Analysis of the Self-Cleaning Potential of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) with TiO 2 Nanoparticles

Hinoel Zamis Ehrenbring, Roberto Christ, Fernanda Pacheco, Letícia Wilhelms Francisco, Giulia Cavagnoli Bolezina, Natália Berwanger Hanauer, Guilherme Gregio Grings and Bernardo Fonseca Tutikian
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Hinoel Zamis Ehrenbring: Polytechnical School, UNISINOS University, São Leopoldo 93040-230, Brazil
Roberto Christ: Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
Fernanda Pacheco: Polytechnical School, UNISINOS University, São Leopoldo 93040-230, Brazil
Letícia Wilhelms Francisco: Polytechnical School, UNISINOS University, São Leopoldo 93040-230, Brazil
Giulia Cavagnoli Bolezina: Polytechnical School, UNISINOS University, São Leopoldo 93040-230, Brazil
Natália Berwanger Hanauer: Polytechnical School, UNISINOS University, São Leopoldo 93040-230, Brazil
Guilherme Gregio Grings: Polytechnical School, UNISINOS University, São Leopoldo 93040-230, Brazil
Bernardo Fonseca Tutikian: Polytechnical School, UNISINOS University, São Leopoldo 93040-230, Brazil

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: The materials used in civil construction are undergoing significant advances to achieve reduced maintenance and increased durability. This study analyzed the self-cleaning potential of Glass fiber Reinforced Concrete (GRC) with the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) in contents of 3, 5, and 7% with respect to the mass of cement. We evaluated the self-cleaning GRC plates and the compressive and flexural strength of cylindrical and prismatic specimens. Prepared GRC sample plates were stained with dye solution (rhodamine B and methylene blue) and exposed to the four cardinal solar orientations of a building façade (north, south, east, and west) at different inclination angles (0°, 45°, and 90°) with respect to ground level. Results showed that the samples that presented the greatest performance were plates positioned in a north orientation and inclined at 0° in relation to ground level. The inclusion of TiO 2 positively affected the consistency of the mixtures and improved the properties of the GRC in the hardened state. Measured rupture stresses were greater than 100 MPa in compressive strength and 20 MPa in flexure. The results of this study showed that the introduction of TiO 2 in concrete with high strengths did have great relevance for the self-cleaning of white concrete.

Keywords: glass fiber reinforced concrete; self-cleaning concrete; titanium dioxide; maintenance of buildings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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