Impact of nano-silica and micro-silica incorporation on strength and chloride resistance of high-performance concrete

Mangaraju Jyotsna; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6

doi:10.62638/ZasMat1636

Authors

Mangaraju Jyotsna Department of Civil Engineering, GMR Institute of Technology (GMRIT)-Deemed to be University, Razam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4545-3841
Venugopalan Vazhaithothathuayyan Department of Geo informatics Engineering, PARK College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5170-1744
Hemalatha Sokkappan Department of Science and Humanities,Faculty of Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education,Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8373-6221
Rohith Renish Ranjit Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4358-6051
Thenmozhi Somasundaram Department of Civil Engineering, KCG College of Technology, Karapakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6681-3897
Muthukumaran Natarajan Department of Civil Engineering, VSB College of Engineering Technical Campus Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4305-0640
Rupesh Gupta Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8229-584X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62638/ZasMat1636

Abstract

In this study, the effect of Nano-silica (NS) and Micro-silica (MS) on the mechanical properties and chloride resistance of HPC is investigated. The novelty in this research is the analysis of the synergism between NS and MS pozzolana and finding the optimum ratio of hybrid dosages. In order to conduct the experiment, four concrete mixes were produced including control (M1) and three modified (M2, M3, and M4) by replacing the binder with cement. In M2, M3, and M4 the percentages of MS and NS in the mix are 1+10%, 2+20%, and 3+30%, respectively. In fresh state, the concrete mixes were characterized by slump test, compaction test, and Vee-Bee test. For characterization in the hardened state, compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths were measured in 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days of age. For testing the chloride resistance, AgNO₃ and Volhard titration tests were conducted after 28, 90, and 180 days. It was observed that the increase in percentage of silicas led to less workability of fresh concrete but increased strength and chloride resistance of the concrete.The optimal result was obtained from M3, which recorded a 20.6% enhancement in the compressive strength together with better resistance to the penetration of chlorides. These results show that the application of both NS and MS is effective in the improvement of the structural properties of HPC.

Keywords:

Nano-silica, Micro-silica, High-performance concrete, Chloride resistance, Pozzolanic reaction

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