Effects of curing types on the strength of high Strength self-compacting concrete

Abstract

Curing strongly influences the strength and durability of hardened concrete through its remarkable effect on the hydration of cement. The present study conducted experiments to show the effects of different curing processes on the compressive strength of high-strength self-compacting concrete (HSSCC). Three mixes of HSSCC were prepared with w/cm ratio of 0.265, 0.345, and 0.375. Silica fume, which is 9 % by weight of the cementitious material, was used. Standard cubic specimens were cast to test the compressive strength at 3, 7, and 28 days. Specimens were cured using different curing systems, namely, immersion in water, covering the surface with wet burlap, coating by a bituminous membrane, and open-air curing. Furthermore, different moistening conditions were studied by totally curing specimens in dry air and curing in water for different periods (1, 3, 7, and 28 days) and using the remaining time to store them in dry air before testing the compressive strength at the age of 28 days. Test results indicated that covering concrete with a wet burlap is the most economic and effective method to cure HSSCC and that curing in water for 3 to 7 days is necessary for HSSCC to obtain reasonable and good results.