Study of different granular by-products as internal curing water reservoirs in concrete

Abstract

The use of three different waste-based materials, i.e. ceramic recycled aggregate (CRA), mixed recycled aggregate (MRA), and coal bottom ash (CBA), as internal curing water reservoirs was investigated. Their effects as fine aggregates in the mortar phase of a hypothetical concrete with a low water-to-binder ratio were studied. The used binders were ordinary Portland cement and high-volume fly-ash-blended cement. The addition of MRA and CBA significantly decreased the autogenous shrinkage, whereas their negative effects on drying shrinkage and the compressive strength were minimal. However, the CRA had the worst effect on autogenous shrinkage but increased the strength of the specimens.