NANOTECHNOLOGY

IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

By: GAURAV JAIN

B-TECH (Final yr.)
 CONTENTS

Introduction
What nanotechnology is?
Introduction to Nanomaterials
Application of Nanotechnology
Barriers
Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

We are very familiar with the concept of getting raw materials,

bringing them together in an organized way and then putting them
together into a recognizable form.
This is our role in society and we have performed it well for hundreds
or thousands of years. So we can say construction is definitely not a
new science or technology and yet it has undergone great changes
over its history.
In the same vein, nanotechnology is not a new science and it is not a
new technology either. It is rather an extension of the sciences and
technologies that have already been in development for many years
What is Nanotechnology ?

Nanotechnology is the use of very small pieces of material by

themselves or their manipulation to create new large scale
materials.
At the Nano-scale material properties are altered from that of larger
scales.
The Nano-scale is the size range from approximately 1nm to
100nm.
Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that allows us to develop
materials with improved or totally new properties.
Introduction to Nano-materials

Nano-particles:-
It is defined as a particle with at
least one dimension less than
200nm. Nano-particles made of
semiconducting material(Ex-
Silicon)
Nano-composites:-
It is produced by adding Nano-
particle to bulk material in order to
improve its bulk properties
 Carbon Nano-tubes:-
They are the form of carbon that was
first discovered in 1952 in Russia and
then re-discovered in the 1990s in
Japan.
They are cylindrical in shape with
Nano-meter diameter.
Production cost of Nano-tubes is
high and the price ranges from 20
to 1000 per gram depending on
quality.
Types of Nano-tubes:-
Single-walled carbon Nano-tubes
Multi-walled carbon Nano-tubes
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)

Titanium dioxide is a widely used white pigment.

It can also oxidize oxygen or organic materials, therefore, it is
added to paints, cements, windows, tiles etc.
As TiO2 is exposed to UV light, it becomes increasingly
hydrophilic (attractive to water), thus it can be used for anti-
fogging coatings or self cleaning windows.
 Applications of
Nano-technology

Nanotechnology is widely used in construction material as:

In Concrete
In Steel
In Wood
In Glass
In Coating
In photovoltaic
 Nanotechnology in
concrete
Concrete:- It is a mixture of cement, sand
coarse aggregate and water, The mechanical
behavior of concrete material depends on the
phenomenon that occurs on a micro and Nano
scale.
Nanotechnology can modify the structure of
concrete material and finally improves in
properties of materials as-
Bulk density
Mechanical performance
Volume stability
Durability
Sustainability of concrete
 Nanotechnology in
concrete
Exploring and modifying these Nano
scale pores can result in improved
concrete
These addition could compensate for
its weakness in tension and result in
concrete with greatly improved
stress-strain behavior
The addition of Nano scale silica fume
operates at a Nano scale and can
improve durability of concrete
structures exposed to de-icing salts.
 Nanotechnology in
concrete
CNT in CONCRETE:-
The addition of small amount (1%) of CNT improves the
mechanical property of concrete
Oxidized MWNTs shows the best improvements in both
compressive(+25N/mm2) and flexural
strength(+8N/mm2).

Research into haematite (Fe2O3) nanoparticles added

to concrete has shown that they also increase strength
as well as offering the benefit of monitoring stress
levels through the measurement of section electrical
resistance.
 Nanotechnology in
Steel
Need of nanotechnology in steel:-

Fatigue is a significant issue that can lead to

the structural failure of steel subject to cyclic
loading, such as in bridges or towers.

Stress risers are responsible for initiating

cracks from which fatigue failure results.

Addition of copper nanoparticles reduces

the surface unevenness of steel which then
limits the number of stress risers
 Nanotechnology in
Steel
Temperature restriction:-
Above 750 F, steel starts to loose
its structural integrity, and at 1000
F, steel loses 50 % of its strength
Infusion of steel with Nano scale
copper particles could maintain
structural integrity up to 1000 F
New infused steel allows ultra high
strength, corrosion resistance and
have good surface finish.
 Nanotechnology in
Steel
High strength steel cables:-

Current research into refinement of cementite

phase of steel to a Nano size has produced
stronger cables
A stronger cable material reduce the costs and
period of construction, especially in bridges
Sustainability is also enhanced by the use of
higher cable strength as this leads to a more
efficient use of material
High rise structures require high strength joints
and this leads to the need of high strength bolts.
 Nanotechnology in
Steel
Bolted connection:-
The capacity of high strength bolts is realized
generally through quenching and tempering CONNECTIONS
Vanadium and molybdenum nanoparticles
delays the problems associated with high
strength bolts and also improving the steels
micro- structure
BOLTED
Welding connection:-
The addition of nanoparticles of magnesium
and calcium makes the HAZ(Heat Affected WELDED
Zone) grains finer in plate steel and this leads
to an increase in weld toughness.
 Nanotechnology in
Steel
There are two international product:-

Sandvik Nanoflex has both the desirable qualities of a high Youngs

Modulus and high strength and it is also resistant to corrosion due to
the presence of very hard nanometer-sized particles in the steel
matrix.

