Experimental study on static and impact properties of concrete incorporating different nanoparticles in single and combined forms

A comparative evaluation of the single and combined effect of nanoparticles (NPs) on the static and impact properties of concrete is presented. Different NPs (silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide and ferric oxide) were used separately and in combination as partial replacements of cement at 0.5% and 1% by weight of cement. The effects of the NP additions on the unit weight, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, toughness, fracture energy and impact performance of concrete were experimentally examined. The effects of the NPs on the microstructure of concrete was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cost effectiveness of the use of NPs in concrete was also assessed in order to evaluate the commercial production of NP-doped concretes. Desirability function analysis was also conducted to compare the overall performance of the concretes. The addition of NPs had a positive effect on improving the mechanical performance of the concrete, with the addition of NPs increasing the compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and energy absorption capacity. The NPs did not have any significant influence on the unit weight of the concrete. SEM analysis showed that the use of NPs improved the concrete microstructure, but the NPs did not have a good influence on the impact performance of the concrete.