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In this study the effect of nano-silica on cement-silica water-cement ratio cement based matrices, HRWRA
fume paste, mortar and concrete is studied at three plays an important role in improving workability.
different water-binder ratios: 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30. By Recently, nano-silica (NS), by virtue of its large surface
adopting a systematic procedure most suitable nano- area due to high ineness, reportedly has been used to
enhance the compressive strength of some cement based
silica was selected from a set of commercially available
material. It reacts with calcium hydroxide (CH) at very
nano-silicas. Most effective superplasticiser was selected early stage to form C-S-H gel.1 The interaction of CH with
from a set of super plasticisers and used in the paste, NS or SF improves the microstructure of the hardened
mortar and concrete to achieve maximum dispersion of cement paste (HCP) at the interface between HCP and
the particles in the cementitious system so as to attain aggregate at early ages.2 The durability and mechanical
maximum flow. The compressive strength of these properties of HPC are mainly dependent on the gradual
systems was tested at curing ages of 3,7,14, 28 and 56 reinement of structure of HCP and the improved paste-
days. The microstructure of the same system was also aggregate interface, and the role of SF in this regard
studied using the various instruments such as X-ray is well known.3 But the activity of SF at early ages is
Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope relatively low according to the literature.4-7 Mitchell et al.
reported from the XRD pattern of SF put into saturated
(SEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The
calcium hydroxide (CH) solution, changed little up to 7
results obtained from the specimens were compared with days and extensive C-S-H formation occurred only after
controlled specimens. As expected, the results showed 120 days.4 Li et al. observed that only 78% of silica fume
that nano-silica increased the compressive strength as was consumed in a cementitious mixture containing 10%
well improved the microstructure due to pozzolanic as silica fume and 90% cement after 90 days of hydration.7
well as iller action. Nano-silica addition to cement-silica fume system on
the other hand enhances the early strength possibly due
Keywords : Silica fume, Nano-silica, Durability, Strength. to its larger speciic surface and higher pozzolanacity
leading to rapid strength development.8 Additionally
nano-silica further reduces the porosity of the matrix and
High strength cement based matrices are generally
that in the interfacial transition zone.9 The nano-silica
provided with Ordinary Portland Cement (C), silica
when used in colloidal suspension behaves much better
fume (SF) together with suitable aggregate and High
than the agglomerated silica because dry silica cannot
range water reducing admixture (HHWRA). For low
is effective in increasing the strength, and not beyond silica consumes more CH crystals at the interface and
this. At higher w/b ratio, more hydration is possible thus can improve the interface structure more effectively than
above effect of excess nano-silica addition is even more silica fume. Nano-silica accelerates the cement setting
pronounced because of hindrances to hydration process. process and the hydration process as well.18
SiO2 presents in the nano-silica as well as that in silica
fume would take part in secondary pozzolanic reaction Cement silica fume nano-silica moratrs
between SiO2 and Ca(OH)2 in a similar manner, but the Compressive strength results for cement-silica fume
rate of reaction may be different owing to their physical sand mortars are given in Table 7. From Table 7 it is
difference. The pastes prepared using nano-silica alone observed that maximum 28 day compressive strength
was thicker compared to that prepared using silica fume results for w/b ratio 0.20 is 94.60 MPa and corresponds
alone. The compressive stength of hardended cement to SF 5%. Similarly, for w/b 0.25 and 0.30 the maximum
paste is enhanced with nano-silica at early ages like 1 and 28 day compressive strengths were exhibited by M2A
3 days, but the strength of cement silica fume is enhanced and M3A mortars. These mortars also have silica fume
only after the 3 days because of the pozzolanic activity of content corresponding to SF 5%. These mixes are taken
nano-silica being greater than that of silica fume. Nano- as reference mixes for further investigation with nano-
silica addition and the corresponding compressive enhancement. As discussed earlier for pastes, nano-silica
strength results are given in Table 8. The ranges of the being ine adheres to the surface of larger cement and
strength are almost similar to that observed for pastes. silica fume particles, thus disturbing the packing and
Thus interfacial transition zone (ITZ) has very little hindering hydration process at higher percentage of
inluence on the strength of mortar in this case. This is addition.
