Effect of nano-strengthening on the properties and microstructure of recycled concrete

Abstract

Influence of nano-strengthening immersion on the properties of recycled aggregate (RA) and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) and the microstructure of interfacial transition zones (ITZs) between mortar and aggregate were studied in this paper. Results showed that nano-strengthening immersion was helpful to reduce the crushing value and total pore area of RA, to significantly improve the mechanical strength of RAC, and to modify the bond strength between RAC and steel rebar and the structural properties of RAC beams. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), micro-hardness (MH) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation were conducted in order to reveal the enhancement mechanism of nano-strengthening immersion. Results showed that the density and mechanical properties in ITZs were obviously improved by nano-strengthening because the coating and penetration of nano-materials was helpful to block the pores and cracks in ITZs, to avoid the directed gathering of CH crystal, and to accelerate the hydration of cement and mineral additions.