Abstract
The objective of this work was to optimize nano-silica’s addition in cement mortars using different mixing procedures. Nano-silica was either dispersed in water using sonication or directly added into cement and mixed using a rotary mixer. The fresh and hardened properties of nano-silica modified mortars were defined while acoustic emission (AE) activity was monitored and correlated with the failure processes. The addition of nano-silica resulted in 25–35% increase of the mechanical properties accompanied with simultaneous influence on the failure process as indicated by AE. Sonication was beneficial leading in stable mechanical properties at limited mixing duration.
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