The Effect of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles on Concrete Durability against Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Since concrete structures are in direct contact with weather conditions and environmentaldestructive agents, issues related to shelf life and durability has always been of interest toresearchers. One issue that has had the most destructive effect on concrete structures in cold andwet enviroments, is the successive cycles of freezing and thawing on the one hand,nanotechnology in recent decades has made it possible for nanomaterials to be used for theimprovement level of serviceability in building materials. The aim of this study is to examine theeffect of successive cycles of freezing and thawing on durability of concretes containingTitanium dioxide nanoparticles (Tio2. To achieve this end, concrete samples ratio of watercementconstant (w/c) equal to 0.53 and four designs by substituting 0%, 2%, 3.5% and 5% wt%cement materials with titanium nanodioxide was made. Thus, four blending designs in the formof 40 concrete samples were made. The samples were in accordance with standard ASTM-C666-B wich were subjected to freezing and thawing conditions. To compare the blending designsagainst frost, weight variations, length and compressive strength of samples following and priorto freezing conditions were taken into account.It was shown in this study that adding titanium nanodioxide particles to concrete initially andafter 28 days has caused compressive strength loss, however, adding these particles to concretecauses a significant increment in improvement and durability of concrete against freezingphenomenon. Also, optimal percent in order to have the least compressive strength loss and toenhance durability against frost, being 2wt% cement.

Keywords:

Freezing and thaw cyceles , Concrete durability , Titanium nano dioxide (Tio2)