High performance self-consolidating cementitious composites by using micro carbonized bamboo particles

• Micro sized inert carbonized particles were produced from bamboo.
• Cement mixes containing carbonized particles showed improved mechanical properties.
• Inclusion of 0.08 wt% carbonized particles showed 66% enhancement in flexural strength.
• Inclusion of 0.08 wt% carbonized particles showed 103% enhancement in toughness.

Nanotechnology has revolutionized every field of science by opening new horizons in production and manufacturing. In construction materials, especially in cement and concrete, the use of nano/microparticles and fibers has opened new ways from improved mechanical properties to enhanced functionalities. Generally, the production or manufacturing processes of nano/micro-sized particles are energy intensive and expensive. Therefore, it is very important to explore new methods and procedures to synthesize less energy intensive, cost effective and eco-friendly inert nano/micro-sized particles for the utilization in the cement composites. The research presented here describes the procedures for the production of inert, micro-sized, carbonized particles from bamboo. Four types of inert carbonized particles were produced from bamboo by using different procedures. Furthermore, the developed inert carbonized particles were utilized in the preparation of cement composites and effects of their inclusion on the performance of cement composites were studied. Three wt% additions i.e. 0.05, 0.08, 0.20 of cement were investigated for each category of inert particles. The mechanical characterization of specimens suggested that 0.08 wt% addition of inert carbonized bamboo particles enhances the flexural strengths and toughness of cement composites by 66% and 103% respectively.

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