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Xiao-yong Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hydration Model and Evaluation of the Properties of Calcined Hwangtoh Binary Blends
International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 2021Co-Authors: Han-seung Lee, Xiao-yong WangAbstract:Calcined hwangtoh is a pozzolanic material that is increasingly being used as a mineral admixture in the Concrete industry. This study shows a hydration model for cement–hwangtoh blends and evaluates the various properties of hwangtoh-Blended Concrete using reaction degrees of binders. First, a kinetic reaction model is proposed for analyzing the pozzolanic reaction of hwangtoh. The reaction of hwangtoh includes three processes: the initial dormant period, boundary reaction process, and diffusion process. The mutual interactions between the binary reactions of cement and hwangtoh are thought to be in line with the items in capillary water and calcium hydroxide. Second, the reaction degrees of cement and hwangtoh are determined based on a Blended hydration model. Furthermore, the chemical (chemically combined water and calcium hydroxide contents), mechanical (compressive strength), thermal (hydration heat), and durability aspects (carbonation depth) of hwangtoh-Blended Concrete are systematically predicted. The results show good agreement with experimental results.
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Impacts of climate change on optimal mixture design of Blended Concrete considering carbonation and chloride ingress
Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 2020Co-Authors: Xiao-yong WangAbstract:Many studies on the mixture design of fly ash and slag ternary Blended Concrete have been conducted. However, these previous studies did not consider the effects of climate change, such as acceleration in the deterioration of durability, on mixture design. This study presents a procedure for the optimal mixture design of ternary Blended Concrete considering climate change and durability. First, the costs of CO_2 emissions and material are calculated based on the Concrete mixture and unit prices. Total cost is equal to the sum of material cost and CO_2 emissions cost, and is set as the objective function of the optimization. Second, strength, slump, carbonation, and chloride ingress models are used to evaluate Concrete properties. The effect of different climate change scenarios on carbonation and chloride ingress is considered. A genetic algorithm is used to find the optimal mixture considering various constraints. Third, illustrative examples are shown for mixture design of ternary Blended Concrete. The analysis results show that for ternary Blended Concrete exposed to an atmospheric environment, a rich mix is necessary to meet the challenge of climate change, and for ternary Blended Concrete exposed to a marine environment, the impact of climate change on mixture design is marginal.
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Design of low-cost and low-CO2 air-entrained fly ash-Blended Concrete considering carbonation and frost durability
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020Co-Authors: Xiao-yong WangAbstract:Abstract Fly ash is increasingly used for producing sustainable Concrete. This paper outlines a procedure for the optimal mixture design of air-entrained fly ash-Blended Concrete considering carbonation and frost durability. First, the aim function of the optimization is set as the total cost, which equals the material cost plus the CO2 emission cost. Constraints such as mechanical, workability, carbonation, and frost durability properties are considered during the optimization design procedure. The carbonation model considers the effect of global warming, including increasing CO2 concentration and environmental temperature. Second, a genetic algorithm is used for determining the optimal Concrete mixtures. A total of 12 design examples are prepared for various frost exposure conditions (including mild, moderate, and severe exposure), and the effects of the carbonation durability and climate change on the mixture design are highlighted. According to the results, 1) for ordinary-strength Concrete (design strength of 30 MPa), the carbonation durability is the decisive factor in the mixture design, and the actual strength should be greater than the design strength; 2) for high-strength Concrete (design strength of 45 MPa), strength is the decisive factor in the mixture design, and the actual strength can equal the design strength; 3) for a particular entrained air content, the total cost of Concrete increases with increasing Concrete strength. In summary, the proposed method is a general and useful approach for designing air-entrained fly ash-Blended Concrete considering sustainability and durability.
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Evaluation Compressive Strength of Cement-Limestone-Slag Ternary Blended Concrete Using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP)
Key Engineering Materials, 2020Co-Authors: Xiao-yong WangAbstract:Limestone and slag Blended Concrete is an innovative Concrete which belongs to the family of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) Concrete. Strength is an important property of structural Concrete. This study shows artificial neural networks (ANN) and gene expression programming (GEP) models for predicting strength development of limestone and slag Blended Concrete. ANN model consists of an input layer, a hidden layer, and output layer. GEP model consists of the sum of three expression trees. The input parameters of ANN and GEP models are mixtures and ages. The output parameter is a strength. The correlation coefficients of ANN and GEP model are 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. Both ANN and GEP model can produce prediction results of the strength of ternary Blended Concrete reliably.
