Assessing Mechanical Properties of Concrete Modified with Use of Nanosilica and GGBS

Recent technical developments, a lot of attention has been paid to strengthening concrete with nanoparticles. Utilizing supplemental cementitious materials (SCM), considerable effort has been made to lower the cement content in the construction sector. The purpose of this study is to use supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) in combination with regular Portland cement, such as ground (GGBS) and nanosilica. The nanosilica is partially replaced with cement at a dosage of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4%, and GGBS proportions were utilized as 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 for cement that is only partially replaced. The water–cement ratio is 0.45, and concrete of the M30 grade was utilized to accomplish the study. The experiments on hardened concrete as compressive test, split tensile strength, and flexural strength at 7 and 28-days intervals were conducted. The quality of the concrete specimens with partial replacement of nanosilica and GGBS was accessed through performing ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test, and further, the dynamic modulus of modified concrete specimen was determined. The findings of the study showed that additions of nanosilica and GGBS in concrete can amplify the mechanical properties and durability properties of the concrete. The finding of the study revealed that by incorporating 3% of nanosilica and 15% of GGBS as a cement substitute resulted in optimum strength of the concrete with regard to compression, flexural, and split tensile strength test. The UPV findings showed that microstructure improvement of concrete is achieved by adding nanosilica and GGBS which indicate enhancement in durability of concrete.