An Overview on Application of Nanotechnology in Construction Industry

Abstract:-Important feats in the construction industry were the invention of concrete in ancient Rome, the massproduction of steel from the mid-19th century and the mass-production of glass panes that changed from luxury to strength, likely others have similarly small to large changes with time. The paper focuses on questions like: What is nanotechnology? What can nanotechnology mean for the construction industry? Are there presently any commercialized products in construction that make use of nanotechnology? Construction can be defined as a process of converting the basic civil engineering raw materials to the final civil engineering product. Hence if the performance of the basic civil engineering raw materials is enhanced anyhow, the productivity will get increased as to work with those modified materials and the performance of the final civil engineering product will also be improved. Thus, the information presented in this paper is categorized into following main or basic raw materials: Cement, steel, paints, glass and fire protection materials, along with various definitions and basic concept of Nanotechnology. Keywords:Nanotechnology, basic civil engineering raw materials, concrete, silica fume I. INTRODUCTION A broad range of challenges are faced by the construction industry, ranging from the performance of the materials to environmental and safety issues related to basic materials and their properties. Recent developments in various areas of nanotechnology show significant promise in addressing many of these challenges. Research and developments have demonstrated that the application of nanotechnology can improve the performance of traditional construction materials, such as concrete, steel, glass, paint, coatings, insulating materials, et. al. Noteworthy improvements in concrete strength, durability and sustainability are being achieved with considered use of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles and engineered nanoparticles (carbon nanotubes and carbon Nano-fiber), and environment-responsive anticorrosion coatings formed using Nano encapsulation techniques are showing promise in laboratory settings. Research demonstrates that nanotechnology can contribute to novel cooling systems, and improve the functionality of solar cells and insulation. A range of nanomaterials are also being used to add new functionalities, such as self-cleaning properties, to traditional construction industry products, for example paint, glass, cement mortar and concrete. The application of nanotecnological innovations deals with a highly multidisciplinary field of engineering. Nanotechnology is expected to bring vast changes in robotics, chemical, mechanical, biological as well as electrical engineering. This paper deals especially with nanotechnology in construction