MMFX2 steel, while having the mechanical properties of

conventional steel, has a modified Nano-structure that makes it
corrosion resistant and it is an alternative to conventional stainless
steel, but at a lower cost.
 Nanotechnology in
Wood
Wood is also composed of nanotubes
or Nano fibrils; namely,
lignocellulose (woody tissue)
elements which are twice as strong as
steel.
Researchers have developed a highly
water repellent coating based on the
actions of the lotus leaf as a result of
the incorporation of silica and alumina
nanoparticles and hydrophobic
polymers.
 Nanotechnology in
Glass
Most of the glass used on the exterior
surface of buildings to control light and heat
in order to control the building environment
and contribute to sustainability.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used as
nanoparticle form to coat glazing since it
has sterilizing and anti-fouling properties.

conventional self-cleaning
glass glass
Self cleaning of Glass
 Nanotechnology in
Glass

Glass incorporating this self cleaning

technology is available on the market
today.

Fire-protective glass is another

application of nanotechnology. This is
achieved by using a layer sandwiched
between glass panels (an interlayer)
formed of fumed silica (SiO2)
nanoparticles which turns into a rigid
and opaque fire shield when heated.
 Nanotechnology in
Coatings
Coating is an area of significant research
in nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is being applied to
paints and insulating properties,
produced by the addition of Nano-sized
cells, pores and particles.
The TiO2will break down and
disintegrate organic dirt through
powerful catalytic reaction.
This research opens up the intriguing
possibility of putting roads to good
environmental use.
 Nanotechnology in
Fire-Resistance

This is achieved by the mixing of

carbon nanotubes with the
cementious material to fabricate
fibre composites that can inherit
some of the outstanding properties
Polypropylene fibres are also being
considered as a material for
increasing fire resistance and this is a
cheaper option than conventional
insulation.
 Nanotechnology in
Photovoltaic
Predominant photovoltaic
material is silicon, but an
emerging technology involves
the use of dye-sensitized nano-
TiO2.
Large surface area of Nano
TiO2 greatly increases
photovoltaic efficiency.
Also has potential for lower
material and processing costs
relative to conventional solar
cells.
 Barriers

Regulatory, legal, political and ethical issues.

Competition with established micro scale technologies.
License of proof-of-concept Nano tools, and delivery
system.
Safety and toxicity.
Implementation cost of plant.
 Barriers cont

1. FABRICATION
2. HEALTH
3. ENVIRONMENT
4. COST

1. FABRICATION
Current efforts in the field of nanotechnology are focussed on the fabrication,
characterization and use of these materials on a Nano scale.
2. HEALTH
Nanotechnology based construction products might be harmful to health. example, the
nanotubes might cause lung problems to the workers.
 Barriers cont..

3. ENVIRONMENT
The effect of various nanomaterials on the natural environment is hotly
debated in nanotechnology and environmental research.
Moreover it will create a new category of Nano-waste which has to be
extracted and treated.
4. COST
The cost of most nanotechnology materials and equipment are relatively
high. In comparison to traditional method.

Its a challenge for construction engineer to provide a facility to the general

public at a reasonable cost.
Real life Examples

Building made by using

self-cleaning concrete
(Church Dives in

Misericordia,Rome,Italy)

TiO2 coating on roads for

pollution reduction
Real life Examples

Nano house , Australia:-

University of Technology ,Sydney
(UTS) have developed a model
house that shows how new
materials, products and processes
that are emerging from
nanotechnology research and
development might be applied to
our living environment.
 CONCLUSION

Present day we are in great search for alternate

materials this can effectively be achieved through
the emerging field of Nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology is not exactly a new technology,
rather it is an extrapolation of current ones to a
new scale.
The main limitation is the high costs of
nanotechnology, also concerns with the
environmental and health effects.
There is wide scope of research for application of
nanotechnology in the building industry and it
shall help in conserving the material resources.
 References

Journals.iop.org
Nanoarchitecture.net
Nanoforum.org
Wikipedia.org
references