The possibility of self-curing concrete

conference paper

English

Curing of concrete is a complex phenomenon where the controlling process is hydration of cement. Water is needed for the hydration and concrete specimens are often cured in water or in environments with a relative humidity near to 100%. Wet or water curing for long periods (e.g. 28 days) is impossible for a lot of construction processes. Therefore the mechanical properties of concrete in the structure often dont reach their expected values. When curing is applied from an outside environment, a gradient of moisture occurs in the specimen and self-desiccation and disproportionation shrinkage are consequences of these processes. Hydration is an essential process for hardened concrete. But some microcracking can occur as a consequence of hydration, especially in high strength concrete. Ensuring high mechanical properties for concrete and its durability require an optimisation of composition, compaction and curing. Self curing of the concrete can be very useful. Some principles are well known: application of water polymers and using wet lightweight aggregates. A new possibility to use different materials is discussed here. The mechanical, especially fracture, properties of different cement composites are presented.

Self-curing, Lightweight aggregate, Zeolite, Effective fracture toughness, Fracture energy, Characteristic length, Mechanical properties

BÍLEK, V.; KERŠNER, Z.; SCHMID, P.; MOSLER, T.

1. 1. 2002

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