An investigation of durability and the mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) modified with economical graphene oxide nano-sheets

The use of Nano-materials in the matrix of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), due to its superior properties, mainly improve durability and the mechanical properties, and increase the concrete performance. In UHPC, carbon-based nanomaterials are one of the most widely used nanomaterials. In this research, industrial graphene oxide (IGO) nanosheets were used in UHPC. This type of economical graphene oxide improves the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of UHPC. In addition to the mechanical properties, IGO improves the durability performance of UHPC, and to some extent prevents the absorption and penetration of fluids such as water in the concrete matrix. Furthermore, the microstructures of various specimens were investigated and compared by FESEM, along with the effects of IGO morphology on UHPC. It was found out that in comparison with the other specimens, the specimens with 0.06 % by weight of IGO showed the largest modulus of elasticity in the specimens tested in this study. Moreover, the test results shows that adding 0.01 %–0.1 % of IGO increases the 28-days compressive and flexural strengths of UHPC by 21.1–26.7 % and 11.5–32.7 %, respectively. •In this research, industrial graphene oxide (IGO) nano-sheets were used in UHPC.•IGO Nano-sheets were used in UHPC in different contents, and several experiments were applied to evaluate its performance.•Use of IGO in an optimal ratio can improve strength properties, elastic modulus, durability and microstructure of UHPC.