Incorporation of Graphene Oxide in Concrete: Evaluation of the Compressive and Tensile Strengths

Abstract

Currently, Portland cement concrete is one of the most used materials in the world, and within civil construction it represents the most important structural material due to its mechanical and plastic properties, which allow its molding in different formats, and water resistance. Despite its qualities, there are still several studies that seek to improve its compressive and tensile strengths, and the incorporation of nanotechnology to concrete has brought excellent results. One nanotechnology with great potential for improving the mechanical properties of cementitious materials is graphene oxide, because it provides, among its characteristics, hydrophilicity, dispersibility, and compatibility with various polymeric matrices. Considering the excellent characteristics of graphene oxide, the incorporation into concrete was performed, aiming to improve its mechanical properties. For this, three specimens of specimens were made, one of them being the pilot trait, and the others with the incorporation of two percentages of graphene oxide in concrete, 0.01% and 0.03%. It is concluded that the addition of 0.01% graphene oxide presents the greatest increase in strength, obtaining in its performance an improvement of 42.4% in compressive strength, and 69.7% in tensile strength by diametrical compression. Thus, concrete with graphene oxide incorporation can be considered an alternative to improve the mechanical properties of concrete.