PSI - Issue 67

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2024) 000 – 000 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2024) 000 – 000 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect

www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

ScienceDirect

Procedia Structural Integrity 67 (2025) 53–60

International Symposium on Nanotechnology in Construction Materials NICOM8 Nanomaterials advancements: probing environmental sustainability of alumina nanofiber dispersion for Ultra High Performance Concrete Davide di Summa a,b,* , Estefania Cuenca b , Nele De Belie a , Liberato Ferrara b a Ghent University, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials; Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Tech Lane Ghent Science Park, Campus A, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 60, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; b Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy; Abstract Alumina nano-fibres, incorporated into Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), play a dual role by enhancing mechanical performance and improving durability under aggressive conditions, particularly through stimulated autogenous crack sealing and performance self-healing mechanisms. The superior performance of UHPC, enriched with alumina nano-fibres, is attributed to their nano-scale reinforcing effects, exerting control over the cracking process from its initiation, and their hydrophilic nature, promoting cement and binder hydration reactions. Goal of this study is to address the environmental sustainability of alumina nano fibres through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis. Concentrated versions of alumina nanofibers are specifically examined, employing chemical admixtures such as polycarboxylate sodium salt (PCE) for dispersion. This strategic approach intensifies intermixing and prevents gelatinization arising from the inherent hydrophilic nature of alumina nano-fibres. Through LCA analysis, the study sheds light on the environmental footprint associated with the production and application of alumina nano-fibres in UHPC, through a broad perspective contributing valuable insights into the sustainability of these materials and enabling informed decision-making for their future applications in the construction industry. © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of NICOM8 Chairpersons International Symposium on Nanotechnology in Construction Materials NICOM8 Nanomaterials advancements: probing environmental sustainability of alumina nanofiber dispersion for Ultra High Performance Concrete Davide di Summa a,b,* , Estefania Cuenca b , Nele De Belie a , Liberato Ferrara b a Ghent University, Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials; Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Tech Lane Ghent Science Park, Campus A, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 60, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; b Politecnico di Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy; Abstract Alumina nano-fibres, incorporated into Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), play a dual role by enhancing mechanical performance and improving durability under aggressive conditions, particularly through stimulated autogenous crack sealing and performance self-healing mechanisms. The superior performance of UHPC, enriched with alumina nano-fibres, is attributed to their nano-scale reinforcing effects, exerting control over the cracking process from its initiation, and their hydrophilic nature, promoting cement and binder hydration reactions. Goal of this study is to address the environmental sustainability of alumina nano fibres through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis. Concentrated versions of alumina nanofibers are specifically examined, employing chemical admixtures such as polycarboxylate sodium salt (PCE) for dispersion. This strategic approach intensifies intermixing and prevents gelatinization arising from the inherent hydrophilic nature of alumina nano-fibres. Through LCA analysis, the study sheds light on the environmental footprint associated with the production and application of alumina nano-fibres in UHPC, through a broad perspective contributing valuable insights into the sustainability of these materials and enabling informed decision-making for their future applications in the construction industry. © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of NICOM8 Chairpersons © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of NICOM8 Chairpersons

Keywords: Alumina nanofibers, UHPC, Life Cycle Assessment Keywords: Alumina nanofibers, UHPC, Life Cycle Assessment

2452-3216 © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of NICOM8 Chairpersons 2452-3216 © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of NICOM8 Chairpersons

2452-3216 © 2024 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of NICOM8 Chairpersons 10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.008