A Study on Strength Comparison of Self Curing Concrete with Replacement of Fly Ash

Abstract

Curing of concrete is defined as providing satisfactory moisture content in concrete during it’s early ages in order to develop the desired properties of Concrete. Self-curing Concrete is one type of modern concrete, which cure itself by retaining moisture content. And the concept of self-curing will reduce the evaporation of water from Concrete. Concrete is most widely used construction material due to it’s good compressive strength and durability. Depending upon the nature of work the cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water are mixed in specific proportions to produce plain concrete. Plain concrete needs congenial atmosphere by providing moisture for a minimum period of 28 days for good hydration and to attain desired strength. The strength and durability of concrete depends on curing. The cement hydration problem due to improper curing, which can be successfully overcome by using self-curing concrete. Hence no traditional way of Curing is required in self-curing concrete. Self-curing concrete can be used where curing is a constraint because of inadequacy of water, fluoride content in water which affects concrete charecterstics and where structures cannot be accessed for curing. In conventional curing this is achieved by external supply of water after mixing, placing and finishing of concrete. In practice, conventional type of Curing is difficult to perform as it shall need a large amount of water, meanwhile scarcity of potable water increases day by day. In order to overcome that problem as well as achieve curing. In the experiment replacement of fly ash in cement with 10%,15%,20%,and 25%. It is found that replacement of fly ash by 20% gives more strength and durability when compared to other percentages. The present study self-curing agents such as polyethylene Glycol (PEG) and super absorbent polymer (SAP) are used individually with fly ash in concrete. That self-curing is helps in better hydration and strength. Effect of these agents on strength properties of concrete such as Compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strengths are studied. And grade of concrete is M30 is used in this work. The main aim of this work is to study the mechanical properties of concrete with SAP&PEG. M30 grade of concrete is considered as reference mix and strength properties of reference mix are determined. The use of self-curing agents percentages of PEG (1%,1.5%,2%,2.5%) and SAP (0.2%,0.3%,0.4&0.5%) by weight of cement are added separately in the reference mix. Finally strength properties are studied and compared to normal concrete.