ACADEMIA Letters

High-Energy mixed Nanoconcrete

Vladlen Fridman, Retired

1 Why the High-Energy Mixing (HEM) process creates Nanocon-

crete?
Modern Portland cement concrete and ancient Roman cement concrete have not so big differ-
ence in hardening process. It based on reactions of hydration of minerals consisting of Ca, Si,
Al, Fe and Mg oxides. For 2000 years all achievements in technology of concrete were ob-
tained by introduction into the mixture of cement, sand and water numerous organic or mineral
admixtures. Nowadays the idea of Nanoconcrete is also carried out by means of introduction
the pre-manufactured nano admixtures into concrete mixture (“up-down” approach in Nan-
otechnology). However the fabrication of nano admixtures, for example carbon nano tubes,
requires 2100-3500 kJ/l and also the constant energy expenditure is necessary for retention
of nano particles from aggregation to micro- and macro-dimensional ones (ultrasonication
process).
Concrete is a nano-material according its nature because cement hydration with nanos-
tructured Calcium Silicate Hydrate, C-S-H (hereinafter C-S-H denotes the products of hy-
dration of all cement compounds – C3S, C2S, C3A, C4AF) colloid formation is real nano
process. But in conventional concrete technology, it is difficult to influence the degree of ce-
ment hydration and, consequently, the amount of C-S-H gel. In some cases the acceleration of
hydration with existing methods and desire to reduce the water-cement ratio leads to a signifi-
cant non-use of cement grains [ J. Thomas, H. Jennings “The Science of Concrete” Report of
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Northwestern University, Evanston IL,
Chapter 5.6, page 60, paragraph 2.] . O.A. Gershberg , indicates that even after three years
of hardening, 30-40% (and up to 50% in conditions of low humidity) of the volume of cement

Academia Letters, July 2021 ©2021 by the author — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Vladlen Fridman, vfrid38@gmail.com

Citation: Fridman, V. (2021). High-Energy mixed Nanoconcrete. Academia Letters, Article 2282.

1
grains remains unhydrated, as a result of the formation of watertight hydrated shells around
the cement grains [ O.A. Gershberg “ The technology of Concrete and Reinforced concrete
Items” Moscow GSI,1971, p.27].
The technology of HEM Nanoconcrete allows creating a nano-sized C-S-H gel [Laila
Raki at al. “Cement and Concrete Nano-science and Nanotechnology”, Review J. Materials,
3 2010, p.p. 919-942, see p.921.] in any required quantities by increasing the duration of
the process and controlling the heating of the mixture, which is a result of energy absorption
by the mixture and shear stresses increase in quasi laminar flow (Re = 20-800). In some
cases, with this method the effect of “lack of” mixing water may arise, when it is necessary to
increase the water cement ratio in order to get more C-S-H gel [V. Fridman “Nanoconcrete”
Academia 2018, p.18]. The suggested HEM method (Patent No: US 10,843,976 B2) may
be considered as the “bottom up” approach in Nanotechnology. It allows introducing any
necessary admixtures also.

2 How estimate increase the quantity of nano substance in the

mixture?
The absorbed water in nano-particles of C-S-H gel doesn’t freeze in temperature less than
minus 8oC (the bulk water freeze point) and down to minus 40oC [ R.A. Olson et al. “In-
terpretation of the impedance spectroscopy of cement paste via computer modeling, Part III
Microstructural analysis of frozen cement paste”, Journal of materials science 30, 1995, p.
5081.]. Thus the process of cement hydration with the C-S-H gel forming is continuing at
temperature less than minus 8oC. This phenomenon was used to provide an approximate
quantitative estimation of the increase in C-S-H gel content as a result of HEM compared
to conventional mixing. The method is based on the determination of Penetration Resistance
development (in psi) for the cement based mixtures during hardening of them at temperature
-15oC in several days. The results of this research for different cement based mixtures are
shown in the report [V. Fridman “Nanoconcrete”, Academia 2020].

3 Transition from laboratory experiment to the production scale

HEM technology.
To develop a HEM process using available materials, a specific economically viable applica-
tion should be selected for example from the ones proposed below. Further work should be
done in laboratory conditions with the small scale working prototype of the mixer to determine

Academia Letters, July 2021 ©2021 by the author — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Vladlen Fridman, vfrid38@gmail.com

Citation: Fridman, V. (2021). High-Energy mixed Nanoconcrete. Academia Letters, Article 2282.

