ARTICLE

Combined effect of silica fume and nano-silica in ternary cementitious systems for enhanced high-strength concrete performance

High-performance concrete (HPC) intended for severe environments requires exceptional strength and durability. This study investigates the synergistic potential of silica fume (SF) and nano-silica (NS) in a ternary cementitious system (cement-SF-NS) to overcome the limitations of using single supplementary cementitious materials. The objectives were to determine the optimal SF/NS combination and to elucidate their synergistic effects on the performance and microstructure. An experimental matrix was designed, incorporating SF (0–20%) and NS (0–2%). The methods comprised evaluating workability, mechanical strength (from 3 to 91 days), chloride penetration resistance (via the RCM test), and microstructural evolution (assessed using isothermal calorimetry, XRD, SEM, and MIP). The results revealed that the ternary system containing 15% SF and 1.5% NS yielded optimal performance. This mix achieved 28-day compressive and flexural strengths of 85.6 MPa and 9.5 MPa, representing improvements of 88.2% and 76.5%, respectively, over the plain cement control. Furthermore, this combination reduced the chloride migration coefficient by 59.1%. Microstructural analyses confirmed a synergistic mechanism whereby NS acted as a potent nucleation catalyst, accelerating early-age hydration, while SF provided sustained pozzolanic reactivity. Together, they promoted the formation of denser C–S–H gel and refined the pore structure across both micro- and nano-scales. This work provides a scientifically grounded, optimal ternary design that simultaneously enhances workability, strength, and durability. It thus offers a robust solution for advanced concrete in aggressive service environments.

1 Introduction

High-performance concrete (HPC) is a cornerstone material in modern civil infrastructure. Its use is particularly critical in demanding applications—including offshore structures, high-rise buildings, and nuclear containment facilities—where exceptional

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Muzhi Du, Yao Li*, Yonggang Deng*
School of Material Science and Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, China
*Corresponding Author: Yao Li. Email: liyao@sylu.edu.cn

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Cite This Article

APA Style

Du, M., Li, Y., Deng, Y. (2026). Combined effect of silica fume and nano-silica in ternary cementitious systems for enhanced high-strength concrete performance. ZKG International, 105–117. https://doi.org/10.32604/zkg.2026.078318

Vancouver Style

Du M, Li Y, Deng Y. Combined effect of silica fume and nano-silica in ternary cementitious systems for enhanced high-strength concrete performance. ZKG Int.. 2026;:105–117. https://doi.org/10.32604/zkg.2026.078318

IEEE Style

M. Du, Y. Li, and Y. Deng, “Combined effect of silica fume and nano-silica in ternary cementitious systems for enhanced high-strength concrete performance,” ZKG Int., pp. 105–117, 2026. https://doi.org/10.32604/zkg.2026.078318

Combined effect of silica fume and nano-silica in ternary cementitious systems for enhanced high-strength concrete performance

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