Abstract

Nanoscience and technology have now become an important research area in civil engineering. If cement-based materials are understood at nanolevel, a new type of construction materials with advanced properties can be prepared. Researchers are trying to synthesize constituents of Portland cement of nanodimensions. Attempts are being made to understand the mechanism of hydration of Portland cement at nanoscale. Properties of calcium silicate hydrate of nanodimension, the most important hydration product, have been studied. When a large number of nanodimensional materials such as silica, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, clay, CaCO₃, Al₂O₃, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene oxide are added to cement and concrete, the properties[cm1] are changed considerably. Cementitious sensors with CNTs have been developed. CNT added to concrete works as a bridge when a crack is formed in the structure. Some of the nanomaterials added to cement concrete work as a cleaning agent and keep the surface clean in the presence of sunlight. The overall development in the area of nanoscience of cementitious materials has been reviewed and presented in this chapter.