Preliminary study on the water permeability and microstructure of concrete incorporating nano-SiO2

Water permeability resistant behavior and microstructure of concrete with nano-SiO2 were experimentally studied. A water permeability test shows that, for concretes of similar 28-day strength, the incorporation of nano-SiO2 can improve the resistance of water penetration of concrete. An ESEM test reveals that the microstructure of concrete with nano-SiO2 is more uniform and compact than that of normal concrete. Mechanism about the effect of nano-SiO2 on concrete is described.