Enhancing Strength and Durability of M60 Grade Concrete Using Nano-Silica: An Experimental Investigation

The incorporation of nanomaterials in concrete has shown significant potential in improving its mechanical and durability characteristics. This study investigates the influence of nano silica and micro silica as partial replacements for cement in the development of M60 grade high-performance concrete. Three mixes were considered: Conventional Concrete (CC), Concrete with nano silica (NS1), and Concrete with combined nano silica and micro silica (NS2). Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity were evaluated experimentally. Durability performance was assessed through water absorption, sulphate attack, chloride penetration, acid attack, and corrosion resistance tests. The results demonstrate that the addition of nano silica and micro silica significantly enhances the strength and durability of concrete compared to the control mix. Among all mixtures, the combination containing 5% nano silica and 5% micro silica exhibited the highest improvement in mechanical properties and resistance to environmental degradation. The outcomes align with previous findings reported in the literature and confirm that the synergistic use of nano silica and micro silica leads to superior performance in high-strength concrete.