Advantages of Graphene Reinforced Concrete to Build Better Structures

Brief 

Researchers have found that graphene-reinforced concrete has higher compressive strength and flexural strength than traditional concrete. Another advantage of the material is that the production process leads to lower carbon emissions when compared to traditional concrete.

 

Insight

Nanotechnology has acquired considerable attention in civil technology. The incorporation of nanomaterials can significantly enhance the structural and mechanical properties of cementitious composites. Researchers have already developed many cementitious composites engineered at nanoscale, such as graphene-reinforced composites.

 

Concrete in Construction

Concrete, the most widely used building material on the planet, is undergoing considerable research to improve its performance and functionality. It has been used for a long time as a construction material because of its strength, durability, and versatility, making it a durable and long-lasting alternative for various home and commercial applications.

 

Challenges Associated with Concrete

Despite all these characteristics, the industrial sector confronts significant backlash using concrete because of the need to minimize global carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the strict requirements of strength, robustness, eco-friendliness, deployment in high-stress environments, and fighting moisture infiltration for construction materials demand a more robust variant of concrete with enhanced mechanical properties.

 

How Can the Characteristics of Concrete be Enhanced?

According to advice from the scientific community, concrete should be engineered at a nanoscale so that its mechanical, chemical, and physical characteristics can be optimized. The addition of additives like graphene can truly enhance its performance.

 

What is Graphene?

Graphene is an allotrope of carbon that is made up of one-atom-thick sheets. It is almost 200 times stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, and it conducts electricity better than copper.

Since its discovery, scientists have been working on various applications for graphene, including artificial hair colors, water filters, and night-vision contact lenses and construction.

 

Why Graphene should be used in Concrete?

Graphene has proved itself as a great concrete additive through research and experimentation conducted by various teams of researchers. The concrete made up of ordinary cement provides excellent compressive strength; however, the poor tensile strength necessitates reinforcement which necessitates a more robust concrete variant.

 

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