Internal curing efficiency of pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregates on strength parameters of concrete

Abstract

Internal cured concrete (ICC) using pre-wetted lightweight aggregates is to replace conventional type of curing. Normally curing for conventional type is done by external to internal, which requires a large membrane and a large amount of water is required to do this type of procedure and the water which we use for curing may get runoff or get evaporated. But in ICC type of curing it cure inside to outside, the pre-wetted lightweight aggregates provides sufficient moisture to hydrate cement inside the concrete. The pre-wetted light weight aggregates, which stores water inside and acts as a reservoir. It release water when hydration process is done. Lightweight aggregates such as expanded clay or shale, vermiculite, pumice, slate, perlite having high water absorbing capacity are generally used for internal cured concrete. In this study, vermiculite and expanded clay had been used as replacements of fine aggregate, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5% are replaced for vermiculite and 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% for expanded clay.