because silica fume is very ine and is known to improve
signiicantly the ITZ in a way, such that it is no longer In case of autoclaving again, approximately 14 day
the weakest link in the system. It is also observed that, compressive strength was achieved by 1 day autoclaving.
at all w/b the maximum 28 day compressive strength The rate of enhancement is high when the nano-silica
is achieved at SF 5% unlike the pastes; this is because, addition is comparatively less. During additional 28 day
the addition of sand particles makes mortar matrix dry curing strength development is comparatively less
dryer, dispersion of iner particles are constrained in and approximately equivalent to 28 day normal curing
to the packing of sand and enhancement of hydration strength. The autoclave treated concrete generally will
with increase in w/b ratio may not be realised to extent have better sulphate resistance, as well as reduced
it is realised in pastes. In case of autoclaved sample, shrinkage and creep when compared with normal cured
approximately 14 day compressive strength is achieved concrete. Hence, the presence of unutilised gypsum ,if
by 1day autoclaving. During additional 56 day dry present, in the cement will not be a concern for long
curing strength development is comparatively less term stability of hardened matrix. The ettringite which
and approximately equivalent to 28 day normal curing is formed due to the reaction of C3A with gypsum will
strength. be converted into monosulphate after 24 hours because
of sulphate ions depletion.19
From Table 8, it is obvious that nano-silica up to certain
percentages results in an increase in early strength as Cement siica fume nano-silica concretes
well as strength at later ages of mortar. From Table 8 it The two mortar mixes exhibiting maximum 28 day
is observed that maximum strength enhancement was compressive strength (designated as M1A and M2A)
achieved by addition of 2% nano-silica in reference were selected for making 15 cm concrete cube specimens
control mix M1A and M3A. In case of mix M2A, as discussed earlier. The details of mix proportions of
addition of 4% nano-silica exhibited maximum strength concrete are given in Table 9.
The compressive strength results for concrete cubes shrinkage of paste at ITZ. Thus shrinkage cracks are
are given in Table 10. It can be observed from Tables 8 absent due to global bulk shrinkage of the material rather
and 10, that cube strength of concrete is comparable or than shrinkage of paste at aggregate interface. Nano-
higher than that of the mortar cube strength when the silica had been added at two levels, 1.5% and 3%. On
proportion of mortar is in excess of the void by 0.10, at all addition of nano-silica, strength enhancement up to 19%
ages up to the age of 28 days. For proportion of mortar is observed. Further 3% nano-silica addition enhanced
being in excess of the void by 0.20 and 0.30, concrete cube the strength more when compared to 1.5% nano-silica
strengths are higher than those of the corresponding addition. Further, the strength enhancement is higher
mortar at all ages upto 28 days. This is inspite of the fact for lower w/b ratio concrete. Thus, it is inferred that
that size of the concrete cube is 15 cm while mortar tests nano-silica as an admixture can enhance the strength of
were conducted with smaller cubes for which strength cement-silica fume concrete up to 19% when concrete
expected were more. Thus, it is conirmed that silica mixture proportion is appropriate and implications
fume improves the ITZ and is no longer the weakest for high strength concrete are positive. The effect of
link in the system. The inclusion of coarse aggregates autoclaving is similar to that observed in the case of
reduces the overall porosity and improves the modulus mortar. The methodology adopted in this work for
of elasticity of the solid system, hence this improvement obtaining the mix proportion of concrete, when suitably
in strength is realised.20 The more the proportion of the modiied, may also serve as a method for obtaining mix
mortar, the higher the strength because of reduction of proportion of concrete.
