Vol 11, Issue 2, FEB/ 2020

ISSN NO: 0377-9254

A REVIEW ON THE STUDY OF SELF CURING CONCRETE

Rayees Ali Khan1*, Chhavi Gupta2
1
Department of Civil Engineering, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
2
Assistant Professor Civil Engineering Departments, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India

Abstract— In the present day’s concrete is one shrinkage cracks and maintain its physical and
of the most rapidly used construction materials mechanical property of concrete. The curing of
in civil engineering due to its high-quality concrete increases the compressive strength;
durability and its strength. The durability and improves durability; impermeability and abrasion
strength of concrete will be fulfilled only if it is resistance. There are three basic ways to do it.
properly cured. For curing of the concrete large The first keeping the surface of concrete moist by
amount of water is required so, in recent year's using the pounding, sprinkling/spraying, damp sand
new technique developed known as self-curing methods. The second method is to avoid the loss of
in which cure of concrete done by itself by moisture from the concrete by covering the exterior
retaining moisture content in the concrete. This surface with polythene sheeting or leaving the
paper represents the methods of self-curing formwork in place. The third involves the use of
concrete and past work done so far in this area. spray or roller which is known as curing
It was found that various chemical admixtures compounds. Nowadays new technique develops
such as (PEG), (PEA), (PVA), (SAP), etc and known as Self-curing. According to ACI-308 Code,
naturally available material like lightweight "self-curing may be defined as the process by
aggregate, light expanded clay, wood powder, which the hydration of cement occurs because of
etc. were used as a self-curing agent. Hence this the availability of additional internal water that is
paper focuses on chemicals used, physical and not part of the mixing Water". In contrast, self-
mechanical properties such as (Compression curing is allowed for curing “from the inside to
strength; Tensile strength; workability; outside” in the form of saturated lightweight fine
durability) of self-curing concrete. Literature aggregate which acts as internal reservoirs. Self-
reviewed shows the different techniques used for curing is done by use of Lightweight expanded clay
self-curing concrete. aggregate (LECA) or use of chemical admixtures,
Such as Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Polyvinyl
Keywords— self-curing concrete; mechanical
Alcohol (PVA), Sodium lignosulphonate,
properties; physical properties; lightweight Superabsorbent polymer (SAP), Liquid paraffin
aggregate (LWA), (PEG), (PEA), (PVA), (SAP).
wax (LPW), Solid paraffin wax (LSW), wood
powder, etc shown in fig.1. In this review paper,
1. INTRODUCTION we are going to study the strength characteristic of
Concrete is a versatile material of civil engineering concrete made with optimum proportions of
composed of cement, fine aggregates, and coarse ingredients. The review consequences show that
aggregates with or without admixture when mixed the physical and mechanical properties of concrete
with water it hardens with time. Concrete is
by adding different self-curing agents with
generally known for its strength and durability. The
different dosage limits.
strength attained by concrete depends on the rate of
hydration which is attained by sufficient and
efficient curing. Curing of concrete is a method by
which the concrete is protected against loss of
moisture content, which is required for hydration
and kept the concrete within the recommended
temperature range. Curing of concrete is done to
maintain the satisfactory moisture content i.e. to
prevent the water from evaporation which is
required for the hydration of cement, to avoid

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durability of concrete in the long run [19]. The

