Spatial degradation characteristics and numerical prediction for life of MWCNTs-reinforced concrete by salt freezing

Abstract

Nanotechnology is of great importance towards the multiscale enhancement of mechanical strength, anti-cracking, corrosion and/or abrasion resistance of concrete. To optimize the durability of concrete structure in a frigid and saline environment, the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were introduced along with the evaluation of spatial deterioration characteristics and numerical prediction for its service life in this work. The degree and mechanism of salt freeze-thaw damage relief of MWCNTs-reinforced concrete (CNTC) were investigated by establishing relief rate (Rf, RE and Rp) and damage parameters (Df, DE and Dp) in terms of compressive strength, relative dynamic elastic modulus and porosity. Macroscopic results showed that the presence of MWCNTs substantially delayed the evolution of spatial damage of concrete. The optimum dosage of MWCNTs for the degradation mitigation was also determined to be 0.05 wt% from the microscale scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion and mesoscale X-CT scanning techniques, which was responsible to the well-dispersed MWCNTs without entanglement. The synergic effects of filling, nucleation and bridging of MWCNTs in hydrating concrete decreased the porosity and effectively inhibited micro-crack propagation of concrete under the salt freezing effects. Besides, the evolutionary relationships between Df, DE and Dp were established, and a three parameters-dependent prediction index D had been established on the basis of the entropy method and grey system theory GM(1,1) model. The experimental results were in good agreement with the prediction model, and further showed that the salt- freeze-thaw damage of CNTC was significantly reduced.