Strength and Durability Studies of Partial
Replacement of Cement on Nano Cement
Sakthi Priya S J
beautypriya96@gmail.com
Darvin N
darvinkriz@gmail.com
Darshan Vignesh M
darshanvignesh08@gmail.com
Student, Civil Engineering
Tagore Engineering College
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Abstract Now a days concrete is the one of the most
commonly used material in all type of structures in this
world. Despite being widely used, cement-based materials
have poor mechanical properties and are highly permeable
to water and other aggressive chemicals, which reduces
their durability. However, the increasing demand for high
performance structural materials and components has led
to the rapid development of new classes of materials.
Offshore and onshore buildings are now practicing
reinforced concrete material instead of steel structure to
avoid corrosion. To attain maximum efficiency of
reinforcement to avoid corrosion Nano cement is used as a
cementisious material in reinforced concrete structures. To
avoid the intrusion of water through minute pours in
normal reinforced cement concrete well size distributed
Nano cement is used. By using this procedure we can
reduce the possibility of corrosion in reinforcement and
simultaneously durability of that structure is also
increased.
KeywordsNano cement,Concrete, Corrosion, Durability, High
performance
I. INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology has the potential to make construction
faster, cheaper, safer, and more varied. Automation of
nanotechnology construction can allow for the creation of
structures from advanced homes to massive skyscrapers much
more quickly and at much lower cost. In the near future,
Nanotechnology can be used to sense cracks in foundations of
architecture and can send nanobots to repair them.
Nanotechnology is an active research area that encompasses a
number of disciplines such as electronics, bio-mechanics and
coatings. These disciplines assist in the areas of civil
engineering and construction materials. If nanotechnology is
implemented in the construction of homes and infrastructure,
such structures will be stronger. If buildings are stronger, then
Kaarthic S E
Civil Engineering
Tagore Engineering College
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
kaarthic.se@gmail.com
fewer of them will require reconstruction and less waste will
be produced.
Nanotechnology in construction involves using nanoparticles
such as alumina and silica. Manufacturers are also
investigating the methods of producing nano-cement. If cement
with nano-size particles can be manufactured and processed, it
will open up a large number of opportunities in the fields of
ceramics, high strength composites and electronic applications.
Nanomaterials still have a high cost relative to conventional
materials, meaning that they are not likely to feature in high-
volume building materials. The day when this technology
slashes the consumption of structural steel has not yet been
contemplated.
Until today, concrete has primarily been seen as a structural
material. Nanotechnology is helping to make it a multipurpose
smart functional material. Concrete can be nano-engineered
by the incorporation of nano-sized building blocks or objects
e.g., (nano particles, nano admixtures and nanotubes) to
control material behavior and grafting of molecules onto the
cement particles, cement phases, aggregates, and additives
(including nano-sized additives) to provide the surface
functionality adjusted to promote the specific interfacial
interactions of the molecules. Recently, nanotechnology is
being used in many applications and it has received increasing
attention also in building materials, with potential advantages
and drawbacks being underlined (Campillo et al., 2003;
Pacheco-Torgal and Jalali, 2011.
Table 1 Basic Composition of Nano Cement
CAST ID Shree Sastha entp(USA)
PRODUCT Cement Nano powder
PURITY 99%
SIZE 80nm
 II. METHODOLOGY specification No.383-1970.The mix ratio used in this present
investigation is 1:1.08:2.55 with water cement ratio 0.40 for all
Nano cement are being developed as cement containing
concrete specimens.
well dispersed Nano sized particles of cement and mineral
admixtures. The Nano particles would be evenly distributed III. EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS AND RESSULTS
among the larger particles of mineral admixtures and with such
fine dispersion even a lower content of cement should be able A. Mix Design
to provide desired binding of aggregates and admixture Ratio = 1:1.08:2.55
particles generating required strength and performance. Nano
sized particles of cement on account of their large surface area Mix Proportions for Nano Cement:
would also hydrate at a much faster rate accelerating strength MIX 1 (CM) = Cement + fine aggregate + water.
development. Further, the nano particles of cement and nano MIX 2 = (95%) Cement + 5% of NC+ fine aggregate +
sized additives such as nano silica will also cause densification water.
of matrix thus resulting in higher strengths. In such systems the MIX 3 = (92.5%) Cement + 7.5% of NC+ fine aggregate +
mineral additives can therefore be utilized in larger quantity. water.
MIX 4 = (90%) Cement + 10% of NC+ fine aggregate +
water.

