Applications of Nanotechnology

in Concrete Design

Proceedings of the International Conference

held at the University of Dundee, Scotland, UK
on 7 July 2005

Edited by

Ravindra K. Dhir
Director, Concrete Technology Unit
University of Dundee

Moray D. Newlands
CPD/Consultancy Manager, Concrete Technology Unit
University of Dundee

and

Laszlo J. Csetenyi
Research /Teaching Fellow, Concrete Technology Unit
University of Dundee

ThomasTelford
Published by Thomas Telford Publishing, Thomas Telford Ltd, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD.
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First published 2005

The full list of titles from the 2005 International Congress 'Global construction: ultimate concrete
opportunities' and available from Thomas Telford is as follows

Cement combinations for durable concrete. ISBN: 0 7277 3401 6

Concrete for transportation infrastructure. ISBN: 0 7277 3402 4
Application of codes, design and regulations. ISBN: 0 7277 3403 2
Achieving sustainability in construction. ISBN: 0 7277 3404 0
Repair and renovation of concrete structures. ISBN: 0 7277 3405 9
Use of foamed concrete in construction. ISBN: 0 7277 3406 7
Admixtures - enhancing concrete performance. ISBN: 0 7277 3407 5
Applications of nanotechnology in concrete design. ISBN: 0 7277 3408 3
Role of concrete in nuclear facilities. ISBN: 0 7277 3409 1
Young researchers' forum. ISBN: 0 7277 3410 5

For the complete set of 10 volumes, ISBN: 0 7277 3387 7

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 0 7277 3408 3

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 PREFACE
Concrete is at something of a crossroads: there are many opportunities and some threats. For these
opportunities to transpose into beneficial practice, engineers, material scientists, architects,
manufacturers and suppliers must focus on the changes that are required to champion concrete and
maintain its dominance within the global construction industry.
The Concrete Technology Unit (CTU) of the University of Dundee organised this Congress to address
these changes, continuing its established series of events, namely, Challenges of Concrete
Construction in 2002, Creating with Concrete in 1999, Concrete in the Service of Mankind in 1996,
Economic and Durable Concrete Construction Through Excellence in 1993 and Protection of
Concrete in 1990.
The event was organised in collaboration with three of the world's most recognised institutions: the
Institution of Civil Engineers, the American Concrete Institute and the Japan Society of Civil
Engineers. Under the theme of Global Construction: Ultimate Concrete Opportunities, the Congress
consisted of ten Events: (i) Cement Combinations for Durable Concrete, (ii) Concrete for
Transportation Infrastructure, (iii) Application of Codes, Design and Regulations, (iv) Achieving
Sustainability in Construction, (v) Repair and Renovation of Concrete Structures, (vi) Use of Foamed
Concrete in Construction, (vii) Admixtures - Enhancing Concrete Performance, (viii) Applications of
Nanotechnology in Concrete Design, (ix) Role of Concrete in Nuclear Facilities, (x) Young
Researchers Forum. In all, a total of 420 papers were presented from 68 countries.
The Opening Addresses were given by Sir Alan Langlands, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Dundee, Mr John Letford, Lord Provost, City of Dundee, Mr Colin Clinton, President of
the Institution of Civil Engineers, and senior representatives of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers
and the American Concrete Institute. The Congress was officially opened by Mr Peter Goring,
President of the Concrete Society, UK. The ten Event Opening Papers were presented by Professor
R K Dhir, University of Dundee, UK, Mr E S Larsen, COWI A/S, Denmark, Dr W G Corley,
Construction Technologies Laboratory Group, USA, Dr M Glavind, Danish Technological Institute,
Denmark, Professor P Robery, Halcrow Group Ltd, UK, Mr D Aldridge, Propump Engineering Ltd,
UK, Dr M Corradi, Degussa Construction Chemicals Division, Italy, Professor S P Shah,
Northwestern University, USA, Professor C Andrade, Institute of Construction Science, Spain and
Professor P C Hewlett, British Board of Agrement, UK. The Closing Papers were given by Professor
K Scrivener, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Switzerland, Mr N Hussain, Ove Arup &
Partners, Hong Kong, Professor H Gulvanessian, Building Research Establishment, UK, Mrs G M T
Janssen, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands, Dr D R Morgan, AMEC Earth &
Environmental, Canada, Dr E Kearsley, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Professor M Collepardi,
ENCO-Engineering Concrete, Italy and Mr P Doyle, Jacobs Babtie Nuclear, UK.

The support of 50 International Professional Institutions and 32 Sponsoring Organisations was a

major contribution to the success of the Congress. An extensive Trade Fair formed an integral part of
the event. The work of the Congress was an immense undertaking and all of those involved are
gratefully acknowledged, in particular, the members of the Organising Committee for managing the
event from start to finish; members of the Scientific and Technical Committees for advising on the
selection and reviewing of papers; the Authors and the Chairmen of Technical Sessions for their
invaluable contributions to the proceedings.

