This study investigated the compressive strength of hardened concrete and the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) with the addition of nanosilica (SiO2). Compressive strength testing was performed using ASTM C496 to determine stress-strain curves and compressi More
This study investigated the compressive strength of hardened concrete and the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) with the addition of nanosilica (SiO2). Compressive strength testing was performed using ASTM C496 to determine stress-strain curves and compressive strength of the materials. The hydration process and formation of C-S-H and Calcium Hydroxide (CH) was examined using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Results indicate an increase in compressive strength using 1, 3 and 5% of nanosilica to concrete replacement by volume in comparison to the control mix (without nanosilica). The optimum concrete replacement to yield maximum strength was of the 5% nanosilica content. Comparing the 56 day results for the 3 and 5% of nanosilica replacement samples, notice the same percentage of C-S-H formation of 83 and 85%, respectively
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