This document summarizes a study on the strength and permeability of concrete with nano-cement. Nano-cement was produced by grinding regular Portland cement in a high-energy ball mill to reduce particle size to the nano scale. Concrete mixtures with 0-50% replacement of cement with nano-cement were tested. Testing found that compressive strength increased with higher nano-cement content. Permeability decreased with nano-cement content, indicating nano-cement produces a denser, less permeable concrete. The nano-cement particles filled pores and reduced permeability compared to regular cement concrete.

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2017, pp. 132–139, Article ID: IJCIET_08_01_014
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=1
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication
STRENGTH AND PERMEABILITY STUDIES ON
CONCRETE WITH NANO-CEMENT
M. Jemimah Carmichae
Assistant Professor (S.G) in School of Civil Engineering,
Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
G. Prince Arulraj
Director, Engineering and Technology,
Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology has received the attention of many researchers for its ability to make use of the
unique properties of nano-sized materials for obtaining favourable characteristics. The grain size
of the nano particles will be in the order of 10-9
m (1-100nm). Materials at nano stage can change
the whole properties of the composites to which these nano particles are added. Nano-particles
exhibit unique properties that develop a stronger, more durable concrete with favorable
characteristics when added to concrete. Addition of nano materials at the time of production of
concrete can lead to significant improvements in the strength and life of concrete. One of the
active areas of research dealing with cement and concrete is strength and durability of concrete
containing nano particles. An attempt has been made to carry out an experimental investigation on
strength and permeability of concrete containing nano-cement. Plasma arching, chemical vapor
deposition, electro deposition, sol-gel synthesis, high intensity ball milling etc., are some of the
methods reported in the literature to synthesize nano level materials. Nano-cement was made by
grinding the commercially available 53 grade Portland cement using a high energy ball grinding
mill. A scanning electron microscope was used to determine the particle size of the nano-cement
produced. Different grades of concrete viz., M20, M30. M40 and M50 were cast. For each grade of
concrete, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of cement was replaced with nano-cement. Tests were
conducted on concrete to find out the compressive strength and permeability of concrete. The
compressive strength of concrete containing nano materials were found to be more than that of
normal cement concrete (NCC). The permeability values were found to be decrease with the
addition of nano-cement.
Key words: Nano particles, Nano-cement, Normal Cement Concrete, Coefficient of permeability;
Compressive strength.
Cite this Article: M. Jemimah Carmichae and G. Prince Arulraj. Strength and Permeability Studies
on Concrete with Nano-Cement. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(1),
2017, pp. 132–139.
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2. Strength and Permeability Studies on Concrete with Nano-Cement
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1. INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology is the use of very small at the molecular level, in the scale of 1-100 nanometers. A
nanometer is 1/1000 of a micron, or 1 billionth of a meter which is about three atoms set side by side.
Nano size particles have extremely large specific surface area. These nano sized materials can change the
properties such as reactivity, strength, electrical characteristics, mechanical strength, optical and magnetic
properties and results in stronger and more durable materials. These materials are chemically very active
and fill the pores of concrete so as to minimize the penetration of aggressive agents.
Perumalsamy Balaguru and Ken Chong (2006) highlighted about the research opportunities of
nanotechnology in the field of concrete technology and reported that nano-cement had a more rapid
hydration rate than Portland cement. Konstantin Sobolev et al. (2006) overviewed the use of nano
materials in high performance concrete. Various methods available to produce nano materials were
discussed in this paper. Nano-silica produced by sol-gel method was found to be effective in improving
strength, flexibility, durability, workability of high performance and self-compacting concrete. It was
concluded that tremendous potential of nano technology can be used to improve the performance of
existing materials and processes. Tao Ji (2005) presented the details of a preliminary study on the water
permeability and micro structure of concrete with nano-SiO2. Nano-SiO2 was found to improve the micro
structure of the interfacial transition zone between aggregate and binding paste material and reduced the
permeability of concrete. Celih Ozyildirium and Caroline Zegetosky (2010) experimentally investigated
the permeability and strength behaviour of air entrained concrete with nano-materials. It was concluded
that nano-silica reduced the drying shrinkage cracking but not effective in lowering permeability. Maile
Aiu (2006) explained the chemistry and physics of nano-cement. Nano-cement was produced by sol-gel
process of Portland Cement. The compressive strength of nano-cement was found to be less than that of
Portland cement. This may be due to agglomeration and lack of gypsum in nano-cement. Tao Ji et al.
