Publication Date

Summer 2016

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Edward Kintzel (Director), Keith Andrew, and Ivan Novikov

Degree Program

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Degree Type

Master of Homeland Security Sciences

Abstract

The objective of this thesis was to investigate whether the addition of carbon nanofibers had an effect on the splitting tensile strength of Hydro-Stone gypsum concrete. The carbon nanofibers used were single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), buckminsterfullerene (C60), and graphene oxide (GO). Evidence of the nanofibers interacting with gypsum crystals in a connective manner was identified in both 1 mm thick concrete discs and concrete columns possessing a height of 2 in and a diameter of 1 in. Before imaging, the columns were subjected to a splitting tensile strength test. The results illustrate that while there is a general decrease in strength with an increase in nanofibers for the nanotubes and graphene oxide, the addition of C60 did not noticeably effect the strength. This trend is consistent with trends determined by previous studies.

Disciplines

Defense and Security Studies | Nanoscience and Nanotechnology | Quantum Physics

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