Investigation of Mechanical & Durability Properties of Concrete using Graphene Oxide As Reinforcive Additive

Cementitious materials (especially concrete) are the most common construction materials used worldwide. However, cementitious materials are generally brittle and have very low tensile strength and strain capacity. Macroscopic steel reinforcement bars are commonly used to improve the strength and ductility of this type of material, but in recent decades extensive research on the effects of micro- and macro fibers in controlling the growth of cracks in cementitious materials has been carried out. The concept behind such a transition to fiber-reinforced cement (FRC) is that the resulting tensile strength is developed from many individual fibers rather than a few pieces of steel. While microfibers may delay the nucleation and growth of cracks on the micro scale, nano reinforcement would delay the nucleation and growth of cracks on the nano scale. If nano scale cracks can be successfully controlled, their propagation to the micro level would be prevented. Recently, carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs, both single and multi-walled), carbon nano fibers (CNFs), and graphene have attracted attention from many concrete researchers because of their exceptional mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrical properties, and good performance as polymeric reinforcement materials. This project presents the results of an experimental investigation of graphene oxide on mechanical properties of concrete. This article aims to find out the optimum quantity of graphene oxide required to achieve maximum compressive, tensile and flexural strength of concrete. Graphene oxide was added to the concrete in five mix proportions. Graphene oxide content were varied by 0.025%, 0.05% & 0.075% of cement content. To check durability of concrete cubes cured in acid solution for the age of 7 and 28 days.