International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 04, April 2019, pp. 390–399, Article ID: IJCIET_10_04_042
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=4
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
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EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SELF CURING
CONCRETE WITH SILICA FUME USING
SODIUM POLYARCYLATE AND PEG 6000
A.S. Rajasree
PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering,
Mepco Schlenk Engineering College Sivakasi, Virudhunagar District, Tamilnadu
Dr. P. Vincent
Senior Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Mepco Schlenk Engineering College Sivakasi, Virudhunagar District, Tamilnadu
ABSTRACT
Now a day’s construction field is witnessing lot of crisis, one of them is water
scarcity. Nearly one third of water is required for construction. To overcome this
crisis, self curing agents are introduced and used. This paper investigates the strength
characteristics of self curing concrete with silica fume incorporating different
chemical curing agents for eliminating the shrinkage effect. The selected grade of
concrete was M30. The self curing agents were polyethylene glycol-6000 (0.2%, 0.3%
and 0.4%) and Sodium polyacrylate (0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%) related to the cement
mass. Partial replacement of cement with silica fumes (5% and 10%) to increase the
properties of the concrete. The optimum mix ratio was taken for the casting of RC
beam and the strength characteristics were studied and compared with the control
mix. The effect of variation in strength parameters and autogenous shrinkage i.e.,
(Compressive, split tensile and flexural strength) were analysed for different dosage of
self curing agent.
Key words: concrete, PEG 6000, self curing, silica fume, sodium polyacrylate.
Cite this Article: A. S. Rajasree, Dr. P. Vincent, Experimental Investigation on
Mechanical Properties of Self Curing Concrete with Silica Fume Using Sodium
Polyarcylate and PEG 6000, International Journal of Civil Engineering and
Technology 10(4), 2019, pp. 390–399.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=4
1. INTRODUCTION
Concrete is the widely used durable construction material in the world. For producing strong
and durable concrete, we need to cure them for minimum 10 days using the conventional
water which is used for the mix. ACI-308 Code states that “internal curing refers to the
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Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Self Curing Concrete with Silica Fume
Using Sodium Polyarcylate and PEG 6000
process by which the hydration of cement occurs because of the availability of additional
internal water that is not part of the mixing Water”[1].To minimize the amount of water used
for the construction, self curing is adopted. There are diverse internal curing agents procurable
in market such as water paper shred, saw dust, calatropis gigantean milkweed, palak green
leaves, super absorbent polymer (SAP), PEG Poly ethylene glycol etc., Poly ethylene glycol
6000 and sodium polyacrylate is chosen as an internal curing agent because of its low priced
and easy availability.PEG 6000 and sodium polyacrylate is added to the concrete with respect
to the percentage of cement added to it. Optimum percentage of PEG 6000 can be found out
by the trial and error method of addition. Pericles savva et al [2] reports that self desiccation
occurs due to two factors, scarcity of water in curing and reduction of disjoining pressure.
Internal curing acts as a water body for calcium silicate hydrate gel(C-S-H) formation.
A.S. Ei-dieb [3] says that during internal curing process no evaporation takes place, which
increases hydration process. Water retention will be high compared to conventional concrete.
Curing of concrete plays a major role in concrete microstructure. M.M.Kamal et al [4] shows
that efficient curing increases the strength and durability of the concrete. The experimental
study undergoes internal curing of self compacting concrete. There are several material used
for internal curing such as light weight aggregate (LWA), lightweight natural sand (LWS),
wood powder, SAP and shrinkage reducing agents etc., Polyethylene glycol product has been
recently used as self curing agent to reduce the crack ,drying and shrinkage because of the
continuous supply of water to concrete. PEG400 and PEG600 as 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of
cement relative mass was used as self curing agent for RC beam. By using PEG 400 RC beam
and conventional beam behaves robust and number of cracks can be diminished when
comparing to PEG 600.There is no self desiccation in self curing concrete.
Kaustav sarkar et al [5] this paper focus on the feasibility of using SAP and PEG 6000
used for cement replacement in mortar, water to cement ratio of 0.4 and above. The traditional
method for curing is ponding, spraying and wet jute bag cover. Self curing method can be
used to eradicate the water demand problem even if there is water scarcity in future
generation. The minimum and maximum level of temperature is noted for higher dosage of
SAP and PEG 6000 to escalate the hydration process and gives early strength to the concrete.
