EFFECTS OF NANOSILICA ON THE PROPERTIES OF

NEEM SEED ASH BLENDED CEMENT MORTAR

BY
BELLO SOFIU TAIYE
(18/30GB111)

SUPERVISOR:-Dr. A.O. Ibrahim

Submitted to
Department of civil engineering
University of Ilorin
Ilorin, Nigeria
May,2023

GROUP 1B

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Concrete is the most widely consumed construction material in the world. The main ingredients
in the production of concrete (Amudhavalli and Mathew, 2012). Concrete is the mostly used
construction material in the world. It is the mixture of cement, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate,
and water (H2O). Cement is the main ingredient in concrete. In manufacturing process of
Portland cement, clinker in incinerated at about 1.3×103℃ to 1.5×103℃ resulting in emission of
huge amount of CO2 into the atmosphere (Ajileye. 2012). Huge amount of CO2 emission causes
very bad effects on the environment. So, these days a key issue for the construction industry is
the need for sustainable concrete. In the past few decades concrete technology has experienced
sufficient advances, resulting in creative use of supplementary additives and cementations
materials has developed new generations of concrete with improved properties (Brunke and
Blesl M). So, in present work cement is replaced by nano-silica Fly ash to decrease cement
content in concrete. Nanotechnology has changed our vision, expectations, and abilities to
control the material world. The developments in nanoscience can also have a great impact on the
field of construction materials and other fields in science (Abdulkadir, Oyejobi andLawal.,
A).Fresh concrete is newly mixed material which can be moulded into any shape. It is one of the
mostly used construction material and has a long history of use. Cement is a crucial binding
material used for making concrete, which is the most widely used material in the construction
field all over the world(Ganguly2020). Over six billion tons of concrete are produced each year,
making it the most generally utilized substance on earth. Concrete is used in the reconstruction of
bridges, buildings, structures, dams, basements, tunnels, streets, pavements, airports, and more.
Since concrete is an important material in structural construction, its blend content should be of
good quality for structural purposes. Cement manufacturing is a high volume and energy-
intensive process. Brunke and Blesl(2014), examined the cost of consuming large amounts of
non-renewable resources and energy (primarily thermal fuels and electrical power) in cement
plants contributes to about 40% to 60% of the total manufacturing cost. In addition, cement

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plants also emit CO2 and other effluent emissions, making sustainability a broad and complex
concept in the cement industry sector (Supino, 2016). The term "cement" includes a range of
substances utilized as binders or adhesives, but Portland cement is the cement produced in the
greatest volume and most widely used in concrete for construction. Cement plants basically
consist of three manufacturing parts: (i) raw material and fuel supply preparation, (ii) clinker
production (commonly named as the pyro processing part), and (iii) inter-grinding and blending
of cement clinker with other active ingredients to produce the required types of cement.

In third-world countries, most studies focus on agro-based wastes, as they are the most common
and readily available material with economic implications (Ramsharath 2017). However, waste
materials can only be used in concrete if they are not detrimental to the short- or long-term
properties of the concrete (Raheem and Ibiwoye 2018). The present society has shown increasing
interest in the use of new materials in place of traditional products. The use of locally sourced
materials, such as palm kernel shell for aggregates, lateritic interlocking blocks in place of sand
Crete blocks, and fan palm as reinforcement, were considered as possible alternatives.

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 1.2 Problem statement
Neem seed ash, a by-product of neem seed oil extraction, has been recognized as a potential
supplementary cementitous material due to its pozzolanic nature. However, the addition of
nanosilica to neem seed ash blended cement mortar has not been extensively studied. The
construction industry is facing increasing demand for sustainable and cost effective alternatives
to traditional cement based materials due to the high cost of some of the material such as cement.
Also, the deposition of neem seed in some particular areas of the environment which leads or
causes pollution prompted the study of how and what it can be used for to reduce it serving as
pollution.

1.3 Aims and objectives of the study

This research work is aimed at using neem seed ash( NSA) as partial replacement for cement in
the production of sustainable concrete.

