Nano-Scale Behavior and Nano-Modification of Cement and Concrete Materials

Abstract

Cement and concrete materials are widely used, but the development of them comes cross many problems and challenges, such as high energy consumption, high pollution, poor safety and durability, low smart. Nanotechnology is beneficial to understand the behavior of cement and concrete materials at nano-scale. In addition, nanomaterials have remarkable specific properties and functions which can endow cement and concrete materials high mechanical property and durability and multifunctionality. Therefore, applications and advances of nanotechnology and nanomaterials have injected new vitality into cement and concrete materials. This chapter will give a review about nano-scale behavior of cement and concrete materials, the nano modification methods to cement and concrete materials by using nano-binders and adding nano materials with attention to workability, hydration, mechanical property, durability and other properties of the cement and concrete materials, and the nano modification mechanisms to the cement and concrete materials. Finally, future development and challenge of nano-modificated cement and concrete materials are also discussed.