Effect of Halloysite Nano-clay on mechanical properties and workability of cement concrete

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of Halloysite Nano-clay on the compression and splits tensile strength of concrete. The cubes of size 10cm*10cm and cylinders specimens of size 10cm diameter and 20cm length are cast to test for compression and split tensile strength respectively and compared with the control specimens. The HNCs added to the specimens as a replacement for cement in the dosage of 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1wt% to cement. The slump cone test and compaction factor tests were carried out to check the effect of HNCs on the workability of concrete. The increment in the cement substitution by HNC caused decreasing the workability of concrete. It showed a 28.5% reduction of workability with 1% replacement as compared to plain concrete in the slump cone test. The optimum dosage of HNC for the compression strength is 0.75% and 0.5% for the splitting tensile strength.

Keywords: Halloysite Nano-clay, Workability, Compression strength, Split tensile strength