Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials
Abstract The carbon footprint associated with cement production, coupled with depletion of natural resources and climate change, underscores the need for sustainable alternatives. This study explores the effect of metakaolin (MK) and nano-silica (NS) on concrete’s engineering performance and environ...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85358-8 |
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| author | Namitha Raveendran Vasugi Krishnan |
| author_facet | Namitha Raveendran Vasugi Krishnan |
| author_sort | Namitha Raveendran |
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| description | Abstract The carbon footprint associated with cement production, coupled with depletion of natural resources and climate change, underscores the need for sustainable alternatives. This study explores the effect of metakaolin (MK) and nano-silica (NS) on concrete’s engineering performance and environmental impact. Initially, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength tests, along with durability assessments like water absorption, sorptivity, rapid chloride permeability, and resistance to acid and sulphate attacks, were conducted. Later, X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy were employed for microstructural analysis. Subsequently, the environmental impact of micro and nano materials was assessed using embodied carbon emissions and eco-strength efficiency. The results revealed that the hybrid mixes of 12.50% MK and 2% NS (M7) showed superior performance, demonstrating significant strength enhancements and eco-efficiency, achieving 0.15 MPa/kg CO2/m3 at 28th day. Meanwhile, the MK-only mix (M6) yielded the lowest embodied CO2 emissions at 330 kg CO2/m3. MK and NS effectively reduce porosity and enhance durability against environmental factors while lowering clinker content, contributing to sustainability. Furthermore, the microstructural behaviour showed early hydration, dense microstructure and additional Calcium Silicate Hydrate formation, leading to improved properties. The outcomes reveal that the concrete configuration has altered at micro and nano levels by the inclusion of MK and NS, demonstrating their substantial contribution to producing environmentally friendly, effective, and beneficial concrete. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-15555281937d46289d0192b8cdbc421f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-15555281937d46289d0192b8cdbc421f2025-01-12T12:16:46ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115112410.1038/s41598-025-85358-8Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materialsNamitha Raveendran0Vasugi Krishnan1School of Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of TechnologySchool of Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of TechnologyAbstract The carbon footprint associated with cement production, coupled with depletion of natural resources and climate change, underscores the need for sustainable alternatives. This study explores the effect of metakaolin (MK) and nano-silica (NS) on concrete’s engineering performance and environmental impact. Initially, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength tests, along with durability assessments like water absorption, sorptivity, rapid chloride permeability, and resistance to acid and sulphate attacks, were conducted. Later, X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy were employed for microstructural analysis. Subsequently, the environmental impact of micro and nano materials was assessed using embodied carbon emissions and eco-strength efficiency. The results revealed that the hybrid mixes of 12.50% MK and 2% NS (M7) showed superior performance, demonstrating significant strength enhancements and eco-efficiency, achieving 0.15 MPa/kg CO2/m3 at 28th day. Meanwhile, the MK-only mix (M6) yielded the lowest embodied CO2 emissions at 330 kg CO2/m3. MK and NS effectively reduce porosity and enhance durability against environmental factors while lowering clinker content, contributing to sustainability. Furthermore, the microstructural behaviour showed early hydration, dense microstructure and additional Calcium Silicate Hydrate formation, leading to improved properties. The outcomes reveal that the concrete configuration has altered at micro and nano levels by the inclusion of MK and NS, demonstrating their substantial contribution to producing environmentally friendly, effective, and beneficial concrete.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85358-8DurabilityEco strength efficiencyEmbodied carbonMechanical behaviourMetakaolinMicrostructural performance |
| spellingShingle | Namitha Raveendran Vasugi Krishnan Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials Scientific Reports Durability Eco strength efficiency Embodied carbon Mechanical behaviour Metakaolin Microstructural performance |
| title | Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials |
| title_full | Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials |
| title_fullStr | Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials |
| title_short | Engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials |
| title_sort | engineering performance and environmental assessment of sustainable concrete incorporating nano silica and metakaolin as cementitious materials |
| topic | Durability Eco strength efficiency Embodied carbon Mechanical behaviour Metakaolin Microstructural performance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85358-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT namitharaveendran engineeringperformanceandenvironmentalassessmentofsustainableconcreteincorporatingnanosilicaandmetakaolinascementitiousmaterials AT vasugikrishnan engineeringperformanceandenvironmentalassessmentofsustainableconcreteincorporatingnanosilicaandmetakaolinascementitiousmaterials |