Effect of Nano-CaCO3 on Early-Age Properties and Cracking Potential of High-Strength Concrete

Abstract

The development of nanotechnology has facilitated the application of various nanomaterials in concrete over the past decade. Few investigations have characterized early-age properties and cracking potential of concrete with nanomaterials. The present study aimed to expand the limitation by means of an experiment campaign, including a mechanical properties test, free shrinkage measurement, and restrained ring test on high-strength concrete (HSC) with nano-CaCO3 (NC). The proportions of NC were 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% by the mass of cement. The results showed that HSC demonstrated higher mechanical properties with 1% NC incorporated. Adding NC reduced the free and restrained shrinkage of HSC. Stress relaxation and tensile creep were evaluated in this paper. The established relationship between relaxation and creep coefficients was sensibly independent of NC proportions, which contributed to better estimating the stress level in HSC with NC, so as to better evaluate the cracking potential at early age.