NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION

Abstract: In this we like to give a brief discussion about nanotechnology in construction with an introduction to nanotechnology, nanomaterials used for construction, the need of

nanoconstruction, need of nanotechnology in construction and the benefits of nanotechnology in construction. The conclusion is also discussed briefly. Introduction: Nanotechnology is one of the most active research areas which has wide applications in almost all the fields. Nanometer is a billionth of a meter. Decisive materials properties can be deliberately improved by introducing charateristics structures on the nano scale. The construction business will inevitably be a benificary of this nanotechnology. Nanotechnology in civil engineering is definitely the present and the future. Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology is the art and science of manipulating matter at the nanoscale. Deals with structures of size 100nm or smaller. One nm is 10^-9 of a meter. Nanotechnology in construction: CONCRETE GLASS STEEL COATINGS CEMENT NANO SENSORS

Nano concrete: Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand(fine aggregate), coarse aggregate and water. As concrete is most usable material in construction industry its been require to improve its quality. Nanotechnology can modify the molecular structure of concrete material to improve the material properties. Definition: A concrete made with portland cement particles that are less than 500nm as a cementing agent. Currently cement particle sizes range from a few nano-meters to a maximum of about100 micrometers. Need of nano concrete:

Improves the materials bulk properties. Ability to control or manipulate materials at the atomic scale. NANOSCALE ATTACK ON ASR (ALKALI SILICATE REACTION) To obtain thinner final products and faster setting time. Cost effectiveness. Lowered levels of environmental contamination.

NANOCONCRETE In concrete nano particles mainly used are: Nano silica Titanium dioxide Flyash Carbon-nanotube

Nano silica: Nano silica addition to cement base materials can control the degradation of the fundemental c-s-h(calicium-silicate-hybrate)reaction of concrete cause by calicium leaching in water as well as block water penetration and therefore leads to improvements in durablity.When releated to opc as a result the compressive strength of the material is 3-6 times higher.

NANO SILICA Titanium dioxide: Another type of nano particle added to concrete to improve its properties is ti02 . tio2 is a white pigment and can be used as an excellent reflecive coating .Tio2 breaks down organic pollutants ,volatile organic componds ,bacterial membranes through powerful catalytic rections. Additionally it is hydro philic and therefore gives self cleaning properties to surface to which it is a plane. Flyash:

It is another nano partical that improves concrete durablity,strength & importantly for sustanablity and replacing cement,however ,the curing process of concrete is slowed by addition of flyash, at early stage strength is also low in comparision to normal concrete. With the addition of sio2 nano particals added to concrete has shown that they also increse strength that replaces dencity in earlyer stages.

FLYASH Carbon-nanotube: In addition of small ammounts (1% wt) of CNTs can improve mechanical properties of sample main portland cement phase and water (mwnts) shows best improvements both in compressive strength (+25n/mm2) and flexural strength (+8n/mm2) compared to the reference sample without reinforcement.

Benefits of nano concrete: Cessation of contamination caused by micro silica solid particles. Lower cost per building site. Concrete with high initial and final compressive and tensile strengths. Concrete with good workability. Cessation of super plasticizing utilization. Cessation of silicosis risk. Bulk properties Mechanical performance Volume stability Durability Sustainability of concrete Nano glass: Tio2 is used in nano partical form to coat glassing since it has sterilizing and anti- fouling properties. Fire protective glass is another application of nanotechnology in which clear in tumescent layer sanwiched between glass panel s (an inter layer ) formed of fumed silica nano particles which inturns into a regid a opaque fire sheild when heated .

Benefits of nano glass: Easy to removal of dirt, dust and soil resisting. Water repellency. Anti bacteria. Block UV and glare. Durable.

Nano steel: Steel has been widely available since the second industrial revolutoin in late part of 19th and early part of the 20th centuary has played a maijor part in the constructin since that time .It mainly deals with, FATIGUE CABLES JOINTS WELLS

Fatigue:It is a significant issue that can lead to the structural failure of steel subject to cyclic loading .Stress risers are responsible for iniciating cracks from which fatigue failure results that tha addition of copper nano particals reduces the surface unevenness of steel which then limits to the number of stress rises hence fatigue cracking. Cable:the refinement of the phase of steel to anano size has produced stronger cables high strengh steel cables being used in car tyres are used in bridge construction and pre casting concrete. Joints:high rise structure require high strength joints this inturn leads to need for high strengh bolts which are generally gone through quenching and tempering martensite. When this exceed 1200mpa even a very small amount of hydrogen embrittles the grain boundraies and may fail during use when nano particles like vanarium and molybdenum nano particle shown delay fracture problems. Welds:and heat effected zones adjucent to wells can be brittle and fail without warning when subjected to sudden dynamic load when addition of nano particles of magnicium and calicium makes (haz)green finer in plates steel.that increase weld thoughness.

