Literature Review

Chapter 2

During the last three decades, concrete technology has been undergoing rapid developments. In
recent years, the concept of internal curing of concrete has gained popularity and is steadily
progressing from laboratory to field of practice. Excessive evaporation of water (internal or
external) from fresh concrete should be avoided; otherwise, the degree of cement hydration
would get lowered and thereby concrete may develop unsatisfactory properties. Curing
operations should ensure that adequate amount of water is available for cement hydration to
occur. When the mineral admixtures react completely in a blended cement system, their demand
for curing water (external or internal) can be much greater than that in a conventional ordinary
Portland cement concrete. When this water is not readily available, due to depercolation of the
capillary porosity, for example, significant autogenous deformation and (early-age) cracking may
result. In conventional curing this is achieved by external curing applied after mixing, placing
and finishing. Self-curing or internal curing is a technique that can be used to provide additional
moisture in concrete for more effective hydration of cement and reduced self-desiccation.
SELF CURING CONCRETE: WATER RETENTION, HYDRATION AND MOISTURE
TRANSFER
A.S. EL- DIEB (2007)
The objective of the research was to find out the water retention capacity and degree of hydration
and moisture transport by using self-curing agent and compare to conventional curing of
concrete. The self-curing agent used in this study was water soluble polymeric glycol
(polyethylene glycol). The dosage of self curing agent was 0.02% by weight of cement. The
dosage was kept constant for all the self curing concrete mixes.
The investigation aimed at studying on concrete with different quantities of cement (350450kg/m3) at different water- cement ratios (0.3-0.4) both for self, conventional and air- curing
concrete and compare the results for different test.

The following could be concluded from the results obtained in this study.

Water retention for the concrete mixes incorporating self-curing agent is higher compared
to conventional concrete mixes, as found by the weight loss with time.

Self-curing concrete suffered less self-desiccation under sealed conditions compared to

conventional concrete.

Self-curing concrete resulted in better hydration with time under drying condition
compared to conventional concrete.

Water transport through self-curing concrete is lower than air-cured conventional

concrete.

Water sorptivity and water permeability values for self curing concrete decreased with
age indicating lower permeable pores percentage as a result of the continuation of the
cement hydration.

A.S. El-Dieb, T.A. El-Maaddawy and A.A.M. Mahmoud (2011)

The study investigates using laboratory synthesized water-soluble polymers: polyethylene glycol
(PEG) and polyacrylamide (PAM) as self-curing agents and its effect on the degree of hydration,
water absorption, permeable pores and microstructural characteristics of Portland cement
mixtures without and with 8% silica fume replacement. Portland cement mixtures including PEG
or PEG+PAM as self-curing agents showed a better quality compared to that of the non-cured
mixtures. Mixtures incorporating 8% silica fume including a mixture of PEG and PAM as selfcuring agent had a better quality compared to that of the mixture including only PEG especially
at later ages.
Polyethylene-glycol (PEG) was used alone with a dosage of 0.02% by weight of cement.
Polyacrylamide (PAM) was used in conjunction with PEG as a second alternative for self-curing
agent. The dosage of PEG and PAM was 0.02% by weight of the cement, PEG dosage was
0.013% and that of PAM was 0.007%.
The following could be concluded from the results obtained in this study

Effectiveness of the self-curing agents is affected by the cementitious type used (i.e. OPC
or OPC+silica fume).

The use of high molecular weight water-soluble polymers (PAM) together with low
molecular weight polymers (PEG) had better performance in retaining water for longer
period and releasing it slowly with time than using PEG only.

Better water retention for self-curing mixtures including silica fume showed the tendency
of improving hydration at 28 days of age.

Water absorption and permeable pores for self-curing mixtures were lower than those of
the conventional non-cured mixtures.

Self-curing mixtures exhibited denser microstructure compared to conventional noncured mixtures.

Silica fume self-curing mixtures suffered less self-desiccation compared to conventional

non-cured mixtures.