The specific objectives are to:

i. determine the compressive and flexural strength of mortar.

ii. investigate the setting times of neem seed ash blended cement mortar; and
iii. characterize the synthesized nano-silica

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1.4 Justification of study
The use of natural admixture (Fly Ash, Ground Blast Furnace Slag, Silica Fume, Calcine
Kaolinite or Rice Husk Ash) in combination with chemical admixture has allowed the concrete
technologists to focus on alternative materials for concrete production (Naveen and Yogender,
2015). The addition of nanosilica and Neem Seed Ash (NSA) to cement mortar has become very
necessary due to their ability to fill up voids or pores present in the cement mortar. This process
should significantly increase the compressive strength and the durability of the mortar, while also
using superplasticizer to reduce the water content.

1.5 Scope and limitation of the study

The research will be focus on the effects of Nano silica and NSA on the fresh and mechanical
properties of blended cement mortar at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% partial replacement. The
initial and final setting time will be tested as well as:

 Compressive strength
 Split tensile strength.
 Water absorption
 Curing duration: 5, 8, 10, 20, and 25 days

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 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
Nano-silica also called quartz dust or silica dust, is a material that, like SF, is characterized by its
high Si0₂ percentage, over 99%. Nanosilica, also known as silica nanoparticles, is a form of
silicon dioxide (SiO2) that has a particle size in the nanometer range, typically ranging from 1 to
100 nanometers. It is a nanomaterial that exhibits unique properties due to its small size, high
surface area, and quantum effects, which differ from those of bulk silica. Nanosilica improves
the strength of neem seed ash blended cement mortar by enhancing interfacial bonding and
reducing porosity. The workability of the mortar can be influenced by nanosilica, with some
studies reporting improved workability and others showing a slight decrease nanosilica also
tends to increase the water demand of the water. Nanosilica has a wide range of applications in
various industries, including electronics, optics, medicine, coatings, and materials science. It is
commonly used as a reinforcing filler in composite materials to enhance their mechanical
properties, as a catalyst support in chemical reactions, as a drug delivery carrier in
pharmaceuticals, and as a functional additive in coatings, adhesives, and sealants. Nanosilica has
attracted significant attention in recent years due to its unique properties and potential
applications. However, like other nanomaterials, nanosilica also raises concerns about its
potential toxicity and environmental impacts, as well as its potential for unintended
consequences.
Neem seeds are the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachtaindica), a species native to the Indian
subcontinent. The extract comes from the seeds of the tree and has many different traditional
uses Neem is locally known in Nigeria as Dogonyaro and it is a natural herb that comes from the
neem tree(Abbah 2016). Neem seeds are known for their various uses and benefits, ranging from
traditional medicinal purposes to agricultural to cosmetic, pesticidal and insecticidal properties
applications. People also use it in hair and dental products(Radwanski, 1977). Here are some
key points about neem seeds:
Neem seeds have been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for their medicinal properties.
They are believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-
parasitic properties. Neem seeds are commonly used to treat skin conditions such as acne,
eczema, and psoriasis, as well as to support oral health, boost the immune system, and promote

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digestive health. Neem seeds are commonly used in agriculture as a natural pesticide and
insecticide. Neem oil, which is extracted from neem seeds, is used to control a wide range of
pests, including aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites, without harming beneficial
insects. Neem oil is also used as a fungicide to control fungal diseases in plants. Neem seed oil is
used in various cosmetic products, such as soaps, shampoos, and skin creams, due to its skin-
nourishing properties. It is believed to have moisturizing, anti-aging, and anti inflammatory
effects on the skin, and is used to soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and promote a healthy
complexion. Neem seeds and their oil are used in many traditional oral care products, such as
toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental powders, due to their anti-bacterial properties. Neem oil helps
to fight against bacteria that cause gum diseases, bad breath, and tooth decay, and is known to
promote overall oral health. Neem seeds are also used for making neem leaf extract, which is
used in the production of bio-pesticides, fertilizers, and animal feed. Neem seed cake, a
byproduct of neem seed oil extraction, is used as a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner.
Pozzolana is a globally popular word and mostly used in construction industries nowadays.
Pozzolana is volcanic ash which is used as a substitute of cement. Pozzolana is one of the
pozzolanic materials which contain siliceous and aluminous mineral substance. The word
pozzolan comes from the town Pozzuoli near Naples, Italy, where there are still extensive beds
of pozzolanic materials. Romans in ancient times produced a hydraulic binder by mixing lime
with soil, which contained pozzolana, i.e., pozzolanic ash (volcanic ash). In ancient times,
pozzolan was used to enhance the properties of the lime, mortar and concrete(McCarthy and
Dyer, 2019). Accordingly, to the sources of origin, pozzolanic materials are classified as natural
or artificial. Pozzolanic materials such as fly ash, rice husk, silica flume, etc. are added in
ordinary Portland cement, to produce pozzolana Portland cement. Pozzolanic materials help in
reducing the production of OPC, which in turn reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released

