Effect of zirconium oxide nanofiber on the strength and chloride ion penetration coefficient of concrete

Abstract

In this study, zirconium oxide nanofiber with a mean diameter of 100 nm was added to concrete at various concentrations as a cement replacement. Various tests, including compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and electrical resistance tests, as well as a rapid chloride penetration test, were performed on specimens containing zirconium oxide nanofibers for the concrete assessment, and the results were compared to those obtained from control specimens that did not contain nanofibers. The results showed that adding zirconium oxide nanofibers at 135 gr/m3 of concrete yielded a 28-day compressive strength equal to 44.62 MPa, which exhibits a 20.40% increase in strength with respect to the specimen that lacked nanofibers. The flexural strength and splitting tensile strength tests at 28 days of age and in the presence of 135 gr/m3 mentioned nanofibers were increased by 22.28 and 33.47%, respectively, in comparison to the control specimens. Moreover, revealed that at 28 days of age, in the specimens containing 270 gr/m3 zirconium oxide nanofibers, the migration coefficient of chloride ion was reduced by 29.86%, and its electrical resistance was increased by 68.33%. These findings highlight the potential of nanofibers as a promising solution for enhancing the strength and performance of concrete structures.