M.V.JAGANNADHA KUMAR, M. SRIKANTH, K. JAGANNADHA RAO (2012)

The objective of the research was to study the mechanical characteristics of concrete such as
compressive strength, split tensile strength and modulus of rupture by varying the percentage of
PEG from 0% to 2% by weight of cement for both M20 and M40 grades of concrete. The
experimental program was designed to investigate the strength of self curing concrete by adding
poly ethylene glycol PEG400 @ 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% by weight of cement to the concrete.
The experimental program was aimed to study the workability, compressive strength, split tensile
strength and modulus of rupture. To study the above properties mixes M20 and M40 were
considered. The PEG-400 use in the investigation have Molecular Weight 400, Appearance Clear
liquid, pH 5-7, Specific Gravity 1.126. Different test were conducted viz., Slump Test &
Compaction Factor, Compressive strength, Split tensile strength, Modulus of rupture.
The following could be concluded from the results obtained in this study

A self-curing concrete primarily comprising coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, Cement,

and mixing water, and comprising a self-curing agent added during mixing, wherein the

self-curing agent absorbs moisture from air and then releasing it into the concrete,
thereby achieving self- curing without external curing method after placing.

As the % of PEG400 is increased the slump and compaction factor is found to increase.
But, the rate of increase of slump & compaction factor for M40 concrete is less than that
of M20 plain concrete.

The compressive strength was found to increase up to 1% PEG400 and then decreased for
M20 grade. In the case of M40 compressive strength increased up to 0.5% and then
decreased. The increase in compressive strength was 7.23% at 1% of PEG 400 compared
to conventional concrete for M20, while the increase is 1.24% at 0.5% of PEG400 in case
of M40 grade of concrete.

The split tensile strength was found to increase up to 1% PEG400 and then decreased for
M20 grade. In the case of M40 split tensile strength increased up to 0.5% and then
decreased. The increase in split tensile strength was 11.60% at 1% of PEG400 compared
to conventional concrete for M20, while the increase is 3.30% at 0.5% of PEG400 in case
of M40 grade of concrete.

The modulus of rupture was found to increase up to 1% PEG400 and then decreased for
M20 grade. In the case of M40 modulus of rupture increased up to 0.5% and then
decreased. The increase in modulus of rupture was 8.57% at 1% of PEG 400 compared to
conventional concrete for M20, while the increase is 2.81% at 0.5% of PEG400 in case of
M40 grade of concrete.

The optimum dosage of PEG400 for maximum strengths (compressive, tensile and
modulus of rupture) was found to be 1% for M20 and 0.5% for M40 grades of concrete.

As percentage of PEG400 increased slump increased for both M20 and M40 grades of
concrete.

Strength of self curing concrete is on par with conventional concrete.

NIRAV R KHOLIA, PROF. BINITA A VYAS, PROF. T. G. TANK (2013)

The objective of the research was to understand the working and efficiency of curing methods
which are generally adopted in the construction industry and compared with the conventional
water curing method. Laboratory tests show that concrete in dry environment can lose as much

as 50 percent of its potential strength compared to similar concrete that is moist cured. Curing of
the concrete is also governed by the moist-curing period, longer the moist-curing period higher
the strength of the concrete assuming that the hydration of the cement particles will go on.
The following could be concluded from the results obtained in this study

Conventional water curing is the most efficient method of curing as compared to membrane

curing, Self-curing, Wrapped curing and Dry air curing methods.

Using Membrane curing and Self-Curing methods one can achieve 90% of efficiency as
compared to Conventional Curing method. Self Curing method is most suitable for high-rise
buildings especially in columns and inaccessible areas. Membrane curing compounds are

most practical and widely used method it is most suitable in water scarce area.
Wrapped curing is less efficient than Membrane curing and Self-Curing it can be applied to

simple as well as complex shapes.

Dry-Air curing should be avoided at the construction sites because designed design strength

is not achieved by this method.

The average efficiency of the curing compound increases with curing age initially by reduces

at later age.
Application of the curing compound is significantly dependent on the time of application of

the compound.
Curing of concrete is mostly governed by two parameters Temperature and Period.

