Title:
Influence of Different Curing Conditions on Strength and Durability of High-Performance Concrete
Author(s):
M. F. M. Zain, Md. Safiuddin, and K. M. Yusof
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
193
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
275-292
Keywords:
absorption; compressive strength; durability; high-performance concrete; temperature
DOI:
10.14359/5827
Date:
8/1/2000
Abstract:
This paper deals with the effect of different curing methods on the strength and durability of high performance concrete exposed to medium temperature. Strength was measured in terms of compressive strength while durability was indicated in terms of initial surface absorption of surface layer concrete or covercrete. High performance concretes were prepared with the water-binder ratio of 0.35. Cylindrical specimens were cast for the test of compressive strength and they were cured under three types of curing conditions such as standard (2O°C) and moderately elevated curing temperatures (35°C & 5O°C). Initially the three groups of specimens were cured for 3, 7 and 14 days respectively at 20°C. Later, the curing continued at 35°C and 50°C up to 9 1 days. The aim was to determine the most efficient curing method, period and temperature to get higher compressive strength. Test results indicated that the performance of water curing as well as wrapped curing was consistently better. Specimens at the age of 7 and 14 days of initial water curing provided good results. Silica fume (SF) concrete produced the highest compressive strength at the age of 91 days under these curing conditions. This finding suggests that high performance concrete should be cured by water and the minimum curing period ought to be at least 7 days. Test results also showed that higher compressive strength develops in the temperature range of 20°C to 35°C. Besides, cubical specimens were also prepared, cured and tested at the age of 28 days to determine the initial surface absorption. Test results revealed that water-cured specimens of silica fume concrete had the lowest initial surface absorption. Hence, the performance of concrete containing silica fume was consistently better with water curing.