A system for producing sustainable concrete with improved performance using bentonite, silica dust and reduced graphene oxide.

Abstract

A system for the production of sustainable concrete using bentonite, silica dust and reduced graphene oxide, comprising: a cement-like binder; fine and coarse aggregates; Bentonite, which is provided as a partial replacement for cement in a range of 0 to 30 wt.%; Silica dust, supplied as an additional cementitious material in a range of 0 to 10 percent by weight; and Reduced graphene oxide, which is included as a nanoscale reinforcing additive in a range of up to 0.05 wt% of the cement, the system produces a dense, durable and high-strength concrete with reduced cement content.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of building materials and construction, in particular a system for the production of sustainable concrete using bentonite, silica dust and reduced graphene oxide.

[0002] Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials in construction due to its availability, ease of production, and satisfactory mechanical properties. Conventional concrete typically consists of cement, water, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates. During hydration, cement reacts with water to form calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel, which is primarily responsible for the strength development of concrete. Coarse aggregates provide load-bearing capacity and dimensional stability, while fine aggregates act as fillers, improving packing density and reducing voids within the concrete matrix. Despite its widespread use, conventional concrete has inherent limitations regarding durability and sustainability.The presence of micro-cavities, capillary pores, and micro-cracks within the concrete matrix facilitates the penetration of harmful substances such as chlorides, sulfates, acids, and carbon dioxide. This penetration leads to a deterioration of the concrete microstructure, a reduction in mechanical strength, and a shortened service life of concrete structures. Furthermore, cement production is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to global carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for approximately 7-8% of worldwide CO2 emissions, raising serious environmental concerns. To address these problems, extensive research has been conducted on the partial replacement of cement with mineral additives, cementitious admixtures, and industrial by-products, with the aim of improving the microstructure and durability of concrete while simultaneously reducing cement consumption.Materials such as silica fume, fly ash, slag, and bentonite have been investigated individually or in limited combinations. While these approaches have shown some improvements, the results have been inconsistent and material-specific, and there are no standardized guidelines for defining an optimal material combination that simultaneously achieves improved strength, durability, and sustainability. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved concrete system that overcomes the limitations of conventional concrete and existing technologies by employing a synergistic combination of materials that can refine the concrete microstructure, improve long-term performance, and reduce environmental impact.

[0003] To solve this problem, the present invention offers a system for producing sustainable concrete with improved performance using bentonite, silica dust and reduced graphene oxide.

[0004] The system reduces cement consumption while simultaneously improving the mechanical strength, durability and microstructural integrity of the concrete matrix through the synergistic use of bentonite, silica fume and reduced graphene oxide.

[0005] The system can partially replace cement with bentonite and silica dust to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with cement production.

[0006] The system offers a high-performance concrete system with improved microstructural compaction by minimizing voids, capillary pores and microcracks within the concrete matrix.

[0007] The system can improve the mechanical properties of concrete, including compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, abrasion resistance and modulus of elasticity.

[0008] The system improves interfacial adhesion and crack bridging mechanisms within the cementitious matrix.

[0009] The system ensures improved processability and consistency through a controlled water-binder ratio and the use of chemical additives.

[0010] The system is capable of producing concrete suitable for structural and non-structural applications, including buildings, bridges, road surfaces and other infrastructure components.

[0011] The system complies with environmental regulations and ecological building practices by optimizing material utilization and improving durability.

[0012] The present invention relates to a method for producing sustainable, high-performance concrete using a novel cement-like composition containing bentonite, silica fume, and reduced graphene oxide in defined proportions. The invention addresses the limitations of conventional concretes with regard to their durability, microstructural defects, and environmental impact due to high cement consumption. According to the present disclosure, bentonite and silica fume are used as a partial replacement for cement, while reduced graphene oxide is incorporated as a nanoscale reinforcing additive. Due to its ultrafine particle size and water retention capacity, bentonite improves particle packing, reduces internal voids, and enhances hydration efficiency within the concrete matrix.Silica dust contributes reactive silicon dioxide, which participates in secondary pozzolanic reactions, leading to the formation of additional calcium silicate hydrate gel and a refinement of the pore structure. Reduced graphene oxide enhances interfacial bonding, providing crack bridging and nanoscale reinforcement within the cementitious matrix. The exposed system allows for a reduction in cement content while maintaining or improving mechanical properties such as compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, and modulus of elasticity. The resulting concrete exhibits improved durability, including enhanced resistance to chloride ingress, carbonation, sulfate and acid attack, water penetration, and shrinkage-induced cracking. The system is compatible with conventional concrete production methods and suitable for large-scale applications.The invention offers a sustainable, durable and concrete solution suitable for structural and non-structural components in infrastructure and construction applications.