1. A systematic procedure has been presented in 6. Papadakis, V.G., Experimental Investigation and Theoretical Modeling of
Silica Fume Activity in Concrete, Cement and Concrete Research, 1999, Vol.
this paper, considering concrete as a multiphase 29, No.1, pp.79-86.
material described above to arrive at a suitable
7. Li, S., Roy, D.M., and Kumar, A., Quantitative Determination of Pozzolanas
mix proportion of high strength concrete with in Hydrated Systems of Cement or Ca(OH)2 with Fly Ash or Silica Fume,
nano-silica as an additive. The procedure can Cement and Concrete Research., 1985, Vol.15, No.6, pp. 1079-1084.
be suitably modiied, to serve as a method for 8. Bjornstrom, J., Martinelli, A., Matic, A., Borjesson, L., and. Panas, I.,
obtaining mix proportion of concrete in general. Accelerating effects of colloidal nano-silica for beneicial calcium-silicate-
hydrate formation in cement, Chemical Physics Letters, 2004, Vol.392,
and increases the low loss in case of mortar and 9. Campillo, I., Dolado, J.S., and Porro, A., High performance nanostructured
materials for construction, Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on
possibly thus for concrete as well. Nanotechnology in Construction, Paisley (Scotland), 2003, pp. 215225.
10. _________Indian standard code of practice for speciication for 43 grade ordinary
3. Through this investigation it is reafirmed again Portland cement (First Revision), IS: 8112-1989 (Reafirmed 2005). Bureau of
that, silica fume when present in the cementitious Indian Standards, New Delhi.
system, improves the ITZ, thus, ITZ ceases to 11. _________Indian standard code of practice for speciication for coarse and ine
be the weakest link in high strength concrete or aggregates from natural sources for concrete (Second Revision), IS: 383-1970
mortar. (Reafirmed 2002). Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
12. _________Indian standard code of practice for Methods of Test for Aggregates for
4. Nano-silica as an admixture can enhance Concrete (Eighth Reprint MARCH 1997), IS: 2386 (Part III)-1963 (Reafirmed
2002). Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
the strength of cement-silica fume concrete
considerably, even up to 19% when concrete 13. _________Indian standard code of practice for Speciication for Planetary Mixer
Used in Tests of Cement and Pozzolana, IS: 10890-1984 (Reafirmed 1999) Bureau
mixture proportions are appropriate. of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
14. _________Indian standard code of practice for Methods of Test for Pozzolanic
5. Nano-silica addition does not adversely affect Materials (First Revision), IS: 1727-1967 (Reafirmed 2004) Edition 2.1. Bureau
the microstructure of paste to induce negative of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
inluence on properties of concrete. 15. Bhattacharjee, B., Risk of rebar corroison in cracked RC lexural member,
incorporated with ly ash, The Indian Concrete Journal, March 2006, Vol. 80,
No.3 pp. 21-25.
Acknowledgements 16. Kondraivendhan, B. and Bhattacharjee, B., Effect of Age and WaterCement
Ratio on Size and Dispersion of Pores in Ordinary Portland Cement Paste,
We sincerely thank CICO, FOSROC, BASF, SIKA and
ACI Materials Journal, 2010, Vol.107, No.2, pp.143154.
ASIAN LABORATORY for providing us with the
17. Chen, X. and Wu, S., Inluence of water-to-cement ratio and curing period
required superplasticisers for conducting this research
on pore structure of cement mortar, Construction and Building Materials, 2013,
work. We also thank ELKEM for providing silica fume Vol.38, No.1, pp. 804-812.
to complete this work as well as EKA, BEECHEM for 18. Qing Ye, Zenan Zhang, Deyu Long and Rongschen Chen., Inluence of nano-
providing us nano-silica samples. SiO2 addition on properties of hardened cement paste as compared with silica
fume, Construction and Building Materials, 2007, Vol. 21, No.3, pp. 539-545.
19. Soroka, I., Portland Cement Paste and Concrete, Chemical Publishing Co.,
References
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