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Optimal mix design of low-CO2 Blended Concrete with limestone powder
Construction and Building Materials, 2020Co-Authors: Xiao-yong WangAbstract:Abstract Limestone powder has increasingly been employed in the production of sustainable Concrete. This research shows an optimal design framework for the design of low-CO2 Blended Concrete with limestone, considering strength, workability, and carbonation durability in the context of global warming. First, the purpose of the optimal design, i.e., to reduce CO2 emissions, is explained. The restrictions of the optimal design include design strength, design workability, carbonation service life in the context of global warming, component ratio, component range, and absolute volume. The compressive strength and carbonation depth are evaluated using a hydration-based integrated model. Second, Concrete mixtures, with different strength levels, are determined based on a genetic algorithm. The results of a low-CO2 Concrete mixture for carbonation durability in the context of global warming are provided. The suggested method can find a threshold strength, which could allow for the isolation of the control factor of the mixture design, for example, a carbonation durability control or strength control. In addition, the threshold strength of the mixture design increases with global warming.
Han-seung Lee - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hydration Model and Evaluation of the Properties of Calcined Hwangtoh Binary Blends
International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials, 2021Co-Authors: Han-seung Lee, Xiao-yong WangAbstract:Calcined hwangtoh is a pozzolanic material that is increasingly being used as a mineral admixture in the Concrete industry. This study shows a hydration model for cement–hwangtoh blends and evaluates the various properties of hwangtoh-Blended Concrete using reaction degrees of binders. First, a kinetic reaction model is proposed for analyzing the pozzolanic reaction of hwangtoh. The reaction of hwangtoh includes three processes: the initial dormant period, boundary reaction process, and diffusion process. The mutual interactions between the binary reactions of cement and hwangtoh are thought to be in line with the items in capillary water and calcium hydroxide. Second, the reaction degrees of cement and hwangtoh are determined based on a Blended hydration model. Furthermore, the chemical (chemically combined water and calcium hydroxide contents), mechanical (compressive strength), thermal (hydration heat), and durability aspects (carbonation depth) of hwangtoh-Blended Concrete are systematically predicted. The results show good agreement with experimental results.
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Mixture optimization of high-strength Blended Concrete using central composite design
Construction and Building Materials, 2020Co-Authors: Wan Nur Firdaus Wan Hassan, Han-seung Lee, Mohamed A. Ismail, Mohd Warid Hussin, Mohammed Seddik Meddah, Jitendra Kumar Singh, Mohammad IsmailAbstract:Abstract Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) can be used as a supplementary cementitious material in Concrete. In this study, micro and nano POFA were utilized as supplementary cementitious materials to produce high strength Blended Concrete. The effect of the binders on the fresh and hardened properties was investigated. Hence, the purpose of the study was to optimize the mixture proportions of high strength Blended Concrete with incorporated micro and nano POFA. The experiments were performed using Central Composite Design under the Response Surface Methodology. The results from the experimental program were used to validate the mathematical models developed from a statistical analysis of the responses. Based on the results, the model predictions were found to closely agree with the experimental data. The lack of a fit test and the high value of the coefficient of determination (R2) proved the adequacy of the regression model to predict the fresh and hardened properties of high strength Blended Concrete. An optimum mixture can be achieved with 10% micro POFA and 1.50–2.85% nano POFA which satisfies the optimization criteria.