David.O.Nduka et al [6] focus on awareness and benefits of self curing concrete in Civil
Engineering perceptions. It decreases the coefficient of thermal expansion, tensile creep and
shrinkage. It improves the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and high degree of hydration.
Magda.I.Mousa et al [7] reports that physical properties of self curing agent. Pre soaked
lightweight aggregate, (0% to 20%) volume of sand and Ch (1% to 3% weight of cement used
as self curing agent. (0% to 15%) of silica fumes were used as replacement of relative cement
mass. 2% of Ch gives better result compared to conventional concrete and addition of silica
fume increases the pozzolanic reaction and decreases the voids. Magda.I.Mousa et al [8]
shows that incorporation of silica fume increases concrete strength in addition with 2% of
polyethylene glycol that achieves good durability under self curing regime.
2. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANE
Self curing concrete is made using PEG-6000 and sodium polyacrylate, so that the cost of
construction is reduced by minimizing the amount of water used for construction. Autogenous
shrinkage is diminished by using an internal curing agent; it act as a reservoir for the concrete
curing, it supplies water to the concrete for hydration reaction from inside. Internal curing
agent is also used to minimize the early age cracking in concrete by supplying water regularly
for hydration of concrete. The aim of the experimental program is to compare the efficiency
of self curing concrete with silica fume using chemical agents. For this study, things to be
determine are, optimum percentages of PEG-6000, flexural behavior of self curing concrete
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and mechanical properties of self curing concrete. The momentous of this project is to provide
sufficient data for the researcher and engineers for concerning the usage of PEG 6000 in the
water scarcity area, where the concrete curing process are difficult. PEG 6000 is a water
soluble polymer which resists corrosion and increases the durability of the concrete.
3. MATERIAL USED
3.1. Cement
The Ordinary Portland Cement 53 grade ultratech cement confirming to IS 12269-1987 [9]
was used throughout this project. The specific gravity of cement is 3.154.
3.2. Fine Aggregate
Locally available Natural River sand of size below 4.75 mm conforming to Zone II of IS 3831970 is used as fine aggregate [10].Specific gravity of fine aggregate is 2.62
3.3. Coarse Aggregate
Coarse aggregate used in this study consist of size 20 mm. Laboratory tests were conducted
on coarse aggregate to determine the different physical properties as per IS: 383-1970 [10].
Specific gravity of coarse aggregate is 2.67.
3.4. Reinforcement
High Yield Strength Deformed bars are used for the RC beam.12 mm bars were used as
longitudinal reinforcement and 8 mm bars were used for lateral ties [11].
3.5. Silica Fume
Silica fume (very non crystalline silicon dioxide) is a byproduct of the manufacture of silicon,
ferrosilicon etc., According to IS: 456 [11] silica fume is usually used in proportion of 5% to
10% of the cement content of a mix. In this study commercially available silica fume is used
(Enfiq Civil Innovative Chemicals & Systems,Tirunelveli). Specific gravity of silica fume is
2.2. XRF result from CECRI karaikudi, result shows silica content is more about 90.298 so it
is suitable for concrete which is shown in the figure 1.
Figure 1 XRF result for silica fume
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Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Self Curing Concrete with Silica Fume
Using Sodium Polyarcylate and PEG 6000
3.6. Polyethylene Glycol 6000
Shrinkage reducing agent poly ethylene glycol 6000 is used as self curing agent which may
commercially procurable like granules (Sairam scientific, Madurai). PEG 6000 is further
synthesised to liquid state by melting at 650c.To determine the water retaining capacity for
PEG 6000 water absorption test is done and the details are given in the table 1.
Table 1 Water Absorption for PEG 6000
Dry weight Saturated weight
Water absorption
(gms)
(gms)
S No
Material
1
PEG 6000
25
1545
62 times
3.7. Sodium Polycrylate
Super absorbent polymer is also called slush powder, which can absorb 100 to 300 times of its
own weight and convert into hydro gel. In this study commercially procurable sodium
polyacrylate is used (chemzest enterprises, Chennai) for self curing agent. This sodium
polyacrylate SAP is used for internal curing purpose for concrete.
 Chemical Formula [−Ch2−ch(co2na)−]n
 Sodium polyacrylate (SP), also known as water lock
 SAP act as self curing agent in concrete.
 Sodium Polyacrylate crystallizes as white powder. It takes up water as much as 400 to
500 times its dry size and swells to form a polymeric gel.