15% silica fume by weight of cement as an
additional mineral used in concrete mixed gives as
higher strength [20]. Pond ash a by-product of the
coal power plant, the use of pond-ash in concrete
which is waste product reduces the number of
resources. As the pond ash act as cement alternate,
the 30% pond ash gives the higher compressive
strength [4]. The combination of silica fume with
limestone powder as a mineral admixture in the
properties of self-compacting concrete is analyzed
and finds that the maximum 8% of limestone grind
among 30% silica fume 14% quarry dust and
clinkers are used as a mineral admixture without
affecting the self-compact ability of concrete. Silica
Figure 1: TYPES OF CURING
fume is used to improve the mechanical properties
2. Mechanism of internal curing:
of self-compacting concrete (SCC), while
From the concrete surface, the evaporation of
limestone powder along with quarry dust affected
moisture takes place continuously due to the
the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC)
variation in the chemical potential, free energy
adversely [22]. Table 1 and fig 2 shows the
space between the liquid and vapor phase. At the
different percentage of admixture used in self
time of mixing the polymers are added in concrete
curing concrete.
which mainly from hydrogen bond between the
Table 1: Percentage of Mineral admixture used in a
water molecules and helps to reduce the chemical
self-curing concrete.
potential of the molecules due to this the vapor
pressure reduces and the rate of evaporation from Metakaolin 20%
the exterior surface reduced.
3. Scope: Fly ash 15%
The primary aspire of this research is to study the Silica Fume 15%
past work done upon the self-curing concrete by
using various techniques and different self-curing Pond ash 30%
admixtures.
Limestone 8%
4. LITERATURE REVIEW: Quarry dust 30%
4.1. Review based on compressive strength:
Clinkers 14%
The compression strength of concrete may be
defined as the capability of the concrete to resist
loads that tend to compress it.

4.1.1. By adding of mineral admixtures:

There are many mineral admixtures which help to

increase the compressive strength of concrete.
While cement is relatively replaced with
metakaolin there is a significant increase in the
strength of concrete. The maximum value was
obtained for a 20% replacement of cement by
metakaolin [1]. Fly ash of around 15 percent
exhibited greater strength under self-curing
conditions [10]. The considerable upgrading in all Figure 2: Maximum Percentage of Mineral
the concrete properties due to the addition of 15% admixture used in the concrete.
of silica fume. Fly ash replacement level of 20%
can be considered in view of the economy and

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4.1.2. By use of different self-curing admixture: Table ii: Compressive strength of concrete with
different grades and different admixtures.
Polyethylene Glycol 600 and PEG 400 as a self-
curing admixture for the concrete grade of M20. It
was found that the maximum compression strength
is obtained by the use of 1% of PEG600 and
PEG400 [1],[19], and [21]. For the M40 grade of
concrete, the compressive strength increased by the
use of 0.5% of PEG400 and 0.24% of PVA. But
after 28 days 0.5% PEG+0.24% PVA gives more
strength [2],[19],[21].For M25 grade of concrete
1.5% of PEG-4000,1% of PEG6000,0.25% of
PVA, super absorbed polymer (SAP) 0.25%,PEG-
200 1% and polyethylene alcohol (PEA) 1% gives
the maximum compressive strength
[3],[13],[17].For M30 grade of concrete super
absorbed polymer (SAP) 0.6%, PVA 0.5% and
sodium polyacrylate 0.3% provides maximum
compressive strength[4],[11],[17]. From the tests
conducted at 3,7,28 and 90 days with a different
ratio from 0% as a control concrete and 1%,2%,
3%, 5% and 10% by adding the baby diaper
polymer. From the result, it has been obtained that,
1% of diapers polymers have the optimum result
[5].Design mix (1:2.2:4) the optimum dosage when
using PEG400 is 4%, for PAM 0.01%. When
mixing the two chemical curing agents used as
1.0%PEG400+0.01%PAM, the mechanical
properties of SC concrete significantly improved
compared to using each of PEG400 or PAM
individually at all ages [7]. For M40 grade of
concrete PEG 600 2% and lightweight fine
aggregate (LECA), 20% provides maximum
compressive strength [9]. For Dolomite type of
aggregate 0.25% of PEG400, for crushed concrete
aggregate/recycled aggregate 0.25% of PEG400
and for a crushed red brick aggregate 0.5% of PEG
is the optimum dosage and the compressive
strength increased 14.1%, 12%, and 1.75%,
respectively[12]. By use of sodium
lignosulphonate, the compressive strength of
concrete increased at the rate of 6.25% by use of Figure 3: The optimum dosage of different
0.5% of sodium- lignosulphonate as compare with admixtures in a different grade of concrete for
normal concrete of grade M20 with same water- compressive strength.
cement proportion (0.5) for normal and self-curing
concrete. [14]. Cement contents of (300,400,500) 4.1.3. Review based on tensile strength:
kg/m3 and water-cement proportion of 0.0, 0.3, 0.4
and 0.5%. In all the cases, either 2% polyethylene- Tensile strength is one of the most significant
glycol (Ch) or pre-soaked lightweight aggregate properties of concrete it is the ability of a material
(Leca) of 15% be the most favorable proportion to withstand tensile load but concrete is vulnerable
compared with the other ratios from (1–3% ch.) or in tensile. To check the tensile strength of concrete
(10–20%leca), respectively [20],[18]. specimen we use indirect tensile methods due to
the difficulty in applying uniaxial tension in the

