IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol.
5, Issue 04, 2017 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613
Use of Nanotechnology in Construction Engineering A Review
Ms.Vaishali P.Kesalkar1 Mrs.NehaS.Arukia2
1,2
Assistant Professor
1,2
Department of Civil Engineering
1,2
Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi College of Engineering,Nagpur(M.H) India
Abstract The term nanotechnology offers very much
elaborate meaning and vast scope that may be changed from
field to field. Generally it refers to the process of
understanding, controlling and restructuring of matter on the
basis of size (0.1 to 100nm) to develop materials with fresh
(new) properties and functions. Nanotechnology has many
folds and applications in almost all engineering fields. As
far as its application concerned, civil engineering is very
significant, since the branch itself deals with various types
of construction materials. The properties of various
materials may be enhanced by the applications of
nanotechnology. Nanotechnology paves the path for getting
most economical infrastructure and offers longer durability
with low cost maintenance. The beginning of
nanotechnology has revolutionized the growth of the civil
engineering in the areas like application of protective
coatings to prevent corrosion and salt water attacks to the
pipes, reducing heat transfer (fire retarders). The application
of nanotechnology has been proved successful in making
insulators, nano sensors, smart and eco friendly materials. In
fact nanotechnology is not either a new science or
technology but an enhancement of existing technology.
There are two approaches to the nano scale one is from the
top down another is from the bottom up. The top down
approach refers to reduction of size from large to smallest
size where as bottom up approach refers to the construction
of materials from atomic or molecular components.
Key words: Nanotechnology, Nanometer, Construction
I. INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology is the use of small particles of material to
create new large scale materials. Nanotechnology is not a
new science and it is not a new technology, it is rather an
extension of the sciences and technologies that have already
been in development for many years[1].Nanotechnology is a
smart concept of using smart technologies. It has been
established by study, nanotechnology in construction ranked
8 of 10 applications that most likely have impact in the
developing world [2]. In India, need for new constructions
both for housing and for infrastructure sectors, necessitates
large-scale use of engineered construction material [3].
Nanotechnology improves the performance and productions
of the materials.Nano materials also have the unique
properties. The usage of Nanotechnology materials while
being incorporated in constructional structures would not
only help in prolonging their lifetime, but would also keep a
check on the energy spent by them and at the same time
gauging their reactions and reacting to different agents like
fire, corrosion, water penetration, fractures, cracks, etc
[4].The efficient use of resources increased strength and
durability of the construction materials. The enormous
materials such as glass, concrete, wood, steel, cement, paint
coatings etc are enhanced by nanotechnology. Concrete is
stronger, more durable and more easily placed, steel tougher
and glass self-cleaning. The word Nano was derived from
the Greek word dwarf which indicates a billionth part.
Nanometer means billionth of a meter.
This paper reviews the utilization of the nanotechnology in
improving the field applications of civil engineering
construction materials and to expand the vision of civil
engineering through smart concepts.
II. APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION
Due to the unique properties, nanotechnology can be used
for design and construction processes in many areas .There
are large numbers of applications of nanotechnology in
construction engineering. Some of these applications are
examined in detail below;
A. CONCRETE
Concrete is one of the strong and durable and most widely
used construction materials. Silica (SiO2) is present in
conventional concrete as part of the normal mix. However,
one of the advancements made by the study of concrete at
the nanoscale is that particle packing in concrete can be
improved by using nano-silica which leads to a densification
of the micro and nanostructure resulting in improved
mechanical properties[5]. Titanium Dioxide Nano-powder
added to concrete can give ability to break down dirt or
pollution and then allow it to be washed off by rain water on
everything from concrete to glass. Nanomaterials can
improve the compressive strength and ductility of
concrete.[5] The rapid development of new experimental
techniques makes it possible to study the properties of
cementitious materials at micro/nano-scale. Research has
been conducted to study the hydration process, alkali-
silicate reaction (ASR), and fly ash reactivity using
nanotechnology [6].
Durability of concrete can also be improved
through reduced permeability and improved shrinkage
properties. These effects can be accomplished through
nanomodified cements or the use of nanodeveloped
additives to the paste.
B. STEEL
Steel is the most fundamental material used in the
construction industry for the different activities. As the
increase in application of load cyclically, the structure may
fail. Fatigue failure structures such as bridges, cranes,
offshore structures and slender towers, etc., are subjected to
cyclic loading [8]. Fatigue can occur at stresses that are
lower than the yield stress of the steel and leads to a
shortening of the steels life. From the literature, it is found
that copper nanoparticles. The best way to reduce is added
to the steel to reduce the fatigue. The copper nanoparticles
can help reduce the unevenness in the surface of the steel,
which in turn reduces the amount of stress risers. Since the
steel now has less stress risers, fatigue cracking is limited as
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 Use of Nanotechnology in Construction Engineering A Review
(IJSRD/Vol. 5/Issue 04/2017/327)

