Effect of Finely Ground Calcium Hydroxide on the Strength Development of Steam-Cured Concrete

Abstract

In order to enable concrete production plants to reduce their manufacturing processes and costs, we prepared concrete with finely ground Ca(OH)2, which improves the setting of concrete. We steam-cured concrete, and experimentally evaluated the effects of the added Ca(OH)2 and the curing conditions on the concrete's strength development. The results show that adding finely ground Ca(OH)2 enhances the early strength of concrete. At a maximum temperature of 80°C the concrete exhibited the same level of strength as concrete that had been cured for 24 hours before removing the mold, even though a shorter curing time was used.