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specimen. The specimen is checked by (1) Split- the percentage of sodium lignosulphonate increased
tensile strength test and (2) Flexural strength test. the tensile strength decreased [14].For M20, 1%
In split tensile strength we use a cylinder of PEG 400 and for M40, 0.5% of PEG 400 provides
diameter 150 and length 300mm placed in maximum split tensile and flexural strength of
horizontally between the load plates in CTM or concrete [19],[21]. With different cement contented
UTM machine. In the flexural tensile test, the beam and the different water-cement proportion of 2% of
of size 150×150×700 or 100×100×500 used PEG and 15% of the pre-soaked lightweight
depends upon the size of coarse aggregate. The aggregate (LECA) is the optimum dosage for
maximum split tensile strength and flexural indirect tensile strength [20].
strength were obtained when 1 percent of PEG
6000 and SAP 0.4% was used for M25 grade of
concrete.PEG 6000 provide more tensile strength
then PEG 4000 [3],[17].For M30 grade of concrete
SAP 0.5%, PVA 0.50%, pond ash 30% provide us
more split tensile and flexural strength [4],[17].
Design mix 1:2.2:4 with different self-curing
agents PEG400 and PAM the split tensile strength
and flexure strength increased when 4% of PEG
400 and 0.01% of PAM are used. A combination of
these chemicals gives us more tensile strength [7].
20% (LECA) and 2 % polyethylene glycol
combination provide as optimum split tensile
strength and flexural strength for M40 grade of
concrete [9]. For M30 grade of concrete 0.5% of
sodium, polyacrylate is optimum for the flexural
strength of concrete [11]. Recycled aggregate
concrete in which dolomite, crushed concrete,
Figure 4: The optimum dosage of different
crushed red brick use as an aggregate because it
decreased environmental impact and save natural admixture in a different grade of concrete for
resources. And also, PEG 400 was used to tensile strength
condense the water loss from concrete. Dolomite
and 0.25% of PEG, crushed concrete and 0.25% of
PEG and crushed red brick with 0.5% of 4.1.4. Review based on workability test:

Workability may be defined as easy by which

concrete can be mixed, transport, place, compact
and finish. As the percentage of polyethylene
glycol (PEG) 400 and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
increased slump also increased for M40 grade of
concrete [2]. For a grade of M25 concrete, the use
of self-curing agent PEG6000, PVA, SAP slump
increased among all of these three SAP provides
more workability [3]. As the percentage of pond
ash, PAM increased workability decreased [4],[7].
PEG used as an optimum dosage for split tensile If we increased the percentage of lightweight
strength and flexural strength [12]. For M25 aggregate (LECA) and fly ash up to 15% slump
concrete PEG 200 and PEA (poly Ethylene increased [9],[10].
Alcohol), 1% provides the maximum split tensile
strength among both of them PEG 200 is a good
quality self-curing agent and 0.5% of SAP (super
absorbed polymer) provides maximum tensile
strength of concrete [13],[17] .0.5% of sodium
lignosulphonate provides us more split tensile as

