Abstract
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) is a newly nanomaterial with extraordinary properties. This paper investigated the effect of GNP on the addition on freeze–thaw (F–T) resistance of concrete. In this experimental study, water to cement ratio remained unchanged, a control mixture without GNP materials and the addition of GNP was ranging from 0.02% to 0.4% by weight of ordinary Portland cement was prepared. Specimens were carried out by the rapid freeze-thaw test, according to the current Chinese standard. The workability, compressive strength, visual deterioration and mass loss of concrete samples were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy also applied in order to investigate the micromorphology inside of the concrete. The results showed that GNP concrete has a finer pore structure than ordinary concrete; moreover, the workability of GNP concrete reduced, and the compressive strength of specimens was enhanced within the appropriate range of GNP addition; in addition, GNP concrete performed better than the control concrete in the durability of concrete exposed to F-T actions. Specimens with 0.05% GNP exhibited the highest compressive property after 200 F–T cycles compared with other samples.
Highlights
Concrete is the most commonly and widely used civil engineering material in the world
The results showed that Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) concrete has a finer pore structure than ordinary concrete; the workability of GNP concrete reduced, and the compressive strength of specimens was enhanced within the appropriate range of GNP addition; in addition, GNP concrete performed better than the control concrete in the durability of concrete exposed to F-T actions
Some recent research findings showed that graphene nano-sheets and their derivatives (GND) could modify cement-based materials [21]; we found that most recent attention focuses on the performance of graphene-based materials additions in cementitious materials, which can improve the better performance, such as compressive strength and flexural strength and elastic modulus of paste
Summary
Concrete is the most commonly and widely used civil engineering material in the world. We all know that concrete has poor features, such as a quasi-brittle nature, prone to crack formation and low tensile strength; these defects seriously reduce the mechanical property and durability of concrete structures. Graphene as an emerging Nano material can be added into cement paste to enhance construction sustainability due to their extraordinary performance. Some researchers reported that the reinforcing effects of graphene on cement composites could enhance the physical and mechanical properties of cementitious materials through tests. Pan et al [10] showed that the compressive and flexural performance of cement paste increased by adding 0.05 wt% graphene oxide (GO), and observed that GO in cement matrix enhanced the surface area of the GO composite; they thought that GO was a potential entrant in cement-based materials. Du et al [12] firstly investigated the durability of concrete containing low-cost
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