Reinforcing Blended Cement Concretes with Graphene
Presented By: Maria Konsta
Affiliation: University of Texas at Arlington
Description: This presentation demonstrates the development of emerging blended cement concretes consisting of binary cementitious systems, coal ash-PLC and calcined clay-PLC, reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets. Few-layer GNPs enable significant gains in stiffness and strength, achieving performance comparable to high- and ultra-high-performance concretes with only one-third of the cementitious binder content, while avoiding the severe loss of workability and mix complexity associated with ultra-high-performance systems.
Unified Cascade Micromechanical Framework for Thermal and Elastic Properties of Graphene- and Other Nanofiller- Reinforced C-S-H Nanocomposites
Presented By: Weina Meng
Affiliation: Stevens Institute of Technology
Description: The thermal and elastic properties of C-S-H-based nanocomposites are critical for the development of sustainable engineering materials. However, a comprehensive understanding of the governing factors and underlying mechanisms remains limited. In this study, a unified micromechanical framework is developed to predict the effective thermal conductivity and elastic properties of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) reinforced C-S-H nanocomposites. These properties are compared with those of C-S-H nanocomposites reinforced with other nanofillers, including cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), carbon nanofibers (CNF), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and carbon black (CB). The distinct mechanisms and interactions of various nanofillers with the C-S-H matrix are considered. Key microstructural features, such as pore architecture, reinforced network connectivity, and interfacial interactions, are incorporated into the framework for mechanism-informed prediction. The results indicate that different nanofillers contribute to thermal transport and mechanical reinforcement through distinct underlying mechanisms. In general, nanofillers with higher aspect ratios or planar structures exhibit greater sensitivity to interfacial characteristics and structural connectivity, whereas lower-dimensional fillers show comparatively weaker effects. This work establishes a mechanistic framework linking nanoscale interactions to macroscopic properties, enabling optimization of thermal and elastic performance, and providing potential for future machine learning-assisted inverse design of composition and microstructure.
Edge-Functionalized GNP enhanced Concrete with Tunable Conductivity and Specific Heat Capacity
Presented By: Panagiotis Danoglidis
Affiliation: University of Texas At Arlington
Description: This presentation highlights the critical role of edge-functionalized few-layer graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in enabling tunable electrical and thermal properties in nano-reinforced concrete. By tailoring GNP interfacial properties, the material achieves controlled conductivity and thermal response, enabling multifunctional performance such as thermal management and strain sensing.
Effects of Graphene on Rheological, Early-age, and Durability Properties of Limestone-calcined Clay Cementitious Composites
Presented By: Osman Ozbulut
Affiliation: University of Virginia
Description: The cement industry is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions, driving the need for low-carbon binder systems such as limestone–calcined clay cement. While limestone–calcined clay systems offer considerable environmental benefits through reduced clinker content and synergistic hydration mechanisms, challenges remain in achieving optimal fresh-state rheology and early-age performance. The incorporation of graphene-based nanomaterials presents a promising pathway to enhance early-age behavior and long-term durability of these systems. This study investigates the effects of three distinct graphene types, including two powder-based forms (a conventional graphene nanoplatelet and a bio-derived graphene) and a bio-based aqueous graphene suspension, on the fresh, hydration, and hardened properties of limestone–calcined clay composites. Rheological behavior is characterized using a controlled shear ramp protocol to determine dynamic yield stress and plastic viscosity, while static yield stress is evaluated through stress growth measurements. Isothermal calorimetry is employed to assess the influence of graphene on hydration kinetics and early-age reaction mechanisms. Mortar specimens are prepared to evaluate mechanical and durability-related performance. Fresh properties are assessed using flow table testing, while compressive strength is measured at 1, 3, and 28 days to capture early- and later-age mechanical development. Durability performance is evaluated through surface and bulk electrical resistivity, as well as rapid chloride permeability testing (RCPT), providing insight into pore structure refinement and ion transport resistance. The findings elucidate the role of graphene type and dispersion form in governing the balance between workability, hydration behavior, mechanical performance, and durability in limestone–calcined clay systems.