2
the optimal mode to achieve the desired result. Based on the obtained optimal parameters, the
calculation of the production scale apparatus can be carried out. An example of such a tech-
nique is given in the article [V. Fridman “Transition from small scale working prototype to
production scale assembly” Academia 2019]

4 Recommended Applications of HEM Nanoconcrete technology.

• HEM Nanoconcrete differs from ordinary concrete by a significant acceleration of hy-
dration reactions, which makes it possible to successfully use it at low temperature
(less than 4oC) where building codes prohibit concreting [V. Fridman “High-Energy
mechanical activation of concrete mixture” Academia 2020 ], as well as at subzero
temperature.

• HEM Nanoconcrete with increased quantity of fly ash as partial substitute of cement
up to 50%.

• Colored paving stones, single-layer of HEM Nanoconcrete or two-layer with an upper

layer of colored nano-mortar and lower layer of ordinary concrete.

Here you should pay attention to the increased autogenous shrinkage of cement mortars
prepared with the use of HEM technology. The author encountered this problem in the man-
ufacture and use of two-layer paving stones. This is due to the increased density of absorbed
water located inside the nano-particles of the C-S-H gel as compared to free unbound water.
To overcome shrinkage, the special shrinkage compensating admixtures should be used, as
well as well-known methods of mixture depletion. Observation of two-layer paving stones
with a top layer of colored HEM nano-mortar showed self-healing of shrinkage cracks after
several months.

• Colored roof and siding tiles [ V.Fridman “Creation a house of HEM Nanoconcrete.
Report”, Academia 2020], which are not inferior in properties ((strength, freezing re-
sistance, water absorption and water penetration) to ceramic and concrete tiles. Tile
made of HEM Nanoconcrete can be thinner (3/8”), lighter, have any color depending
on the pigment used. Energy consumption in their manufacture is determined mainly
by HEM process and is no more than 130 kJ/kg.

• Aerated HEM Nanoconcrete (AHN) instead of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC)

as main wall material for wood-frame house. AHN in properties (strength, density,
freezing resistance, water absorption, capillary suction, thermal conductivity and heat

Academia Letters, July 2021 ©2021 by the author — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Vladlen Fridman, vfrid38@gmail.com

Citation: Fridman, V. (2021). High-Energy mixed Nanoconcrete. Academia Letters, Article 2282.

3
 capacity) approaches the AAC with density 800-1000 kg/cu. m. AHN doesn’t require
autoclaving and the necessary strength when concreting at a construction site in the
warm season may be achieved without heating. The expansion of the mixture activated
as a result of HEM when adding aluminum powder occurs after filling the formwork
with an increase in volume by two times. The resulting material has a higher thermal
inertia compared to AAC.

• HEM Nanoconcrete, which has the same strength as ordinary concrete, can have a lower
modulus of elasticity, greater deformability and crack resistance. This also applies to
fine-grained concrete which does not contain coarse aggregates. Such materials must
be more resistant in seismic conditions.

• The idea to combine Method of High-Energy Mixing with the carbonization technology.

Currently, the technology of carbonization of hardening concrete is being developed with

the aim of binding carbon dioxide generated in the process of cement production. However,
CO2 binding is limited by the insignificant amount of C-S-H gel and hence the calcium oxide
hydrate formed. In addition, complete binding of calcium oxide hydrate with carbon diox-
ide reduces the pH of concrete to critical value, which weakens the protective properties of
concrete in relation to steel reinforcement.
Method of producing Nanoconcrete with High-Energy Mixing allows, within 3 to 10 min-
utes of activation the mixture in a quasi-laminar mode, to achieve an increase in the volume
of CSH of the gel by 2 and more times in comparison with the usual mixture preparation.
Accordingly, the content of calcium oxide hydrate will be increased. Thus the whole process
of creating concrete with improved properties and at the same time increase in the volume of
absorbed carbon dioxide can be at a higher level in terms of its efficiency.

Academia Letters, July 2021 ©2021 by the author — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Vladlen Fridman, vfrid38@gmail.com

Citation: Fridman, V. (2021). High-Energy mixed Nanoconcrete. Academia Letters, Article 2282.