Effect of curing temperature and relative humidity on early age and hardened properties of SCC

Abstract

The type and particle size of the additions used in SCC influence the setting and early hardening, modifying hydration speed and the development of initial properties. These processes are also altered by the curing temperature and relative humidity (RH) during Early age (EA) and would also affect SCC hardened properties.An experimental study was carried out to compare the effect of different curing temperatures, 10, 20 and 30 °C, and RH, 40 and 80%, on EA and hardened properties of SCC incorporating limestone filler (LF), microsilica (MS) and nanosilica (NS). It was observed that temperature modified the reaction speed and the evolution of EA properties while relative humidity affected evaporation and shrinkage at early age and hardened porosity and stiffness. SCC microstructure and pore-network formation were found to depend on the combination of curing conditions and the type and particle size of the additions.