B. Crushing Test
Table 2 Crushing Value of Coarse Aggregate

Description Sample 1 Sample2

Total weight of the dry
sample (w1 gm) 2913 2816

Weight of portion
passing 4.75 mm sieve 771 706
(w2 gm)
Aggregate crushing
value 26.43 25.07
=(w2/w1)*100%
Average value 25.75%

C. Water Absorption Test

Water absorption = [(A-B)/B]*100%
Average value = 0.206%

D. Imapct Test
Table 3 Impact Value of Coarse Aggregate

Weight
Weight
of
of
Weight sample
sample
Sample of retained Impact value
passing
No. sample on BS =(B/A)*100%
Fig 1: Methodology Flowchart BS No.7
A(gm) No.7
Sieve B
Sieve C
(gm)
Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) confirming to IS (gm)
specification No.289-1976. The composition of OPC used.Fine 1 372 25 347 6.72
aggregate (sand) local sand confirming to grading zone III of
IS specification No.383-1970.Coarse aggregate (Jelly) Locally 2 383 31 352 8.09
available aggregates confirming to graded aggregates of 3 353 25 328 7.08
nominal size greater than 4.75mm and less than 10mm of IS
 NANO CEMENT MORTAR
E. Consistency Test for Cement
0% 5.00% 7.50% 10%
Table 4: Consistency test for cement

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH N/mm2

Penetration 40
Quantity Volume
of plunger
of of Percentage 30
S.No from
cement water of water
bottom in 20
in g in ml
mm
10
Test
500 135 15 30%
1 0
1 3 7 28
Test DAYS
500 158 7 35%
2

Test Fig 2: Compressive Strength Chart of Nano cement

500 170 6 34%
3
Table 6: Compressive strength test for Nano cement

F. Initial and Final Setting time of Cement 3 7 28

1 DAY
DAYS DAYS DAYS
Initial setting time = 40 mins >30 mins S.NO SPECIMENS IN N/
IN IN IN
mm
N/ mm N/ mm N/ mm
Final setting time = 627 mins >600 mins
1 OPC 0% 13.72 17.24 24.38 32.83
G. Fineness test
Specific Gravity = 3.13 2 NC 10% 17.24 19.91 26.17 38.16
Fineness = 2.17
3 NC 20% 12.02 15.46 25.28 36.83
H. Compression Test
Table 5: Compressive strength test for Nano cement

% OF
1 DAY 3 DAYS 7 DAYS 28 DAYS OPC AND NANO CEMENT
S.NO IN IN IN IN
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH IN N/mm

NC
N/mm N/mm N/mm N/mm 60

40
1 0% 10.550 14.010 27.340 30.580
2 5% 5.680 10.860 15.290 24.190 20
3 7.5% 5.630 11.076 14.620 26.001 0
4 10% 8.860 11.724 18.020 29.196 1 3 7 28
DAYS

1) On completion of Nano cement mortars the results shows 0% 10% 20%

that 10% of Nano cement gives maximum strength.
2) The OPC performs well at early and latter age strength in
1, 3, 7, 28 days.
3) Compare to OPC 10% of Nano cement shows gradual
increase at early age strength at 1, 3,7,28 days.
Fig 3: Compressive Strength Chart of Nano cement
I. Weight Loss Method
When metals are exposed to the soil, they begin to
corrosion. The weight of the retrieved coupons before cleaning
was compared to the initial weight. In the laboratory outer soils
debris on the coupons was carefully removed. They were
cleaned with 15% HCL to remove corrosion products on the
surface of the coupon according to ASTM G1 (standard
practice for the preparing, cleaning, and evaluating corrosion
test specimens). The coupon was rinsed under running water it
was placed in oven at 70 c for 15 minutes. The weight of the
retrieved coupons before cleaning was compared to the initial
weight, the difference indicating the metal loss during the
exposure period. The corresponding average percentage weight
loss (APWL) and corrosion rate (CR) were calculated.

