Study on the Mechanical Performance of Carbon Nanotube-modified Concrete with Partial Fly Ash Cement Replacement
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 14, No 3 (September 2025) pp. 297-304
Abstract
The growing demand for concrete with enhanced mechanical and durability properties has led to increased research focused on improving concrete. This enhancement is achieved through various additives and replacements in cement-based composites. Carbon Nanotube (CNT)-reinforced concrete has emerged as a recent area of research in the construction sector. This study explores the effects of incorporating higher levels of carbon nanotubes, beyond previous studies, to evaluate their influence on the strength properties of concrete. Additionally, 20% of the total cement volume was replaced with fly ash to reduce cement consumption. The research focused on three key properties: compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength, all of which are critical for concrete performance. Previous studies incorporated CNT levels ranging from 0.025% to 0.075% (with a 0.025% increase in cement weight), while the current research used increased CNT levels of 0.1% and 0.125%. Three specimens were cast for each of the four mix types: the Control Concrete (CC) mix of M30 grade, a concrete mix with 20% fly ash replacing cement (CF), a mix with 20% fly ash and 0.1% CNT (CNT 0.1), and a mix with 20% fly ash and 0.125% CNT (CNT 0.125). For the tests on compressive and split tensile strength, 12 cubes (150 mm side) for each test were casted totally 24 specimens and 12-cylinder specimens (150 mm diametre and 300 mm height) were casted for cylinder compressive strength test. Additionally, 12 prism specimens were casted for flexural strength analysis, making a total of 48 specimens for this study. In order to ensure proper dispersion of carbon nanotubes within the concrete, a surface treatment process was used involving Polycarboxylate Ether (PCE) additive and magnetic stirring.
Full Text
Reference
Abinayaa, U., Chetha, D., Chathuska, S., Praneeth, N., Vimantha, R. and Wijesundara, K. K., Improving the properties of concrete using carbon nanotubes, Const. Mater., 201-204 (2016).
https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1863.1288
Collins, F., Lambert, J. and Duan, W. H., The influences of admixtures on the dispersion, workability, and strength of carbon nanotubes–OPC paste mixtures, Cem. Concr. Compos., 34(2), 201-207(2012).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2011.09.013
Cwirzen, K. H., Penttala, V. and Cwirzen, A., Surface decoration of carbon nanotubes and mechanical properties of cement/carbon nanotubes composites, Adv. Cem. Res., 20(2), 65-73(2008).
https://doi.org/10.1680/adcr.2008.20.2.65
Foldyna, J., Foldyna, V. and Zeleňák, M., Dispersion of carbon nanotubes for application in cement composites, Procedia Eng., 149, 94-99(2016).
Haddad, A. N., Morais, J. F. and Evangelista, A. C. J., Variation of Concrete Strength with the Insertion of Carbon Nanotubes, Adv. Mater. Res., 818, 124-131 (2013).
https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.818.124
Hamzaoui, R., Bennabi, A., Guessasma, S., Khelifa, R. and Leklou, N., Optimal carbon nanotubes concentration incorporated in mortar and concrete, Adv. Mater. Res., 587, 107-110(2012).
https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.587.107
Huber, M. L., Perkins, R. A., Laesecke, A., Friend, D. G., Sengers, J. V., Assael, M. J., Metaxa, I. N., Vogel, E., Mareš, R. and Miyagawa, K., New international formulation for the viscosity of H 2 O, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data., 38(2), 101-125(2009).
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3088050
IS: 10262 -Guidelines for concrete mix design proportioning to IS, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, (2009).
IS: 2386 (Part 1)- Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete Part I Particle Size and Shape To IS, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, (1997).
IS: 2386 (Part 3)- Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete Part Ill Specific Gravity, Density, Voids ‘, Absorption and Bulking To IS, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, (1997).
IS: 516-1959 – Methods of Test for Strength of Concrete to IS, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, (2002).
IS: 456- Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Practice to IS, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, (2007).
IS: 383 – Specifications for Coarse and Fine Aggregates from Natural Sources for Concrete to IS, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, (1992).
IS: 5816 -Splitting Tensile Strength of Concrete - Method of Test to IS, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, (2004).
