NANO- INNOVATIVE BUILD.

M
CONCRETE
WHAT IS NANO CONCRETE?
Nano-concrete is defined as a concrete made with Portland cement particles that
are less than 500 Nano-meters as the cementing agent.
Currently cement particle sizes range from a few Nano-meters to a maximum of
about100 micro meters. In the case of micro-cement the average particle size is
reduced to 5 micrometers. An order of magnitude reduction is needed to
produce Nano-cement.

ALSO CALLED AS “NAC” ( NO-AGGREGATE CONCRETE)

• since coarse aggregate is avoided. Even the inert fly ash particles develop
cohesive bond with cement matrix making the ultimate NAC-matrix close to
monolithic. This is manifested in NAC’s high strength and low permeability.
• In a given material and matrix, smaller the particles higher the bond. A lot of
energy is required to snap such a bond. Nano science works on this premise, and
Nano Concrete performs very much within this framework.
• This is manifested in Nano Concrete developing 115 MPa strength in over a year
as against 55 MPa at 28-day. Such quantum jump in strength is uncommon in
cement -concrete, whatever maybe the technique of preparation.
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES ENCOUNTERED WHILE USING COARSE
AGGREGATE ?

the transition zone ie., the ‘zone of bond’ between cementitious matrix and stone
(coarse aggregate), leading to hostile issues such as:
 accumulation of free lime;
 formation of lengthy and low density crystals of lime developing weak link
and flexure-failure;
 development of micro cracks due to tensile shrinkage owning to differential
density of stone to matrix; and
 ultimate vulnerability to chemical attacks, more so due to presence of free-
lime.

If one can avoid coarse aggregate in concrete, without sacrificing the

performance requirements, concrete attains new definition, devoid of
transition zone, and many durability issues would be addressed in one
stroke.
BUT, FINE AND COARSE AGGREGATE ARE ADDED TO CEMENT WITH THE
FOLLOWING PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

 to render workability, facilitating placement and application.

 to avoid shrinkage in cement paste and attaining volume stability to concrete.
 to contain heat of hydration of cement, for avoiding thermal cracks in concrete.
 to moderate/regulate the strengths (10 to 40 MPa) conducive to structural needs.
 to rationalize the cost of concrete by adding aggregate of lower costs than cost
intensive cement.
A mix has been developed at INSWAREB labs, which serves all the above
applicational issues and thus the researchers claim it as the concrete, owing
to its performance characteristics, though it does not contain coarse
aggregate.

This unique research aims at

articulating the performance of fly
ash as pozzolanic binder on one
hand and micro aggregate on the
other, nullifying the role of coarse
aggregate.
What are the other features of this No-Aggregate Concrete
(NAC)?

1. Moderate water is required for curing, as the cast product is porous-free and
internal (mix) water would accomplish considerable curing needs.

2. The matrix of NA-Concrete is as dense as ceramic with negligible porosity. Thus

the durability is expected to be over 1000+ years.

3. The strength of NA-Concrete ranges at 40-80 MPa, by two to four fold of

conventional concrete. Thus the structural sections could be considerably
rationalized saving material and money.

4. By no presence of coarse aggregate, NAC emerges devoid of transition zone

nullifying the negative features of performance.

5. The specimen studied through accelerated curing proved the bond strength
(concrete to steel) at par to that of high performance-OPC concrete. Long
term studies are in progress. The density of this concrete is around 1800 kg/cu.m
as against 2400 kg for conventional concrete. Thus there could be considerable
savings in structural design and inputs. This differential density would open up
new vistas in designing of structures resistant to earthquake impact.
Nanotechnology considers two main approaches:

(a) the ‘‘top down” approach in which larger structures are reduced in size to the
Nanoscale while maintaining their original properties without atomic-level control
(e.g., miniaturization in the domain of electronics) or deconstructed from larger
structures into their smaller composite parts and
(b) The ‘‘bottom-up” approach, also called ‘‘molecular nanotechnology” or
‘‘molecular manufacturing” in which materials are engineered from atoms or
molecular components through a process of assembly or self-assembly.

 Thus the basic concept behind Nano

modification of materials is that of bottom-
up engineering, starting with engineered
modifications to the molecular structure
with an aim to affect the bulk properties of
the material.

 Conceptually, this is simply an imitation of

nature. In practice, the introduction of
nanotechnology represents a revolution
that is allowing for the development of
high-performance and long-lasting
products and processes within an ideal
context of sustainable development.
Improving concrete properties by addition of Nano particles have shown
significant improvement than conventional concrete.

