Effect of Nano Iron Oxide on Strength and Durability Characteristics of High Volume Fly Ash Concrete for Pavement Construction

Cement is the principal component of cement concrete used for construction of rigid pavements and is produced by an energy intensive process. Large scale production and its subsequent utilization detrimentally contributes towards global warming. In order to cater for sustainable development, there is a need to utilize waste materials having cementitious properties as a partial substitute for cement. Fly ash is one of such waste which is being extensively used for the production of cement concrete. Concrete produced by utilizing fly ash more than fifty percent of cement is termed as high volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC). Although HVFAC facilitates utilization of large volume of fly ash, it however has the disadvantage of delayed gain in strength which limits its usage as pavement quality concrete (PQC). Contemporary literatures show the usage of various types of nanomaterials to overcome this disadvantage. The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of nano iron oxide on strength and durability properties of HVFAC. The HVFAC used in the study was prepared by replacement of fifty five percent ordinary Portland cement with F-type fly ash obtained from thermal power plant. Nano iron oxide was utilized in different percentages to improve the strength and durability characteristics of HVFAC. The strength properties of the concrete was evaluated by flexural, compressive and split tensile strength tests, whereas the durability characteristics were evaluated by density, permeability, sorptivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity and rapid chloride penetration tests. The tests were carried out at 28, 56 and 90 days age of concrete. The test result showed that HVFAC modified with 0.75% nano iron oxide by weight gave the optimal strength and durability results which were comparable with that of normal cement concrete used for construction of rigid pavements.