Effectiveness of nano-TiO2 and fly ash in concrete

High performance concrete (HPC) offers several advantages over normal-strength concrete, namely,high mechanical strength and high durability. Therefore, HPC allows for concrete structures with less steelreinforcement and a longer service life, both of which are crucial issues in the eco-efficiency of constructionmaterials. Nevertheless, international publications in the field of concrete with nanoparticles are scarce whencompared to concrete total international publications (around 1%). HPC nanoparticle based publications are evenscarcer. This article presents results of an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties and durabilityof HPC based on nano-TiO2 and fly ash. The durability performance was assessed by means of water absorptionby immersion, electric resistivity. The results show that the concretes with nano-TiO2 increased content showdecreased durability performance. The results also show that a concrete with 1% nano-TiO2 and 30% fly ash forPortland cement replacement showed a high mechanical strength (C55/C67) and a high durability. However, thecost of nano-TiO2 is responsible for a severe increase in the cost of concrete mixtures.

Keywords:

Fly-ash , TiO2 nanoparticles , compressive strength , durability , HPC , cost