J Aust Ceram Soc
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41779-017-0150-7
RESEARCH
Investigation of mechanical properties of repair mortars
containing high-volume fly ash and nano materials
Kenan Toklu 1 & Osman Şimşek 1
Received: 18 May 2017 / Revised: 24 July 2017 / Accepted: 12 October 2017
# Australian Ceramic Society 2017
Abstract Innovations for mineral and chemical additives
used in concrete cause a rapid development in concrete tech-
nology. Thus, high-performance fiber-reinforced cement com-
posites (HPFRCC) that exhibit ductile behavior under axial
loads are produced. With the development and widespread use
of nano technology, the production of nano materials that can
be used in concrete has led to the development of concrete
properties. The first studies about nano and fiber materials
used in concrete show that the performance of the concrete
develops when they are used together in concrete. In this
study, two basic mixtures were designed as fly ash (55% by
weight of total cementitious material) and without fly ash
mixture. In both of two basic mixtures, HPFRCC mixtures
were prepared using the ratio of nano materials (nano silica,
nano alumina, and nano calcite) determined by the prelimi-
nary test and the additive materials. According to results for all
mixtures, the highest compressive and flexural strengths be-
long to the mixture containing 0% fly ash and nano silicate
which is 109.7 and 17 MPa at 90 days, respectively, and the
lowest compressive and flexural strengths belong to the mix-
ture containing 55% fly ash and without nano materials which
is 23.36 and 12.02 MPa at 1 day, respectively. The results
show that mixtures containing nano materials improve the
compressive and flexural strengths.
* Kenan Toklu
kenantoklu@gazi.edu.tr
Osman Şimşek
simsek@gazi.edu.tr
1
Faculty of Technology, Civil Engineering Department, Gazi
University, Ankara, Turkey
Keywords Nano materials . Repair mortar . Fly ash . High
performance
Introduction
The main purpose of sustainable development is Bto make a
plan for the conscious consumption of resources without dam-
aging natural resources and to meet and develop the future
generation’s needs.^ Although a service life for concrete in-
frastructures is expected to be at least 50–75 years, it has been
seen that many constructions started to deteriorate after
30 years due to environmental conditions as well as external
and internal factors and necessitated repair strengthening
[1–3].
Due to today’s economic conditions and high cost, it is
focused on repairing or strengthening the damaged structures
[4, 5]. It is stated that the cost of repairing or strengthening the
damaged structures is more expensive than making new ones
[6]. The maintenance and repair costs of structures are so high
in many countries due to shortened service life of construc-
tions. This maintenance, repair, and strengthening process has
created a new business sector [7].
It is known that the materials used in the repair and
strengthening sector cause usually poor early-age perfor-
mances. For this reason, the development of effective and very
high performance at early age has a vital proposition [8, 9]. In
recent years, rapid developments in mineral and chemical con-
crete admixture have accelerated the developments in concrete
technology. The improvement of the fragile structure of con-
ventional concrete has led to the creation of high-performance
fiber-reinforced cement composites (HPFRCC) that exhibit
ductile behavior under axial tensile loads. The material and
geometric parameters required for ductile behavior are pre-
dicted by Li ve Leung [10] and developed by Li [11] and
 J Aust Ceram Soc

Table 1 Physical and chemical

characteristics of materials Physical and chemical characteristics CEM I 52.5 R Fly ash Quartz sand

SiO2 (wt%) 21.6 55.44 99.31

Al2O3 (wt%) 4.05 24.93 0.29
Fe2O3 (wt%) 0.26 6.33 0.05
CaO (wt%) 65.7 2.18 0.05
MgO (wt%) 1.30 2.38 –
SO3 (wt%) 3.30 0.14 –
Na2O (wt%) – 0.49 –
K2O (wt%) – 3.87 0.02
Ignition loss (wt%) 3.20 1.82 0.09
Density (kg/dm3) 3150 2130 2.65