Need For Nano Steel: High Strength Steel Cables High strength bolts

Temperature restriction Benefits of nano steel: Withstands temperatures as low as -140F stronger Increased plasticity Free of corrosion-causing carbide paths reduced amount of steel Simplified placement of structural concrete 20 to 40% savings Nano coating: Nano technology is being applied to paints and insulating properties,produced by the addition of nano-size cells ,pores and particles ,giving very limited path for turmal conduction are currently available. This type of paint is used at present for corrosion protection under insolation since it is hydrofobic and reples water. Benefits of nano coating:

Coatings to reduce corrosion. Coatings to reduce ingress of harmful chemicals. Coating to change electrical properties. Nano particles enhance physical and aesthetic qualities. Hard, durable finish. Excellent water resistance. Scrub-ability. Stain blocking and other properties.

Nano cement: Sol-gel process

Sol-gel method was used to synthesize each component of Portland cement using nanoparticles. Sol is a combination of monomers of solvent-soluble or water-soluble polymers along with a precipitator. Once formed, the sol can be transformed into a gel under similar controlled conditions for temperature, pressure, etc.

Experiment: 1. In this experiment, the hydration rate for each type of tricalcium silicate component are measured. 2. When the tri- or di- calcium silicates react with water a calcium-silicate-hydrate gel is formed.
3. This calcium-silicate hydrate (c-s-h) is the principal hydration product and primary

binding phase in portland cement. 4. Component was synthesized by dissolving the solid particles in water and mixing the solution by hand with a metal spatula to form a homogenous sol.
5. Heated on a heat plate at 100c for approximately 30 to 40 minutes. 6. The samples were placed in crucibles and annealed at 1000c for 30 min. 7. Finally, the samples were ground to a fine powder using a mortar grinder then placed in

glass tubes and sealed with para film for protection from moisture.
8. 15 ml of de-ionized water was placed in a vacuum flask.

9.

1g of cement was added to the water and the flask was covered with a piece of Styrofoam board.

10. The water and cement were mixed by shaking the flask and the temperature as a function of time was recorded using data acquisition software.
11. The sampling rate was set at 10 points/second.

Compression test: 12. Cylindrical specimens were prepared using PVC pipe, 1.25 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm in length. 13. The samples were mixed with water, cast in the PVC pipe molds, and covered with thin glass plates.

14. cured for one day at room temperature and then for 6 days in a moist curing room. 15. Following the 7-day curing period, the samples were removed and allowed to dry. 16. Some specimens fractured during the curing process and therefore, could not be tested. 17. Load and strain data were recorded using data acquisition software. 18. The loading rate was set at 0.3 inches/minute

SPECIMEN PREPARED FOR CURING Benefits of nano cement:

FRACTURED SPECIMEN

Hydration tests indicated that the nano-cement had a more rapid hydration rate than portland cement. Compressive strength of the cement synthesized using nano-particles was found to be less than that of ordinary portland cement. The cement will not only be more economical than organic polymers but also will be fire resistant.

Benefits of nanocement: Shows more promise Very low humidity Non-reactive mediums Nanosensors: Sensors have been developed and used in construction to monitor and/or control the environment condition and the materials/structure performance. One advantage of these

sensors is their dimension (10 -9m to 10-5m). These sensors could be embedded into the structure during the construction process. Smart aggregate, a low cost piezoceramic-based multi-functional device, has been applied to monitor early age concrete properties such as moisture, temperature, relative humidity and early age strength development. The sensors can also be used to monitor concrete corrosion and cracking. The smart aggregate can also be used for structure health monitoring. The disclosed system can monitor internal stresses, cracks and other physical forces in the structures during the structures life. It is capable of providing an early indication of the health of the structure before a failure of the structure can occur. Advantages of nanotechnology in construction: Nano cement has the potential to create a new paradigm in this area can be used as tough,durable high temparature coating this is achived by mixing cnts which cement material to fabricate fiber composites which results outstanding performances . Poly propoline also are being consider as the metal of increasing fire resistance and this is cheaper option than conventional. Reduces the weight of the structure. Diadvantage of nanotechnology in construction: Since these particles are very small, problems can actually arise from the inhalation of these minute particles, much like the problems a person gets from inhaling. Conclusion: It is clear that nanotechnology has changed and will continue to change our vision, expectations and abilities to control the material world.These developments will definitely affect construction materials.Large amounts of funds and efforts are being utilized to develop nanotechnology. Well dispersed nano particles increase the viscosity of the liquid phase, improves the segregation resistance and workability of the system. Accelerates the hydration. Better bond between aggregates and cement paste. Improves the toughness,shear,tensile strength and flexural strength of concrete. Nanotechnology in civil engineering is definitely the present and the future.