EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON SELF CURING RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE MEMBERS

Abstract

Self-curing concrete is an important aspect in strength development, which is neglected due to various reasons such as shortage of water, inaccessibility of structures during curing. Self-curing agents play important role in heat of hydration and strength development. The present study involves the use of self-curing agent polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). In this investigation, M20 to M50 grade concrete has been considered to evaluate strength characteristics and flexural behavior using natural and recycled aggregate concrete. The various percentages of PEG 6000 have been used. The test result indicates self-curing concrete has indicated strength enhancement compared to conventional curing concrete. The strength for normal coarse aggregate concrete with a self-curing agent (PEG 6000) at 2% with 10% GGBS is decreased when compared with recycled coarse aggregate concrete with 1% (PEG 6000) with addition 10% GGBS. Mechanical properties are 7% to 20% higher for self-curing concrete when compared to natural concrete. Similarly, the flexural strength of normal coarse aggregate concrete was found to be varying from 4% to 16% more than with recycled coarse aggregate concrete at 28 days. Ultimate deflection of RC beams is 10% greater than the NC beams and ultimate moments of RC beams were 1% to 3% less than the corresponding NC beams. The moment-curvature relationship and load-deflection characteristics of the NC beams and RC beams show a similar trend.