Kanda ve Li [12]. Ductility defined as the deformation of the
HPFRCC at its maximum axial tensile stress is related to the
effective transmission of the fibers in the matrix [13].
HPFRCC with the use of 2% fiber by volume can exhibit
tensile strain deformation between 3 and 5% under axial ten-
sile loading. This value creates about 300 to 500 times the
difference in terms of tensile deformation capacity between
normal and fiber-reinforced concrete [14, 15].
Many researchers have focused on the advantages provided
by the structures repaired with HPFRCC. Li and Li [16] have
shown that repair material is able to meet the shrinkage defor-
mations thanks to decreasing tensile ductility in order to pre-
vent the surface cracking and the HPFRCC/concrete interface
layer to be repaired.
The cost of HPFRCC is higher than conventional materials.
However, the use of high-volume fly ash instead of cement
plays an important role for reducing this cost. Also, the use of
high-volume fly ash instead of cement improves the fiber-
matrix interface properties to prevent chemical deterioration
at the interface [17].
In recent years, the use of nano materials in concrete
has improved the performance properties of concrete
[18–20]. The use of nano silica and micro silica in the
production of concrete improves properties such as
bending, compressive and tensile strength, and perme-
ability. Also, it reduces the nano spaces in the matrix
and increases rigidity and strength [21–27]. When nano
silica, nano alumina, and nano calcite are mixed with
PVA fiber, high-performance cementitious composites
are produced. The biggest advantage of these compos-
ites is that they have very strong adherence [28].
Synthetic fibers 0.5% by weight are mixed to the matrix

Table 2 Technical characteristics of nano materials and calcium formate

Materials Nano alumina Nano silica Nano calcite Calcium formate

Characteristics Values Values Characteristics Values Characteristics Values

SSA ~ 150 m2/g 2
~ 300 m /g Max. size (μ) 3.45–3.60 Physical condition Solid/powder
Geology Almost Porous Particles under 2 μ (wt%) 66–73.25 pH 6.7
spheral
Ultraviolet reflectivity – > 85 Area covered by 1 cm3 4.35–4.70 Odor Characteristic (light)
(%) (m2/cm3)
Color White White Color White Color From white to
yellow
Density (kg/cm3) 3.89 2.40 Density (kg/cm3) 2.75 Melting point > 300 °C
Hydroxyl content – > 45 CaCO3 (wt%) 98.88 Density 2 kg/L (20 °C)
(kg/m3)
Ca (ppm) < 25 < 20 MgO-Fe2O3 (wt%) 0.5–0,1 Pour density 0.9 kg/dm3
Al (ppm) – < 20 SiO2-Al2O3 (wt%) 0.4–0,1 Solubility 172 g/L (water)
Fe (ppm) < 80 < 10 pH 9.0 Flammability at 20 °C –
Mg (ppm) – < 10 Hardness (Moh’s) 3 Autoignition 292 °C
temperature
Na (ppm) < 70 – Ignition loss (wt%) 43.50 Degradation > 800 °C
temperature
J Aust Ceram Soc

Table 3 Technical characteristics of PVA fiber (calcium carbonate) in its chemical structure. The effect
Standard TSEN 14889 part II type of calcite on the compressive strength of concrete is
1A and ASTM C-1116-1997 type III explained by the formation of a suitable core for the
formation of C-S-H, accelerating the hydration reactions
Type Very filamentous and the formation of the carboaluminate [32–34].
Appearance and cross section Single fiber and round Limestone powder has higher strength in 28 days than
Fiber length 6 mm samples including fly ash in terms of early-age strength.
Resistance 6.5–7.0 g/ denier-high This is related to the pozzolanic reaction of samples
Young’s module (MPa) 3000–3500 including fly ash [35–39].
Elongation (%) 20/25 The development of nano size modified cementitious
Specific density (g/cm3) 0.91 repair concrete containing high-volume fly ash with
Color Transparent early-age high strength is identified as the main objec-
Softening and melting point 150° and 160° tive of the study.
Cement suitability Very high
Moisture retention 70 relative humidity at 21° ≤ %0.10
Material and method

in a study [29]. It has been determined that a nano size Materials

modified matrix has increased compressive strength by
19% and bending strength by 25% compared to a ma-
trix without synthetic fiber [30, 31].
It is known that micro silica has been used as a
mineral additive for a long time and concretes which
include micro silica have high performance [21, 22].
Calcite, which is produced in micron and nano sizes
in our country, is a mineral containing 95–97% CaCO3
In the production of mortar, quartz sand, cement, and fly ash,
three different nano materials, PVA fiber and hyper plasticizer
were used. Three specimens for compressive and flexural
strength tests were prepared from each mixture for each test
day. The sizes of specimens are 50 × 50 × 50 mm for the
compressive strength test and 40 × 40 × 160 mm for the
flexural strength test.

