Nano-Engineered Mortars with Pozzolanic Material for Structural Patchment
Conference Poster
Overview
Overview
abstract
Mortar is the combination of cement, sand, and water. With the addition of gravel mortars become concrete, the most used building material. When a structural element critical to the integrity of a building suffers low to medium damage, rapid fixing is needed for continued operation. Remediation technologies can entail external bracing or removal of the section and reconstruction, to prevent the final decommission the structure. Thus, the longevity of the structure could be extended by simplifying the restoration method. Prolonging the use period will subsequently reduce the waste material produced by demolition. Mortars with sufficient bonding and mechanical strength are alternative remedies to restore the original resistance of the structural element. In the present research, we developed a specialized mortar containing nanostructured SiO2 that improves most, if not all, of cement paste properties. The aforementioned nanoparticles allow enhancing the cement hydration and the densification of the mix. The addition of pozzolanic material such as metakaoline and fly ash cause a secondary chemical reaction with C-S-H to occur. The properties of this mortar are evaluated in two scenarios: compression analysis of the mortar and flexural test of a concrete beam bearing a mortar patchment. Compressive strength is determined at 24 hours, 7, and 28 days of aging. The optimization of the mortar design is a key aspect in determining the most effective way of delivering the repair methodology. This analysis is done by examining more than 20 combinations of all three main cement substituting materials. In addition to the cementitious material, the mixtures incorporate a water reducing agent and an adhesive bonding admixture component. With further enhancement, the proposed mortar will have adequate early age strength and superior bonding properties for a rapid restoration of the damaged structure.
