Literature Review: Self Curing Concrete

Abstract: Curing is one of the most important factors for achieving maximum desirable strength in concrete, concrete should be cured properly so that it is fully hydrated and loss of moisture inside the concrete should be reduced. The most regularly and abundantly used construction material is concrete because of its superior compressive strength and stability. The curing involves in retaining adequate moisture content from the time of placing the concrete until final stage, at that point of time the concrete develops the satisfied properties by promoting optimum cement hydration immediately after placement. Water soluble alcohols for instance Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA), Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG), and Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) are feasible as selfcuring agents in concrete. The Self Curing is an “internal curing system” in which a Hydrophilic material such as Polyethylene Glycol, Paraffin wax or Acrylic acid, the polymer that is soluble in water is allowed to mix in the prepared concrete. The calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) having water solubility 98% to 98.5% has been used as self-curing agent in different percentage (0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%). The use of polyethylene glycol in conventional concrete as an admixture helps better hydration and hence the strength of concrete. Polyethylene glycol 400 in the order of 0, 0.5%, 1% &1.5 % by weight of cement for M 30 grade of concrete and river sand is replaced by M sand in the ratio of 30%, 40% & 50%. As well as Poly vinyl alcohol has been added to concrete by weight of cement at the dosage of 0%, 1%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3% 1.4%, 1.5%, 1.6% and then the mechanical properties of concrete were tested such as compressive and split tensile strength. The ratio of water to binding material (w/b) of reference concrete mixture (PC) was fixed to 0.38. S01, S02 and S03 mean the volumes of SAP are 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% of cementitious materials, respectively. We consider that poly ethylene glycol in concrete which helps in self-curing and helps in better hydration and hence strength.