Table 4 Mixture without fly ash design (kg/m3)

Material type Control (kg/m3) Nano silica (kg/m3) Nano aluminate (kg/m3) Nano calcite (kg/m3)

Coding FA0CM FA55CM FA0nSi150 FA55nSi150 FA0nAl100 FA55nAl100 FA0nCa50 FA55nCa50

Silica sand 509 462 509 462 509 462 509 462
Cement 1246 510 1227 502 1233 505 1240 507
Water 343 312 343 312 343 312 343 312
PVA fiber 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
Fly ash 0 623 0 613 0 617 0 620
Nano material 0 0 19 17 13 12 6 6
Air amount 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
Super plasticizer 19 17 18 18 19 17 18 18
Calcium formate 25 23 25 23 25 23 25 23
Coding Explanation
CM (FA55nAl 100) Control mortar
FA55nAl100 B CF PVA W C Mixture
Fly ash
Percentage of fly ash in the binder group
Nano
Type of nano material (silica = Si, Al = aluminate, Ca = calcite)
Percentage of nano material (50 = %0.5, 100 = %1, 150 = %1.5) (by weight of total cementitious material)
Binder = (cement + FA + nano material + calcium formate)
Calcium formate
Poly(vinyl alcohol) fiber
Mixture water
Cement
 J Aust Ceram Soc

Fig. 1 Compressive strength- 110

FA0CM FA0 nCa 50
time relationship for specimens

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (MPA)

105
containing nano materials + FA0 FA0 nAl 100 FA0 nSi 150
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
1 3 7 28 90
TIME (DAY)

Cement and fly ash Super plasticizer and mixing water

In this study, CEM I 52.5 R-type cement obtained from
ÇİMSA Cement Industry was used. Also, Class F fly ash
obtained from Çatalağzı Thermal Power Plant was used. The
physical and chemical characteristics of materials in the mix-
ture were obtained from manufacturing companies. XRF anal-
ysis is used to determine the elemental composition of mate-
rials. The chemical and physical properties of cement and fly
ash are given in Table 1.
Quartz sand
The size of quartz sand used for mortar specimens is between
0 and 400 μm. It was obtained from Pomza Export Mining
and Trade Inc. The physical and chemical characteristics of
the material in the mixture were obtained from the
manufacturing company. The properties of quartz sand are
given in Table 1.
The characteristic of nano and calcium formate materials
Nano aluminate and nano silica were obtained from Grafen
Chemical Industries Co., and nano calcite was obtained from
NIGTAŞ. The physical and chemical characteristics of the
material in the mixture were obtained from the manufacturing
company. The characteristics of these materials are given in
Table 2.
Delta 3531-coded chemical additive produced by CHRYSO
Construction Chemicals has been used to improve the work-
ability of the mixtures. Technical characteristics of this addi-
tive are as follows: This new-generation super plasticizer is
based on polycarboxylate with a density of 1075 g/cm3 and a
pH of 6 which has a high water-reducing characteristic. Tap
water of Ankara was used as mixing water.
The characteristic of PVA fiber
PVA fiber with a size of 6 mm was used in this study. The
technical properties of the PVA fiber are given in Table 3.
Method
Prior to this study, a preliminary study was performed to de-
termine the degree of saturation for each nano material. Each
nano material was added to the mixtures starting from 0% of
the cement weight to 2% with 0.25% at intervals. Also, three
50 × 50 × 50-mm cube samples were prepared for each 0.25%.
These samples were subjected to a compressive strength test at
7 days. The percentage of each nano material having the
highest compressive strength of the mixtures containing nano
materials is considered the degree of saturation for each nano
material; 0.5% for nano calcite, 1% for nano aluminate, and
1.5% for nano silicate are considered the degrees of saturation
for these nano materials.

