Performance of Graphene-Reinforced Concrete Compared to Normal Concrete Under Explosive Loading
I.S. ISMAIL, A.H. HILMI, A.R.A HAMID, S.M. Sk ABD RAZAK, N.A. MOHD SALEH
Abstract. This study investigates the performance of graphene-reinforced concrete (GRC) compared to normal concrete (NRC) when subjected to explosive loading. GRC specimens were prepared by incorporating a small proportion (0.5% by volume) of Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) graphene powder, replacing an equivalent amount of fine sand in the concrete mix, while NRC specimens were prepared without graphene. Both types of specimens were constructed in Grade 25 concrete to ensure comparability in compressive strength and tested under consistent conditions. A field blast test was conducted using 1 kg of Emulex explosive at a 30 cm stand-off distance to analyze initial crack development and resistance to explosive forces. Crack length and width were measured using high-resolution imaging and ImageJ software to quantify damage. Additionally, compressive strength tests were performed before and after the blast to assess residual strength. The results show that GRC exhibited significantly lower crack propagation and reduced maximum crack width compared to NRC, indicating improved resistance to explosive loading. GRC maintained higher compressive strength both before and after the blast, with only a minor reduction in strength post-explosion. In contrast, NRC showed extensive crack propagation and a substantial decrease in compressive strength, falling below the design strength for Grade 25 concrete. These findings suggest that the incorporation of graphene enhances the toughness and blast resistance of concrete, potentially increasing structural durability and safety in explosive-prone environments. The study highlights the potential of graphene as an innovative additive for improving the performance of concrete under extreme loading conditions, offering valuable insights for the development of advanced construction materials in critical infrastructure applications.
Keywords
Graphene-Reinforced Concrete, Explosive Loading, Blast Resistance, Crack Propagation, Compressive Strength, Dynamic Loads, Advanced Construction Materials
Published online 7/15/2026, 8 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: I.S. ISMAIL, A.H. HILMI, A.R.A HAMID, S.M. Sk ABD RAZAK, N.A. MOHD SALEH, Performance of Graphene-Reinforced Concrete Compared to Normal Concrete Under Explosive Loading, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 68, pp 57-64, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904237-8
The article was published as article 8 of the book Green Materials, Processing & Characterization
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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