Abstract
Appropriate curing of concrete is necessary to obtain maximum durability and achieve designed strength for concrete exposed to different environmental conditions. Curing is regarded as the means of regulating the degree and extent of loss of moisture from concrete when the cement in the concrete is undergoing hydration. This study made a comparative study of the consequence of adopting different methods of curing on the compressive strength of concrete modified with Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) aggregate. Concrete cube specimens of mix ratio 1:1:2 were cast with water-cement ratio of 0.55. The specimens were cured using four (4) different procedures: immersion, sprinkling, wet-curing and open-air. The concrete samples were tested for their compressive strengths at ages 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of curing. The results obtained show that immersion method of curing has the highest compressive strength at 28 days with a value of 17.07 N/mm<sup>2</sup>. This was followed by the sprinkling method of curing with 15.78 N/mm<sup>2</sup>. Wet-curing method has a compressive strength of 14.48 N/mm<sup>2</sup> and open-air curing has compressive strength of 13.11 N/mm<sup>2</sup>. It was concluded that immersion and sprinkling methods are suitable methods for curing PKS concrete.
Highlights
Curing of concrete provides sufficient moisture and suitable temperature to aid cement hydration for a period of time
The constituents utilized for the casting of the test specimens are Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) conforming to the strength class specified in BS EN 197-1 [23], sharp sand, Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and potable water free of deleterious materials and conforming to BS EN 1008 [24]
The compressive strength of the immersion curing samples increased with increase in curing age
Summary
Curing of concrete provides sufficient moisture and suitable temperature to aid cement hydration for a period of time. Curing is defined as the creation of a favourable atmosphere such as a conducive temperature and moisture during the early age of concrete for continuous hydration [2,3]. When concrete is cured at high temperatures, cement hydration is accelerated and the concrete gains strength early. Curing of concrete at temperatures lower than 10 0C is not desirable for the strength development at the early age and may lead to a halt of the cement hydration [4]. Diverse curing methods are often employed for concrete curing These methods include sprinkling, wet covering, and open air (no curing) [4]. These methods have their effects on the final strength of the hardened concrete
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