Experimental investigation of the effect of curing compound on self-compacting concrete properties

Abstract

Abstract Lack of proper compaction and curing in cement concrete may lead to the poor strength and durability characteristics. In this paper the effect of curing compound on self-compacting concrete properties has been investigated. The experimental work was performed in two phases. In the 1st phase the optimum superplasticizer (SP) dosage was determined for the maximum compressive strength and in the second phase the effect of curing agent (PEG4000) on the strength at optimum SP dosage was investigated. Additionally workability, split tensile strength and flexural strength were also investigated at different SP and curing agent dosage. The test results showed that the maximum compressive strength of 27.7MPa and 39.48MPa was obtained at 1% SP dosage after one and four weeks of testing. The splitting tensile strength and flexural strength also showed maximum improvement at 1% SP dosage. The maximum mechanical strength of the self-cured concrete in terms of compression, tension and flexure was obtained at 1.6% dosage of PEG4000. The workability got reduced as the dosage of curing compound was increased from 1.2% to 1.8%. Therefore, the self-compacted and self-cured concrete for the maximum strength can be developed at an optimum dosage of 1% PCE based superplasticizer and 1.6% PEG4000 based curing compound.