Abstract
Nanotechnology is one of the most active research areas with both novel science and useful applications that has gradually established itself in the last two decades. Nanoparticles belong to be prospective materials in the field of civil engineering. Some researchers have employed nanoparticles into cementitious materials-based on Portland cement (PC) aiming to modify some properties of this system. This paper presents an overview of the previous works carried out on the effect of using nano-Al2O3, nano-Fe2O3, nano-Fe3O4 and nano-clay into the cementitious materials. Some properties of the modified composites as heat of hydration, workability, setting time, mechanical strength, water absorption and durability were reviewed. This overview can be used as a short guide for Civil Engineer. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.