Hydrophilic and hydrophobic chemicals as self curing agents in self compacting concrete

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase in the study of providing internal curing in concrete to enable high water retention capacity. Curing is an important parameter that directly affects the strength and durability of concrete. The present experimental program evaluates the effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic chemicals as self curing compounds in Self Compacting Concrete (SCC). The parameters in this study include type of curing chemical (Polyethylene Glycol - 4000, Liquid Paraffin Wax), dosage of curing chemical (0%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0%) and curing temperature (Room temperature −27±2 °C, elevated temperature-60 °C). The performance of curing chemicals was determined by conducting tests viz: compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT). It was concluded that both curing chemicals performed better at both curing temperature conditions compared to no cured specimen. The study concluded that the optimum dosage of Polyethylene Glycol and Liquid Paraffin Wax is 1.0% and 0.1% by weight of cement.