 HV

vertical_align_top show_chart

more_horiz close
- image
- translate
- link
- article
- vertical_align_top
- file_download
- show_chart
- image
- translate
- link
- article

location_on

Laboratório de Hidrogênio, Coppe - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, em cooperação com a Associação Brasileira do Hidrogênio, ABH2 Av. Moniz Aragão, 207, 21941-594, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, Tel: +55 (21) 3938-8791 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: revmateria@gmail.com

rss_feed Acompanhe os números deste periódico no seu leitor de RSS