Fundamental understanding at the micro/nano-scale of the behaviour of construction materials and their interaction with the environment are required to better explain/control properties and degradation processes. Such information is also vital in the engineering and design of novel construction materials with specific performance characteristics in mind. Advances in the field of nanotechnology have increasingly offered tools to study and control the fundamental building blocks (i.e. atoms, molecules and nanostructures) of many materials (e.g. carbon nanotubes, nanocomposites, etc.), and thus could provide a systematic and cost effective means to develop superior construction materials.

In the first part of this paper, a general review of recent developments and activities of nanotechnology application relevant to construction materials is given. The likely impact and the future trend/potential of nanotechnology application in construction materials are discussed. The second part of the paper reports a current study on nano/micro-scale mapping of mechanical properties of construction materials, particularly cement and concrete. Depth-sensing micro/nano-indentation technique is used to investigate the mechanical properties of various phases (or micro/nano-scale features) and the interfacial bond between different materials.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/3865 must be provided.