Title: Influence of amorfous nano-silica addition on properties of fresh cement paste and hardened cement mortar

Authors: Samia Belkessam-Hamzi; Abdelbaki Benmounah; Brahim Safi

Addresses: Research Unit: Materials, Processes and Environment (UR MPE), University M'hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Frantz Fanon City, 35000 – Boumerdes – Algeria 35000, Algeria ' Research Unit: Materials, Processes and Environment (UR MPE), University M'hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Frantz Fanon City, 35000 – Boumerdes – Algeria 35000, Algeria ' Research Unit: Materials, Processes and Environment (UR MPE), University M'hamed Bougara of Boumerdes, Frantz Fanon City, 35000 – Boumerdes – Algeria 35000, Algeria

Abstract: The objective of this study is to explore the effect of incorporating amorphous nano-silica (NS) to local cement that has been replaced with (NS) (Aerosil 200 type) or micro silica fume (FS) by 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%. Specimens were prepared with water/binder ratio (W/B) 0.35 and 0.50. Testing program included consistency, setting time and followed the hydration by thermogravimetric TG - DTG analysis of fresh cement paste then bulk density, compressive and flexural strength of hardened cement mortars. The influence of NS and FS on consistency and setting fresh cement was different; NS increases the required water and accelerates setting time. The bulk density decrease with incorporating NS because it makes cement paste thicker thereby NS accelerates the process of cement hydration, resulting in denser, more compact and uniform mixes. Results revealed adding NS enhance compressive and flexural strength, especially at early ages. Better properties were finding consequently.

Keywords: nano-silica; silica fume; cement paste; mortar; thermogravimetric/derivative thermogravimetric; TG-DTG; X-ray diffraction; XRD; mechanical strength; flexural strength.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2018.095706

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2018 Vol.3 No.4, pp.432 - 449

Received: 04 Jan 2018
Accepted: 18 Feb 2018
Published online: 17 Oct 2018 *

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