PSI - Issue 70

Suresh Kumar Verma et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 70 (2025) 327–334

334

4. Conclusion Nano-silica at 3% replacement demonstrated the best overall performance, yielding a 31% increase in 28-day compressive strength and the highest reduction in water absorption. Nano-alumina proved most effective for early age strength enhancement, attributed to its nucleation effect and acceleration of hydration. Nano-calcium carbonate improved early strength moderately by acting as a micro-filler, enhancing matrix density. Across all nanoparticle types, the 3% dosage was optimal; higher levels (5%) resulted in agglomeration, reduced dispersion, and compromised workability. All nano-modified mixes outperformed the control in terms of mechanical and durability properties. These findings confirm that nanoparticles can partially replace OPC, leading to reduced clinker demand and lower CO 2 emissions. The improvement in microstructure, pore refinement, and hydration kinetics enhances the long-term performance of cementitious composites. Use of superplasticizer is essential to maintain workable consistency in nano-enhanced mixes. Hybrid or ternary nanoparticle blends may offer synergistic benefits in future applications. Overall, nanotechnology presents a viable pathway for producing high-performance, sustainable cement-based materials. References Chen, B., Wu, K., Yao, W., 2018. Effect of nano-calcium carbonate on the properties of cement paste. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 30(4), 04018051. Li, G., Wang, P., Zhao, X., 2006. Mechanical behavior and microstructure of cement composites incorporating surface-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Cement and Concrete Composites, 28(4), 370-376. Li, H., Zhang, M., Ou, J., 2004. Flexural fatigue performance of nano-SiO2 concrete. Materials and Structures, 37(10), 606-610. Mohseni, E., Tsavdaridis, K. D., 2016. Effect of Nano Alumina on Compressive Strength and Microstructure of Cement Paste Containing High Volume Blast Furnace Slag. Frontiers in Materials, 3, 90. Nazari, A., Riahi, S., 2011. The effects of incorporation of nano SiO2 and nano Al2O3 particles on compressive strength and water permeability of high strength concrete. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 528(3), 866-873. Ray, S., Dash, J., Devi, N., Sasmal, S., Pesala, B., 2021a. Investigation of Accelerated Hydration in Nanosilica Incorporated Tricalcium Silicate using THz Spectroscopy. arXiv preprint arXiv:2105.14482. Ray, S., Gautham, S., Pesala, B., Sasmal, S., 2021b. Determination of Hydrated Phases of Nanosilica incorporated C3S and β -C2S using Nanoindentation Technique. arXiv preprint arXiv:2106.00040. Said, A. M., Zeidan, M. S., Bassuoni, M. T., Tian, Y., 2012. Properties of concrete incorporating nano-silica. Construction and Building Materials, 36, 838-844. Singh, L. P., Sharma, U., 2014. Influence of nano-silica on the hydration and microstructure of cement composites. Construction and Building Materials, 68, 273 – 278. Su, W., Liu, C., Bao, W., Zheng, Z., Ma, G., Deng, Y., Ye, W., 2024. Study on the Mechanical Performance, Durability, and Microscopic Mechanism of Cement Mortar Modified by a Composite of Graphene Oxide and Nano-Calcium Carbonate. Buildings, 14(7), 2236. Zhang, M. H., Islam, J., Peethamparan, S., 2017. Use of nano-silica to improve mechanical properties of cement composites. Cement and Concrete Research, 95, 19 – 29.