Table 5 Compressive strength

results for samples containing Mixture FA0CM (MPa) FA0nCa50 (MPa) FA0nAl100 (MPa) FA0nSi150 (MPa)
FA0+ nano materials
1 day 70.32 70.49 71.62 71.8
3 days 75.82 76.12 76.47 78.37
7 days 76.25 76.86 77.01 82.96
28 days 93.18 93.32 94.16 97.83
90 days 98.96 99.14 103.03 109.07
J Aust Ceram Soc

Fig. 2 Compressive strength- 80

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (MPA)

time relationship for specimens FA55CM FA55 nCa 50
70
containing nano materials + FA55
FA55 nAl 100 FA55 nSi 150
60

50

40

30

20
1 3 7 28 90
TIME (DAY)

In this study, two basic mixtures were designed as fly ash
(55% by weight of total cementitious material) and without fly
ash mixture. In both of the basic mixtures, HPFRCC mixtures
were prepared using the ratio of nano materials determined by
the preliminary test and the additive materials.
Throughout the production process, the ratios of water/binder
(by weight), fly ash/cement (by weight), chemical additive/
binder (by weight), PVA fiber/binder (by weight), and binder/
silica sand (by weight) are fixed at 0.27, 1.22, 0.015, 0.0124, and
2.5, respectively. Specimens for compressive strength and flex-
ural tests were produced by adhering to these ratios. The speci-
mens were kept in an environment whose average temperature is
23 ± 2 °C and humidity is 95 ± 5% until the test dates.
Result and discussion
Mixture design
In the study, the mixture quantities given in Table 4 were
determined by a preliminary test under the literature light.
There are two mixtures for the study. One of them contains
fly ash and nano materials. The second one contains nano
materials and not fly ash.
Determination of compressive strength
Compressive strengths of HPFRCC containing 0% fly ash
Mixtures prepared using nano silica, nano aluminate, nano
calcite at certain ratios, and control mortar (without fly ash
and nano materials) were investigated to determine the com-
pressive strength of HPFRCC containing 0% fly ash for 1, 3,
7, 28, and 90 days. The results for these mixtures are given in
Fig. 1 and Table 5. When Fig. 1 is analyzed, it is seen that as
the test age for the specimens increases, compressive strength
of mixtures increases. It is also seen that compressive strength
of FA0CM is about 70.32 MPa for 1 day and 98.96 MPa for
90 days. It was observed that there was a difference of about
29 MPa between these two compressive strengths. The com-
pressive strengths of all mixtures vary at 72 ± 2 MPa for 1 day.
It is known that the proportions and dimensions of mixture
materials besides calcium formate are the main reason why the
increase of the compressive strength for 1 day is so high.
It is seen in Fig. 1 that compressive strength of FA0nSi150
for 90 days is 109 MPa, while compressive strength of
FA0nSi150 for 1 day is 72 MPa. It is calculated that there is a
difference of about 37 MPa between 1 and 90 days of com-
pressive strength for FA0nSi150. When the compressive
strengths of FA0nSi150 mixture are examined, it is seen in
Fig. 1 that it shows the highest strength for all ages between
all mixtures. According to these results, the difference be-
tween the lowest and highest compressive strengths of
HPFRCC containing 0% fly ash is 29 MPa for FA0CM,
29 MPa for FA0nKa50, 31 MPa for FA0nAl100, and 37 MPa
for FA0nSi150.
In addition, it is seen in Fig. 1 and Table 5 that while the
compressive strength of FA0CM was 70.32 MPa (this value is
assumed to be 100%) on the 1st day, the compressive
strengths of mixtures containing nano materials and 0% fly
ash are 70.49 MPa (100.24%) for FA0nCa50, 71.62 MPa
(102%) for FA0nAl100, and 71.8 (102%) MPa for FA0nSi150

Table 6 Compressive strength

results for samples containing Mixture FA55CM (MPa) FA55nCa50 (MPa) FA55nAl100 (MPa) FA55nSi150 (MPa)
FA55+ nano materials
1 day 21.36 22.33 23.28 26.19
3 days 35.54 36.59 38.69 44.36
7 days 42.98 44.45 46.27 54.27
28 days 55.99 56.04 56.97 64.30
90 days 69.67 70.69 72.93 76.82