STELLA EVANGELINE - SELF CURING CONCRETE AND ITS

INHERENT PROPERTIES (2014)
Today concrete is most widely used construction material due to its good compressive strength
and durability. It is estimated that the present consumption of concrete in the world is of the
order of 10-12 billion tons every year. Depending upon the nature of work, the cement, fine
aggregate, coarse aggregate and water are mixed in specific proportions to produce plain and
fresh concrete. The strength and durability of concrete will be fully developed only if it is cured.
No action to this end is required, however, when ambient conditions of moisture, humidity, and
temperature are sufficiently favorable to curing. Concrete is needed to be provided with moisture

for a minimum period of 28 days for good hydration and to attain desired strength. Any laxity in
curing will badly affect the strength and durability of concrete. A water/cement ratio of about
0.38 would be required to hydrate all the particles of cement and also to occupy the space in gel
pores.
Self-curing is also referred as Internal- Curing. Self-curing concrete is one of the special
concretes in mitigating insufficient curing due to human negligence and also due to scarcity of
water in arid areas, inaccessibility of structures in difficult terrains and in areas where the
presence of fluorides in water will badly affect the characteristics of concrete.
The study investigates using some specific water-soluble chemicals such as Polyvinyl alcohol
added during the mixing can reduce water evaporation from and within the set concrete, making
it self-curing. The chemicals should have abilities to reduce evaporation from solution and to
improve water retention in ordinary Portland cement matrix. The Compressive and tensile
strength of self-curing concrete for 7 and 28 days is found out and compared with conventional
concrete of similar mix design.
The following could be concluded from the results obtained in this study

Water retention for the concrete mixes incorporating self curing agent is higher compared
to conventional concrete mixes, as found by the weight loss with time.

Self-curing concrete resulted in better hydration with time under drying condition
compared to conventional concrete.

Performance of the self-curing agent will be affected by the mix proportions mainly the
cement content and the w/c ratio.

Use of Polyvinyl alcohol (0.48% by the weight of cement) as self curing agent Provides
higher compressive, tensile as well as flexural strength than the Strengths of conventional
mix.

Increase in the Percentage of polyvinyl alcohol results in the reduction of weight loss.

Durability of self-curing concrete to sulphate salts and chloride induced corrosion is

needed to be evaluated.

In the study cubes were casted and kept for curing in room temperature about 250300c.practical feasibility of self cured member is need to be checked in hot region. Silica
fume self-curing mixtures suffered less self-desiccation compared to conventional noncured mixtures.

K.VEDHASAKTHI, M. SARAVANAN - DEVELOPMENT OF NORMAL STRENGTH AND

HIGH STRENGTH SELF CURING CONCRETE USING SUPER ABSORBING POLYMERS
(SAP) AND COMPARISON OF STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS (2015)

The purpose of this research work was to make an investigation, workability and strength
characteristics of Normal Strength and High Strength Concrete, cast with the self curing agents
have been studied and compared with the corresponding conventionally cured concrete. For the
Normal Strength Self Curing Concrete of grade M20, M30 and M40, IS method of mix design
was adopted. Mix proportions of High Strength Self Curing concrete of grade M60, M70 and
M80 were obtained based on the guidelines given in modified ACI 211 method suggested by
P.C.AITCIN. Super plasticizer dosage was varied with grade of concrete. Trial dosages of 0.8%,
1% and 1.2% of the weight of cement were used for M60, M70 and M80 grades of concrete
respectively. Two self curing agents have been tried, out of which one has been found to be very
effective. Trial dosage of 0.25% and 0.3% of the weight of cement was used for normal strength
concrete and trial dosage of 0.4% of the weight of cement was used for High Strength Concrete.
From the workability test results, it was found that the self curing agent has improved
workability. It is found that concrete with this self curing agent gives more strength than that of
the conventionally cured concrete. Also the percentage saving in cost of water has been found
out and hence Self Curing Concrete holds economical.

The following could be concluded from the results obtained in this study

The self curing agent Polyethylene Glycol was found to be more effective than
Sorbitol. Desired strength test results were obtained by using Polyethylene Glycol as
self curing agent.

From the workability test results, it was found that the self curing agent improved
workability.

From the compressive strength results, it was found that self curing concrete has
given more strength than that of conventionally cured concrete.

It was found that self curing can be achieved in High Strength Concrete and there is
significant increase in the strength of High Strength Self Curing Concrete than
Conventionally Cured High Strength Concrete.

For High Strength Concrete, the strength development of concrete is more if the
replacement percentage of silica fume by weight of cement is 15%.

The Strength of the concrete increases significantly with the increase of self curing
agent. i.e., concrete with 0.3% of PEG gives more strength than that with 0.25%.