(2009) carried out an experimental investigation on the infiltration characteristics of concrete containing
nano-SiO2 and Silicone. It was reported that the lower W/C ratio and addition of nano silica improved the
infiltration resistance and compressive strength of concrete. It was reported that nano-silica filled the voids
of C-S-H gel and nano pores in concrete. The alkyl groups in silicone decreased the molecular attraction
between water and concrete and filled some pores in concrete and hence the absorption rate decreased.
Xiodong He and Xianming Shi (2008) studied the chloride permeability and micro structure of Portland
cement mortars incorporating nano-materials. The electro migration test was done by incorporating nano-
material such as Fe2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2 and nano clay in concrete. It was concluded that nano-materials
acted as fillers and led to a denser and less permeable cement mortar. Faizad Soleymani (2011) assessed
the effect of limewater on water permeability of TiO2 nano particles blended with limestone aggregate
based concrete. TiO2 nano particles were used to replace cement in the range 0.5 to 2 percentage by weight
of cement. Curing was done in water and saturated limewater. Nano-TiO2 blended concrete showed a
significant reduction in percentage of water absorption and a higher flexural strength. The optimal level of
nano TiO2 was found to be 1% on water curing and 2% on saturated lime water curing. Abdoli Yazdi et al.
(2011) studied the effect of Fe2O3 nano particles on the properties of cement mortar. Nano-Fe2O3 reduced
the quantity and size of Ca(OH)2 crystals which resulted in a denser hydrated product. Ali Nazari et al.
(2010) investigated the effect of CuO nano particles on compressive strength of concrete. Addition of CuO
nano particles was found to improve the pore structure of concrete up to 4%. The mechanical and physical
properties of the specimens were also improved. Ali Nazari et al. (2011) carried out an investigation on the
effect of ZnO2 nano particles on the strength and water permeability of concrete in different curing media.
The results indicated that ZnO2 nano particles up to 2.0 weight percent produced concrete with improved
strength and water permeability when cured in saturated lime water. The improvements were noticed upto
an addition of 1% of ZnO2 in case of curing with ordinary water. An attempt has been made during the
present investigation to determine the effect of nano-cement on the strength and permeability of concrete.

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2. EXPERIMENTAL INVE
Nano-cement was made by grinding the commercially available 53 grade Portland cement in a high energy
ball grinding mill. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) shown in Figure.1 was used to determine the
particle size and the structure of the nano
of cement and nano-cement particles.
Figure 1
Scanning Electron Machine.
From the SEM images, it can be seen t
nano sized cement particles. Three hundred and sixty specimens were cast during the experimental
investigation. Normal cement concretes of grades M20, M30. M40 and M50 were designed as per IS
10262:2009. For all the mixes, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of cement was replaced with nano
For each of these mixes, the permeability tests were carried out on 7
cube compressive strengths were found on the 28
3. TESTS ON CONCRETE
Permeability tests were conducted in accordance with IS 3085
was calculated using the following equation given in the code.
K=
Where,
K = coefficient of permeability in cm/sec;
Q = Quantity of water in milliliters percolating over the entire period of test
A = Area of the specimen in cm
T = time in seconds over which Q is
H/L = ratio of the pressure head to thickness of the specimen.
The permeability apparatus used during the study is shown in Figure 4.
M. Jemimah Carmichae and G. Prince Arulraj
IJCIET/index.asp 134
2. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
cement was made by grinding the commercially available 53 grade Portland cement in a high energy
l grinding mill. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) shown in Figure.1 was used to determine the
particle size and the structure of the nano-cement produced. Figure.2 and Figure.3 show the SEM images
cement particles.
