Effect of Carbon Nanotube as Cement Replacement in Mortar on Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Cement mortar is a building compound which is the most commonly used material on this planet which is prepared by mixing sand and cement with a specified amount of water. The cement mortar can be used for a number of applications, such as plastering over bricks or other types of masonry. This is referred as sand cement-mortar blends today often incorporate different types of materials to create various types of cement mortars. The ingredients in cement mortar vary, which depends on the manufacturer specifications. A normal cement mortar will include both sand and cement, with lime added to the mix. Other types of aggregates may be added which depends on the texture that is preferred for the mortar. In recent years, the addition of nano- materials such as clay have helped to create cement mortar products that provide additional strength without negatively impacting the binding powers of the cement mortar. Within the last decade the performance of cement mortar has been significantly improved by applying different kinds of micro and nano-particles from fundamental research disciplines that has not been used for construction materials before. Nanotechnology seems to hold the key that allows construction and building material to replicate the features of natural systems improved until perfection during millions of years. Until today concrete has been seen as a structural material but nanotechnology can help to make it a multi-purpose smart material. Processes occurring at the nano-scale ultimately affect the engineering properties and the performance of the bulk material. By the use of nanotechnology the structure of the fundamental calcium-silicate-hydrate(C-S-H) gel which is responsible for the mechanical and the physical properties of the cement pastes, including shrinkage, creep, porosity, permeability and elasticity, can be modified to obtain better durability. This thesis investigates the efficacy of Carbon Nanotube in enhancing the behaviour of cement mortar and improving its mechanical properties.