INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 2, VOLUME 3 (JUNE- 2012) ISSN: 2249-9954

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON CONCRETE CURED WITH VARIOUS CURING METHODS-A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Raghavendra Y.B1 and Aswath M.U2 Research Scholar, MSc. Engg. (By Research) Dept. of Civil Engg., BIT, Bangalore-560004, +91-9743991255 2 Professor in Civil Engineering, Dept. of Civil Engg., BIT, Bangalore-560004, +91- 9845262955 ___________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT The advances in construction industry have contributed for the new developments in construction chemicals like admixtures, concrete curing compounds, mould releasing agents polymer bonding, water proofing compounds etc. Concrete curing compounds is considered to be most important since curing of concrete is a major challenge in the construction industry. Various curing methods are practised in the industry which plays a major role in developing the concrete microstructure and pore structure. Efficient curing improves the strength and durability of concrete. An experimental investigation has been conducted with various curing methods adopted in the construction industry especially for vertical structures and compared with traditional water curing method. A new method of curing called self curing is also compared. Key Words: construction chemicals, admixture Curing methods, curing compounds, self curing. Corresponding Author: Raghavendra Y.B INTRODUCTION Adequate curing is essential for concrete to obtain structural and durability properties and therefore is one of the most important requirements for optimum concrete performance in any environment or application. Curing of concrete is the process of maintaining the proper moisture conditions to promote optimum cement hydration immediately after placement. Proper moisture conditions are critical because water is necessary for the hydration of cementitious materials. With insufficient water, the hydration will not proceed and the resulting concrete may not possess the desirable strength and impermeability. The near surface region is particularly affected, failing to provide a protective barrier against ingress of harmful species. Enough water needs to be present in a concrete mix for the hydration of cement to take place. However, even mix contains enough water, any loss of moisture from the concrete will reduce the initial water cement ratio and result in incomplete hydration of cement especially with the mixes having low water cement ratio. This results in very poor quality of concrete. When the concrete is exposed, water evaporates from its surface, The factors those influences the evaporation are atmospheric temperature, wind velocity, relative humidity, type of cement, initial temperature of the concrete and more importantly free w/c ratio of the mix. Evaporation from the freshly placed concrete results in plastic shrinkage cracking. The poor surface characteristics lead to high permeability on the surface of concrete
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which increases the risk of carbonation and heightens the susceptibility of corrosion to the steel. After the final setting of concrete, evaporation can lead to drying shrinkage cracking where it undergoes a process called self dessication.The unhydrated cement particles rely on capillary pathways running throughout the concrete to supply them with water. If the concrete losses water the capillaries within it can dry out or become cut off by shrinkage. Thus reduction in the water transportation capability of the concrete is never fully reversed by the addition of more water. Curing techniques and curing duration significantly affect curing efficiency. The efficiency can be achieved in number of ways with varying degree of effectiveness. Basically the curing method involves providing extra water to the concrete surface after a period of time or reduction in the rate of evaporation from the surface after placing the concrete. Water curing can be achieved by ponding i.e. the immersion of the exposed concrete surface, spraying or by using covering of wet hessian. 1 Both ponding and spraying are the most effective curing techniques although they present a number of practical problems. The use of covering is an expensive technique both in terms of materials used and labour. One way of reducing the rate of evaporation of water from concrete surface is by covering with plastic sheeting. This technique is however, limited to horizontal surface, and is liable to be displaced by wind if inadequately applied. Delaying the removal of formwork can also be used to retain some water, although it is seldom practical to do this for any length of time. Water retention is best achieved by the application of curing compounds that act as the barrier to evaporation. These compounds are usually a solution of resin in solvent or emulsions of resin is water and are applied by spray/ brush or roller. The time at which the compounds are applied are critical and its application to inaccessible areas, such as vertical surfaces can be difficult, if not impossible. Therefore concrete incorporating self-curing agents will represent a new trend in the concrete construction is the new millennium. According to Gowripalan, the mechanism of self curing can be explained as follows: 12 Continuous evaporation of moisture takes place from an exposed surface due to the difference in chemical potentials (free energy) between the vapour and liquid phases. The polymer added in the mix mainly form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and reduce the chemical potential of the molecules which in turn reduces the vapour pressure. Physical moisture retention also occurs. This reduces the rate of evaporation from the surface The use of various chemicals in concrete alters the properties of strength and durability. A durable concrete is one that performs satisfactorily in the working environment during its anticipated exposure conditions during service. The materials and mix proportions specified and used should be such as to maintain its integrity and, if applicable, to protect embedded metal from corrosion Due to the vast construction activities different grades of concrete with natural and artificial ingredients are in use. In addition to the standard ingredients a number of mineral and chemical admixtures are used in the preparation of concrete. The dosage of these admixtures is comparatively more in high grades of concrete especially in ready mixed concrete EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION: To understand the behavior of curing on the strength of concrete following various curing systems which are generally adopted at the construction industry is considered. Following experimental procedure is followed.
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 2, VOLUME 3 (JUNE- 2012) ISSN: 2249-9954