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Engineering Properties of High Strength Blended Concrete Enhanced with Nano POFA
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2019Co-Authors: Wan Nur Firdaus Wan Hassan, Han-seung Lee, Mohamed A. Ismail, Mohd Warid Hussin, Mohamed El Gelany IsmailAbstract:Global demand for cement in construction industry is expected to increase to 400% by year 2050 hence, contributes to the increasing global CO2 emission. One of the alternative options that considered realistic to reduce usage of cement is using the Blended Concrete which replacing cement with other waste materials that contain cementitious properties. In this study, the engineering properties of high strength Blended Concrete such as workability, compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths were investigated. To achieve the aim, a total of 126 Concrete specimens were produced that consist of Concrete cubes, cylinders and prisms. Ten different mixes of Blended Concrete with the cement replacement of 0 to 30% of the 45-micron size of POFA and 1-3% of nano POFA. The hardened properties of Blended Concrete were determined at the age of 7, 28 and 90 days. The findings revealed that, the enhancement of the 2-3% of nano POFA improved the Concrete workability with 5 to 10 mm increment of slump height. At all age of curing, the Blended Concrete consists of 10% of micro POFA and 1 to 3% of nano POFA showed a higher strength compared with the plain Concrete. The highest enhancement strength of compressive, splitting tensile and flexural were 4%, 10% and 11% respectively at certain age of curing. These results showed the improvement of the engineering properties of the Blended Concrete with enhancement of the nano POFA.
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Effect of global warming on the proportional design of low CO2 slag-Blended Concrete
Construction and Building Materials, 2019Co-Authors: Xiao-yong Wang, Han-seung LeeAbstract:Abstract Numerous studies have been carried out regarding the mixture design of low CO2 slag-Blended Concrete. However, these previous studies did not consider the constraints of the low carbonation resistance of slag-Blended Concrete. Due to global warming, carbonation has accelerated and carbonation durability has become more significant. This study shows a calculation procedure for the proportional design of low CO2 slag-Blended Concrete, considering carbonation durability under the effects of global warming. First, the CO2 emissions of slag-Blended Concrete were calculated using Concrete mixtures. The strength and carbonation depth were determined using an integrated hydration-strength-carbonation model. Three climate change scenarios coupled with two exposure conditions were considered for the carbonation durability design. Other constraint equations, such as the components, component ratios, absolute volume, and slump, were also considered. Second, a genetic algorithm (GA) was employed to find the optimal mixture. The optimal mixture has a minimum CO2 emission level and can meet various constraints, such as strength, carbonation, and workability. The calculated optimal Concrete mixture can mitigate the impact of global warming on the design of low CO2 slag-Blended Concrete.
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Prediction of Time-Dependent Chloride Diffusion Coefficients for Slag-Blended Concrete
Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2017Co-Authors: Ki-bong Park, Han-seung Lee, Xiao-yong WangAbstract:The chloride diffusion coefficient is considered to be a key factor for evaluating the service life of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) Blended Concrete. The chloride diffusion coefficient relates to both the Concrete mixing proportions and curing ages. Due to the continuous hydration of the binders, the capillary porosity of the Concrete decreases and the chloride diffusion coefficient also decreases over time. To date, the dependence of chloride diffusivity on the binder hydration and curing ages of slag-Blended Concrete has not been considered in detail. To fill this gap, this study presents a numerical procedure to predict time-dependent chloride diffusion coefficients for slag-Blended Concrete. First, by using a Blended cement hydration model, the degree of the binder reaction for hardening Concrete can be calculated. The effects of the water to binder ratios and slag replacement ratios on the degree of the binder reaction are considered. Second, by using the degree of the binder reaction, the capillary porosity of the binder paste at different curing ages can be determined. Third, by using the capillary porosity and aggregate volume, the chloride diffusion coefficients of Concrete can be calculated. The proposed numerical procedure has been verified using the experimental results of Concrete with different water to binder ratios, slag replacement ratios, and curing ages.