Why nanotechnology for concrete?

• Improves the material’s bulk properties.
• Ability to control or manipulate materials at the atomic scale. NANOSCALE
ATTACK ON ASR (ALKALI SILICATE REACTION)
• To obtain thinner final products and faster setting time.
• Development of high-performance cement and concrete materials
as measured by their mechanical and durability properties.
• Development of sustainable concrete materials and structures
through engineering for different adverse environments, reducing
energy consumption during cement production, and enhancing
safety
• Lowered levels of environmental contamination.
• Cost effectiveness.
Composition of nano concrete
 The researchers claim that the No Aggregate Concrete (NAC) would
prove more durable than conventional concrete, almost by 10-20 times.
This is the fete achieved out of the research of Dr. Bhanumathidas and
Kalidas at INSWAREB labs, Visakhapatnam.

NANO MATERIALS

Nano materials are defined as a set of substances where at least one

dimension is less than approximately 100 nanometres. Nanomaterial's are of
interest because at this scale unique optical, magnetic,electrical, and other
properties emerge. These emergent properties have the potential for great
impacts in electronics, medicine, and other fields.

Some of main Nano materials used in concrete:

• Carbon Nanotubes.
• Nano-silica.

• Polycarboxylates.
 CARBON NANO TUBES
• Carbon nanotubes are molecular-scale tubes of graphitic carbon
with outstanding properties.
• They can be several millimetres in length and can have one “layer” or
wall (single walled nanotube) or more than one wall (multi walled
nanotube).

Multiwalled carbon
Nano tubes
Singlewalled carbon nanotubes
 PROPERTIES

• CNT are also highly flexible.

• Mechanically, CNT appear to be the
strongest material.
• The smaller diameters.
• Stiffest and strongest fibers.

EFFECT ON CONCRETE PROPERTIES

Carbon nanotubes Potential applications are mechanical durability and

crack prevention ; enhanced mechanical and thermal properties ; real-time
structural health monitoring (NEMS/MEMS)
NANO SILICA
• It Is the first Nano product that replaced the
micro silica.
• Advancement made by the study of
concrete at Nano scale have proved Nano
silica much better than silica used in
conventional concrete.

NANO SILICA POWDER

Ultra-fine amorphous colloidal silica was found to be much more efficient

than micron sized silica for improving the performance such as permeability,
and subsequently, durability. In addition, reduced amount of about 15 to 20
kg of Nano-silica was found to provide same strength as 60 kg of regular or
micro silica.
PROPERTIES

• High compressive strengths concretes ( 15 MPa and 75 MPa

at 1 day; 40 MPa and 90 MPa at 28 days and 48 MPa and
120 MPa at 120 days.)
• High workability with reduced water/cement ratio.
• Use of super plasticizing additives is unnecessary.
• Fills up all the micro pores and micro spaces.
• Cement saving upto 35-45%.
• As a strengthening filler for concrete and other construction
composites

EFFECT ON CONCRETE PROPERTIES

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles Expected benefits are reinforcement in
mechanical strength (in concrete)
Investigations on Nano-silica concrete for its permeability characteristics
showed that the addition of Nano-silica in concrete resulted in reduction in
water absorption, capillary absorption, rate of water absorption, and
coefficient of water absorption and water permeability than normal concrete.
The pore structure determines the transport properties of cement paste, such
as permeability and ion migration.

Reduction in water absorption, capillary absorption, rate of water absorption

and water permeability has been observed by various researchers (Li, 2004;
Zhang & Li, 2011; Zhang et al., 2012).
 POLYCARBOXYLATES
• Polycarboxylates or polymer based concrete admixtures are high range water
reducing admixture (HRWR) without affecting workability. Superplasticizers, also
known as high range water reducers, are chemical admixtures used where well-
dispersed particle suspension is required.
• These polymers are used as dispersants to avoid particle segregation (gravel,
coarse and fine sands), and to improve the flow characteristics (rheology) of
suspensions such as in concrete applications.

