The pursuit of sustainable and durable cementitious composites has led to a growing interest in alternative materials that can improve mechanical performance while reducing CO2 emissions. Nanomaterials, in particular, offer promising avenues due to their unique properties, including high surface area to volume ratio and increased reactivity. This study investigates the efficacy of Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF) in enhancing the durability of mortar exposed to sulfate attacks and alkali-silica reactions (ASR). Both MgSO4 and Na2SO4 solutions were employed to simulate sulfate attacks, while the role of CNF in mitigating ASR was also evaluated. Results indicate that CNF incorporation positively impacts the resistance of mortar against sulfate attacks and ASR, paving the way for eco-friendly and durable cement-based structures with extended service life.

The significance of this study lies in addressing critical issues prevalent in the worldwide construction sector, particularly concerning the durability and sustainability of cement-based materials. Plain cement composites commonly suffer from deficiencies in tensile strength and strain capacity, resulting in the formation of nano-cracks under relatively low tensile loads. These nano- cracks pose a significant challenge to the longevity and resilience of cement matrices, contributing to structural degradation and reduced service life of infrastructure. To mitigate these challenges, the integration of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) as reinforcements in cement composites presents a promising solution. CNF, renowned for their exceptional material properties including high stiffness, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance, offer the potential to significantly enhance the mechanical performance and durability of cement-based materials. Through systematic experimentation, this study investigates the effects of CNF reinforcement on the mechanical properties of cement composites. By leveraging ultrasonically dispersion techniques, CNF extracted from bamboo, broad leaf, and kenaf are uniformly dispersed within the cement matrix at varying concentrations. Compressive and flexural tests are subsequently conducted to evaluate the impact of CNF on the strength characteristics of the cement composites. By elucidating the efficacy of CNF reinforcement through rigorous experimentation, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the development of construction materials with improved durability and sustainability. Ultimately, this research contributes to addressing critical challenges in the construction industry, offering potential solutions to enhance the performance and longevity of cement-based infrastructure.

최근에는 대규모 건축 및 토목 구조물로 인해 건설 부재의 고강도 및 경량화에 대한 요구가 높아지고 있다. 기존의 경량 시멘트 복합체의 경우 단위 체적 중량이 낮아질 수 있으나 강도 저하 문제가 발생한다. 일반적으로 경량화를 위해서는 시멘트 복합체를 배합할 때 일반 경량골재와 고무경량골재, 플라스틱 펠릿 등 다양한 인공 경량골재를 이용한 시멘트 복합체를 혼 합하여 경량화를 확보할 수 있다. 이 중 시멘트 복합체의 인공 경량골재로 플라스틱을 사용하면 상대적으로 골재 자체의 강도를 확보할 수 있지만 재료의 표면 특성으로 인해 시멘트 페이스트에 부착하는데 불리하고 골재로서의 사용이 불리하다. 이에 본 연구에서는 골재로 가장 적합한 플라스틱의 유형을 선택하기 위해 다양한 유형의 플라스틱 시멘트 화합물을 변수로 하여 실험을 진행하였고 실험 결과 플라스틱의 비중이나 표면 재질에 의해서 시멘트 복합체의 물리적 성질이 변화하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.