Optimizing Graphene Oxide in Self-Compacting Concrete: A Sustainable Nano-Material Strategy for Enhanced Durability and Structural Performance

In order to reduce the environmental impact of the constructed world, advanced and sustainable construction materials are needed. This work is a summary of the comprehensive study on a novel self-compacting concrete with nano-engineered material (graphene oxide) modified self-compacting concrete (GO-SCC). The optimum dosage of GO was determined using Taguchi method, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) multi-objective statistical optimization method, and was found to be 0.10% by weight of cement (bwoc). This dosage of 0.10% GO led to the overall desirability score of 0.87, which confirmed that this was the optimum dosage for six response variables simultaneously for the global level. It helps to overcome the workability-strength-durability challenge. which has been problematic in the production of nano-modified concrete in a way that maintains the self-compactability (EFNARC compliant) required in the concrete and enhances its performance. The optimized composite has highest improvement in mechanical strength, which is 48 to 50%, and also has highest improvement in Durability based on 72% reduction in chloride penetrability in RCPT (3500 to 980 Coulombs) and 58.4% reduction in water sorptivity. The results are higher than in the previous GO-SCC studies. Three synergistic effects of nucleation acceleration, nano-filler pore densification, and crack-bridging in the microstructural analysis have been identified as a significant link, which makes GO a nano-reinforcement and nucleus that raises the density and refinement of the cementitious matrix. The employment of fly ash as supplementary cementing material (as SRC) supports the idea of circular economy and waste valorization since it diverts around 97 kg/m3 of the industrial by-product from landfill and cuts the embodied CO2 by 60-70 kg/m3.