Fig. 3 Flexural strength-time re- 17
lationship for FA0+ samples con-
FLEXURAL STRENGTH (MPA)
FA0CM
taining nano materials 16
FA0 nAl 100
15
14
13
12
1 3
on the 1th day. Also, while the compressive strength of
FA0CM was 75.82 MPa (this value is assumed to be 100%)
on the 3rd day, the compressive strengths of mixtures contain-
ing nano materials and 0% fly ash are 76.12 MPa (100.4%) for
FA0nCa50, 76.47 MPa (101%) for FA0nAl100, and 78.37 MPa
(103%) for FA0nSi150 on the 3rd day. Finally, while the com-
pressive strength of FA0CM was 98.96 MPa (this value is
assumed to be 100%) on the 90th day, the compressive
strengths of mixtures with nano materials and 0% fly ash are
99.14 MPa (100, 18%) for FA0nCa50, 103.03 MPa (104%) for
FA0nAl100, and 109.07 MPa (110%) for FA0nSi150 on the 90th
day. According to these results, mixtures containing nano ma-
terials increase later-age compressive strength than early-age
compressive strength.
Compressive strength of HPFRCC containing 55% fly ash
Mixtures prepared using nano silica, nano aluminate, nano
calcite at certain ratios, and control mortar (55% fly ash and
without nano materials) were investigated to determine the
compressive strength of HPFRCC containing 55% fly ash
for 1, 3, 7, 28, and 90 days. The results for these mixtures
are given in Fig. 2 and Table 6. It is seen that the compres-
sive strength of the control mortar (FA55CM) is about
22 MPa for 1 day and 70 MPa for 90 days. The compressive
strengths of all mixtures vary between 24 ± 2 MPa for 1 day.
It is known that the proportions and dimensions of mixture
materials besides calcium formate are the main reason why
the increase of the compressive strength for 1 day is so high.
When compressive strengths of FA0CM and FA55CM are
compared to each other, it seen that 55% fly ash reduces
Table 7 Flexural strength results
for samples containing FA0+ nano Mixture FA0CM (MPa)
materials
1 day 12.02
3 days 13.08
7 days 13.63
28 days 14.98
90 days 15.57
J Aust Ceram Soc
FA0 nCa 50
FA0 nSi 150
7 28 90
TIME (DAY)
the compressive strength of specimens by 37%. It is also
seen in Fig. 2 that the compressive strength of FA55nSi150
for 90 days is 77 MPa, while the compressive strength of
FA55nSi150 for 1 day is 26 MPa. It is calculated that there is
a difference of 51 MPa between 1 and 90 days of compres-
sive strength for FA 55 nSi 150 . When the compressive
strengths of FA55nSi150 mixture are examined, it is seen in
Fig. 2 that it shows the highest strength for all ages between
all mixtures.
In addition, it is seen in Fig. 2 and Table 6 that while the
compressive strength of the control mortar (with 55% fly ash
and without nano materials) was 21.36 MPa (this value is
assumed to be 100%) on the 1st day, the compressive
strengths of mixtures with nano materials and 55% fly ash
are 22.33 MPa (105%) for FA55nCa50, 23.28 MPa (109%)
for FA55nAl100, and 26.19 (123%) MPa for FA55nSi150 on
the 1st day. Also, while the compressive strength of
FA55CM was 35.54 MPa (this value is assumed to be 100%)
on the 3rd day, the compressive strengths of mixtures with
nano materials and 55% fly ash are 36.59 MPa (103%) for
FA 55 nCa 50 , 38.69 MPa (109%) for FA 55 nAl 100 , and
44.36 MPa (125%) for FA55nSi150 on the 3rd day. Finally,
while the compressive strength of FA55CM was 69.67 MPa
(this value is assumed to be 100%) on the 90th day, the com-
pressive strengths of mixtures with nano materials and 55%
fly ash are 70.69 MPa (101%) for FA55nCa50, 72.93 MPa
(105%) for FA 55 nAl 100 , and 76.82 MPa (110%) for
FA55nSi150 on the 90th day. According to these results, mix-
tures containing nano materials and 55% fly ash increase
early-age compressive strength than later-age compressive
strength.
FA0nCa 50 (MPa) FA0nAl100 (MPa) FA0nSi150 (MPa)
12.59 12.83 13.11
13.38 13.62 13.43
13.76 13.83 14.05
15.05 15.21 15.82
16.02 16.02 17
J Aust Ceram Soc

Fig. 4 Flexural strength-time 11.5

relationship for specimens FA55CM FA55 nCa 50
containing nano materials + FA55 10.5
FA55 nAl 100 FA55 nSi 150