Figure 2
SEM Image of Cement Particles SEM Image of Nano
From the SEM images, it can be seen that the micro sized cement particles have been scaled down to
nano sized cement particles. Three hundred and sixty specimens were cast during the experimental
investigation. Normal cement concretes of grades M20, M30. M40 and M50 were designed as per IS
262:2009. For all the mixes, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of cement was replaced with nano
For each of these mixes, the permeability tests were carried out on 7th
, 14th
, 28
cube compressive strengths were found on the 28th
day and 56th
day for all the specimens.
TESTS ON CONCRETE
Permeability tests were conducted in accordance with IS 3085 –1965 and the coefficient of permeability
was calculated using the following equation given in the code.
K=
L
H
TA
Q
= coefficient of permeability in cm/sec;
= Quantity of water in milliliters percolating over the entire period of test
= Area of the specimen in cm2
= time in seconds over which Q is measured and
= ratio of the pressure head to thickness of the specimen.
The permeability apparatus used during the study is shown in Figure 4.
editor@iaeme.com
cement was made by grinding the commercially available 53 grade Portland cement in a high energy
l grinding mill. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) shown in Figure.1 was used to determine the
cement produced. Figure.2 and Figure.3 show the SEM images
Figure 3
SEM Image of Nano-Cement Particles
hat the micro sized cement particles have been scaled down to
nano sized cement particles. Three hundred and sixty specimens were cast during the experimental
investigation. Normal cement concretes of grades M20, M30. M40 and M50 were designed as per IS
262:2009. For all the mixes, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of cement was replaced with nano-cement.
, 28th
, 56th
and 90th
days. The
day for all the specimens.
1965 and the coefficient of permeability
= Quantity of water in milliliters percolating over the entire period of test

4. Strength and Permeability Studies on Concrete with Nano
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The apparatus consists of a reservoir which is
100mm diameter and about 500mm long. The permeability cell has a diameter of 115mm and the height of
the cell is 115mm. The reservoir is fitted with a scale. Necessary valves are attached to the perme
cell for admitting water, compressed air and for draining water. Air
permeability cell assembly for maintaining a pressure in the range of 5 kg/cm
supply of clean water was made availab
pressure of 5 kg/cm2
has been used. The specimen was thoroughly cleaned with a stiff wire brush to
removal all laitance. The test consists of subjecting the concrete specimen of known dimensi
in a special designated cell, to a known hydrostatic pressure from one side and measuring the quantity of
water percolating through it in a given interval of time through the other end of the specimen. The quantity
of water that is collected is proportional to permeability. The test pressure was maintained for a period of
24 hours.
The compressive strength of the hardened concrete cubes of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were
found using the compression testing machine of capacity 200kN. The tests
rate of 14N/ mm2
/ min after the specimen had been centered in the testing machine.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSI
The values of permeability and cube compressive strengths are given in Table.1.
Table 1 Values of Coefficient of Pe
Concrete
Mix
Nano cement
replacement
%
Cube Compressive
Strength
28 days
20
0 24.56
10 26.09
20 28.17
30 34.19
40 36.73
50 39.17
30
0 31.28
10 32.67
Strength and Permeability Studies on Concrete with Nano-Cement
IJCIET/index.asp 135
Figure 4 Permeability Test Apparatus
The apparatus consists of a reservoir which is connected to the cell by means of a metal pipe of 50 to
100mm diameter and about 500mm long. The permeability cell has a diameter of 115mm and the height of
the cell is 115mm. The reservoir is fitted with a scale. Necessary valves are attached to the perme
cell for admitting water, compressed air and for draining water. Air Compressor of 5 hp is connected to the
permeability cell assembly for maintaining a pressure in the range of 5 kg/cm
supply of clean water was made available for use in the permeability test. During the investigation, a
has been used. The specimen was thoroughly cleaned with a stiff wire brush to
The test consists of subjecting the concrete specimen of known dimensi
in a special designated cell, to a known hydrostatic pressure from one side and measuring the quantity of
water percolating through it in a given interval of time through the other end of the specimen. The quantity
is proportional to permeability. The test pressure was maintained for a period of
The compressive strength of the hardened concrete cubes of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were
found using the compression testing machine of capacity 200kN. The tests were carried out at a uniform
/ min after the specimen had been centered in the testing machine.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The values of permeability and cube compressive strengths are given in Table.1.
