EFFECTS OF NANO-SIO2 AND MICRO-SILICA ON THE LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The principles of sustainable development and environmentally conscious construction have gained significant traction within the building sector in recent years. Concrete has traditionally been favored as a construction material due to its low cost, superior mechanical properties, and relatively high levels of impermeability and fire resistance. Conversely, concrete exhibits limitations in terms of its flexural and tensile strength, inadequate crack resistance, and classification as a quasi-brittle material. The advancements in contemporary construction projects necessitate the development of innovative material characteristics. In light of its beneficial environmental effects, the incorporation of byproducts such as micro silica as a partial substitute for cement in concrete has emerged as a common practice in construction facilities. Conversely, Colloid Nano silica represents a distinctive additive that has been shown to improve concrete performance. In this investigation, cementitious materials with a water-cement ratio of 0.45 were formulated utilizing varying proportions of micro silica and aqueous nano silica as partial cement substitutes. The findings of the researchers indicated that the inclusion of additional cementitious material replacements, specifically 6 percent micro silica and 1.5 percent nano silica, resulted in enhanced compressive strength and electrical conductivity of the concrete specimens while significantly diminishing capillary absorption.