Table 7: Weight loss method to find the corrosion rate

Time
Sample Initial Final Loss of
in
no weight(g) weight(g) weight(g)
Hours
0 62.5629 59.8535 2.7094 48
4 61.4000 58.6637 2.7363 100
6 60.9273 58.1255 2.8023 128 Figure 4 AC Impedance analysis graph
8 61.6021 59.3304 2.2717 128
10 61.6967 60.0932 1.6035 140 1) Corrosion rate of steel embedded in M30 concrete for
control mix in mmpy = 0.0104.
12 61.0585 58.0584 3.0001 128
14 62.3550 59.1160 3.2391 100 2) Corrosion rate of steel embedded in M30 concrete
Nano cement 10% in mmpy= 0.0222.
16 56.9854 53.0343 3.9511 160
K. Open Circuit Potential
18 55.2420 52.7301 2.5119 40
The principle involved in this technique is essentially
measurement of corrosion potential of rebar with respect to a
J. A.C.Impedance Technique standard reference electrode, such as saturated reference
electrode, such as saturated calomel electrode, copper-copper
To determine the corrosion rate of steel rebar sulfate electrode, silver-silver chloride electrode and others.
embedded in concrete quantitatively using impedance Because of its good stability, saturated calomel electrodes are
technique. A.C. impedance spectroscopy is being used as a widely used in concrete structures. Using ASTM C 876 the
non-destructive technique for quantifying corrosion of steel probability of reinforcement corrosion is determined. Positive
rebar embedded in concrete. Typically a frequency terminal of the multimeter is connected to the rebar embedded
response analyzer is employed because of the low in the concrete specimen. Negative terminal connected to the
frequency measurements often required. reference electrode. Measurements are taken at specified
Table 7: Impedance analysis locations, which are referred to as open circuit potential or
corrosion potential. Using a high impedance multi meter the
potential time behavior of the embedded rebar measured over a
CONCRE CHARG CORROSI period of 28 days.
TE E ON CORROSI
S. SPECI
RESISTA TRANS CURREN ON RATE,
NO MENS
NCE K- FER T mmpy
cm K-cm A/ cm
Table 8: Open Circuit Potential measurement corrosion rate

1 OPC 0.458 24.857 0.8723 0.0104

OCP VALUES IN
PROBABILITY OF
TERMS OF mv VS
CORROSION (%)
NANO SCE
2 CEMEN 0.869 65.845 1.852 0.0222 More ve than -275 mv >90
T (10%)
Between -275 mv to -125
Un certain
mv
More +ve than -125 mv < 10
 Table 9: Open circuit potential elemental analysis and chemical analysis, particularly in the
investigation of metals, glass, ceramics and building materials,
and for research in geochemistry, forensic science, and
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Mean archaeology and art objects
SSPECIMEN
week week week week week week .
30m 0.5% -65 -35 -73 -90 -106 -49
30m 1% -61 -17 -73 -98 -122 -6 -110
30m 1.5% -121 -56 -74 -87 -101 -84
60m 0.5% -82 -49 -89 -119 -42 -57
60m 1% -123 -82 -53 -99 -62 -85 -72
(-49) (-36) (-33) (-25) (-60) (-
115)
60m 1.5% -69 -60 -47 -69 -125 -30
90m 0.5% -110 -327 -151 -200 -172 -241
(-28) (-17) (-28) (-22) (-54) (-8)
90m 1% -90 -49 -49 -95 -340 -138 -384
90m 1.5% -123 -98 -83 -267 -240 -14
(-84) (-69) (-66) (-59) (-91) (-35)
OPC -74 -50 -58 -61 -122 -30
NC -243 -302 -312 -453 -236 -304 -312

L. X Ray Diffraction
This test is used to find out the qualitative mineral analysis.
Using this test has done quantitative determination of Nano
Silica and Nano Cement components. The measurements of X-
ray diffraction line intensities are the basis for quantitative
phase analysis. Graph is drawn between 2 and counts. Thus
the quantitative and qualitative measures of the sample have
done by using this test.
Figure 6 XRF pattern for nano-cement
N. Scanning Electron Microscope
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of
electron microscope that produces images of a sample by
scanning it with a focused beam of electrons. The electrons
interact with atoms in the sample, producing various signals
that contain information about the sample's surface topography
and composition. SEM can achieve resolution better than 1
nanometer. Specimens can be observed in high vacuum, in low
vacuum, in wet conditions (in environmental SEM), and at a
wide range of cryogenic or elevated temperatures.

Figure 5 X-ray pattern for nano cement

M. X-Ray Fluorescence
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is the emission of
characteristic "secondary" (or fluorescent) X-rays from a Figure 7 SEM output image
material that has been excited by bombarding with high-energy
X-rays or gamma rays. The phenomenon is widely used for
 CONCLUSION
1) The compressive strength test results for nano cement
10% is 38.12 N/mm
2) The water absorption test results for nano cement 10%
is 18.53.
3) Corrosion rate of steel embedded in M30 concrete
nano cement 10% in mmpy= 0.0222.
4) The fiber particles with more specific surface area
involved in faster and speedy hydration system.
5) The nano concrete attained much higher strength after
24 hours and therefore this nano-concrete is
advantageous at site for early removal of shuttering
and demoulding. Secondly, such a high strength
material can very well be used for prefabrication of
structural elements and leads to faster construction
practices.
6) Corrosion of reinforcement can be minimized using
Nano cement. It will leads to major revolution in on
shore and off shore structures.
7) The results obtained in present study are on the
experimental basis up to research level only.
8) To get the better results, the study can be done with
different parameters
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to thank Director, CSIR-
CECRI, and Karaikudi for permitting to publish this paper.
Thanks to Mr. P.Venkateshan M.E., Principal Scientist for
guiding during the project.
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