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3.0 Proposed methodology
Materials that will be used for this project include;

i. Cement
ii. Fine aggregate
iii. Water
iv. Neem seed
v. Nano silica
Burning of neem seed

Neem seeds will be allowed to sun-dry to expel water content, later undergo burning to remove
inorganic materials that might be present in it. It will be calcined at a temperature of 650oC for a
duration of 1 hr using a furnace house.

Test On Neem Seed Ash Blended Cement

Dangote cement of grade 42.5R with neem seed will be used. The following test will be
conducted using BS EN 196-3, (2016).

Fineness test;

The Fineness test of neem seed ash blended cement will be done by British standard sieves in
which the weight of blended cement particle whose size are greater than 90 microns will be
determined and the percentage of retained cement particle will be calculated.

Standard consistency test;

The test will be to determine the quantity of water required to produce neem seed ash blended
cement paste of standard consistency that conforms to BS EN 196-3, (2016). The procedures
involved are adjusting the manual Vicat apparatus with the plunger attached in advance of the
test, by lowering the plunger to rest on the base-plate to be used and adjusting the pointer or the
scale to read zero

Initial setting time test;

The Initial setting time of cement is the time when the neem seed ash blended cement paste starts
losing its plasticity.

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Final setting time test;

BS EN 196-3, (2016) will be used to perform the experiment

Test On Neem Seed Ash

The following tests will be carried out on the NSA;

X-Ray Diffraction test (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF);

Casting of Mortar And Mix Proportion

Shows the mix proportion of mortar samples, which will be prepared according to BS EN 1015-
11

Flexural Strength Test

Flexural strength or bending strength is the mechanical parameter of material of specimen, which
is defined as the materials ability to resist deformation under load and is done using universal
testing machine (UTM).

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4.0 Expected results
i. Increased mechanical properties; addition of nanosilica is expected to improve the
compressive,flexural strength and toughness of the neem seed ash blended cement
mortar.
ii. Improved workability; addition of nano silica is expected to improve the workablity and
setting time of neem seed ash blended cement mortar, which will facilitate the
construction process.
iii. Reduced water absorption; the addition of nanosilica is expected to reduce the water
absorption of neem seed ash blended cement mortar,which will enhance the durability
and resistance to weathering.

Overall, the use of nano slica in neem seed ash blended cement mortar is expected to enhance the
properties of the mortarand provide a more sustainable and cost effective alternative to
traditional cement based materials.

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5.0 References

Abdulkadir, T., Oyejobi, D., & Lawal, A. (2014). Evaluation of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash As a
Replacement for Cement in Concrete Works. acta tehnica corviniensis – Bulletin of Engineering,
3-11

Amudhavalli, N. K. and Mathew, J. (2012). Effect of Silica Fume on Strength and Durability
Parameters of Concrete. International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Emerging
Technologies, 3(1),28-35.

Ajileye, F. V. (2012). Investigations on Microsilica (Silica Fume) As Partial Cement. Global

Journal of Researches in Engineering Civil And Structural Engineering, 12(1).

Ettu, L.O., Osadebe, N. N. and Mbajiorgu, M.S.W. (2013). Suitability of Nigerian Agricultural
By - Products as Cement Replacement for Concrete Making. International Journal of Modern
Engineering Research, 3(2): 1180-1185.

Hassan, I., M. Abdul-Kareem, O., & Yasin Shihab, A. (2013). Utilization of Cement Kiln Dust
(CKD) as a Partial Replacement of Cement in Mortar and Concrete. AL-Rafdain Engineering
Journal (AREJ), 21(6).

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