Impact of superabsorbent polymer on self-compacting concrete's workability, strength, carbonation and freezing-thawing

Abstract

Superabsorbent Polymer, an internal curing material, is a significant development in concrete technology. Self-compacting concrete is popular due to high flowability or pumpability. However, the higher quantity of cementitious materials required higher moisture consumption to complete the hydration. Further moisture unavailability leads to shrinkage increment. External curing cannot give proper moisture to cementitious material at higher depth. Hence, internal curing with super absorbent polymer is an economical solution for this problem. This study examines the impact of super absorbent polymer on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the workability, mechanical characteristics of the concrete, such as compressive strength and flexural strength. In addition, freezing-thawing tests and carbonation tests were conducted to investigate the durability performance of concrete. Scanning electron microscopy images were also used to observe the concrete's microstructure after freezing-thawing cycles. The findings demonstrate that Compressive strength and flexural strength values decreased in water curing while in air curing, those were increased. Additionally, it was discovered that the freezing-thawing cycles decreased the compressive strength of reference concrete in standard water curing. However, compressive strength increased after freezing-thawing cycles in air-curing super absorbent polymer mixes. Scanning electron microscopy images have confirmed that the microstructure of air-curing super absorbent polymer mixes was improved