Date of Award

6-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2026

Department

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

First Advisor

Vito Francioso

Abstract

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. In consequence, the production of Portland cement contributes significantly to global carbon dioxide emissions. As the construction industry seeks more sustainable materials, nanosilica emerges as a promising material capable of enhancing the performance of concrete which would in turn reduce the demand of cement. This project investigated the feasibility of using laboratory-synthesized nanosilica as a concrete admixture to improve the mechanical performance of self-consolidating concrete. Concrete specimens were prepared in accordance with applicable ACI and ASTM procedures, cast into cylindrical molds, cured, and tested for compressive strength at seven (7) and 28 days. Results showed that nanosilica influenced both early-age and long-term strength development. Cost and embodied carbon analyses, however, showed that although nanosilica can improve concrete performance, its current synthesis process increases material cost and environmental impact to a degree which undermines its strength benefits.

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