Amelioration of freeze thaw damage of concrete with multi-walled carbon nano tubes

Purpose In cold areas, frost damage is the main factor for diminution of durability and serviceability of structures. Due to incessant freeze thaw regimes, micro cracks spread and deteriorate concrete to point of failure. Design/methodology/approach The study aims to evaluate the fresh and hardened properties of concrete after thirty freeze-thaw cycles tailored with carbon nano tubes. For this purpose, samples with 0.4, 0.45, 0.48, 0.5 and 0.55 water cement ratio while 0.5 and 1% carbon nano tube (CNT) content by weight of cement were prepared. Findings At 0.48 water cement ratio and 0.5% CNT by weight of cement workability reduced by 37% and water absorption reduced by 0.04%. But compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength increased by 15.38, 33.02 and 15.75%, respectively, after 30 freeze thaw cycles. Also, weight loss reduced with addition of 0.5% CNT by weight of cement after freeze thaw cycles. Originality/value Novelty of this research is to tailor traditional concrete with new materials.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the performance of concrete tailored with carbon nano tubes after freeze-thaw cycles, showing improvements in compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength with the addition of an appropriate amount. Additionally, water absorption and weight loss were reduced in the presence of carbon nano tubes.