Investigate the Effects of Nano Aluminum Oxide on Compressive, Flexural Strength, and Porosity of Concrete

Date of Award

2018

Degree Name

M.S. in Civil Engineering

Department

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Engineering Mechanics

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Joseph Saliba

Abstract

Concrete is relatively porous, and it shows great results in compressive strength. Many experimental methods have been implemented to improve its performance such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and porosity. This thesis presents the compressive strength and porosity behavior of 36 concrete cylinder specimens each measuring 8" x 4"; it also presents the flexural strength behavior of six concrete beams each measuring 21" x 6" x 6". The materials that were used are as follows, a fixed 4% of silica fume (SF) and varying nano aluminum oxide (Nano-Al2O3) in these percentages 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2. The analysis of the test data regarding compressive strength showed an increase in the mechanical properties when using a 4% SF and 0.5% Nano-Al2O3 content compared to the plain concrete (without additives) and 4% SF (without Nano-Al2O3). An addition of 1% or more of Nano-Al2O3, however, reduces the compressive strength of the concrete. In the porosity test, the continuous increase of Nano-Al2O3 reduces the porosity of concrete. Two percent Nano-Al2O3 results in 0.80% porosity; on the other hand, concrete without additives results in a porosity of 1.65%. Thus, the optimum ratio of Nano-Al2O3 should be 2%, which will be used in the flexural strength test. Lastly, in the flexural strength test, it was observed that when using 4% SF and 2% Nano-Al2O3 that weakness occurs in about 22.6% of the plain (without additives) concrete and weakness occurs in 11.3% of the concrete after only adding 4% SF (without Nano- Al2O3).

Keywords

Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Nanoscience, Nanotechnology

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2018, author

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