This study reports on the development of a cementitious composite incorporating electrochemically exfoliated graphene (EEG). This hybrid functional material features significantly enhanced microstructure and mechanical properties, as well as unaffected workability; thus, it outperforms previously reported cementitious composites containing graphene derivatives. The manufacturing of the composite relies on a simple and efficient method that enables the uniform dispersion of EEG within cement matrix in the absence of surfactants. Different from graphene oxide, EEG is found to not agglomerate in cement alkaline environment, thereby not affecting the fluidity of cementitious composites. The addition of 0.05 wt% graphene content to ordinary Portland cement results in an increase up to 79%, 8%, and 9% for the tensile strength, compressive strength, and Young's modulus, respectively. Remarkably, it is found that the addition of EEG promotes the hydration reaction of both alite and belite, thus leading to the formation of a large fraction of 3CaO·2SiO 2 ·3H 2 O (C‐S‐H) phase. These findings represent a major step forward toward the practical application of nanomaterials in civil engineering.
In the last decades, fiber reinforced concrete have emerged as the possible key to revolutionize civil engineering. Among different types of fibers employed in concrete technology to date, the application of recycled steel fibers produced from end-of-life car tires appears to be a viable approach towards environmentally friendly construction. In this study, we demonstrate the laboratory research and numerical analysis of concrete reinforced with waste steel fibers recovered during the recycling process of end-of-life car tires. Concrete mixes with the following fiber contents: 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, and 1.5% per volume were prepared and then tested in three-point bending conditions. The laboratory investigation revealed highly boosted properties of concrete under flexure. We further performed the finite element method (FEM) analysis of 2D models using Atena software in order to develop a material model allowing the numerical modelling of recycled steel fibers reinforced concrete (RSFRC) behavior. The parameters of RSFRC material model have been modified using the inverse analysis until matching the experimental performance of the material. The results, being in good agreement with the laboratory investigation, have indicated a high potential of RSFRC for real scale construction applications.
The search for technological solutions to the ever‐increasing demand for ultra‐high‐quality concrete with the simultaneous construction boom represents one of the greatest challenges concrete researchers are facing nowadays. In view of their unique properties, graphene and related materials, when utilized to form graphene‐based cementitious composites, appear to be powerful components to give a boost to today's concrete technology. In this review, the most enlightening recent advancements in the development of fabrication protocols for obtaining the homogenous dispersion of graphene and derivatives thereof within the cement matrix are showcased. The hydration process and basic properties of graphene‐based cementitious materials are also discussed. The integration of graphene‐family materials to concrete technology allows new functions to be imparted to cement composites toward the construction of smart and multifunctional buildings. Therefore, a specific focus is given to the electrical and piezoresistive behavior of graphene‐cement composites, and ultimately their great potential for structural health monitoring applications. The approaches proposed in this review can be also extended to other 2D materials offering the broadest arsenal of physical properties, which can therefore be integrated on‐demand in future smart structures and constructions.
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