Strength development and shrinkage of superabsorbent polymer concrete with calcium sulfoaluminate clinker and shrinkage reducing admixture

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the strength and shrinkage properties of concrete with three additives, superabsorbent polymer (SAP), calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) clinker, and shrinkagereducing admixture (SRA), to verify the internal curing and shrinkage reduction effects. According to compressive strength tests, the use of SAP as an additive resulted in a slight decrease in compressive strength, whereas using 10% CSA clinker as an additive resulted in a compressive strength 8 MPa higher than that of ordinary concrete. In the shrinkage tests, we observed the shrinkage behavior at the surface and in the middle of the concrete while exposing the surface to ambient air for 80 days. According to the results, SAP and SRA had greater shrinkage reduction effects on the concrete than CSA clinker. In particular, the shrinkage reduction rate achieved by adding SAP to the mixture was approximately 32% compared with ordinary concrete. Based on this result, we concluded that the shrinkage of the mixture reduced due to the internal curing effect (humidity adjustment within the concrete) of the SAP. In addition, the shrinkage reduction effect was maximized when we added these materials simultaneously. In particular, the shrinkage reduction rate achieved by adding SAP and SRA together was found to be approximately 69% compared with ordinary concrete. When we added CSA, SAP, and SRA to the concrete mixture, the shrinkage reduction rate was approximately 96% compared with ordinary concrete, making this the best shrinkage reduction effect achieved.