Strengths and durability performances of blended cement concrete with TiO₂ nanoparticles and rice husk ash

Sustainable development, climate change and the extensive extraction and consumption of non-renewable mineral resources are the greatest contemporary challenges facing humankind, especially construction industry. Reducing the mining and consumption of raw materials, and CO₂ emission generated by the production of Portland cement clinker as well as improving concrete performance are now achievable targets even with the use of various recycled and by-product materials in a partial replacement of virgin materials. In the present study, concrete designed with Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) Nanoparticles and rice husk ash (RHA) as pozzolanic materials used in a partial replacement of Portland cement (PC) has been investigated. RHA was used in a single amount of 10% while TiO₂ nanoparticles was incorporated at different replacement levels varying from 0 to 5% as a partial replacement of PC. The morphological and mineralogical characteristics of TiO₂ Nanoparticles were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), respectively. The blended cement concrete mixes have been assessed in terms of mechanical and durability performances including compressive, Flexural and Splitting Tensile strengths, resistance to Acid attack and Chloride Penetration. The results revealed that concrete mixes with a combination of 10%RHA and 3% TiO₂ Nanoparticles as a partial replacement of PC showed the highest strengths and durability performances. Increasing the TiO₂ Nanoparticles beyond 3% has resulted in a drop in strengths and durability properties. Thus, this replacement of 3% nano-TiO₂ might be considered as the optimum replacement level.