In the context of cementitious nanocomposites, the challenge of the project is to perform an effective characterization of both their microstructures (by exploiting the computed tomography coupled with spectroscopy and SEM/TEM technique) and their mechanical properties (by means of standard mechanical tests and physical tests). In particular, among the different cementitious nanocomposites, a great attention is paid to those involving recycled aggregates in order to obtain an eco-friendly and low-impact material. Standard mechanical tests are also employed to characterise the mechanical behaviour of walls and panels made of high-performance and sustainable cementitious nanocomposites. Moreover, since the service life of such new nanocomposites in a real application is a very tricky problem, an ad-hoc procedure based on experimental accelerated aging is employed in order to investigate the degradation of the mechanical properties with aging. Regarding metal nanocomposites, since the use of such materials is limited and hitherto under exploited by the construction industry, the novelty of the present project consists in the detailed and systematic investigation of dispersion mechanisms concerning this class of materials, and their influence on the mechanical response (including tensile, compressive, torsional, fatigue and damping properties). Particular emphasis is placed on lightweight matrix, such as magnesium and aluminium matrices, due to their capability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. A detail experimental investigation is also performed on polymer nanocomposites and, in particular, on green and sustainable polymer nanocomposites, being not only environmentally friendly but also completely sustainable from an energy point of view and degradable. In such a context, a thermo-structural experimental analysis is performed on different polymer nanocomposites, exposed to both a flame and different external loads, in order to design a novel flame retardant polymer nanocomposite. Moreover, the creep behaviour is also deeply investigated, since poor creep resistance impairs the service life and safety of such nanocomposites. As far as the service life of these materials is concerned, an ad-hoc procedure based on experimental accelerated aging is employed in order to investigate the degradation of the mechanical properties with aging. Within the nanocomposite manufacturing by means additive manufacturing technology, the novelty of the present project is to investigate more suitable materials for their correct implementation in the current 3D printing machines, and the optimization of traditional 3D printing technology to be employed for nanocomposites. The tasks to be undertaken for WP1 are the following.
T4.1.1 An ad-hoc procedure for accelerated aging of cementitious-based nanocomposites specimens is proposed, and tension tests are performed; T4.1.2 Microstructure of concretes embedding nanotubes is characterised through computed tomography coupled with spectroscopy and SEM/TEM approaches; T4.1.3 Mechanical performances of composites involving recycled aggregates and nanoparticles are evaluated by means of experimental standard and non-standard tests; T4.1.4 Standard compression and shear tests are performed to characterise behaviour of walls and panels made of high-performance and sustainable cementitious nanocomposites.
T4.2.1 Microscopical analyses on specimens tested under tensile, compressive and three-point bending loads are carried out to determine mechanical properties and investigate failure mechanisms of metal nanocomposites; T4.2.2 Fatigue behaviour of metal nanocomposites is investigated with particular attention to failure mechanisms by executing microscopical analyses on both fractured and loaded specimens.
T4.3.1 An ad-hoc procedure for accelerated aging of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) specimens is proposed, and tension tests are performed; T4.3.2 Performance of different PNCs simply-supported beams, directly exposed to a flame and subjected to various concentrated external loads, is investigated; T4.3.3 Creep behaviour of polymer nanocomposites is examined at different temperatures with constant creep loading.
T4.4.1 A new concrete material is developed by modifying the concrete nanostructure through inclusion of nanomaterials into cement matrix, and a Contour Crafting (CC) procedure to create structural members or structures in three dimensional space is optimised; T4.4.2 Composites enhanced with nanofillers are prepared by means of industrial production via autoclave, and mechanical and physical tests are performed.