Experimental study of self compacting self curing concrete

Abstract

With advancement in technology, concrete had been subjected to various techniques and modification. In spite of these modifications, it exhibits good mechanical properties. Curing promotes hydration of cement, controls temperature and movement of moisture from and into the concrete. To continue hydration, the relative humidity inside the concrete should be 80%. Self-curing is the process in which the water is retained in the concrete and evaporation of water is also reduced. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a concrete that settles by its own weight, even in the presence of congested reinforcement with full compaction. It does not need any external vibrator to compact. Self-compacting concrete is achieved by incorporation of various mineral admixtures like fly ash and silica fume and super plasticizer used at a dosage of 2% by weight of cement. In this paper self-compacting self-curing concrete is done by using polyethylene glycol at a rate of 0%, 1%, and 2%. The mechanical properties like compressive strength and tensile strength is studied. The test results were studied at different temperatures both inside and outside the lab for air curing. It is found that the optimum dosage of 1% of PEG gives higher strength.