A. Bahurudeen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Reuse of Silica Rich Sugarcane Bagasse Ash in Concrete and Influence of Different Curing on the Performance of Concrete
Silicon, 2021Co-Authors: T. Murugesan, R. Vidjeapriya, A. BahurudeenAbstract:Sugarcane bagasse ash is used as a pozzolan in Concrete. Although studies on sugarcane bagasse ash Blended Concrete are available, investigation on the influence of different curing methods in the performance of bagasse ash and marble waste Blended Concrete is essential. Therefore, the present study focuses on the effect of eight types of curing methods on the strength and durability of bagasse ash and marble waste based Concrete. Sugarcane bagasse ash (20 %) and marble waste (25 %) were used at their optimum levels as a pozzolan and fine aggregates in Concrete. Compressive strength, water permeability, sorptivity and abrasive resistance of Concrete for different curing methods were studied. River sand and crusher sand were used as primary fine aggregate. Strength and durability performance of Concrete specimens was comparable for moist curing, jute bag curing and straw curing. Normal water curing is found to be beneficial than other curing methods. Water cured bagasse ash and marble waste Blended specimens had higher strength (36 %) and lesser permeability (18.8 %) than ambient cured specimens. Although variations in the abrasive wear are observed in the SCBA and MW Blended Concrete specimens, it is lesser than the permissible limit of 10 mm.
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comparison of sugarcane bagasse ash with fly ash and slag an approach towards industrial acceptance of sugar industry waste in cleaner production of cement
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021Co-Authors: S.n. Minnu, A. Bahurudeen, G AthiraAbstract:Abstract Use of Blended cement with industrial by-products as supplementary cementitious materials is a sustainable alternative to carbon-intensive conventional cements. Although the potential of several new alternative cementitious materials has been reported in the literature, their industrial acceptance is minimal compared to fly ash and slag. In addition to performance evaluation in Concrete, it is essential to compare the performance of new alternative cementitious materials with other widely recognised materials in industries to facilitate their acceptance. Therefore, the present study focuses on a thorough review of the characteristics and performance of bagasse ash in Concrete compared to fly ash and slag Blended Concrete. Moreover, fresh, hardened and durability characteristics of bagasse ash Blended Concrete are critically reviewed. Based on a comprehensive review, the optimum replacement levels for bagasse ash, fly ash and slag are found to be 20%, 30% and 50% respectively. Even though adverse effects such as delayed initial set, workability reduction, and increased consistency were observed for bagasse ash Blended cements, the strength gain of bagasse ash Blended Concrete is found to be better than fly ash/slag Blended Concrete. Significant enhancement in resistance against chloride and water permeability is also reported for bagasse ash Blended Concrete compared to fly ash and slag Blended Concrete.
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Potential of sugarcane bagasse ash as supplementary cementitious material and comparison with currently used rice husk ash
Construction and Building Materials, 2021Co-Authors: V. Jittin, S.n. Minnu, A. BahurudeenAbstract:Abstract Use of bagasse ash in the cement industry is hindered due to a lack of comprehensive information on its influence on Concrete. Moreover, a comparison of the potential of bagasse ash with a well-known agricultural by-product, rice husk ash will increase the chance of its acceptance. Hence, physical, chemical, and morphological characteristics of bagasse ash are compared with rice husk ash. Strength of bagasse ash Blended Concrete, and rice husk ash Blended Concrete is higher than the control Concrete up to 20% and 15% of cement replacement levels, respectively. Significant resistance against chloride, water, and air permeability was witnessed for bagasse ash, or rice husk ash Blended Concrete up to their optimum replacement levels.
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Sugarcane Bagasse Ash-Blended Concrete for Effective Resource Utilization Between Sugar and Construction Industries
Sugar Tech, 2020Co-Authors: Thanabalan Murugesan, R. Vidjeapriya, A. BahurudeenAbstract:Sugarcane bagasse ash can be used as an alternative cementitious material. However, lack of performance evaluation hinders its effective utilization in Concrete. Therefore, performance assessment of bagasse ash in Concrete is essential and a combined utilization of bagasse ash and marble waste is not reported in the current literature. In the present study, sugarcane bagasse ash and marble waste were used in Concrete as an alternative for cement and fine aggregate, respectively. Bagasse ash-Blended Concrete paver blocks were cast and performance evaluation of paver specimens in terms of compressive strength, breaking load, abrasion resistance, water absorption was determined. Incorporation of marble waste as an alternative material to the commonly used fine aggregate led to a significant improvement in abrasion resistance and marginal improvement in the compressive strength. Results from the experimental study showed that there was a significant improvement in strength and durability of bagasse ash-Blended Concrete specimens up to 20% replacement level when compared to the conventional Concrete specimens.
