Burnt Clay Brick Aggregate for Internal Curing of Concrete under Adverse Curing Conditions

Abstract

In this study, properties of concrete with brick aggregate as internal curing medium has been investigated under adverse curing conditions. Brick aggregates, commonly known as brick chips (BC), have high porosity and absorption capacity. Desorption tests of different sizes of BC revealed that BC could desorb about 90% of its absorbed water. It was also observed that smaller size BC had higher desorption capacity than that of larger ones. Moreover, higher internal relative humidity was observed for all internally cured (IC) samples as compared to control samples made with 100% rock aggregate particles commonly known as stone chips (SC). Internally cured samples with three different percent replacements (15%, 20% and 25%) of SC with BC were prepared and subjected to six simulated adverse curing conditions. The performance of internally cured concrete under different curing conditions was evaluated in terms of compressive strength, rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT) and linear shrinkage test. The internally cured samples exhibited higher strength and less permeability and shrinkage as compared to their control counterparts under all adverse curing conditions considered in the study. Based on the findings of the study, 20% partial replacement of SC with BC of 9.5 mm in size can be recommended as a guideline for producing internally cured concrete under adverse curing conditions.