PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF FINE AGGREGATE (SAND) BY SAWDUST (INTERNAL CURING AGENT) IN CONCRETE MIX

Abstract

Concrete is composite material consists of Fine aggregate (F.A), Coarse Aggregate (C.A), Cement and Water in desired proportion to get desired strength. As the reaction between cement and water is exothermic reaction in which heat is liberated due to which water present in concrete is get evaporated this evaporation of water can hindered the reaction of cement and water therefore to overcome this problem we have to do curing of concrete member which can be done by two methods i) External Curing ii) Internal Curing.But Surface curing of Concrete member required huge amount of water which can be a big problem in water scarce areas so to overcome this problem we have to go through Internal Curing.This report represents a parametrical experimental study on the use of presaturated sawdust for getting the desired strength of concrete with optimum water cement ratio (0.45). Here presaturated sawdust is an Internal Curing Agent which will act as a source of internal curing which liberate water when needed. In this experimental study we had created different samples by replacing the mass of fine aggregate by presaturated saw dust in three replacement levels 4%, 8%, 12% respectively. These samples are placed in presence of normal conditions that is no curing provided. Compressive strength test is conducted.