FLEXURAL STRENGTH (MPA)

9.5

8.5

7.5

6.5

5.5

4.5
1 3 7 28 90
TIME (DAY)

Determination of flexure strength
Flexural strength of HPFRCC containing 0% fly ash
Mixtures prepared using nano silica, nano aluminate, nano
calcite at certain ratios, and control mortar (without fly ash
and nano materials) were investigated to determine the flex-
ural strength of HPFRCC containing 0% fly ash for 1, 3, 7, 28,
and 90 days. The results for these mixtures are given in Fig. 3
and Table 7. It is seen that the flexural strength of the control
mortar (FA0CM) is about 12 MPa for 1 day and 16 MPa for
90 days. The flexural strengths of all mixtures vary at
12 ± 1 MPa for 1 day.
The lowest flexural strength of the mixtures for 1 day is
12 MPa (FA0CM) while the highest flexural strength of the
mixtures for 1 day is 13 MPa (FA0nsi150). For 90 days, the
lowest flexural strength of the mixtures is 15 MPa (FA0CM)
while the highest flexural strength of the mixtures is 17 MPa
(FA0nSi150).
Figure 3 shows that the mixtures containing FA0nSi150 are
the highest flexural strengths at all ages. There is a difference
of 3–4 MPa between the flexural strengths of all mixtures for 1
and 90 days.
In addition, it is seen in Fig. 3 and Table 7 that while the
flexural strength of the control mortar (without fly ash and
nano materials) was 12.42 MPa (this value is assumed to be
100%) on the 1st day, the flexural strengths of mixtures with
nano materials and 0% fly ash are 12.59 MPa (101%) for
FA 0 nCa 5 0 , 12.83 MPa (103%) for FA 0 nAl 1 0 0 , and
13.11 MPa (106%) for FA0nSi150 on the 1st day. Also, while
the flexural strength of FA0CM was 13.08 MPa (this value is
assumed to be 100%) on the 3rd day, the flexural strengths of
mixtures with nano materials and 0% fly ash are 13.38 MPa
(102%) for FA0nCa50, 13.62 MPa (104%) for FA0nAl100 and
13.43 MPa (103%) for FA0nSi150 on the 3rd day. Finally,
while the flexural strength of the control mortar without fly
ash and nano materials was 15.57 MPa (this value is assumed
to be 100%) on the 90th day, the flexural strengths of mixtures
with nano materials and 0% fly ash are 16.02 MPa (103%) for
FA0nCa50, 16.02 MPa (103%) for FA0nAl100, and 17 MPa
(109%) for FA0nSi150 on the 90th day. According to these
results, mixtures containing nano materials increase later-age
flexural strength than early-age flexural strength.
Flexural strength of HPFRCC with 55% fly ash
Mixtures prepared using nano silica, nano aluminate, nano
calcite at certain ratios, and control mortar (55% fly ash and
without nano materials) were investigated to determine the
flexural strength of HPFRCC containing 55% fly ash for 1,
3, 7, 28, and 90 days. The results for these mixtures are given
in Fig. 4 and Table 8. It is seen that the flexural strength of the
control mortar (FA55CM) is about 5 MPa for 1 day and 9 MPa
for 90 days. The flexural strengths of all mixtures vary at
5 ± 1 MPa for 1 day.
While the flexural strength of FA55nCa50 for 1 day is
5 MPa, the flexural strength of FA55nCa50 for 90 days is
10 MPa. While the flexural strength of FA55nAl100 for 1 day

Table 8 Flexural strength results

for samples containing FA55 + Mixture FA55CM (MPa) FA55nCa50 (MPa) FA55nAl100 (MPa) FA55nSi150 (MPa)
nano materials
1 day 4.70 4.74 5.19 5.67
3 days 6.57 6.8 7.41 8.27
7 days 6.90 7.02 7.48 9.41
28 days 7.25 8.64 8.70 9.81
90 days 8.69 10.22 10.78 11.13
 J Aust Ceram Soc

