AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF NANO SILICA ON STRENGTH AND DURABILITY OF CONCRETE

Nanotechnology, an emerging field of study in material science and engineering find its application in the research and development. Nano silica which is a Nano material possess more pozzolanic nature reacts with the free lime present in the cement while hydration and forms additional Calcium silicate hydrate compound thus increasing the strength and durability characteristics of concrete. This study investigates the effect of Nano silica incorporated in cement by weight of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% & 5% on the strength and durability of concrete and compared with ordinary concrete. Tests such as Compressive strength test, Split tensile test and Flexural test for mechanical properties and Acid resistance test, Alkali (sulphate) resistance test, Rapid chloride penetration test and water absorption test is carried out. From the results, it has been observed that concrete incorporated with Nano silica shows better values for various properties than ordinary concrete. The optimized percentage of Nano silica that can be replaced with cement in concrete is found as 4% from the test results.