Title: Effect of nano ZnO₂ and lime water curing on strength and water absorption of concrete

Authors: Farshad Vazinram; Mostafa Jalal; Mohammad Yavari Foroushani

Addresses: Civil Engineering Department, Abbaspour Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran ' Young Researchers and Elites Club, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran ' Young Researchers and Elite Club, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Esfahan, Iran

Abstract: Assessment of nano ZnO₂ and lime water curing effects on compressive strength and water absorption of concrete has been carried out in this paper. Nanopowders of ZnO₂ considered as a viable fraction of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in percent of 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt% were added into the binder of concrete. Specimens cured in two media as ordinary water and saturated lime water for 7, 28 and 90 days were analysed for compressive strengths and water absorptions of concrete specimens, as representative indices for mechanical and transport properties, respectively. The results indicate that ZnO₂ powders are able to improve significantly the concrete compressive strength, and also reduce water absorption which could lead to enhanced durability of concrete. Improved strength and water resistance was noted when the specimens cured in saturated limewater related with those cured in water. ZnO₂ nanopowders can improve the filler effect, and the high pozzolanic action of fine nanoparticles increases substantially the quantity of strengthening gel leading to enhanced and water resistance of nano ZnO₂ blended concrete.

Keywords: concrete; nano ZnO2; zinc peroxide; lime water; water absorption; compressive strength; nanopowders; nanotechnology; mechanical properties; transport properties; water resistance; nanoparticles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2015.068556

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2015 Vol.50 No.3/4, pp.356 - 365

Received: 31 Jan 2014
Accepted: 29 Oct 2014
Published online: 05 Apr 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article