is 5 MPa, the flexural strength of FA55nAl100 for 90 days is

11 MPa. Finally, it is seen in Fig. 4 that the flexural strength of
FA55nSi150 for 90 days is 6 MPa, while the flexural strength of
FA55nSi150 for 1 day is 11 MPa.
In addition, it is seen in Fig. 4 and Table 8 that while the
flexural strength of the control mortar (with 55% fly ash and
without nano materials) was 4.70 MPa (this value is assumed
to be 100%) on the 1st day, the flexural strengths of mixtures
with nano materials and 55% fly ash are 4.74 MPa (101%) for
FA55nCa50, 5.19 MPa (110%) for FA55nAl100, and 5.67 MPa
(121%) for FA55nSi150 on the 1st day. Also, while the flexural
strength of FA55CM was 6.57 MPa (this value is assumed to
be 100%) on the 3rd day, the flexural strengths of mixtures
with nano materials and 55% fly ash are 6.8 MPa (104%) for
FA55nCa50, 7.41 MPa (113%) for FA55nAl100, and 8.27 MPa
(126%) for FA55nSi150 on the 3rd day. Finally, while the flex-
ural strength of FA55CM was 9.89 MPa (this value is assumed
to be 100%) on the 90th day, the flexural strengths of mixtures
with nano materials and 55% fly ash are 10.22 MPa (103%)
for FA55nCa50, 10.78 MPa (108%) for FA55nAl100, and
11.13 MPa (112%) for FA 55 nSi 150 on the 90th day.
According to these results, mixtures containing nano materials
and 55% fly ash increase early-age flexural strength than later-
age flexural strength.
Fig. 5 a SEM analyses of sample containing 55% fly ash and nano
Microstructure analyses silicate after 90 days (magnification of ×3000). b SEM analyses of the
sample containing 55% fly ash and nano silicate after 90 days
In order to study the microstructures of samples, SEM analy- (magnification of ×800)
ses are performed on samples extracted from the concrete
cylinders. The approximate dimensions of samples were (Portlandite) is seen in Fig. 6 depending on the increase of
around 15 mm with the thickness of 5 mm. After curing, compressive strength. Portlandite contributes to strength of
samples were kept in acetone to stop hydration until test days. the cement-based materials thanks to the reducing pore vol-
Before SEM analysis, samples were dried in an oven at around ume. The sample containing 55% fly ash and nano silicate is
50 °C until reaching constant weight. Samples were examined observed to have much lower C-S-H formation than the sam-
using an ultra-high-resolution field emission scanning elec- ple containing 100% cement and nano silicate due to intense
tron microscope (Quanta 450 FEG) operated at 10 kV. Some fly ash.
results of SEM analyses are given in Figs. 5a, b and 6.
When the microstructure of the sample containing 55% fly
ash and nano silicate is examined at 90 days, it is observed that
formation of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) gels are seen in
Fig. 5a, b depending on the increase of compressive strength.
C-S-H which is responsible for the strength of cement-based
materials is produced by the hydration of Portland cement.
When the compressive strength at the end of the 90th day is
compared with the compressive strength at the end of the 28th
day, the difference of about 19% is due to the effect of C-S-H
gels and the influence of pozzolans on the later age. When Fig.
5a, b is examined, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber added to the
mixture is observed. PVA fiber reinforces concrete in terms of
ductility or flexibility.
When the microstructure of the sample containing 0% fly
ash and nano silicate is examined at the 90th day, it is observed Fig. 6 SEM analyses of sample containing 100% cement and nano
that formation of C-S-H gels and calcium hydroxide silicate after 90 days (×3000)
J Aust Ceram Soc
Conclusion
According to all results, compressive and flexural strengths of
specimens containing nano aluminate are slightly higher than
the specimens containing nano calcite and control mortars. It
is also seen that the mixtures containing nano silicate are the
highest flexural and compressive strengths at all ages.
Therefore, it can be said that nano silicate improves the prop-
erties of repair mortars. Compressive strengths of mixtures
reduce by 37% on the 1st day by adding 55% fly ash to
mixtures. But mixtures containing nano materials and 55%
fly ash increase early-age flexural and compressive strengths
than later-age flexural and compressive strengths. In addition,
mixtures containing nano materials increase later-age flexural
strength than early-age flexural strength.
Acknowledgements This article was produced under the TUBITAK
1001 project (project number: 214 M 041) supported by TUBITAK. I
would like to thank TUBITAK for the support.
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