[0013] The present invention relates to a system for AI-supported multi-disaster prediction and intelligent security management in private households, designed for proactive, intelligent, and automated disaster preparedness and response in residential environments. The system integrates IoT-based sensors, AI-supported analytics, and smart home automation to enable early prediction, continuous monitoring, and real-time mitigation of multiple disaster events such as earthquakes, floods, fires, gas leaks, and extreme environmental conditions.

[0014] According to the invention, a distributed network of IoT sensors is installed inside and around a residential building to continuously collect environmental and structural data. These sensors include seismic sensors for detecting ground vibrations, temperature and smoke sensors for fire detection, gas sensors for identifying hazardous leaks, and water level or humidity sensors for monitoring flooding and leaks. Additional parameters such as humidity, air quality, air pressure, and structural loads can also be monitored. Furthermore, the system can receive external data input from weather forecasting services, seismic monitoring stations, satellite imagery, and historical disaster databases to improve situational awareness and forecast accuracy.The collected data from various sources is processed by an AI processing layer that includes several machine learning and deep learning models. These models are configured to perform disaster-specific predictions and risk analyses using time-series forecasting, pattern recognition, and anomaly detection techniques. For example, seismic data can be analyzed using recurrent neural networks to identify early tremors, while flood risk can be predicted by correlating rainfall data, water level measurements, and historical flood patterns. The system uses data fusion techniques to combine heterogeneous data streams and generate localized, real-time risk assessments for each type of disaster.Based on the predicted risk levels and severity generated by AI models, an intelligent decision-making engine determines appropriate safety measures. The system is capable of autonomously triggering alarms, sending emergency notifications, and controlling connected smart home components to mitigate potential damage. These measures can include shutting off the gas or electricity supply, activating ventilation systems, controlling drainage or pumping mechanisms, activating fire suppression systems, and adjusting lighting or access controls to facilitate safe evacuation. These responses are dynamically adapted to the type of disaster, its intensity, and the specific configuration of the residential environment. Furthermore, the invention provides a user-oriented interaction interface that delivers important information to residents in real time.The interface can be accessed via mobile applications, smart displays, or voice-controlled devices and presents a live dashboard showing system status, risk levels, and recommended actions. Personalized emergency instructions and evacuation directions are generated based on the apartment's floor plan and the residents' location. In certain configurations, augmented reality-based navigation can be used to visually guide residents along the safest evacuation routes in emergency situations.

Claims

[1] A system for the production of sustainable concrete using bentonite, silica dust and reduced graphene oxide, comprising: a cement-like binder; fine and coarse aggregates; Bentonite, which is provided as a partial replacement for cement in a range of 0 to 30 wt.%; Silica dust, supplied as an additional cementitious material in a range of 0 to 10 percent by weight; and Reduced graphene oxide, which is included as a nanoscale reinforcing additive in a range of up to 0.05 wt% of the cement, the system produces a dense, durable and high-strength concrete with reduced cement content. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein bentonite acts as a microfiller and internal hardening agent to reduce capillary porosity and improve hydration within the concrete matrix. [3] System according to claim 1, wherein silica dust reacts with calcium hydroxide to form additional calcium silicate hydrate gel, thereby refining the pore structure and strengthening the interfacial transition zone. [4] System according to claim 1, wherein reduced graphene oxide provides reinforcement at the nanoscale by improving interfacial bonding and limiting the formation and propagation of microcracks. [5] System according to claim 1, wherein the water-binder ratio is maintained at about 0.4 to ensure optimal processability and strength development. [6] System according to claim 1, further comprising a chemical plasticizer configured to maintain a settling dimension in the range of 50 mm to 75 mm. [7] System according to claim 1, wherein the concrete has improved mechanical properties, including compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, abrasion resistance and modulus of elasticity. [8] System according to claim 1, wherein the concrete has improved durability properties, including resistance to carbonation, chloride penetration, sulfate attack, acid attack, water penetration and drying shrinkage. [9] System according to claim 1, wherein the cement content is reduced by up to 35% while maintaining or improving the overall performance of the concrete.