Performance of Concrete in Chemically Aggressive Environment by Using Cementitious Materials in Concrete

Year : 2026 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 02 | Page : 45 51
By

Priya Mishra,

  1. , Assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Lakhmi Chand Institute of Technology, Bilaspur Chandigarh, India, ,

Abstract

This study investigates the performance and durability of sustainable concrete incorporating industrial and agricultural waste materials specifically Fly Ash, nano silica and Graphene Oxide when subjected to chemically aggressive environments. Traditional Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete often suffers from micro-structural degradation, sulfate attack, and acid penetration in harsh conditions. However, the integration of pozzolanic wastes creates a synergistic effect that densifies the concrete matrix through secondary C-S-H (Calcium Silicate Hydrate) gel formation. Experimental results indicate that the hybrid mix achieves superior mechanical properties, with a 28-day compressive strength of 29.6 MPa compared to 26.6 MPa for plain OPC. In terms of durability, the hybrid mix demonstrated significantly lower water absorption (4.5%) and a marked resistance to mass loss (3% vs. 8% in OPC) under aggressive testing. Graphene oxide will give more superior result when adding in the minimum amount in concrete approx. 1% will give greater result as compare to plain OPC Concrete. It will increase approximately 40-50% concrete strength and durability when using 15-20% fly ash , 5% nano silica. The spherical geometry of fly ash particles improves workability (slump of 85 mm), while the fine particles of nano silica fill micro-pores, reducing permeability and limiting the ingress of harmful ions. These findings suggest that substituting cement and natural aggregates with waste materials not only mitigates environmental impact but also produces a high-performance concrete with enhanced longevity and chemical resistance, making it an ideal solution for infrastructure in contaminated soils or industrial zones.

Keywords: Sustainable concrete, graphene oxide, fly ash, nano silica, chemical durability, pozzolanic activity, microstructural densification

[This article belongs to Recent Trends in Civil Engineering & Technology ]

How to cite this article: Priya Mishra. Performance of Concrete in Chemically Aggressive Environment by Using Cementitious Materials in Concrete. Recent Trends in Civil Engineering & Technology. 2026; 16(02):45-51.
How to cite this URL: Priya Mishra. Performance of Concrete in Chemically Aggressive Environment by Using Cementitious Materials in Concrete. Recent Trends in Civil Engineering & Technology. 2026; 16(02):45-51. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rtcet/article=2026/view=258300

References

  1. Abdullah A, Taha M, Rashwan M, Fahmy M. Efficient use of graphene oxide and silica fume in cement-based composites. Materials. 2021;14(21):6541.
  2. Fonseka I, Mohotti D, Wijesooriya K, Lee CK, Mendis P. Synergistic effects of graphene oxide and fly ash on long-term durability and strength properties of concrete. Constr Build Mater. 2025;493:143130.
  3. Akbar SJ, Jalil A, Arfiandi J. Effect of graphene oxide on the performance of fly ash concrete exposed to ambient temperature. Civ Eng J. 2025;11(7):2736–2750.
  4. Singh RP, Vanapalli KR, Jadda K, Mohanty B. Durability assessment of fly ash, GGBS, and silica fume based geopolymer concrete with recycled aggregates against acid and sulfate attack. J Build Eng. 2024;82:108354.
  5. Azare AA, Ibrahim MHW, Mangi SA, Umniati BS, Jaya RP. Durability performance of silica fume and fly ash-based concrete under short-term exposure to sulfate, chloride, and acidic groundwater: an experimental investigation. Discov Concr Cem. 2026;2(1):10.
  6. An J, McInnis M, Chung W, Nam BH. Feasibility of using graphene oxide nanoflake (GONF) as additive of cement composite. Appl Sci. 2018;8(3):419.
  7. Venkatesh C, Mallikarjuna V, Rao GM, Patil SK, Kiran BN, Yashwanth MK, et al. Synergistic effects of graphene oxide and limestone calcined clay cement on mechanical properties and durability of concrete. J Build Pathol Rehabil. 2024;9(2):116.
  8. Gong J, Qian Y, Xu Z, Chen C, Jin Y, Zhang J, et al. Effect of graphene oxide on the properties of ternary limestone clay cement paste. Nanotechnol Rev. 2024;13(1):20230222.
  9. Fonseka I, Mohotti D, Wijesooriya K, Lee CK, Mendis P. Influence of graphene oxide properties, superplasticiser type, and dispersion technique on mechanical performance of graphene oxide-added concrete. Constr Build Mater. 2024;428:136415.
  10. Indukuri CSR, Nerella R, Madduru SRC. Effect of graphene oxide on microstructure and strengthened properties of fly ash and silica fume based cement composites. Constr Build Mater. 2019;229:116863.
  11. Gao Y, Jing H, Fu G, Zhao Z, Shi X. Studies on combined effects of graphene oxide-fly ash hybrid on the workability, mechanical performance and pore structures of cementitious grouting under high W/C ratio. Constr Build Mater. 2021;281:122578.
  12. Barbhuiya S, Das BB, Adak D, Kapoor K, Tabish M. Low carbon concrete: Advancements, challenges and future directions in sustainable construction. Discov Concr Cem. 2025;1(1):3.
  13. Chen K, Tang X, Jia B, Chao C, Wei Y, Hou J, et al. Graphene oxide bulk material reinforced by heterophase platelets with multiscale interface crosslinking. Nat Mater. 2022;21(10):1121–1129.
  14. Schneider M, Romer M, Tschudin M, Bolio H. Sustainable cement production present and future. Cem Concr Res. 2011;41(7):642–650.
  15. Sharma N, Seema, Paruthi S, Khan AH, Almalki A, Zeyad AM, et al. Advancing GGBS geopolymer concrete with nano-alumina: A study on strength and durability in aggressive environments. Rev Adv Mater Sci. 2025;64(1):20250142.
  16. Khed VC, Pesaralanka V, Adamu M, Ibrahim YE, Azab M, Reddy M, et al. Optimization of graphene oxide incorporated in fly ash-based self-compacting concrete. Buildings. 2022;12(11):2002.
  17. Chintalapudi K, Pannem RMR. Strength properties of graphene oxide cement composites. Mater Today Proc. 2021;45:3971-3975.
  18. Subramani K, Ganesan AK. Synergistic effect of graphene oxide and colloidal nano-silica on the microstructure and strength properties of fly ash blended cement composites. Matéria (Rio J). 2024;29(1):e20230305.
  19. Manikanta D, Ravella DP. Mechanical and durability characteristics of high performance self-compacting concrete containing fly ash, silica fume and graphene oxide. Mater Today Proc. 2021;43:2361–2367.

Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 16
Issue 02
Received 17/04/2026
Accepted 25/04/2026
Published 27/05/2026
Publication Time 40 Days


Login

My IP

PlumX Metrics

Support