This study investigates the incorporation of nano-silica (NS) into serpentine mortar using three methods: direct mixing, normal soaking, and pressure soaking, aiming to optimize NS utilization for enhanced compressive strength and neutron shielding performance. Macroscopic mechanical tests, combined with SEM and EDS analyses, show that under 0.6 MPa pressure soaking conditions, 3 % NS increases the 28-day compressive strength by 27.9 %, with negligible impact on the crystalline water content of serpentine mortar. SEM and EDS analyses reveal ...