Standard cubes are casted in the laboratory as well as at the site also. The grade of concrete is M50 which is used for column concrete in one of the prestigious construction site. Five methods of curing procedure have been considered in the present experimental investigation namely: 13 1. Air curing: Concrete cube left in open air to cure.

2. Standard Water curing: Concrete cube immersed in the water pond for curing. 3.Self-curing: Water soluble polymeric glycol, an internal curing admixture Rheocure 736 manufactured by M/s BASF is mixed along with water at the time of making the concrete, and left in open air to cure. Shown in Fig1 4.Non standard water curing: The concrete specimen are wrapped with thin hessian cloth similar to site condition and spraying water 3 times in a day up to 7 days (Which is the The general practice adopted at site) shown in Fig 2 5. Membrane curing: Curing compounds are liquids which are usually sprayed directly onto concrete surfaces and which then dry to form a relatively impermeable membrane that retards the loss of moisture from the concrete.Masterkure 181, an Acrylic resin based protective member manufactured by M/s BASF is used. Shown in Fig 3

MATERIALS USED Cement: 53 grade ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS: 12269-1987 having specific gravity 3.15 has been used throughout the Investigation. Chemical Admixture: Super plasticizer confirms to IS: 9103-1999, specific gravity of 1.05. Aggregate: Locally available natural river sand of specific gravity 2.60 having fineness modulus 2.75, manufactured or artificial sand of specific gravity 2.62 having fineness modulus 2.85, Both River sand and artificial sand was confirms to the gradation of Zone - II of IS: 383-1970(reaffirmed in 1990), quarried and crushed granite stone of 12.5 mm down size of specific gravity 2.65 confirming 12.5 mm graded coarse aggregate of IS: 383-1970 (Reaffirmed in 1990) is used. Water: Potable water confirming to IS: 3025-1983 and IS: 456-2000 is used MIX PROPORTION The mix proportion given in table-1 was used at one of the big commercial project in Bangalore. On fresh concrete slump test and air content test has been conducted to understand the behavior of self curing compound at fresh stage 12. Further to understand the effect of various curing methods on the strength of concrete compressive strength tests were carried out, Following are the results.

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 2, VOLUME 3 (JUNE- 2012) ISSN: 2249-9954

Table 1.Mix proportions of M 50 grade concrete Mix No. 1 Binder: 450 kg OPC,Admixture: PCE W/ C 0.3 0 0.0 Cement & Fly ash 100.00 0.00 Water Cement Ratio: 0.30

BATCH WEIGHT MIX DATA Mix Proportion CA : FA 60 40 Admixture Dosage, % by wt. of Cement 0.80 %

FAProportion (NS&MS)

100.00

CA Proportion (20MM&12.5MM) After Water Wat Absorpt er ion Abs Batch orpt Qty ion (%) 0.03M3 450.00 0.00 681.58 407.95 0.00 707.85 147.63 3.60 5.00 2395 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.50 2.60 4.50 0.00 0.00 0.00

62.56

37.44

Material

Batch Quantity, SSD condition (Kg) 1 m3 0.03 13.50 0.00 20.55 12.30 0.00 21.45 4.05 0.11 0.15

Moi sture Cont ent (%)

Moisture Adjustment

(%) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.60 3.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.50 0.50 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

(Kg) 0 0 0.103 0.062 0.000 0.215 0.379 0 0

Correc ted Batch Quanti ty (Kg) 13.500 0.000 20.447 12.239 0.000 21.236 4.429 108 150

Unit

Cement Fly ash 20mm 12.5mm Natural Sand M sand Water Admixture ICA Total Density

450 0 685 410 0 715 135 3.6 5 239 5

kg kg kg kg kg kg kg gms ml

OPC-Ordinary Portland cement, PCE-Polycarboxylate ester, ICA-Internal curing admixture, M Sand-Manufactured sand,CA-Coarse aggregate, FA-Fine aggregate.

