Nano-reinforced concrete : an intelligent and high performance construction material

Abstract

Like other important scientific and engineering disciplines, nanotechnology is also being applied widely to civil engineering, especially in construction applications. Concrete, which is the most frequently used construction material, suffers from its inherent brittleness and vulnerability towards degradation and therefore, attempts have been made to improve its performance through reinforcement of nanomaterials. Additionally, nanomaterials incorporation within concrete makes it intelligent by introducing properties like piezoresistivity and self-sensing, self-cleaning, etc. In this context, the present paper presents a brief overview of the latest developments in the nano-reinforced (mainly carbon nanofibre and nanotube reinforced) concrete materials.