Effect of Carbon Nanotube and Graphite Nanoplatelet on Composition, Structure, and Nano-Mechanical Properties of C-S-H in UHPC
Abstract
This paper studied the influence of carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) used at 0 to 0.3%, by mass of binder, on composition, structure, and nano-mechanical characteristics of C-S-H of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Hydration kinetics, pore structure, and mechanical properties of UHPC were also investigated. The non-proprietary UHPC was proportioned with 17% lightweight sand for internal curing. Test results indicated that the addition of 0.3% CNT or GNP led to approximately 20 MPa increase in compressive strengths of non-fibrous UHPC mortar and fibrous UHPC (2% steel fibers), compared to those prepared without any nanomaterial. Such enhancement is attributed to the nucleation and filling effect of the nanomaterials that can refine the pore structure. The increase in CNT and GNP contents from 0 to 0.3% increased the proportion of high density and ultra-high density C-S-H from 65% to 90%. This led to a 20% greater elastic modulus of the C-S-H. The use of CNT and GNP also favored the transformation from Q0 and Q1 to Q2 and Q3 (Qn represents the connectivity of silicate tetrahedron, and larger n indicates greater connectivity). This led to 140% and 110% increase in the mean chain length of C-S-H with the use of 0.3% CNT and GNP, respectively. Moreover, the Ca/Si of C-S-H decreased from 2.25 to 1.75, and the Al/Si increased from 0.1 to 0.15. The increased degree of Al-Si substitution reflects an enhanced pozzolanic reaction of the fly ash with the use of CNT and GNP.
Recommended Citation
H. Huang et al., "Effect of Carbon Nanotube and Graphite Nanoplatelet on Composition, Structure, and Nano-Mechanical Properties of C-S-H in UHPC," Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 154, article no. 106713, Elsevier, Apr 2022.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2022.106713
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
C-S-H; Carbon nanotube; Graphite nanoplatelet; Nano-mechanical properties; UHPC
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0008-8846
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2022 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Apr 2022
Comments
This work was supported by the Clayco Advanced Construction and Material Laboratory (ACML) of the Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies (CIES) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number: U2106220).