Study of Self-Curing Concrete Using Polyethylene Glycol

Abstract

Construction industry use lot of water in the name of curing.In the present situation there is a need for the search of alternate materials in the place of water for curing not only to save the water for the sustainable development of the environment, but also to promote indoor and outdoor construction activates even in remote area where there is scarcity of water. Curing plays an important role on strength development and durability of concrete. Curing takes place immediately after concrete placing and finishing, and involves maintenance of desired moisture and temperature conditions, both at depth and near the surface, for extended periods of time. Properly cured concrete has an adequate amount of moisture for continued hydration and development of strength, volume stability, resistance to freezing, and abrasion and scaling resistance. Keeping importance to this, 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. In the present study involve the use of polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400) like shrinkage reducing admixtures as internal curing compound.
In this research paper, the effect of PEG400 on compressive strength by varying the percentage of PEG400by weight of cement 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2% were studied. It was also found that 1% of PEG400 by weight of cement was optimum for M20 and M30 grade concrete for achieving maximum strength without compromising workability. The test result indicates that use of water soluble polymers in concrete has improved performance of concrete.