Principle and Implementation of Incorporating Nanomaterials to Develop Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete with Low Content of Steel Fibers
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 6
Abstract
The effect of nanomaterials on the microstructure of ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) has been intensively studied, but the relationships between the macroscopic flexural failure process and microstructures of nanomaterials modified UHPC and the influence of nanomaterials on flexural-tensile stress transfer mode between the UHPC matrix and steel fibers are still not clear. Understanding the relationships will assist in guidance development considering the use of nanomaterials to control the flexural performance of UHPC with low content of steel fibers. Therefore, this paper investigated the influence of nanomaterials on the flexural failure process of UHPC and unlocked the flexural-tensile stress transfer mode between the nanomodified concrete matrix and steel fibers. Owing to the modification effect of nanomaterials on the UHPC matrix as well as the interface and cobearing capacity between the matrix and steel fibers, the flexural-tensile stress transfer mode in UHPC composites conforms to isostrain parallel model. This significantly prolongs the elastic stage before initial cracking and increases the growth slope of fiber reinforcement stage after initial cracking, thus enhancing the flexural strength, compressive strength, and flexural toughness of UHPC with mono 1.2% by volume steel fibers by 45.8%, 62.2%, and 40.2%, respectively. The synergistic enhancement mechanisms of steel fibers and nanomaterials will enable the development of UHPC with a low content of steel fibers and high ratio of strength-to-density.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the funding support from the National Science Foundation of China (52178188, 51978127, and 51908103) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [DUT21RC(3)039].
References
Aayisha, A., and R. P. Mohan. 2020. “An experimental study on addition of carbon nanotubes to improve the performance of UHPC.” In Vol. 46 of Proc., of SECON’19. SECON 2019. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, edited by K. Dasgupta, A. Sajith, G. Unni Kartha, A. Joseph, P. Kavitha, and K. Praseeda, 811–817. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26365-2_74.
Abbas, S., M. L. Nehdi, and M. A. Saleem. 2016. “Ultra-high performance concrete: Mechanical performance, durability, sustainability and implementation challenges.” Int. J. Concr. Struct. Mater. 10 (3): 271–295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40069-016-0157-4.
Abbas, S., A. M. Soliman, and M. L. Nehdi. 2015. “Exploring mechanical and durability properties of ultra-high performance concrete incorporating various steel fiber lengths and dosages.” Constr. Build. Mater. 75 (Jan): 429–441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.11.017.
Arora, A., Y. Yao, B. Mobasher, and N. Neithalath. 2019. “Fundamental insights into the compressive and flexural response of binder- and aggregate-optimized ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC).” Cem. Concr. Compos. 98 (Apr): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.01.015.
ASTM. 1997. Standard test method for flexural toughness and first-crack strength of fiber-reinforced concrete (using beam with third-point loading). ASTM C1018-1997. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2002. Standard test method for flexural strength of concrete (using simple beam with center-point loading). ASTM C293-2002. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Balaguru, P., R. Narahari, and M. Patel. 1992. “Flexural toughness of steel fiber reinforced concrete.” ACI Mater. J. 89 (6): 541–546. https://doi.org/10.14359/4019.
Balaguru, P., and S. P. Shah. 1992. Fiber-reinforced cement composites. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Banthia, N., and A. Dubey. 2000. “Measurement of flexural toughness of fiber reinforced concrete using a novel technique, Part 2: Performance of various composites.” ACI Mater. J. 97 (1): 3–11. https://doi.org/10.14359/799.
Bentur, A., and S. Mindess. 2007. Fibre reinforced cementitious composites. 2nd ed. New York: Taylor and Francis Group.
Chawla, K. K. 1987. Composite materials. Berlin: Springer.
Chen, Z., J. L. G. Lim, and E. H. Yang. 2016. “Ultra high performance cement-based composites incorporating low dosage of plasma synthesized carbon nanotubes.” Mater. Des. 108 (Oct): 479–487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2016.07.016.
Choi, H.-J., J.-J. Park, and D.-Y. Yoo. 2021. “Benefits of photocatalyst on mechanical properties and nitrogen oxide removal of ultra-high-performance concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 285 (May): 122921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122921.
CNS (Chinese National Standards). 1999. Methods of testing cements-determination of strength (ISO 679:1989). GB/T 17671-1999. Beijing: CNS.
CNS (Chinese National Standards). 2007. Common portland cement. GB 175-2007. Beijing: CNS.
De Larrard, F., and T. Sedran. 1994. “Optimization of ultra-high-performance concrete by the use of a packing model.” Cem. Concr. Res. 24 (6): 997–1009. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(94)90022-1.
Ding, S., Y. Xiang, Y.-Q. Ni, V. K. Thakur, X. Wang, B. Han, and J. Ou. 2022. “In-situ synthesizing carbon nanotubes on cement to develop self-sensing cementitious composites for smart high-speed rail infrastructures.” Nano Today 43 (Apr): 101438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101438.
Dong, S., D. Wang, A. Ashour, B. Han, and J. Ou. 2021. “Nickel plated carbon nanotubes reinforcing concrete composites: From nano/micro structures to macro mechanical properties.” Composites, Part A 141 (Feb): 106228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2020.106228.