Synergistic Effects of Multidimensional Conductive Fillers in UHPC for Joule Heating Applications
Presented By: Nancy Soliman
Affiliation: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Description: Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) combines exceptional strength and durability with negligible electrical conductivity, limiting its use in self-sensing and Joule-heating applications. This study investigates whether a multidimensional conductive network can improve conductivity and heating performance while retaining acceptable fresh and mechanical properties. A two-level full factorial design was used to evaluate the flow, compressive strengths, electrical conductivity, and temperature rise at 2, 4, and 6 V. The results show the formation of a percolated graphene network and increased conductivity to about 1.2 S/m at 3 and 2 vol%, respectively. When combined with 2 vol% steel fibers, conductivity reached 14.2 S/m and temperature rise exceeded 80 °C at 4 V, confirming the effectiveness of the hierarchical conductive network. These conductive gains, however, were accompanied by reduced mechanical performance at the highest filler dosages. Regression models showed strong predictive accuracy, with adjusted and predicted R² values above 0.90. Multi-objective optimization identified a balanced mixture containing 1.29 vol% PBX, 0.29 vol% acetylene black, 2 vol% steel fibers, and a water-to-binder ratio of 0.22, yielding 120 MPa compressive strength, 2.40 S/m conductivity, and a 20.19 °C temperature rise at 6 V. The results provide a practical route to multifunctional UHPC for electrothermal applications.
The Role of Ultra-low Dosages of Graphene on the Early-age Structure Development in Low Cement Content Binders
Presented By: Sahil Surehali
Affiliation: Arizona State University
Description: Most commercially available graphenes are expensive, not amenable to mass production, and have high embodied energy and emissions, making their use in concrete less attractive. his work introduces the use of two novel graphene types, fractal graphene (FG) and reactive graphene (RG), produced via cost-effective, scalable detonation synthesis, in cement-based materials, demonstrating enhancements in engineering and environmental performance. FG and RG are sheets containing 6–10 layers, with lateral dimensions of 20–50 nm and a thickness of <5 nm along the z-axis. RG is functionalized with carboxylic groups. FG and RG are used in plain cement mixtures as well as those containing 30 % (by mass) of fly ash and/or limestone powder, at low dosages of =0.02 % by mass of binder. Both FG and RG significantly enhance the dynamic and static yield stresses and the viscoelastic properties of the binder. Temporal evolution of static yield stress (ts) and storage modulus (G’) reveals aspects relating to structural build-up facilitated by the graphene particulates (structuration parameter from ts-t, and rate of structural build-up, and residual structural factor from G’-t relations). Time-dependent storage modulus evolution from small-amplitude oscillatory shear tests, supplemented by associated models, indicates faster structural build-up in the FG- and RG-modified pastes due to contributions from FG and RG to interparticle interactions and hydration. Storage modulus evolution beyond the onset of acceleration is well correlated with adjusted cumulative heat of hydration and electrical conductivity, providing a rapid, inexpensive means of reliably estimating early-age structure development in cementitious systems. It is determined that ultra-low dosages of FG and RG can aid in tuning the rheological and structure-development parameters, which benefits unique applications such as 3D concrete printing and ultra-high-performance concretes.
Investigating the Durability of Concrete Using Nano Graphene
Presented By: Hwan Lee
Affiliation: University of Texas Austin
Description: Concrete durability issues, including alkali-silica reaction (ASR), sulfate attack, and drying shrinkage, significantly limit the service life of cementitious materials. While supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are widely used to mitigate these challenges, the declining availability of high-quality SCMs necessitates the exploration of alternative solutions. Nanomaterials have emerged as a promising approach to enhance concrete performance, with prior studies demonstrating improvements in mechanical properties. This study investigates the effect of nano graphene (NG) on the durability of cementitious systems. Experimental results indicate that NG incorporation did not improve resistance to ASR or sulfate attack. However, a significant reduction of approximately 20% in drying shrinkage was observed at low NG dosages. These findings suggest that NG may be particularly effective in mitigating shrinkage-related durability concerns. The mechanisms underlying the observed behavior are discussed.