Progress in Research on Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Cementitious Composites

As one-dimensional (1D) nanofiber, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used to improve the performance of nanocomposites due to their high strength, small dimensions, and remarkable physical properties. Progress in the field of CNTs presents a potential opportunity to enhance cementitious composites at the nanoscale. In this review, current research activities and key advances on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced cementitious composites are summarized, including the effect of MWCNTs on modulus of elasticity, porosity, fracture, and mechanical and microstructure properties of cement-based composites. The issues about the improvement mechanisms, MWCNTs dispersion methods, and the major factors affecting the mechanical properties of composites are discussed. In addition, large-scale production methods of MWCNTs and the effects of CNTs on environment and health are also summarized

Tensile and flexural properties of ultra high toughness cemontious composite

The tensile and flexural properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforced ultra high toughness cementitious composite (UHTCC) were investigated. The composite, tested at the age of 14 d, 28 d and 56 d, shows extremely remarkable pseudo strain hardening behavior, saturated multiple cracking and ultra high ultimate strain capacity above 4\% under uniaxial loading. Also, the corresponding crack widths are controlled under 50 mu m even at 56 days age. In the third point bending tests on thin plate specimens, the composite shows ultra high flexural ductility and multiple cracking on the tension surface. The high ultimate flexural strength/first tensile strength ratio of about 5 verifies the pseudo strain hardening behavior of UHTCC. SEM observation on fracture surfaces provides indirect evidence of optimal design for the composite

Seismic behavior of reinforced engineered cementitious composite members and reinforced concrete/engineered cementitious composite members: A review

Seismic performance is of paramount importance for structures in regions with high seismic risk. Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) exhibits tensile strain hardening behavior and excellent crack dispersion capacity, as well as good workability. The application of ECC material may be a feasible way to improve the seismic behavior of engineering structures. This paper presents a comprehensive review of experimental and simulation studies concerning seismic behavior of reinforced ECC members and reinforced concrete/ECC composite members. The review is mainly focused on design programs for structural members and their seismic response behavior. The effectiveness of the application of ECC for seismic improvement is discussed. Several design recommendations are provided, based on comparison of the related studies. © 2019 fib. International Federation for Structural Concret

Effect of PVA/SiO₂ NPs Additive on the Structural, Durability, and Fire Resistance Properties of Geopolymers

This exertion introduces polyvinyl alcohol fiber/silica nanoparticles (poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)/SiO2 NPs) in the fly ash-based geopolymer at ambient curing temperature. The present study aims at investigating the structural properties (compressive, bond strength, fracture parameters (fracture toughness (KIc), crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD)), cyclic compression), durability (freeze-thaw), and fire resistivity of the newly developed PVA/SiO2 NPs mediated geopolymer. The outcomes suggest that geopolymers incorporated with 5% PVA fibers showed improved structural properties and durability as compared to other specimens. Investigation on the fire resistivity of the geopolymers exposed to different heating temperatures (400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C), showed that geopolymers with PVA/SiO2 NPs significantly prevented the explosive concrete spalling. Microstructural studies confirmed that PVA fibers in the geopolymeric matrixes were well distributed and developed a fiber-bridging texture with improved performance. Addition of the nano-silica particles accelerated the heat evolution during the hydration process and the geopolymeric reaction (formation of sodium aluminosilicate N-A-S-H gel) at ambient curing environment

Porosity, Pore Size Distribution and Chloride Permeability of Shotcrete Modified with Nano Particles at Early Age

Nano particles have been found to be effective in enhancing many properties of regular concretes. However, there is little information on the effect of nano particles on shotcrete. In fact, if similar positive effect of nano particles can also appear in shotcrete, they will greatly benefit the wide application of shotcrete in more and more repair and strengthening of structures in civil engineering, especially in corrosive environments. In this study, through experiments on 70 specimens, the effects of nano SiO2, CaCO3 and Al2O3 particles on the early-age porosity, pore size distribution, compressive strength and chloride permeability of shotcrete were investigated.Test results indicated that nano SiO2 particles significantly increased the compressive strength and chloride penetration resistance; nano Al2O3 and CaCO3 particles had slight enhancing effect on the compressive strength; nano CaCO3 particles were most effective in promoting the chloride penetration resistance of shotcrete. As a conclusion, nano SiO2 particles were recommended when both early age compressive strength and chloride penetration resistance were crucial, and nano CaCO3 particles were recommended when only chloride penetration resistance was concerned for their high cost-effectiveness