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Service Life Prediction of Bagasse ash Blended Concrete in Marine Splash Zone
Materials Today: Proceedings, 2017Co-Authors: S. Mahima, A. Bahurudeen, Manu Santhanam, K. JayachandranAbstract:Abstract Supplementary cementitious materials are commonly used in Concrete due to their superior performance such as higher strength and low heat of hydration when compared to ordinary Portland Concrete. In addition to pozzolanic benefits, utilization of these materials leads to durable and sustainable Concrete. Although several pozzolanic materials are available including industrial by-products for use in Concrete, their utilization is considerably restricted due to inadequate performance evaluation in Concrete. Sugarcane bagasse ash is a by-product from the sugar industries that is directly disposed as a waste material which leads to significant environmental degradation. Pozzolanic characteristics of sugarcane bagasse ash have been evidently reported in the previous research studies. However, durability of bagasse ash Blended Concrete and its service life prediction are not reported in the existing literature. In the study, sugarcane bagasse ash was processed based on appropriate characterization scheme and bagasse ash Blended cements were produced. Permeability of bagasse ash Blended Concrete was investigated and compared with Portland cement Concrete and fly ash Blended Concrete. Moreover, influence of cover depth on service life of Concrete structure was investigated. Results of accelerated durability test were correlated with the parameters influencing the long term performance of the Concrete. The service life of bagasse ash Concrete structures was found to be higher than the ordinary Concrete structure in the same exposure conditions.
S.n. Minnu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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comparison of sugarcane bagasse ash with fly ash and slag an approach towards industrial acceptance of sugar industry waste in cleaner production of cement
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021Co-Authors: S.n. Minnu, A. Bahurudeen, G AthiraAbstract:Abstract Use of Blended cement with industrial by-products as supplementary cementitious materials is a sustainable alternative to carbon-intensive conventional cements. Although the potential of several new alternative cementitious materials has been reported in the literature, their industrial acceptance is minimal compared to fly ash and slag. In addition to performance evaluation in Concrete, it is essential to compare the performance of new alternative cementitious materials with other widely recognised materials in industries to facilitate their acceptance. Therefore, the present study focuses on a thorough review of the characteristics and performance of bagasse ash in Concrete compared to fly ash and slag Blended Concrete. Moreover, fresh, hardened and durability characteristics of bagasse ash Blended Concrete are critically reviewed. Based on a comprehensive review, the optimum replacement levels for bagasse ash, fly ash and slag are found to be 20%, 30% and 50% respectively. Even though adverse effects such as delayed initial set, workability reduction, and increased consistency were observed for bagasse ash Blended cements, the strength gain of bagasse ash Blended Concrete is found to be better than fly ash/slag Blended Concrete. Significant enhancement in resistance against chloride and water permeability is also reported for bagasse ash Blended Concrete compared to fly ash and slag Blended Concrete.
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Potential of sugarcane bagasse ash as supplementary cementitious material and comparison with currently used rice husk ash
Construction and Building Materials, 2021Co-Authors: V. Jittin, S.n. Minnu, A. BahurudeenAbstract:Abstract Use of bagasse ash in the cement industry is hindered due to a lack of comprehensive information on its influence on Concrete. Moreover, a comparison of the potential of bagasse ash with a well-known agricultural by-product, rice husk ash will increase the chance of its acceptance. Hence, physical, chemical, and morphological characteristics of bagasse ash are compared with rice husk ash. Strength of bagasse ash Blended Concrete, and rice husk ash Blended Concrete is higher than the control Concrete up to 20% and 15% of cement replacement levels, respectively. Significant resistance against chloride, water, and air permeability was witnessed for bagasse ash, or rice husk ash Blended Concrete up to their optimum replacement levels.
