article · Structural Concrete
This research investigates the mechanical, transport, and microstructural characteristics of ultra-high-performance concrete incorporating fly ash and modified nano-titanium dioxide. In the experimental design, fly ash replaced twenty percent of the cement weight, while nano-titanium dioxide was blended into the fly ash using a ball mill across varying durations and concentrations. Assessments of mechanical performance included compressive strength across multiple curing periods up to ninety-one days, alongside splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity. Transport and durability metrics, including water permeability, chloride permeability, and sorptivity, were evaluated alongside concrete microstructure after twenty-eight days of curing. The findings reveal that introducing higher quantities of nano-titanium dioxide reduced mixture workability but substantially enhanced mechanical properties. Overall, a thirty-minute ball milling duration and an addition of 1.2 percent nano-titanium dioxide delivered the optimal performance, yielding a compressive strength of 208.9 megapascals.
Ultra-high-performance concrete is critical for demanding civil engineering structures requiring exceptional load-bearing capacity and durability. Understanding how industrial by-products like fly ash can be effectively combined with nanomaterials allows engineers to reduce cement content while significantly increasing material strength. Identifying precise blending methods and optimal additive ratios helps improve concrete performance while managing trade-offs such as reduced workability.
This work is relevant to concrete manufacturers, precast component producers, and infrastructure developers seeking exceptionally strong building materials. The study demonstrates applied laboratory testing on material formulations, showing clear performance gains in compressive strength using standardised ball-milling procedures. However, the technology remains at an early to intermediate testing stage, as practical uptake requires translating the milling and mixing protocols to industrial batch scales and verifying durability in operational environments.
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Abstract This paper aims to study the effect of using modified nano‐TiO 2 with fly ash (FA) on ultra‐high performance concrete's (UHPC) mechanical, transport, and microstructure properties (UHPC). A ball mill was used to disband the nano‐TiO 2 and distribute it uniformly within the FA powder. In this research, 20% of the cement weight was replaced by FA, and nano‐TiO 2 was added by 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6%, and 2% of the FA weight. To investigate the effect of the ball mill period on the UHPC properties, periods of 10, 20, 30, and 40 min were applied to a binder of 20% FA and with 6% nano‐TiO 2 . In addition, a 30‐min ball mill period on a binder of 20% FA and 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6%, and 2% nano‐TiO 2 was also investigated. Tests of compressive strength after 1, 7, 28, and 91 days of curing in tap water, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity were performed after 28 days of curing in tap water. Tests of chloride permeability, sorptivity coefficient, water permeability, and microstructure were also performed after 28 days of curing in tap water. The results showed that the addition of higher percentages of nano‐TiO 2 led to a decrease in workability. The addition of nano‐TiO 2 improved the mechanical properties. The highest compressive strength of 208.9 MPa was achieved for the mixture of 20% FA with 1.2% nano‐TiO 2 at the age of 28 days. The 30‐min period of application of the ball mill achieved the best performance compared with the other periods. The results of using a ball‐mill to re‐mix nano‐TiO 2 between 1.2% and 2% by weight with FA showed impressive comparative results.
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DOI: 10.1002/suco.202300053
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