Nanomaterials in Protection of Buildings and Infrastructure Elements in Highly Aggressive Marine Environments

Jose Maria Del Campo,Vicente Negro

doi:10.3390/en14092588

Abstract

The 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are both an engineering challenge and an opportunity. Clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13) represent an effort to manage, plan, and develop our buildings and infrastructure. The purpose of this study is to contribute to this challenge by analysing nanomaterials in marine environment structures, both urban and maritime. To do this, we have analyzed different regulations of concrete properties in various countries, defining the characteristics of the cement, coating, water/cement rating, and chloride effect; the difference in durability based on conventional reinforcements and nanomaterials; and use on highly sensitive elements, buildings in marine environments, rubble mound structures, crown walls, and gravity-based foundations for wind power facilities. Division into overhead, underwater, or splash zones entails the use of epoxy resins or silica fume matrices in percentages far below ten percent. Using the most exposed and unfavorable structures, conclusions of application to buildings are established based on the recommendations in maritime engineering most exposed to the actions of the waves. The study concludes with recommendations regarding the durability, increased lifespan, and use of new materials in infrastructure elements in highly adverse marine environments.

Highlights

More than ten percent of the world population lives in urban sites located less than 10 metres above sea level [1]
For buildings and structures in a marine environment to perform suitably, it is necessary to establish a number of criteria to enhance their durability based on the following aspects: one, use of new materials to replace steel; two, augmenting the coating, that is, its thickness if conventional reinforcement is still used; three, improvements to the cement matrix to obtain less permeable concretes, hindering the penetration of aggressive agents, especially chlorides; and lastly, improving abrasion resistance
More in repairs on buildings and structures damaged by the aggressive marine environment—such as crown walls or the caissons of vertical dikes or caisson quayscorrosion inhibitors are used, such as a hardened concrete priming barrier

Summary

Introduction

More than ten percent of the world population lives in urban sites located less than 10 metres above sea level [1]. Almost 2.4 billion people, representing 40% of those on the planet, live fewer than 100 kilometres from the coast. Of the 20 most populous cities on the globe—with over five million inhabitants—13 of them are on the sea or close to it [2,3]. Rising sea levels, extreme events, and climate change constitute a threat. The need for clean energy, is a priority.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion