Combined effects of nanoAl2O3 and rice husk ash on self-compacting mortar properties

This article presents a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of self-compacting mortar (SCM) incorporating Al2O3 nanoparticles (NA) and rice husk ash (RHA). The durability performance was assessed by means of water absorption, electrical resistivity and rapid chloride permeability tests (RCPT). Also the SEM photos of samples were presented to indicate the microstructure of specimens. The results showed that although the SCMs containing NA increased content show good durability and mechanical performance (that in many tests except in water absorption test the results met and exceeded that of the control specimen), the improvement in results after addition of RHA in SCMs is undeniable. The results also showed that specimen with 303 rice husk ash and 33 nano-Al2O3 (30RHA3NA) for Portland cement replacement indicated a high degree of satisfaction for most parameters such as mechanical strength and durability properties

Keywords:

Self-compacting mortar , Al2O3 nanoparticles , Rice husk ash , Compressive strength , Electrical resistivity