Durability Enhancement of High-Strength Concrete Using Hybrid Nano Silica and Nano Calcium Carbonate in a Quaternary Binder System

Sravanti Chitturi

doi:10.57159/jcmm.5.3.26610

Authors

Sravanti Chitturi Department of Civil Engineering, JNTUH University College of Engineering, Science & Technology (Autonomous), Hyderabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57159/jcmm.5.3.26610

Keywords:

Quartz Sand, Sorptivity, RCPT, Water Permeability, Nano Silica

Abstract

This research investigated the durability of M90 high-strength concrete (HSC) with 3% by mass of cement of both nano silica (nS) and nano calcium carbonate (nC) embedded into a quaternary binder created with Ordinary Portland Cement, fly ash, microsilica and quartz powder. The two mixtures of HSC 0nS 0nC (control) and HSC 3nS 3nC (nano-modified) are tested for water absorption, sorptivity, water permeability, rapid chloride penetration, and freeze/thaw from 28 to 180 days. The nano-modified concrete consistently demonstrated better resistance to transport. Water absorption for the modified concrete is 25% lower than the control mix at 28 days and 15% lower at 180 days; also, porosity of the nano-modified concrete is reduced from 11.23% to 9.19% for 28 days and to 7.60% (compared to 8.95% for the control) for 180 days. Sorptivity of the nano-modified concrete is significantly reduced by 28–53% at all ages, indicating reduced capillary connectivity. Water permeability of the nano-modified concrete significantly improved with nearly an 80% reduction compared to the control at 90 days and almost two orders of magnitude lower than at 180 days. The rapid chloride penetration test results indicated a very low permeability (from day 28) with a 180-day value of 132 C for nano mix and therefore approaching the negligible level. In 50 cycles, the freeze/thaw test results measured the low percentage mass loss (0.27% vs. 0.36% control) and similarly stable ultrasonic pulse velocity (only reduced by 2.4%) showing high compressive strength retention (95.34 MPa) and a relative increase of elastic stiffness with a relative dynamic modulus of 95.05% compared to a control of 94.56%. These findings suggest that M90 HSC with hybrid nS and nC exhibit better resilience to transport mechanisms and freeze/thaw degradation.

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