POLYCARBOXYLATES POWDER

Their addition to concrete or mortar allows the reduction of the water to cement ratio,
not affecting the workability of the mixture, and enables the production of self-
consolidating concrete and high performance concrete. The strength of concrete
increases when the water to cement ratio decreases.
PROPERTIES

1. Resistance to compression - 40 to 90MPa in 1 day. Resistance to

compression from 70 a 100 MPa (or more) in 28 days.
2. Produces high resistance even with low addition (1 to 1.5 % of the
cements weight) and gives self compacting characteristics with higher
proportions (2.5 %).
3. Meets the norms of environmental protection.
4. 70% less use of additives as traditional silica, super plasticizers or
traditional fibres.
Other Nano-Additives and Their effect on
concrete properties
•Iron oxide nanoparticles Expected benefits are increased compressive
strength and abrasion-resistant in concrete.

•Titanium dioxide nanoparticles Expected benefits are rapid hydration,

increased degree of hydration, and self-cleaning (in concrete).
FLY ASH
Fly ash used in the making of NAC is obtained from the Simhadri NTPC
Power Plant, Parawada at Visakhapatnam. This fly ash is used in NAC only,
where the aggregates are completely avoided. The percentage
retention on IS 45 micron sieve upon wet sieving is 26.3% as against the
maximum of 34% vide IS 3812 (1981)

PROPERTIES

 Adding fly ash in concrete is not an

option but a mandatory need in
durability point of view where cost
effectiveness is unasked for bonus.
 Thrust given by ‘Advanced
Technology’ on packing effect,
densification, pore refinement and
refined micro-structure; all could be
served by fly ash as a single input,
rendering ‘Sustainable High
Performance’.
 Which are the applicational avenues that would be
benefited?

 NAC is ideal for cast in-situ applications

with need of neither vibrators nor
compactors.
 Lack of aggregate eliminates
segregation ensuring homogeneity of
the mass and matrix.
 NAC is easily pumpable for executing
cast in-situ walls and slabs, achieving
compaction and leveling without
additional efforts.
 Due to high strength performance by
walls cast out of NAC, columns may be
eliminated as specific entity through due
structural design, transferring the load of
structure to the walls. This results in
immense material savings and speedy
construction.
 Wall thicknesses could be rationalized
increasing the floor area.
Implementation of research in making of various structural components
like Domes, Precast slabs, and Walls.

Dome By INSWAREB Precast Slabs by INSWAREB

Economy

The Cost of construction comes down due to lower weight of the product. Cost of M-
50 grade of NAC (Rs. 4508/cu.m) was found comparable to that of M-50 grade of
conventional concrete (Rs. 4629/cu.m).
 PROS OF NANO CONCRETE
1. Cessation of contamination caused by micro silica solid particles.

2. Concrete with high initial and final compressive and tensile strengths.

3. Concrete with good workability.

4. Cessation of super plasticizing utilization.

5. Cessation of silicosis risk.

6. Nano concrete improves microstructure of concrete and reduce the durability

issues

7. Nano concrete can bring down weight, improve strength allowed for
rationalization of design and support the building of environment-friendly
structures by reducing carbon footprint.

8. The use of coarse aggregate would be totally avoided, conserving the natural
stone, hillocks and hills. The use of sand as fine aggregate is optional, to
conserve the river beds.
 CONS OF NANO CONCRETE
1. Design concrete mix that is resistance to freeze thaw, corrosion, sulfate,
ASR, and other environmental attacks cannot be guaranteed.

2. Production of nanomaterials may in some cases require relatively high

energy. Given the desire of the construction industry for their materials to
be sustainable as well as cost- and- energy effective, the use of
nanotechnology may in certain cases create an environmental challenge
to the construction industry.

3. Developing a better procedure to ensure proper dispersion of

nanomaterials in largescale field applications is still a major challenge.
Effective dispersion of nanoparticles is key to achieving the full benefits of
adding nanoparticles in cementitious system. Self aggregation, especially
at high dosages of nanoparticles, is a common concern which sometimes
leads to non homogeneous microstructure development and poor
performance.

4. Lack of adequate research and development funding.

5. As chemical admixture is unavoidable, the concrete preparation and

placement has to be undertaken under specialist’s supervision.

6. Slow adoption rates of new technologies.

REFERENCES

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306353384_Report_On_Nano_Concrete
• http://demo.webdefy.com/rilem-new/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/pro045-
027.pdf
• https://www.academia.edu/7561730/NANOMATERIALS_FOR_CONCRETE_TECHNOL
OGY
• https://www.masterbuilder.co.in/inswareb-develops-no-aggregate-concrete-nac/
• http://www.falg.com/nattach/files/Press%20Note%20on%20Concrete%20without%2
0C.Ag%20180110.pdf
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309530799_Comparison_of_mechanical
_properties_of_Nano_concrete_with_conventional_high_strength_concrete