Dong, S., Y. Wang, A. Ashour, B. Han, and J. Ou. 2020. “Nano/micro-structures and mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete incorporating graphene with different lateral sizes.” Composites, Part A 137 (Oct): 106011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2020.106011.
Elhacham, E., L. Ben-Uri, J. Grozovski, Y. M. Bar-On, and R. Milo. 2020. “Global human-made mass exceeds all living biomass.” Nature 588 (7838): 442–444. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-3010-5.
García Calvo, J. L., G. Pérez, P. Carballosa, E. Erkizia, J. J. Gaitero, and A. Guerrero. 2017. “Development of ultra-high performance concretes with self-healing micro/nano-additions.” Constr. Build. Mater. 138 (May): 306–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.02.015.
Gartner, E. M., K. E. Kurtis, and P. J. M. Monteiro. 2000. “Proposed mechanism of C-S-H growth tested by soft X-ray microscopy.” Cem. Concr. Res. 30 (5): 817–822. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(00)00235-0.
Ghafari, E., H. Costa, E. Julio, A. Portugal, and L. Duraes. 2014. “The effect of nanosilica addition on flowability, strength and transport properties of ultra high performance concrete.” Mater. Des. 59 (Jul): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.02.051.
Han, B., Z. Li, L. Zhang, S. Zeng, X. Yu, B. Han, and J. Ou. 2017a. “Reactive powder concrete reinforced with nano -coated TiO2.” Constr. Build. Mater. 148 (Sep): 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.065.
Han, B., L. Zhang, S. Zeng, S. Dong, X. Yu, R. Yang, and J. Ou. 2017b. “Nano-core effect in nano-engineered cementitious composites.” Composites, Part A 95 (Apr): 100–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2017.01.008.
Han, B. G., S. Ding, J. Wang, and J. P. Ou. 2019. Nano-engineered cementitious composites. Singapore: Springer.
Hao, P. M., N. V. Tuan, N. C. Thang, N. V. Thao, and N. N. Thuy. 2021. “Effect of carbon nanotubes on the chloride penetration in ultra-high-performance concrete.” In Vol. 109 of Proc., of the Int. Conf. Innovations for Sustainable and Responsible Mining, edited by X. N. Bui, C. Lee, and C. Drebenstedt, 69–80. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60839-2-4.
Hawreen, A., B. J. Alexandre, and G. Mafalda. 2018. “Mechanical behavior and transport properties of cementitious composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 30 (10): 04018257. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002470.
Huang, K., J. Xie, R. Wang, Y. Feng, and R. Rao. 2021. “Effects of the combined usage of nanomaterials and steel fibres on the workability, compressive strength, and microstructure of ultra-high performance concrete.” Nanotechnol. Rev. 10 (1): 304–317. https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2021-0029.
JSCE (Japan Society of Civil Engineers). 2016. Method of test for flexural strength and flexural toughness for fiber reinforced concrete. JSCE SF-4. Tokyo: JSCE.
Jung, M. J., Y. S. Lee, S. G. Hong, and J. Moon. 2020. “Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC): Dispersion, mechanical properties, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE).” Cem. Concr. Res. 131 (May): 106017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106017.
Laws, V. 1971. “The efficiency of fibrous reinforcement of brittle matrices.” J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 4 (11): 1737–1746. https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/4/11/318.
Lee, J.-H., and Y.-S. Yoon. 2015. “The effects of cementitious materials on the mechanical and durability performance of high-strength concrete.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 19 (5): 1396–1404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-0658-0.
Lee, S. H., S. Kim, and D.-Y. Yoo. 2018. “Hybrid effects of steel fiber and carbon nanotube on self-sensing capability of ultra-high-performance concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 185 (Oct): 530–544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.07.071.
Li, W., Z. Huang, T. Zu, C. Shi, W. H. Duan, and S. P. Shah. 2016. “Influence of nanolimestone on the hydration, mechanical strength, and autogenous shrinkage of ultrahigh-performance concrete.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 28 (1): 04015068. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001327.
Li, Y., E.-H. Yang, and K. H. Tan. 2020. “Flexural behavior of ultra-high performance hybrid fiber reinforced concrete at the ambient and elevated temperature.” Constr. Build. Mater. 250 (Jul): 118487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118487.
Macleod, A. J. N., F. G. Collins, W. Duan, and W. P. Gates. 2019. “Quantitative microstructural characterisation of Portland cement-carbon nanotube composites using electron and X-ray microscopy.” Cem. Concr. Res. 123 (Sep): 105767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.05.012.
Meng, W., and K. H. Khayat. 2017. “Improving flexural performance of ultra-high-performance concrete by rheology control of suspending mortar.” Composites, Part B 117 (May): 26–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2017.02.019.
Meng, W., and K. H. Khayat. 2018. “Effect of graphite nanoplatelets and carbon nanofibers on rheology, hydration, shrinkage, mechanical properties, and microstructure of UHPC.” Cem. Concr. Res. 105 (Mar): 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.01.001.
