Application of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials as a Reinforcement to Concrete Pavements

Abstract

Nanomaterials are considered to be one of the game-changing features in the modern world and nanotechnology is mostly reputed as the next-generation industrial revolution due to the extraordinary characteristics possessed by them at their very small scale. Graphene and graphene oxide are two main nanoscale materials that have seen a drastic increase in their use in cement-based composites due to exemptional enhancements in terms of strength and durability that can be imparted to compromise the inherent flaws of concrete and other cementitious composites. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of graphene and graphene oxide on improving the performance of cement-based composites and, particularly, of continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP), which is one of the emerging trends in the transport sector due to various advantages they bring in over conventional flexible pavements and unreinforced concrete pavements. Fresh, hardened and durability properties of concrete with graphene-based nanomaterials were studied and the past experimental data were used to predict statistical interferences between different parameters attributed to concrete. According to the review, graphene-based nanomaterials seem to be promising to overcome the various CRCP distresses. Simultaneously, the possibilities and hinderances of using graphene and graphene oxide in cement-based composites as a reinforcement are discussed. Finally, the potential of using graphene in continuously reinforced concrete pavements is explored.

Effect of Graphene Oxide Nanomaterials on the Durability of Concrete: A Review on Mechanisms, Provisions, Challenges, and Future Prospects

“…Graphene oxide emerges as an outstanding nanofiller material due to its exceptional properties as a construction material. The presence of diverse functional groups such as OH, COOH, CC, etc., alongside its large aspect ratio and atomic thickness enable GO to act as a physical filler with mechanical interlocking and bridging effects that increase coherence via authoritative covalent bonding whilst also providing a large surface area for the interaction with the cementitious matrix [31,86,99]. Graphene oxide owns the superior advantage of being hydrophilic in water, enabling the ease of dispersing into the microstructure of cementitious composites, which is a major challenge when working with other concrete nano-additives such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [32].…”

“…However, GO can be easily converted to an aqueous solution due to its hydrophilic nature and can be added to concrete, which hinders the nanomaterial from being transported via air. A lack of specific design standards, field trials, and regulation guidelines is also obstructing the transition of lab-scale GO-concrete trails to commercial-scale applications [99]. With the majority of the studies regarding the durability of GO-concrete being conducted through short-term laboratory experiments, actual long-term field investigations using detailed experimental analyses are important for the development of more realistic predictions.…”

Waste Clay Brick as a Part Binder for Pavement Grade Geopolymer Concrete

“…For instance, the growing population will cause increased traffic volumes and vehicle axle loads, requiring the construction of new transport pavements as well as the improvement and maintenance of existing structures [2,3]. The addition of concrete pavements to the road network is a favourable option due to a faster construction, higher durability, lower maintenance expenditures, and thus, incur a lower cost over their life [4][5][6][7][8][9] when compared to asphalt pavemnts.…”