All of the proceedings have been prepared directly from the camera-ready manuscripts submitted by
the authors and editing has been restricted to minor changes, only where it was considered absolutely
necessary.
Dundee Ravindra K Dhir
July 2005 Chairman, Congress Organising Committee

ill
 INTRODUCTION

Nanotechnology is one of the most novel research areas with breathtaking advancement observed
over the past 15 years. This does not mean that exploring and manipulating inner characteristics
of matter to obtain exceptional properties and performance has never challenged the forefront of
research activities. Quite the contrary, this was always an elemental motive, which remained
unrealized until recently, possibly due to the lack of suitable technology and instrumentation.
Much longer systematic development of other scientific areas such as physics, chemistry,
crystallography and electronics, have actually paved the way for concerted utilisation of the
immense knowledge accumulated over centuries; resulting in this revolutionary progression, once
technical barriers were removed. The costs of such research and manufacturing facilities,
however, made a strong incentive for immediate application in high value commercial products
for acceptable economic return. This reciprocity appears to pertain in the foreseeable future and
highlights the sectors nanotechnology will most likely encompass.

The conservative perception of construction materials as inexpensive and embodying moderate

levels of innovation may mean that nanotechnologists avoid this industry. However, a convincing
argument for the opposite is the rapid advancement of investigations into inorganic polymers as
strategic materials and the establishment of dedicated research centres the world over. In fact,
given the extremely widespread application of construction products, the potential for
implementation of nanotechnology is huge.

At this point in time, there is no clear-cut direction among conceptual development areas whereby
concrete construction would immediately harness nanotechnology. Perhaps better understanding
of C-S-H gel structure or insight into binding forces acting within the interfacial transition zone
be potential areas, but simply, research may not have even explored those avenues, which would
surely provide for radical changes in this traditional yet most universal industry.

The Proceedings 'Applications of Nanotechnology in Concrete Design' dealt with all these
subject areas and the issues raised two clearly defined themes: (i) Techniques, Instrumentation
and Materials, and (ii) Theoretical Modelling and Applications. Each theme started with a
Keynote Paper presented by the foremost exponents in their respective fields. There were a total
of 12 papers were presented during the International Conference which are compiled into these
Proceedings.

Dundee Ravindra K Dhir

July 2005 Moray D Newlands
Laszlo J Csetenyi

IV
 ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Concrete Technology Unit

Professor R K Dhir OBE (Chairman)

Dr M D Newlands (Secretary)
Professor P C Hewlett
British Board ofAgrement
Professor T A Harrison
Quarry Products Association
Professor P Chana
British Cement Association
Professor V K Rigopoulou
National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Dr S Y N Chan
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr N Y Ho
L & M Structural Systems, Singapore
Dr M R Jones
Dr M J McCarthy
Dr T D Dyer
Dr K A Paine
DrJEHalliday
Dr L J Csetenyi
Dr L Zheng
Dr S Caliskan
Dr A McCarthy
Dr A Whyte
Mr M C Tang
Ms E Csetenyi
Ms P I Hynes (Congress Assistant)
Mr S R Scott (Unit Assistant)
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Professor P N Balaguru, Program Director
National Science Foundation, USA

Dr J Beaudoin, Principal Research Officer & Group Leader

National Research Council, CANADA

Professor Ignasi Casanova, Associate Professor of Materials Chemistry

Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, SPAIN

Professor Mario Collepardi, President

ENCO-Engineering Concrete, ITALY

Dr Mario Corradi, Senior Vice President Technology & Development

Degussa Construction Chemicals Division, ITALY

Mr Jesper Sand Damtoft, Vice President

Aalborg Portland A/S, DENMARK

Dr Frank Dehn, Senior Lecturer

University of Leipzig, GERMANY

Dr W J McCarter, Postgraduate Director

Heriot Watt University, UK

Dr Laila Raki, Research Officer, Bldg Envelopes & Struc

National Research Council Canada, CANADA

Professor Surendra P Shah, Director, Center for Advanced Cement-Based Materials

Northwestern University, USA

Professor Klaas van Breugel, Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Delft University of Technology, NETHERLANDS

COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS
Institution of Civil Engineers, UK
American Concrete Institute
Japan Society of Civil Engineers

VI
SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS WITH EXHIBITION

Aalborg Portland A/S, Denmark

Aggregate Industries
ARUP
Bid Cities Fund
British Board of Agrement
British Cement Association
Building Research Establishment
Bureau Veritas Laboratories Ltd
Castle Cement Limited
CEMBUREAU
Cementitious Slag Makers Association
Danish Technological Institute
Degussa - Construction Chemicals
Dundee City Council
Elkem Materials Ltd
FaberMaunsell
FEBELCEM
Foam Concrete Ltd
Halcrow Group Ltd
Heidelberg Cement
Jacobs Babtie Group
John Doyle Construction
Master Builders Technologies