Values of Coefficient of Permeability and Compressive Strength
Cube Compressive
Strength
N/mm2
Permeability
10
28 days 56 days 7 days 14 days 28 days
24.56 28.29 10.26 9.76 8.72
26.09 30.11 8.64 8.52 7.49
28.17 31.84 7.57 7.19 6.22
34.19 35.91 6.51 6.1 4.92
36.73 38.79 5.45 4.77 3.6
39.17 41.34 4.36 3.86 2.21
31.28 33.78 8.16 7.84 7.16
32.67 34.98 6.87 6.54 5.81
Cement
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connected to the cell by means of a metal pipe of 50 to
100mm diameter and about 500mm long. The permeability cell has a diameter of 115mm and the height of
the cell is 115mm. The reservoir is fitted with a scale. Necessary valves are attached to the permeability
Compressor of 5 hp is connected to the
permeability cell assembly for maintaining a pressure in the range of 5 kg/cm2
to 15 kg/cm2
. Adequate
le for use in the permeability test. During the investigation, a
has been used. The specimen was thoroughly cleaned with a stiff wire brush to
The test consists of subjecting the concrete specimen of known dimension, contained
in a special designated cell, to a known hydrostatic pressure from one side and measuring the quantity of
water percolating through it in a given interval of time through the other end of the specimen. The quantity
is proportional to permeability. The test pressure was maintained for a period of
The compressive strength of the hardened concrete cubes of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were
were carried out at a uniform
/ min after the specimen had been centered in the testing machine.
The values of permeability and cube compressive strengths are given in Table.1.
rmeability and Compressive Strength
Permeability
10-9
cm/sec
28 days 56 days 90 days
8.20 6.07
6.25 4.95
5.22 3.63
3.86 2.92
2.48 1.06
1.39 0.44
6.19 5.04
4.89 3.95

5. M. Jemimah Carmichae and G. Prince Arulraj
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20 33.98 37.02 5.66 5.33 4.69 3.68 2.74
30 36.23 38.96 5.04 4.45 3.54 2.68 1.74
40 39.78 42.06 4.42 3.8 2.39 1.41 0.86
50 41.52 44.67 3.27 2.74 1.41 1.0 0.30
40
0 42.87 46.04 6.46 5.93 5.39 4.98 4.07
10 46.14 48.19 5.63 5.19 4.66 3.45 2.89
20 48.78 51.12 4.36 3.77 3.36 2.62 1.5
30 50.91 52.87 3.77 3.09 2.33 1.62 0.97
40 52.24 54.34 2.80 2.09 1.59 0.71 0.38
50 54.28 56.38 1.71 1.44 0.71 0.56 0.24
50
0 49.93 51.39 4.36 3.80 3.39 3.30 2.77
10 52.25 54.14 3.86 3.27 3.22 2.51 1.56
20 53.23 54.67 3.09 2.89 2.24 1.44 1.12
30 55.29 56.57 2.42 2.02 1.44 0.80 0.56
40 57.18 58.87 1.95 1.27 0.80 0.50 0.27
50 59.87 61.89 1.21 0.77 0.56 0.32 0.06
From Table 1, it can be seen that as the % replacement increases the strength increases and the
permeability decreases for all grades of concrete. The variation of compressive strength at 28th
day with
respect to percentage replacement of cement with nano-cement for various grades of concrete is shown in
Figure 5.
Figure 5 Variation of Compressive Strength with respect to % Replacement.
From Figure 5, it can be seen that the relationship between the percentage replacement and
compressive strength is almost linear for M40 and M50 grades of concrete, the correlation coefficient
values between the percentage replacement and the compressive strength found to be 0.9835, 0.9858,
0.9895 and 0.9934 for M20, M30, M40 and M50 concrete respectively.
