Modern concrete infrastructure requires structural components with higher mechanical strength and greater durability. A solution is the addition of nanomaterials to cement-based materials, which can enhance their mechanical properties. Some such nanomaterials include nano-silica (nano-SiO2), nano-alumina (nano-Al2O3), nano-ferric oxide (nano-Fe2O3), nano-titanium oxide (nano-TiO2), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene and graphene oxide. These nanomaterials can be added to cement with other reinforcement materials such as steel fibers, glass, rice hull powder and fly ash. Optimal dosages of these materials can improve the compressive, tensile and flexural strength of cement-based materials, as well as their water absorption and workability. The use of these nanomaterials can enhance the performance and life cycle of concrete infrastructures. This review presents recent researches about the main effects on performance of cement-based composites caused by the incorporation of nanomaterials. The nanomaterials could decrease the cement porosity, generating a denser interfacial transition zone. In addition, nanomaterials reinforced cement can allow the construction of high-strength concrete structures with greater durability, which will decrease the maintenance requirements or early replacement. Also, the incorporation of nano-TiO2 and CNTs in cementitious matrices can provide concrete structures with self-cleaning and self-sensing abilities. These advantages could help in the photocatalytic decomposition of pollutants and structural health monitoring of the concrete structures. The nanomaterials have a great potential for applications in smart infrastructure based on high-strength concrete structures.

Demand for electrical energy and rising production costs, coupled with the need to favor renewable energies, mean that alternative solutions must be proposed which, in addition to reducing consumption costs, are sustainable solutions with very low environmental impact. Although a solution has been given with the use of solar cells, these can still be expensive or require additional maintenance in the fixation and support systems when they are in zones of high nitrate concentrations. As a rule these coastal areas have the advantage of receiving wind of different speeds during prolonged periods of time during the day, which can facilitate the placement of electric generators by windmills. In the Faculty of Engineering, a zoned study was carried out on wind speeds and directions over a long period of time, in order to establish the conditions and feasibility of the placement of these generators, considering the topography and typology of the place measured speeds and directions on one of the complex buildings. Thus, a register was obtained that allows calculating the energy production and the convenience of exploiting this clean and sustainable energy solution.