Influence of nano zirconia on the mechanical and durability properties of high-performance concrete containing nano-silica

Abstract

High Performance Concrete (HPC) was prepared by reinforcing with hybrid nanoparticles such as nano-SiO2 and nano-ZrO2 and the flowability, strength and durability of the concrete was investigated. Slump study showed that the prepared HPC displayed a slump loss with the addition of hybrid nanoparticles due to the absorption of water by hybrid nanoparticles. Experimental results showed that the inclusion of 10% nano-SiO2 and 5% nano-ZrO2 hybrid nanoparticles (mix code M5) enhanced the compressive strength of concrete and exhibited a maximum of 50.12 MPa and 76.4 MPa at 7 days and 28 days of curing due to the reduction of pore volume. Split tensile strength followed the same trend of variation as compressive strength and the mix code M5 showed the maximum split tensile strength of 5.33 MPa and 7.08 MPa cured at 7 days and 28 days respectively. Flexural study resulted that the mix code M5 exhibited a maximum flexural strength of 5.73 MPa and 7.38 MPa cured at 7 days and 28 days respectively owing to the restriction of crack ignition by reinforced hybrid nanoparticles. Rheological study reported that all the prepared concretes lost the weight by less than 1% and the chloride attack displayed maximum weight loss of 4% whereas alkaline attack showed less weight of concrete.