The variation of permeability coefficient at 28th
day with respect to percentage replacement of cement
with nano-cement is shown in Figure 6.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0 10 20 30 40 50
CUBECOMPRESSIVESTRENGTH
N/mm2
% OF REPLACEMENT
M20
M30
M40
M50

6. Strength and Permeability Studies on Concrete with Nano-Cement
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Figure 6 Values of Permeability Coefficients for Different Grades of Concrete with Respect to Percentage
Replacement of Cement with Nano-cement.
From Figure 6, it can be seen that the variation of permeability values is almost linear for M20 and
M30 concrete. The values of correlation coefficient between the permeability and percentage replacement
are -0.9998, -0.9991, -0.9966 and -0.9835 for M20, M30, M40 and M50 concrete respectively. This shows
that there is a strong correlation between the percentage replacement and permeability. Figure 7 shows the
variation of compressive strength with respect to the permeability values for concrete with nano-cement.
Figure 7 Water Permeability vs. Cube Compressive Strength at 28th
Day
The coefficient of correlative values between the cube compressive strength and permeability were
found to be -0.9842, -0.9810, -0.9912 and -0.9601 for M20, M30, M40 and M50 concrete respectively.
Table 2 shows the percentage decrease in permeability values with respect to the percentage
replacement of cement with nano-cement.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 10 20 30 40 50
PERMEABILITY×10-9Cm/Sec
% OF REPLACEMENT
M20
M30
M40
M50
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0 2 4 6 8 10
CubeCompressivestrengthN/mm2
Permeability ×10-9 Cm/sec
M2O
M30
M40
M50

7. M. Jemimah Carmichae and G. Prince Arulraj
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Table 2 Percentage Decrease in Permeability values
Concrete
Mix
Nano
cement %
Percentage Decrease in Permeability Value
7 days 14 days 28 days 56 days 90 days
20
0 - - - - -
10 15.79 12.7 14.11 23.78 18.45
20 26.22 26.33 28.67 36.34 40.2
30 36.55 37.5 43.58 52.93 51.89
40 46.88 51.13 58.72 69.76 82.54
50 57.5 60.45 74.66 83.05 92.75
30
0 - - - - -
10 15.81 16.58 18.85 21 21.63
20 30.64 32.02 34.5 40.55 45.63
30 38.24 43.24 50.56 56.7 65.48
40 45.83 51.53 66.62 77.22 82.94
50 59.93 65.05 80.31 83.84 94.05
40
0 - - - - -
10 12.85 12.85 13.54 30.72 28.99
20 32.51 32.51 37.66 47.39 63.14
30 41.64 41.64 56.77 67.47 76.17
40 56.66 56.66 70.5 85.74 90.66
50 73.53 73.53 86.83 88.76 94.1
50
0 - - - - -
10 11.47 13.95 2.13 23.94 43.68
20 29.13 23.95 31.91 56.36 59.57
30 44.5 46.84 56.23 75.76 79.78
40 55.28 66.58 75.68 84.85 90.25
50 72.25 79.74 82.98 90.3 97.83
From Table 2, it can be seen that the reduction in permeability values increases as the percentage
replacement increases. The maximum reduction is obtained for M40 and M50 grade concrete. The
reduction in permeability values at 90 days is more than 90% for all the grades at 50% replacement.
5. CONCLUSIONS
An attempt has been made to find out the effect of addition of nano-cement on the strength and
permeability of concrete. Nano-cement was produced using a ball grinding bill. It is found that
replacement of cement with nano cement increased the strength and reduced permeability values. The
increase in strength is almost linear for all grades of concrete. The coefficient of correlation between the
percentage replacement and the strength is very close to 1.0 which shows a very strong positive
correlation. The coefficient of correlation between the percentage replacement and the permeability values
is also very close to -1, which shows a very strong negative correlation between the percentage
replacement and permeability values.

8. Strength and Permeability Studies on Concrete with Nano-Cement
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