Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical properties

Concrete is the most widely used material in the construction industry. However, the cement used in its production raises concerns due to high energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study investigates the potential of using Graphene Oxide (GO) to enhance concrete's performance while repl...

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Main Authors: Isuri Fonseka, Damith Mohotti, Kasun Wijesooriya, Chi-King Lee, Priyan Mendis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025008199
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author Isuri Fonseka
Damith Mohotti
Kasun Wijesooriya
Chi-King Lee
Priyan Mendis
author_facet Isuri Fonseka
Damith Mohotti
Kasun Wijesooriya
Chi-King Lee
Priyan Mendis
author_sort Isuri Fonseka
collection DOAJ
description Concrete is the most widely used material in the construction industry. However, the cement used in its production raises concerns due to high energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study investigates the potential of using Graphene Oxide (GO) to enhance concrete's performance while replacing a considerable percentage of cement with industrial byproduct, Fly ash (FA). The primary objective is to reduce cement demand while achieving similar or enhanced concrete properties. The study examines the effect of FA replacements (10 %, 20 %, and 30 %) at a constant GO dosage on concrete's workability, compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus. Additionally, different superplasticiser dosages were examined to maximise the benefits of GO through optimal dispersion. Mechanical properties were evaluated over 90 days curing period, and microstructural analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that increasing FA content improves the workability of GO-added concrete, counteracting the workability reduction typically caused by GO. At 28 days, the GO-FA mix with 30 % FA replacement achieved mechanical properties comparable to conventional concrete, with slight enhancements of 6 %, 2 %, 3 %, and 4 % in compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus, respectively. In contrast, FA-only mixes exhibited a 13 % reduction in compressive strength. SEM analysis confirmed that GO improved the microstructure, contributing to this enhanced mechanical performance in GO-FA concrete. This innovative approach demonstrates the feasibility of reducing cement consumption in concrete production without compromising its mechanical performance.
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spelling doaj-art-0499f8901c9a4485bbb251e5dea8d8042025-08-20T03:10:01ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-06-012610474210.1016/j.rineng.2025.104742Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical propertiesIsuri Fonseka0Damith Mohotti1Kasun Wijesooriya2Chi-King Lee3Priyan Mendis4School of Engineering and Technology, The University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, AustraliaSchool of Engineering and Technology, The University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia; Corresponding author.School of Engineering and Technology, The University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, AustraliaSchool of Engineering and Technology, The University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, AustraliaDepartment of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, AustraliaConcrete is the most widely used material in the construction industry. However, the cement used in its production raises concerns due to high energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study investigates the potential of using Graphene Oxide (GO) to enhance concrete's performance while replacing a considerable percentage of cement with industrial byproduct, Fly ash (FA). The primary objective is to reduce cement demand while achieving similar or enhanced concrete properties. The study examines the effect of FA replacements (10 %, 20 %, and 30 %) at a constant GO dosage on concrete's workability, compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus. Additionally, different superplasticiser dosages were examined to maximise the benefits of GO through optimal dispersion. Mechanical properties were evaluated over 90 days curing period, and microstructural analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that increasing FA content improves the workability of GO-added concrete, counteracting the workability reduction typically caused by GO. At 28 days, the GO-FA mix with 30 % FA replacement achieved mechanical properties comparable to conventional concrete, with slight enhancements of 6 %, 2 %, 3 %, and 4 % in compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, flexural strength, and elastic modulus, respectively. In contrast, FA-only mixes exhibited a 13 % reduction in compressive strength. SEM analysis confirmed that GO improved the microstructure, contributing to this enhanced mechanical performance in GO-FA concrete. This innovative approach demonstrates the feasibility of reducing cement consumption in concrete production without compromising its mechanical performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025008199Graphene OxideCement Reduced ConcreteStrengthWorkabilityDispersion
spellingShingle Isuri Fonseka
Damith Mohotti
Kasun Wijesooriya
Chi-King Lee
Priyan Mendis
Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical properties
Results in Engineering
Graphene Oxide
Cement Reduced Concrete
Strength
Workability
Dispersion
title Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical properties
title_full Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical properties
title_fullStr Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical properties
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical properties
title_short Evaluating the performance of cement-reduced concrete using graphene oxide: Synergistic effects on mechanical properties
title_sort evaluating the performance of cement reduced concrete using graphene oxide synergistic effects on mechanical properties
topic Graphene Oxide
Cement Reduced Concrete
Strength
Workability
Dispersion
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025008199
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