Fly Ash Concrete Specimens Admixed with Nanoparticles and Their Interaction with Seawater
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 11
Abstract
This study is on fly ash (FA) concrete admixed with nanoparticles (FAT), nanoparticles (FAC), and an equal ratio of and nanoparticles (FATC) were exposed to seawater for 365 days in order to find the attachment of macrofoulants on their surface. The pH reduction studies were carried out in order to determine concrete deterioration in seawater, the results showed that FA specimens had more pH reduction than FAT, FAC and FATC. Total viable count, epifluorescence microscopy and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis confirmed the intensity of bacterial attachment and its diversity on FA, FAT, FAC, and FATC specimens. A systematic and comparative analysis predicted the overall relationship in terms of the dominant bacterial species on the different fly ash concrete specimens. To determine the biodeterioration of the fly ash concrete specimens in seawater, we used thermography experiments to evaluate the regions affected by bacteria on mortar specimens and confirmed that FA and FAC had more degradation and that FAT and FATC were the least degraded. Laser Raman Spectroscopy was interesting to find the white micron-sized particles of sulphur on FAC, FAT, and FATC specimens after 365 days immersed in seawater. We used a confocal laser scanning microscope to estimate the thickness of biofilm growth on FAT (13.91 0.38 mm), FATC (21.64 0.22 mm), FAC (33.56 0.26 mm), and FA (43.36 0.10 mm) specimens. The results showed that FAT and FATC specimens were the superior specimens, with enhanced biofouling and biodeterioration resistance in a seawater environment.
Practical Applications
Fly ash is a waste material from thermal power plants and is used as a supplementary cementitious material in the construction industry. However, fly ash concrete has a slow hydration process and early strength problems. To overcome these problems, we used and nanoparticles to enhance the properties of fly ash concrete. Nanoparticles have a high surface area and unique functional properties such as maintaining concrete pH, reducing porosity, enhancing pozzolanic activity, and so forth. In this study, we used and nanoparticles to improve the strength of fly ash concrete and provide it with antibacterial properties. This study is significant in advancing our knowledge of fly ash concrete modified with nanoparticles and exposed to seawater with respect to its mechanical properties, durability, and antibacterial properties. Addition of nanoparticles upgraded the fly ash concrete towards its practical applications.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.
Acknowledgments
This project was funded by the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Mumbai (2013/36/33-BRNS/2355), which is highly recognized. Further authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Balakrishnan Anandkumar, CSTD, IGCAR for Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, Dr. Premila Mohanakrishnan, MMG, IGCAR for Raman spectroscopy, and Dr. M.Menaka, QAD, IGCAR for Thermography analysis.
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© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 18, 2023
Accepted: Apr 8, 2024
Published online: Sep 2, 2024
Published in print: Nov 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Feb 2, 2025
ASCE Technical Topics:
- [Inorganic compounds]
- Ashes
- Bacteria
- Calcium carbonate
- Chemicals
- Chemistry
- Concrete
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Environmental engineering
- Fly ash
- Material mechanics
- Materials engineering
- Nanomechanics
- Organic compounds
- Organic compounds
- Particles
- Pollutants
- Sea water
- Water (by type)
- Water and water resources
- Water management
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