Karthik, P. S., Himaja, A. L. and Singh, S. P., Carbon-allotropes: synthesis methods, applications and future perspectives, Carbon lett., 15(4), 219-237(2014).
https://doi.org/10.5714/CL.2014.15.4.219
Kaur, R., Kothiyal, N. C. and Arora, H., Studies on combined effect of superplasticizer modified graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes on the physico-mechanical strength and electrical resistivity of fly ash blended cement mortar, J. Build. Eng., 30, 101304(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101304
Khan, W., Sharma, R. and Saini, P., Carbon nanotube-based polymer composites: synthesis, properties and applications, Carbon Nanotubes - Current Progress of their Polymer Composites, (2016).
Kharissova, O. V., Kharisov, B. I. and Ortiz, E. G. C., Dispersion of carbon nanotubes in water and non-aqueous solvents, Rsc Adv., 3(47), 24812-24852(2013).
https://doi.org/10.1039/C3RA43852J
Kim, H. K., Nam, I. W. and Lee, H. K., Enhanced effect of carbon nanotube on mechanical and electrical properties of cement composites by incorporation of silica fume, Compos. Struct., 107, 60-69(2014).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2013.07.042
Kowald, T. and Trettin, R., Influence of surface-modified carbon nanotubes on ultrahigh performance concrete, International Symposium on Ultra High-Performance Concrete, 195-203 (2004).
MacLeod, A. J., Fehervari, A., Gates, W. P., Garcez, E. O., Aldridge, L. P. and Collins, F., Enhancing fresh properties and strength of concrete with a pre-dispersed carbon nanotube liquid admixture, Constr. Build. Mater., 247, 118524(2020a).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118524
Madhavi, T. C., Pavithra, P., Singh, S. B., Raj, S. B. V. and Paul, S., Effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties of concrete, Int. J. Sci. Res., 2(6), 166-168(2013).
https://doi.org/10.15373/22778179/JUNE2013/53
Norhasri, M. M., Hamidah, M. S. and Fadzil, A. M., Applications of using nano material in concrete: A review, Constr. Build. Mater., 133, 91-97(2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.005
Parveen, S., Rana, S. and Fangueiro, R., A review on nanomaterial dispersion, microstructure, and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube and nanofiber reinforced cementitious composites, J. Nanomater., 2013(1), 710175(2013).
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/710175
Zhang, J., Ke, Y., Zhang, J., Han, Q. and Dong, B., Cement paste bjf v with well-dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes: Mechanism and performance, Constr. Build. Mater., 262(46), 120746(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120746
Purohit, R., Purohit, K., Rana, S., Rana, R. S. and Patel, V., Carbon nanotubes and their growth methods, Procedia Mater. Sci., 6, 716-728(2014).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mspro.2014.07.088
Reales, O. A. M. and Filho, R. D. T., A review on the chemical, mechanical and microstructural characterization of carbon nanotubes-cement based composites, Constr. Build. Mater., 154, 697-710(2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.07.232
Rhee, I. and Roh, Y. S., Properties of normal-strength concrete and mortar with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, Mag. Concr. Res., 65(16), 951-961(2013).
https://doi.org/10.1680/macr.12.00212
Ribeiro, B., Botelho, E. C., Costa, M. L. and Bandeira, C. F., Carbon nanotube buckypaper reinforced polymer composites: a review, Polímeros, 27(3), 247-255(2017).
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.03916
Sahranavard, S., Haji-Kazemi, H. and Abbasi, S., Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties of high-performance mortar, Mag. Concr. Res., 66(18), 948-954(2014).
https://doi.org/10.1680/macr.14.00037
Samchenko, S. V., Zemskova, O. V. and Kozlova, I. V., Stabilization of carbon nanotubes with superplasticizers based on polycarboxylate resin ethers, Russ. J. Appl. Chem., 87(12), 1872-1876(2014).
https://doi.org/10.1134/S1070427214120131
Sanchez, F. and Sobolev, K., Nanotechnology in concrete–a review, Constr. Build. Mater., 24(11), 2060-2071(2010).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.03.014
Shah, S. P., Konsta-Gdoutos, M. S., Metaxa, Z. S. and Mondal, P., Nanoscale modification of cementitious materials, Nanotechnol. Constr. 3., 125-130(2009).
