Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Concrete Through the Synergistic Use of Nano Silica, Silica Fume, and Metakaolin
摘要
This research examines the use of Metakaolin, Silica Fume, and Nano Silica by partial replacement of OPC and assessed mechanical characteristics of concrete. The replacement percentage for Metakaolin was 20%, 8.3% for silica Fume, and 1, 2 and 3% for nano Silica. Concrete mixes were designed for M40 grade with 0.4 water cement ratio. All mixes incorporated a superplasticizer in order to achieve the required workability of the concrete. Compressive strength and split tensile strength were mechanical properties measured at intervals of 7, 28, and 56 days. It was observed that could at 7 days, there was a compressive strength improvement when the mix included 1% Nano Silica while higher percentages produced lower strengths which could indicate some optimal early strength threshold. At the 28 and 56 days, however, all the modified mixes performed better than the nominal mix with the best result on compressive strength being on the 1% Nano Silica mix at 56 days, 54.8 N/mm2. in the same method, the use of these pozzolanic materials to the concrete also elevated the split tensile strength and it was observed at 28 and 56 days with the highest value of 4.47 N/mm2 at 56 days by the 1% nano Silica mix. These findings show the compounds’ capacity to improve the long-term durability of concrete and provide optimum mix proportions for improved mechanical qualities, which may assist in the construction of more resilient and sustainable buildings made of concrete..