Applications of Nano Technology in Civil Engineering: A Review

This article presents the recent trends in the field of civil engineering with an emphasis on the applications of nano materials and their beneficial effects at nano scale. The role and utilization of nanoparticles such as nano silica, carbon nano tubes, graphene, nano clays, nano CaCO3, nano TiO2, etc., is sharply increasing with the passage of time for achieving high performance composites. These nano materials not only enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting composites but also produce multifunctional characteristics. In this review, the authors have highlighted the various types of nanomaterials being used in the field of civil engineering and the performance improvements achieved by their utilization. Besides the potential benefits of Nano materials, they may pose some health and environmental concerns. A brief discussion is also provided on this issue.