This document discusses the application of nanotechnology in construction. It begins by defining nanotechnology as the study and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale. It then outlines several nanomaterials that are being used in construction, such as carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and tungsten oxide. These nanomaterials can improve properties like strength, conductivity, and self-cleaning abilities when added to materials like concrete, steel, wood, glass, and coatings. The document also discusses potential barriers to nanotechnology like health effects, environmental impacts, and cost, but concludes that with further research, nanotechnology could allow for more durable and economical infrastructure.

1. Seminar Guide Presented By
BIJI MOL JOSEPH AMEER MUHAMMED.S
VJCET Reg.No:12019307
Application of Nanotechnology
in Construction

2. Contents
 What nanotechnology is?
 Nanomaterial's for Construction
 Nanotechnology for Construction
 Barriers
 Future Projection of Nanotechnology
 Conclusion
 References

3. Introduction
 We are very familiar with the concept of getting raw
materials, bringing them together in an organized way and
then putting them together into a recognizable form.
 This is our role in society and we have performed it well for
hundreds or thousands of years. So we can say construction
is definitely not a new science or technology and yet it has
undergone great changes over its history.
 In the same vein, nanotechnology is not a new science and it
is not a new technology either. It is rather an extension of the
sciences and technologies that have already been in
development for many years.

4.  Nano-science and
nanotechnology are the study and
application of extremely small
things and can be used across all
the other science fields, such as
chemistry, biology, physics,
materials science, and
engineering.
 Nanotechnology is an enabling
technology that allows us to develop
materials with improved or totally
new properties.
What is Nanotechnology ?
physicist Richard Feynman,
the father of nanotechnology.
(Source:www.wikipedia.org)

5. Introduction to Nano-materials
5
1
• Carbon Nanotubes
2
• Titanium Dioxide(TiO2)
3
• Zinc Oxide(ZnO)
4
• Tungsten Oxide (WO3)
Nanomaterials are an
increasingly important
product of
nanotechnologies.
They contain
nanoparticles,smaller
than 100 nanometres in
at least one dimension.

6. Carbon Nano-tubes
 They are the form of carbon that was first
discovered in 1952 in Russia and then re-
discovered in the 1990’s in Japan.
 They are cylindrical in shape with Nano-
meter diameter.
 Exhibit extraordinary strength.
 Unique electrical properties.
 Efficient thermal conductors.
6
(Source: Google images)

7. Titanium Dioxide
Nano-Particles(TiO2)
 Added to concrete to improve its properties.
 Used as an excellent reflective coating or added to paints,
cements, windows, tiles for its sterilizing properties.
 As TiO2 is exposed to UV light, it becomes increasingly
hydrophilic thus it can be used for anti-fogging coatings or
self cleaning windows.
7

8. Zinc Oxide Nano-Particles(ZNO)
 Exhibits semiconducting and piezoelectric dual properties.
 Added into materials like ceramics, glass , cement, rubber ,
paints , adhesive , fire retardants etc.
 Used for concrete manufacturing , ZnO improves the
processing time and resistance of concrete against water.
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9. Tungsten Oxide Nano-
Particles(WO3)
 In recent years, Tungsten trioxide has been employed in
the production of electro-chromic windows or smart
windows.
 These windows are electrically switchable glass that
change light transmission properties with an applied
voltage .
9

10. Switchable Glass
10
Switch!!
(Source:www.nanotech.net)
Tungsten Oxide windows

11. Applications of Nano-Technology
Nanotechnology is widely used in construction material as:-
 In Concrete
 In Steel
 In Wood
 In Glass
 In Coating
 In Fire-Resistance
 In Structural Monitoring
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(Source:www.nanotech.net)

12. Nano-Technology in Concrete
Nanotechnology can modify the structure of concrete material
and finally improves in properties of materials as:-
 Bulk density
 Mechanical performance
 Volume stability
 Durability
 Sustainability of concrete
12
Source:(Google images)

13. Nano-Technology in Concrete
 These addition of nano-particles could
compensate for its weakness in tension
and result in concrete with greatly
improved stress-strain behavior.
 The addition of Nano-silica
fume can improve durability of concrete
structures exposed to de-icing salts.
 The addition of small amount (1%) of CNT
improves the mechanical property of
concrete
13
(Source:www.nanoforum.org)

14. Need of nanotechnology in steel:-
 Fatigue is a significant issue that can lead to
the structural failure of steel subject to cyclic
loading, such as in bridges or towers.
 Stress risers are responsible for initiating
cracks from which fatigue failure results.
 Addition of copper nanoparticles reduces
the surface unevenness of steel which then
limits the number of stress risers.
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Nano-Technology in Steel
(Source:www.nanoforum.org)

15. Temperature restriction:-
 Above 750 F, steel starts to loose
its structural integrity, and at 1000
F, steel loses 50 % of its strength
 Infusion of steel with Nano scale
copper particles could maintain
structural integrity up to 1000 F
 New infused steel allows ultra high
strength, corrosion resistance and
have good surface finish.
15
Nano-Technology in Steel
Nanostructure modified steel
reinforcement
(Source:www.nanoarchitecturei
mages.com)

