An Experimental Approach on Enhancing the Concrete Strength and its Resisting Property by Using Nano Silica Fly Ash

Abstract

This paper deals with the study of Nanotechnology experimentation in Civil Engineering which includes the development, advantages and limitations of Nano concreting technologies. For reducing carbon emission during cement manufacturing fly ash is used as a replacement in ordinary Portland cement which is termed as Portland pozzolana cement (PPC), this inclusion relatively increases the workability and the corrosion resisting capacity in concrete, but this replacement of fly ash in the ordinary Portland cement deviates the concrete strength consequently. Therefore, here we added Nano silica as an additive to fill up the deviation, and it is possible because the silica (S) in the sand reacts with calcium hydrate (CH) in the cement at Nano scale to form C–S–H bond as it improves the strengthening factor of concrete, which are in turn helpful in achieving high compressive strength even in early days. This process proved that the increase in strength may have a possibility of turning the concrete less alkaline because as the concentration of CH crystals is reduced the alkalinity of concrete will be reduced which can cause corrosion in reinforcement bars, Hence by the addition of Nanosilica, a significantly improved corrosion resistant property was identified in our experimental research. Also, the performance of reinforced Nano concrete and the fly ash added RC Beam Column joints were casted and their flexure strength results were compared with one another and their test results are presented in this paper.