well [7] New generation steel is also developed with higher
corrosion resistance. New stainless steel is also developed
and will be suitable in light weight structures and rigid
bridges. [6] Nanotechnology also reached to the area of
welding. By the addition of nanoparticles of calcium and
magnesium the brittle weld can leads to the strong weld. [7]
C. GLASS
Fire-protective glass is an additional application of
nanotechnology. This is achieve by using a clear in
tumescent layer sandwiched between glass panel (an
interlayer) formed of fumed silica (SiO2) nanoparticles
which turns into a rigid and opaque fire shield when heated.
The electro chromic coatings are being urbanized that react
to changes in applied voltage by using a tungsten oxide
layer; thereby becoming more opaque at the touch of a
button. Because of the hydrophobic properties of TiO2, it
can be applied in antifogging coatings or in self-cleaning
windows [1]. Most of glass in construction is on the exterior
surface of buildings. So the light and heat entering the
building through glass has to be prevented. The
nanotechnology can provide a better solution to block heat
coming through windows and allow light. Glass facades for
buildings form a large scope for nano technological
innovations in the construction industry.[5]
III. CONCLUSION
The importance of nanotechnology in Civil engineering
constructions helps in enhancing the quality of the basic
materials like concrete, steel glass, wood etc. The awareness
of nanotechnology in civil construction industry helps in
increase the turnover of the companies by reducing the
maintenance cost by escalating the durability of materials.
The use of nano materials and nanotechnology enhance the
life of structures and influence the researchers to grab the
opportunities in the field of civil engineering.
Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering
and Technology, Vol. 2, Issue 11.
[6] N.VenkatRao,M.Rajasekhar,K.Vijayalakshmi, M.
Vamshykrishna (2015)The Future of Civil Engineering
with the Influence and Impact of Nanotechnology on
Properties of Materials, Procedia Materials Science 10
(111 115 )
[7] Kaizar Hossain, Shaik Rameeja(2015) Importance of
Nanotechnology in Civil Engineering, European Journal
of Sustainable Development,vol 4, 1, ISSN: 2239-5938
,161-166
[8] Ali Akbar Firoozi, Mohd Raihan Taha, Ali Asghar
Firoozi (2014) Nanotechnology in Civil
Engineering,vol.14,
[9] B. Bhuvaneshwari, Saptarshi Sasmal, Nagesh R.Iyer
Nanoscience to Nanotechnology for Civil Engineering
Proof of Concepts Recent Researches in Geography,
Geology, Energy, Environment and Biomedicine
[10] Saurav Application Of Nanotechnology In Building
Materials International Journal of Engineering
Research and Applications, Vol. 2, Issue5, September-
October 2012, pp.1077-1082 .
[11] Ashwani K. Rana, Shashi B Rana, Anjna Kumari and
Vaishnav Kiran Significance of Nanotechnology in
Construction Engineering International Journal of
Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol 1, No. 4, May 2009
[12] Akash Agrawal Nanotechnology in Civil Engineering
and Its Reflection in Current Education International
Journal for Scientific Research & Development,Vol. 2,
Issue 03, 2014

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author thank Dr.R.M.Dhoble ,HOD, Department of
Civil Engineering , Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi College of
Engineering, Nagpur for their constant support.

REFERENCES
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