EFFECT OF NANO SILICA, NANO ALUMINUM, AND NANO TITANIUM ADDITIONS ON FLEXURAL AND SHEAR BEHAVIOR OF RC BEAMS

Abstract

In the present study; the effect of nano-SiO₂, nano-Al₂O₃ , and  nano-TiO₂ additions on the flexural and shear behavior of reinforced concrete beams is investigated. The experimental program contains testing of 12 RC beams divided into three groups; the first and second group consists of four beams tested until failure in bending with bottom reinforcement ratio of 0.837% and 1.88 % respectively, while the third one consists of four beams tested until shear failure was reached. Each group consists of one control beam, one beam with 3% of nano-SiO₂, one beam with 1% of nano-Al₂O₃, and one beam with 1% of nano-TiO₂. Based on the analysis of experimental data, it was concluded that the addition of nanoparticles, mainly nano-Al₂O₃, to the concrete mixtures can lead to a flexural strength increase but using 1% nano- TiO₂ addition is more effective to enhancement the beam shear strength.