VII
SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS WITH EXHIBITION
(continued)

PANalytical
Propump Engineering Ltd
Putzmeister Ltd
RMC Readymix
Rugby Cement
STATS Ltd
Tarmac Group
The Concrete Centre
United Kingdom Quality Ash Association

EXHIBITING ORGANISATIONS

Cambridge Ultrasonics Ltd

Celsum Technologies Ltd
CNS Farnell Ltd
Concrete Repairs Ltd
Germann Instruments A/S
Glenammer Engineering Ltd
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Metrohm UK Ltd
Retsch UK Ltd
Sonatest Ltd
Wexham Developments
Zwick Testing Machines Ltd

Vlll
 SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS

Asociacion de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Spain

Asociacion de Ingenieros del Uruguay, Uruguay
Association of Slovak Scientific & Technological Societies, Slovakia
Associazione Italiana Ingegneria dei Materiali, Italy
Austrian Society of Engineers & Architects, Austria
Bahrain Society of Engineers, Bahrain
Belgian Concrete Society, Belgium
Brazilian Concrete Institute, Brazil
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Canada
China Civil Engineering Society, China
Chinese Institute of Engineers, Taiwan
Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimesores de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Concrete Institute of Australia, Australia
Concrete Society of Southern Africa, South Africa
Consiglio Nazionale degli Ingegneri, Italy
Construction Institute, USA
Czech Concrete Society, Czech Republic
Danish Concrete Association, Denmark
Deutscher Beton-und Bautechnik-Verein EV, Germany
Engineers Australia, Australia
Federation of Scientific & Technical Unions in Bulgaria, Bulgaria
Feberation de Tlndustrie du Beton (FIB), France
General Association of Engineers in Romania, Romania
Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Hong Kong

IX
 SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS

Hungarian Cement Association, Hungary

Indian Concrete Institute, India
Institute of Concrete Technology, UK
Institution of Engineers, India
Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh
Institution of Engineers, Malaysia
Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka
Institution of Engineers, Tanzania
Institution of Structural Engineers, UK
Instituto Mexicano del Cemento y del Concreto AC, Mexico
Irish Concrete Society, Ireland
Japan Concrete Institute, Japan
Jordan Engineers' Association, Jordan
Korea Concrete Institute, South Korea
Netherlands Concrete Society, Netherlands
New Zealand Concrete Society, New Zealand
Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigeria
Norwegian Concrete Association, Norway
Singapore Concrete Institute, Singapore
Slovenian Chamber of Engineers, Slovenia
The Concrete Society, UK
Turkish Chamber of Civil Engineers, Turkey
Yugoslav Society for Materials & Structures Testing, Serbia & Montenegro
Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers, Zimbabwe
 CONTENTS
Preface iii
Introduction iv
Organising Committee v
Scientific and Technical Committee vi
Collaborating Institutions vi
Sponsoring Organisations With Exhibition vii
Exhibiting Organisations viii
Supporting Institutions ix

Opening Paper
Concrete Materials Science at the Nanoscale 1
D Corr, S P Shah, Northwestern University, USA

THEME 1 TECHNIQUES, INSTRUMENTATION AND MATERIALS

Keynote Paper
Micro-Damage Characterisation of Concrete Structures Based on Acoustic Emission 13
B H Oh, Seoul National University K S Kim, Hyundai Engineering
and Construction Co Ltd, South Korea

Scanning Probe Microscopy Techniques for the Study of Cementitious 29

Materials at Nanoscale: Current Status and Challenges Ahead
I Casanova

Overview of Concrete Modelling 35

A Porro, J S Dolado

Size Effect in Nanoindentation of Cement Paste 47

J Nemecek, L Kopecky, Z Bittnar

Influence ofNano-Sized Mineral Additions on Performance ofSCC 55

S Collepardi, A Borsoi, J J O Olagot, R Troli, M Collepardi, A Q Curzio

THEME 2 THEORETICAL MODELLING AND APPLICATIONS

Keynote Paper
Multi-Scale Modeling in Engineering Practice and Materials Research — 67
A Vehicle for Progress
K van Breugel, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands,
Y Guang, Technical University of Ghent, Belgium

Creating Biomimetic Microstructures in Cement - A Preliminary Study 11

T D Dyer, R K Dhir

XI
Effects ofNanosilica Additions on Cement Pastes 87
A Porro, J S Dolado, I Campillo, E Erkizia, Y R de Miguel,
Y Saes de Ibarra, A Ayuela

Nanostructural Superplasticizers for In-lining Concrete in 97

Underground Projects
P Clemente, E Dal Negro, G Ferrari, M Gamba, F Surico

Theory of the Stress-Strain Relationship of Concrete and Steel 105

H Schneeberger

Closing Paper
Nanotechnology and Concrete: Background, Opportunities and Challenges 113
P Balaguru, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, USA

Index of Authors 123

Subject Index 125

XII