Norhasri, M. S. M., M. S. Hamidah, and A. M. Fadzil. 2017. “Applications of using nano material in concrete: A review.” Constr. Build. Mater. 133 (Feb): 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.005.
Norhasri, M. S. M., M. S. Hamidah, and A. M. Fadzil. 2019. “Inclusion of nano metaclayed as additive in ultra high performance concrete (UHPC).” Constr. Build. Mater. 201 (Mar): 590–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.006.
Pigott, M. R. 1970. “Theoretical estimation of fracture of fibrous composites.” J. Mater. Sci. 5 (8): 669–675. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00549751.
Ragalwar, K., W. F. Heard, B. A. Williams, D. Kumar, and R. Ranade. 2020. “On enhancing the mechanical behavior of ultra-high performance concrete through multi-scale fiber reinforcement.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 105 (Jan): 103422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.103422.
Richard, P., and M. Cheyrezy. 1995. “Composition of reactive powder concretes.” Cem. Concr. Res. 25 (7): 1501–1511. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(95)00144-2.
Sbia, L. A., A. Peyvandi, P. Soroushian, L. Jue, and A. M. Balachandra. 2014. “Enhancement of ultrahigh performance concrete material properties with carbon nanofiber.” Adv. Civ. Eng. 10 (Jan): 854729. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/854729.
Sorelli, L., G. Constantinide, F. J. Ulm, and F. Toutlemonde. 2008. “The nano-mechanical signature of ultra high performance concrete by statistical nanoindentation techniques.” Cem. Concr. Res. 38 (12): 1447–1456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.09.002.
Su, Y., C. Wu, J. Li, Z. X. Li, and W. G. Li. 2017. “Development of novel ultra-high performance concrete: From material to structure.” Constr. Build. Mater. 135 (Mar): 517–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.12.175.
Viana, T. M., B. A. Bacelar, I. D. Coelho, P. Ludvig, and W. J. Santos. 2020. “Behaviour of ultra-high performance concretes incorporating carbon nanotubes under thermal load.” Constr. Build. Mater. 263 (Dec): 120556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120556.
Wang, X., S. Dong, A. Ashraf, W. Zhang, and B. Han. 2020a. “Effect and mechanisms of nanomaterials on interface between aggregates and cement mortars.” Constr. Build. Mater. 240 (Apr): 117942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117942.
Wang, X., Q. Zheng, S. Dong, A. Ashour, and B. Han. 2020b. “Interfacial characteristics of nano-engineered concrete composites.” Constr. Build. Mater. 259 (Oct): 119803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119803.
Wu, Y.-Y., J. Zhang, C. Liu, Z. Zheng, and P. Lambert. 2020. “Effect of graphene oxide nanosheets on physical properties of ultra-high-performance concrete with high volume supplementary cementitious materials.” Materials 13 (8): 1929. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13081929.
Wu, Z., K. H. Khayat, and C. Shi. 2019. “Changes in rheology and mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete with silica fume content.” Cem. Concr. Res. 123 (Sep): 105786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.105786.
Wu, Z., K. H. Khayat, C. Shi, B. F. Tutikian, and Q. Chen. 2021. “Mechanisms underlying the strength enhancement of UHPC modified with nano- and nano-.” Cem. Concr. Comp. 119 (May): 103992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.103992.
Wu, Z., K. H. Khayat, and C. J. Shi. 2018. “How do fiber shape and matrix composition affect fiber pullout behavior and flexural properties of UHPC?” Cem. Concr. Compos. 90 (Jul): 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2018.03.021.
Yoo, D.-Y., and N. Banthia. 2022. “High-performance strain-hardening cementitious composites with tensile strain capacity exceeding 4%: A review.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 125 (Jan): 104325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104325.
Yoo, D.-Y., S. Kim, and S. H. Lee. 2018. “Self-sensing capability of ultra-high performance concrete containing steel fibers and carbon nanotubes under tension.” Sens. Actuators, A 276 (Jun): 125–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2018.04.009.
Yoo, D.-Y., Y.-S. Yoon, and N. Banthia. 2015. “Flexural response of steel-fiber-reinforced concrete beams: Effects of strength, fiber content, and strain-rate.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 64 (Nov): 84–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2015.10.001.
You, I., D.-Y. Yoo, S. Kim, M.-J. Kim, and G. Zi. 2017. “Electrical and self-sensing properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete with carbon nanotubes.” Sensors 17 (11): 2481. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17112481.
Yu, R., P. Spiesz, and H. Brouwers. 2014. “Effect of nano-silica on the hydration and microstructure development of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) with a low binder amount.” Constr. Build. Mater. 65 (9): 140–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.04.063.
Yun, L., S.-T. Kang, and J.-K. Kim. 2010. “Pullout behavior of inclined steel fiber in an ultra-high strength cementitious matrix.” Constr. Build. Mater. 24 (10): 2030–2041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.03.009.
Zhao, S., E. V. Dam, D. Lange, and W. Sun. 2017. “Abrasion resistance and nanoscratch behavior of an ultra-high performance concrete.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 29 (2): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001744.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 6, 2022
Accepted: Oct 14, 2022
Published online: Mar 31, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Aug 31, 2023
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.