Mohamad Amran Mohd Salleh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Influence of 15 and 80 nano-SiO2particles addition on mechanical and physical properties of ternary Blended Concrete incorporating rice husk ash
Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, 2013Co-Authors: Alireza Naji Givi, Suraya Abdul Rashid, Farah Nora Aznieta Abd. Aziz, Mohamad Amran Mohd SallehAbstract:This study demonstrates the effects of SiO2 nanoparticles as additives with two different sizes of 15 and 80 nm on compressive strength and porosity of rice husk ash (RHA) Blended Concrete. Up to 20% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced by RHA with average particle size of 5 micron. Also, SiO2 nanoparticles were added to the above mixture at four different weight percentages of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 and cured in lime solution. The results indicated that compressive strength of Portland cement–nano SiO2–rice husk ash (PC–NS–RHA) ternary Blended Concrete was considerably increased. Moreover, the total amount of porosity decreased to a minimum with respect to the control Concrete. This improvement was observed at all the curing ages and replacement levels, but there was a gain in the optimal point with 20% of RHA plus 2% of 80 nm SiO2 particles at 90 days of curing.
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The effects of lime solution on the properties of SiO2 nanoparticles binary Blended Concrete
Composites Part B: Engineering, 2011Co-Authors: Alireza Naji Givi, Suraya Abdul Rashid, Farah Nora Aznieta Abd. Aziz, Mohamad Amran Mohd SallehAbstract:In this study, the effects of SiO2 nanoparticles on both mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile and flexural strength) and physical properties (water permeability, workability and setting time) of binary Blended Concrete have been investigated. SiO2 nano-particles have been used as a partial cement replacement by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt.%. Curing of the specimens has been carried out in water and lime solution for 7, 28 and 90 days after casting. For the specimens cured in water, the optimal replacement level of cement by SiO2 nanoparticles for producing Concrete with improved strength, was set at 1.0 wt.%. However, by curing the specimens in lime solution, Portland cement could be advantageously replaced by 2.0 wt.% of SiO2 nanoparticles. It was concluded that the SiO2 nanoparticles can improve the filler effect and its ultra high pozzolanic activity causes more C–S–H gel formation when cured in lime solution. Although curing in the lime solution can reduce the strength of control Concrete, Curing the specimens containing SiO2 nanoparticles in lime solution causes faster setting time together with higher strength and residence to water absorption.
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Investigations on the development of the permeability properties of binary Blended Concrete with nano-SiO2 particles.
Journal of Composite Materials, 2010Co-Authors: Alireza Naji Givi, Suraya Abdul Rashid, Farah Nora Aznieta Abdul Aziz, Mohamad Amran Mohd SallehAbstract:Water permeability of cement-based Concrete has been recognized as a critical intrinsic property highly affecting the durability of reinforced Concrete. An experimental study was done, designed to examine the water permeability and setting time of Portland cement mortar with nano-SiO2 admixed at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt% of cement. The percentage, velocity, and coefficient of water absorption tests results showed that the incorporation of nano-SiO2 particles improved the water penetration resistance of the binary-Blended Concrete. Such improvements were especially significant when using 2 wt% of nano-SiO2. The experimental results revealed that the admixing of nano-SiO2 particles not only led to denser cement mortar but also changed the morphology of cement hydration products. Mechanisms were proposed to explain the physicochemical changes induced by the nano-SiO2 particles and the specific surface area of them is demonstrated as one of the key factors. Considering the higher strength and durability is promi...
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Experimental investigation of the size effects of SiO2 nano-particles on the mechanical properties of binary Blended Concrete
Composites Part B: Engineering, 2010Co-Authors: Alireza Naji Givi, Suraya Abdul Rashid, Farah Nora Aznieta Abdul Aziz, Mohamad Amran Mohd SallehAbstract:Abstract In the current study, the size effects of SiO2 nano-particles on compressive, flexural and tensile strength of binary Blended Concrete were investigated. SiO2 nano-particles with two different sizes of 15 and 80 nm have been used as a partial cement replacement by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt.%. It was concluded that Concrete specimens containing SiO2 particles with average diameter of 15 nm were harder than those containing 80 nm of SiO2 particles at the initial days of curing. But this condition was altered at 90 days of curing. Also from the viewpoint of free energy, it can be concluded that the C–S–H gel formation around the particles with average diameter of 15 nm was more at the primary days of curing. This can be as a result of more nucleation sites that causes acceleration in early age strength. On the other hand, the growth probability of C–S–H gel around the 80 nm particles was more at 90 days of moist curing. This is due to the fact that the nucleus of strengthening gel could simply reach to the critical volume of nucleation that causes increase in the strength.