The Effect of Nano Metakaolin Material on Some Properties of Concrete

Abstract

This investigation aimed to study the effect of nano metakaolin ( NMK ) on some properties (compressive strength ,splitting tensile strength & water absorption ) of concrete. The nano metakaolin (NMK) was prepared by thermal activation of kaolin clay for 2 hours at 750 Ċ. The cement used in this investigation consists of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The OPC was partially substituted by NMK of ( 3, 5 & 10%) by weight of cement. The C45 concrete was prepared , using water/cement ratio ( W/c) of (0.53) .The Water absorption was tested at 28 days while the tests (compressive strength ,splitting tensile strength) were tested at ages of (7, 28, 60,& 90) days . The compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete with NMK were higher than that of reference concrete with the same W/c ratio.The improvement in the compressive strength when using NMK was (42.2, 55.8 , 63.1% ) at age 28 days for ( 3%, 5%, &10% ) replacement of NMK respectively whereas the improvement in the splitting tensile strength was (0% , 36% & 46.8 %) at age of 28 days when using (3%, 5%, &10% ) NMK respectively. The improvement in the water absorption was (16.6%, 21.79%, &25.6 ) when using (3, 5, &10% )NMK.