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optimum results for mechanical and physical

properties in all four curing regimes [15]. The
performance of self-curing concrete at higher
temperature levels of about 200°C; 400°C; and
600°C for a heating period of 2h and 4h and also
air and water cooling deed for compressive strength
and split tensile strength of normal concrete and
self-curing concrete are deliberate. Air-cooling (as
a slow cooling method) is more effective compared
to water cooling (as fast cooling method) at high
temperatures. Water-cooling may reduce the
compressive and tensile strength of about 5-25%
for ordinary concrete but not effective for SCC up
Figure 5: Graphical representation of Slump Value to 400°C. Using water-cooling is suitable for self-
(K. A man and S.Parihar 2018) curing concrete up to 400oC with heating time up
to 2 h but when heating duration increases to 4 h or
4.1.5. Review based on Durability test: temperature increases to 600oC the air-cooling is
preferable [16].
The durability of concrete may be defined as the
serviceable life of the structure under different 4.1.6. Review based on self-curing self-
environmental conditions. The durability of compacting concrete:
concrete can be tested by many durability tests. To
calculate the marine effect the durability study was This research is upon the self-compacting self-
done by using marine water and calculated the loss curing concrete by the use of polyethylene glycol
of a percentage of compressive strength compared (PEG4000) for different dosages of range between
to the normal concrete. The loss of compressive 0.1 to 1% by the weight of. In this study, we find
strength in self-curing concrete is less as compared water retention and the Compressive strength of
to the normal concrete [17, 13]. One of the other self-compacting concrete (SCC) with a low water-
studies was carried out with or without silica fume cement proportion. Along with the addition of
(SF) and chemical shrinkage reducing admixture PEG-4000, the optimum dosage is found to be
polyethylene-glycol (PEG), also lightweight 0.1% of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with a
expanded clay aggregate (LECA) used as a self- low water-cement proportion. The maximum
curing. In this cement content of 400 Kg/m3; silica dosage of the polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000) was
fume 15% and chemical admixture polyethylene- 1% and the minimum dosage 0.1% [6].
glycol 2% weight of cement used and also 15% Polyethylene glycol (PEG 400 and PEG 600) were
(LECA) by volume of fine aggregate used water- used as a self-curing agent with different dosages
cement proportion 0.4 were selected for this study. of 1%; 2%; 3%; 4%; and 5%; and lightweight
The specimens were cured by four regime: First aggregate (LECA) 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%, was used
specimen was set aside in air at a temperature of as an interior reservoir to help in internal
25°C for 28 days; second specimen was kept in air curing.PEG and LECA added to different types of
at a temperature of 50°C for 28 days; the third concrete mixes (NS-SCC) and (HS-SCC). The
specimen was exposed to carbon-dioxide of 5% for property of self-curing self-competing concrete
a period of 6 months, and the fourth specimen depends on which type of curing agent is used
exposed to wet and dry cycles in a saline water of specially when the workability and flowability are
8% sodium chloride for the period of 6 month. Air considered. In NS-SCC, the optimum value of PEG
curing (25°C) at 28 days, self-curing concrete gives 400 is 3% while in the case of high-strength self-
high compressive strength of (26.5, 20.6, and 8.8) curing self-compacting concrete the optimum value
percent correspondingly. In elevated temperature obtained at 2% of PEG600. The (NS-SCC) and
(50°C), after 28 days self-curing exhibits high (HS-SCC) can be obtained by using an appropriate
compressive strength by about 21.6; 16.2 and 8.1 amount of self-curing chemicals. For (NS-SCC)
percent correspondingly. The reduction of 18.4% PEG 400 gives us good workability and sufficient.
and 26.7% for compressive and tensile strength of While for (HS-SCC) concrete PEG 600 is
normal concrete. Polyethylene-glycol 2% gives the suggested [8].

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5. Conclusion Based on the literature study: concrete due to the addition of 15% silica
fume (SF) along with the self-curing
In the present study, several research papers were
agent.
studied and the following conclusions are obtained:
 In different grades of concrete, the use of
 The self-curing method is applicable for SAP increased the compressive strength
both normal and self-compacting concrete and the most favorable of SAP is 0.5 to
in both laboratory and actual practices. 1% weight of cement.
 Durability and workability of the concrete  A limestone with silica fume of 8% and
are enhanced by the use of self-curing quarry dust of 30% and 14% clinkers are
admixtures. worn as a mineral admixture without
 Mostly in all the cases, the strength of affecting the self-compacting ability of
self-curing concrete is higher than concrete.
conventional concrete with the same mix
6. References:
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