The 5th ASIA FUTURE CONFERENCE (AFC5)

Manila, 9-13 January 2020

Optimization of natural micro- and nano-fibers as

sustainable reinforcement in Ultra-high Performance
Mortar (UHPM) for building and construction
applications

Presented by: Steve W.M Supit

Civil Engineering Department

Manado State Polytechnic - INDONESIA
Sequence of Presentation

Introduction
Research Objectives
Methodology
Results
Conclusions
What is NANO TECHNOLOGY?

Richard Feynman
”There’s plenty of room at the
bottom…”

Approaches in nano
technology
(Sanchez and Sobolev, 2010)
 Car paint protection Nano Spray
Nano fabric

Nanobio-
Nano technology Optical
Fabrics Engineering

Energy Cosmetics
INNOVATIVE
APPLICATION
Medicine
& Drugs Bio
Engineering
Defence & Nano
Security devices
Nano Materials in Cement
Composites
Types of nanoparticles:
 Nanoclay
 Limestone nanoparticles
 Nanosilica
 Nanofibers
 Titanium dioxide nanoparticles Nano materials impact
on hydration kinetics

Filler effect
Seeding effect
Pozzolanic effect

Increasing the chemical

reactivity
Enhancing the density
Reducing the pores
Image of Portland cement hydration products Preventing the initiation of crack
(Alizadeh, 2009)
 Cellulose Nano-fibers
(CNFs)
CNFs is made from wood-derived fiber (pulp) or from plant fibers

Characteristics:

1. Light and strong

2. Fiber width:
about 3nm
3. Large specific
surface area
4. Low thermal
expansion
5. Exhibits
characteristics
viscosity in water
6. Environmentally-
friendly biomass
material

https://www.nipponpapergroup.com
CRACKS IN MORTAR OR CONCRETE
DEFORMATION

SHRINKAGE

SWELLING

CORROSION OF STEEL
REINFORCEMEN

Short length of fibers can be pulled out as the crack increases

thus not have enough ability in preventing the growth of
macrocracks matrix
 Large deposits of wollastonite have been
Wollastonite (Wo) identified in China, Finland, India, Mexico,
and the United States

Wollastonite is a naturally
white mineral formed due to
the interaction of limestone
with silica in hot magmas

Application of wollastonite
powder:
Ceramics, paints, metallurgy,
etc

Reinforcing filler in
composite material
 OBJECTIVES

1 2 3

Compressive Microstructure
Flexural
Strength of analysis
Strength of
UHPM including
UHPM
containing Scanning
containing
micro- and Electron
micro- and
nano fibers Microscopy
nano fibers
(SEM)
 METHODOLOGY

Series Mix W/B SP/B D/B S/B CNFs/B Wo/B

1 Control 15 1.5 0.02 48 - -

2 CNFs-0.05 15 1.5 0.02 48 0.05 -
3 CNFs-0.15 15 1.5 0.02 48 0.15 -

4 CNFs-0.05+W0 15 1.5 0.02 43.2 0.05 4.8

5 CNFs-0.15+Wo 15 1.5 0.02 43.2 0.15 4.8

Note: W=Water; B=Binder; SP=Superplasticizer; D= Defoaming Agent;

S=Sand; CNFs= Cellulose Nano Fibers; Wo=Wollastonite
Compressive
strength test
JIS A 1108

Flexural strength
test
JIS A 1108
 RESULTS
Compressive Strength The inclusion of
wollastonite reinforced
with CNFs led to
improve the
compressive strength
of UHPM at 7 days.

The improvements are

approximately 4-11%
higher when 4.8%
wollastonite was added
into 0.05% and 0.15%
CNFs mortars.
 Flexural Strength

Fig.The
6. Load-CMOD
presencerelationship on mortar is
of wollastonite withobserved
CNFs and
increases thewollastonite
CMOD atuntil 7 daythe peak load
indicating more energy is absorbed during
deflection and more ductile behavior in
samples containing wollastonite.
The flexural strength increases 11% higher
in 0.15% CNFs combined with wollastonite
when compared with CNFs-0.15 mortar
 Scanning Electron Microscopy

Control Mortar

(a)
(a) (b)
(b)

(c)

0.15% CNFs
(d) some agglomerations are shown due
to the very high surface of CNFs
(c)
(c) (d)
(d)

0.15% CNFs + 4.8% Wo

crack-bridging system
(e)
(e) (f)
(f)
Fig. 7. Scanning Electron Microscopy of mortars
 CONCLUSIONS

1 2 3

UHPM with CNFs and

Combining cellulose The addition of wolllastonite addition is
nano-fibers with wollastonite in CNFs very potential to be a
wollastonite micro-fibers UHPM matrix sustainable
is effective approach in making the crack- reinforcement for
optimizing the building and
bridging system more construction application
compressive and flexural
strengths of UHPM that
effective rather than such as structural
could be attributed to the using nano-fibers strengthening and repair
only.. material especially at
filling effect and fibrous
the countries where
nature of wollastonite. these materials are
precursor available.
 FIBERS FOR SUSTAINABILE INFRASTRUCTURES

Repair work

Maintenance CNFs and wollastonite

micro-fiber combined in
UHPM led to improve
the reinforcing
capabilities

New construction
Challenge for further research
• Appropriate dosage when combined micro- and nano
fibers as construction material

• The proper dispersion of nano particles should be taken

into account

• The implementation on larger scale for construction site

• Existing legal and regulatory framework in these Asian

countries
Global fibers market

The natural fiber market are expected to grow by 2026

The market in Asia Pacific is estimated to expand at a rapid
pace during the forecast period