Comparative analysis of natural nanosilica versus commercial nanosilica on compressive strength and durability of high-performance concrete

Abstract

This study provides a comparative analysis of natural nanosilica (NSn), which is an extract of natural silica sand processed into nanosilica with commercial nanosilica (NSc) derived from semiconductor industrial waste, in 80 MPa high performance concrete (HPC). The percentage of using nanosilica is (3%, 5%, 10%, 15%) by weight of cement used directly and combined with 5% silica fume. Analysis was carried out through compressive strength test, durability through permeability test, rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT), and microstructure test through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the analysis show that natural nanosilica is equivalent to commercial nanosilica, in applications it is better to use silica fume incorporation. The optimum percentage of using NSn10% and (SF) 5%, while 5% NSc and 5% SF, in these proportions shows the best compressive strength and durability. It’s just that the use of natural nanosilika is 5% more than commercial nanosilika. The benefit of this research is that natural materials such as silica sand with high SiO2 content, can be processed into nanosilica as an advanced material, which can be used as an eco-friendly construction material.