16.  Wood is also composed of nanotubes
or “Nano fibrils”; namely, lignocellulose
(woody tissue) elements which are
twice as strong as steel.
 Researchers have developed a highly
water repellent coating based on the
actions of the lotus leaf as a result of
the incorporation of silica and alumina
nanoparticles and hydrophobic
polymers.
16
Nano-Technology in Wood
(Source:www.nanoarchitectur
e.net)

17.  Most of the glass used on the exterior
surface of buildings to control light and
heat in order to control the building
environment and contribute to
sustainability.
 Fire-protective glass is a application of
nanotechnology. This is achieved by
using a layer sandwiched between glass
panels (an interlayer) formed of fumed
silica (SiO2) nanoparticles which turns
into a rigid and opaque fire shield when
heated.
17
(Source:www.nanoarchitecture.net)

18. 18
glass
transparent TiO2
Self-cleaning glass
Nano-TiO2 coated
conventional
glass
self-cleaning
glass
 Self-cleaning glass coated with
titanium dioxide coating breaks
down organic matter.
 Can block UV & glare .
(Source :www.nanotech.net)

19.  Coating is an area of significant research in
nanotechnology.
 Nanotechnology is being applied to paints
and insulating properties, produced by the
addition of Nano-sized cells, pores and
particles.
 The TiO2 will break down and disintegrate
organic dirt through powerful catalytic
reaction.
 This research opens up the intriguing
possibility of putting roads to good
environmental use.
19
Source:(Google images)

20.  Polymer nanocomposites filled
with clay, CNTs, etc., possess
improved flammability resistance
while maintaining or improving
mechanical properties.
 Reduces heat release rate during
fire event by formation of surface
which insulates underlying
material.
 Use of nanoadditive fire retardants
prompted by bans on halogenated
flame retardants enacted in many
states.
20
Poor Dispersion Good Dispersion
Heat Flux Heat Flux
(Source:www.nanotech.net)

21.  Nano-Technology enables sensors
which exhibit ‘self-sensing’ and
‘self-actuating’ capability.
 They can monitor and control
environment
conditions(eg:temperature,moisture,
smoke,noise,etc).
 They can also monitor the
materials/structure performance
(eg:stress,strain,vibration,cracking,
corrosion,etc).
 It can provide an early indication before
a failure of the structure.
21
Nanotech-enhanced
'smart paint' promises to
detect structural damage
Source:(Google images)

22. 1. FABRICATION
Current efforts in the field of nanotechnology are focussed on the
fabrication, characterization and use of these materials on a Nano scale.
2. HEALTH
Nanotechnology based construction products might be harmful to
health. example, the nanotubes might cause lung problems to the workers.
3. ENVIRONMENT
The effect of various nanomaterials on the natural environment is hotly
debated in nanotechnology and environmental research.
Moreover it will create a new category of Nano-waste which has to
be extracted and treated.
4. COST
The cost of most nanotechnology materials and equipment are relatively
high. In comparison to traditional method.
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23.  There is substantial money flowing into nano-related
research from multinational corporations and venture capital
investments.
 Many of the worlds largest companies such as
IBM,Intel,Hitachi,Lucent etc, have all had significant nano-
related projects going on.
 By 2016 ,the National science foundation estimates that
nano-technology will have a $1 trillion effects on the global
economy.
 Industries will employ nearly two million workers towards
advancement in many Nano materials, Nano structures.
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24. 24
Building made by using self-cleaning concrete (Church ‘‘Dives in
Misericordia”, Rome, Italy)
(Source:www.Wikipedia.org)

25. 25
TiO2 coating on roads for pollution
reduction
Building in Ottawa has been built with
glass that has a transparent film of titanium
dioxide nanoparticles.
(Source:www.nanotech.net)

26.  Research in nano-technology that is related to construction
is still in its infancy;
 However,this paper has demonstrated the main benefits
and barriers that allow the effect of nano-technology on
construction.
 Nano-technology for construction should be pursued to
ensure that the potential benefit of the technology can be
harnessed to provide longer life and more economical
infrastructure.
26

27.  B. B. Das and Arkadeep Mitra (2014) “Nanomaterials for Construction
Engineering”, International Journal of Materials, Mechanics and
Manufacturing, Vol. 2, No. 1,pp:41-46
 Syed Sabihuddin (March 2014),” Application of Nanotechnology in Civil
Infrastructure” Int. Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
ISSN : 2248-9622, Vol. 4, Issue 3( Version 1), March 2014, pp.92-95
 RADU OLAR (2011) “Nanomaterials And Nanotechnologies for Civil
Engineering”
 V. Kartik Ganesh “Nanotechnology In Civil Engineering”, European Scientific
Journal November edition vol. 8, No.27 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e -
ISSN 1857- 7431
 B. Bhuvaneshwari, Saptarshi Sasmal, Nagesh R.Iyer” Nanoscience to
Nanotechnology for Civil Engineering – Proof of Concepts “, Recent
Researches in Geography, Geology, Energy, Environment and Biomedicine.
 Images :-
nanotech.net,wikipedia.org,nanoarchitecture.net,vjcet.net,fppt.com.
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28. 28
“CIVIL ENGINEERING IS DEFINITELY
THE FUTURE..!”