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 2, VOLUME 3 (JUNE- 2012) ISSN: 2249-9954

Table 2-Fresh and hardened properties of M 50 grade concrete Mix No. 1 Binder: 450 kg OPC,Admixture: PCE Fresh properties without ICA Slump (mm) Initial 190 60 min 170 120 min 140 Air Content (%) 1.7 Water Cement Ratio: 0.30

Fresh properties with ICA Slump (mm) Initial 185 60 min 175 120 min 140 Air Content (%) 1.7

Hardened properties Age In Days 7 28 Standard Water curing 46.5 60.0 Air curing 38.9 42.0 Non standard water curing 40.8 45.0 Membrane curing 42.7 55.5 Internal curing 42.9 54.0

Compressive Strength (Mpa)

Applied surface

Fig 1 Application of membrane curing compound to column and cube

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 2, VOLUME 3 (JUNE- 2012) ISSN: 2249-9954

Fig 2 Addition of self curing compound to concrete

Fig3: Comparision of 7 and 28 days compressive strength for different curing method. SWC-Standard Water Curing, AC-Air curing, NSWC-Non standard water curing, MC-Membrane curing, ICA-Internal curing admixture
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 2, VOLUME 3 (JUNE- 2012) ISSN: 2249-9954

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results of fresh and hardened properties are presented in the Tables 2. From the test results it has been observed that, internal curing admixture does not have any adverse effect on the fresh properties of concrete, in fact the rheology of concrete mix is better with internal curing admixture. Water cured concrete specimen showed highest compressive strength followed by air cured, non standard water cured, membrane cured and Internal curing admixture cured specimens. The average compressive strength at 28 days is recorded for standard water curing, air curing, non standard water curing, membrane curing and internal curing are 60.0 Mpa, 42.0 Mpa, 45.0 Mpa, 55.5 Mpa and 54.0 Mpa respectively.

CONCLUSIONS From the results of the investigation, it can be concluded that the concrete cured with self curing compound and membrane curing compound have an efficiency of 92.5% and 90% respectively when compared to conventionally cured standard water curing method whereas Non standard water curing and air curing method have an efficiency of 75% and 70% respectively when compared to Standard water curing method. Therefore non standard water curing and air curing methods has to be avoided at the construction sites otherwise which may leads to loss in strength of concrete. Hence curing of concrete with self curing compound and membrane curing can be adopted efficiently where performance specifications are important than prescriptive specifications for concrete. Self curing method of curing is most suitable for concrete at inaccessible areas of the structure like high rise buildings especially columns.

REFERENCES 1. Curing of Concrete, Data sheet, Cement Concrete and Aggregates, Australia. pp. 17. 2. Indian standard concrete mix proportioning - Guidelines (First revision) IS 10262:2009, Bureau of India Standard, New Delhi, India. 3. Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete (fourth edition), IS 456:2000, Bureau of India Standard, New Delhi

4. Code of practice for Ready Mixed concrete, IS 4926:2003, Bureau of India Standard, New Delhi. 5. Neville, A. M., Concrete Technology, Fourth edition, Pearson Education, New Delhi. 6. Method of test for strength of concrete , IS 516:1959 , Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India

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7. Specification for granulated slag for manufacture of Portland slag cement. IS 12089:1987, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India 8. Method of making, curing and determining compressive strength cured concrete test specimen, IS 9013:1978, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India 9. Specification for admixtures for concrete, IS 9103:1999, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India 10. Specification for coarse and fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete (second revision), IS 383:1970, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India 11. Specification for 53 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement, IS-12269-1987, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India 12. N.Gowripalan, R Marks and R Sun., Early age properties of self cured concrete, Proceedings of Concrete Institute of Australia, Perth 2001,pp 655-662 13. Syed Shakeeb Ur Rahman, P.S. Raghuprasad and R. Kiran., Experimental investigation on concrete cured conventionally and with self curing compound-A comparative study. Proceedings of International conference on Advances in materials,Mechanics&Management, Jan 2010,Vol.1,pp.129-13

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