85-50 mesh
 Particle Size
6.0-7.0
 pH Value
≤5
 % of
moisture
3.7.1. Mechanism
Sodium Polyacrylate polymer can retain large amount of water because of the osmotic
pressure (i.e. movement of water through a semi permeable membrane). The osmotic pressure
induced by high water content concentration outside a sodium polyacrylate molecule brought
the water into center of the molecule. Sodium polyacrylate continuously absorb the water
until there is an equal pressure of water inside and outside the sodium polyacrylate molecule.
To determine the water retaining capacity for SAP water absorption test is done and details
are given in the table 2.
Table 2Water Absorption for SAP
S No
Material
1
SAP
Dry weight Saturated weight
(gms)
(gms)
25
1875
Water absorption
75 times
4. EXPERIMENTAL WORK
4.1. Compressive Strength
The most common of all tests on hardened concrete is the compressive strength test.
Compressive strength test on specimen is treated in a standard manner which includes full
compaction and curing for a specified period which gave results representing the potential
quality of the concrete. The age at which specimen tested is governed by the information
required. The standard specimen is tested at prescribed ages, generally 28 days, with
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additional test often made at 3 to 7 days. The Dimension of cube mould is 150 mm x 150 mm
x 150 mm. Compressive strength is done by various percentages of self curing agents and
addition of 10% silica fume. The compressive strength test under UTM is shown in figure 2.
The compressive strength results are shown in the table 3 and graph plotted for compressive
strength is shown in the figure 3 and 4.
Compressive strength in MPa = P / A
Figure 2.Compressive strength of concrete test under UTM
Table 3 Compressive Strength for 7 and 28 days
Sample
Conventional concrete
Compressive strength
N/mm2
7 days
28 days
26.18
33.56
Percentage
Self curing
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.4
Sodium polyacrylate
5 % silica
fume
PEG 6000
Sodium polyacrylate
10% silica
fume
PEG 6000
18.85
23.39
23.21
19.21
22.93
23.30
26.23
27.12
25.62
27.38
25.83
25.87
28.76
32.13
31.52
29.15
30.67
32.07
34.15
34.65
33.74
36.45
33.94
34.07
Figure 3 Compressive Strength Comparison for 7 days test
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Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Self Curing Concrete with Silica Fume
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Figure 4 Compressive Strength Comparison for 28 days test
4.2. Split tensile strength test
Split tensile strength is used to determine the tensile strength of the concrete indirectly. It
is done by using a cylinder specimen of diameter 150 mm and height 300mm.The specimen is
placed horizontally in the compression testing machine and loaded. The test is performed for
28 days is shown in table 3.2.While using 5 % of silica fume in self curing concrete didn’t
show any increment in concrete’s strength were as 10 % silica fume showed an increase in
strength of self curing concrete to a level of 0.2% PEG 6000 28 days strength 3.415 N/mm 2
compared to conventional concrete. The split tensile strength result is shown in table 4 and
cylinder testing in UTM is shown in the figure 5 and graph is shown in the figure 6.
Tensile strength = 2P/πDL
Figure 5 Failure of cylinder under UTM
Table 4 Split Tensile Strength for 28 days
Sample
Conventional concrete
Sodium polyacrylate
with silica fume 5%
PEG 6000 with silica fume
5%
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Percentage
Self curing
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.4
395
Split tensile strength
N/mm2
28 days
3.264
2.750
2.910
3.050
2.950
3.134
3.212
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A. S. Rajasree, Dr. P. Vincent
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.4
Sodium polyacrylate with
silica fume 10%
PEG 6000 with silica fume
10%
3.256
3.304
3.235
3.415
3.334
3.243
Figure 6 Split Tensile Strength for 28 days
4.3. Flexural strength
After the curing period, the specimen is taken out from the curing tank and wiped clean. The
dimension of the specimen and the weight of the specimen were noted down with accuracy.
The beam testing machine should be provided with two rollers 38 mm diameter on which the
specimen is placed and the rollers are spaced such that the distance between two rollers
should be 333.34 mm. The load is applied through two similar rollers mounted at the third
point of the supporting span, i.e., 333.34 mm centre to centre. The load is divided equally
between the two point loading rollers which are mounted in such a manner that the load is
applied axially and without subjecting to any torsion stresses.
Flexural strength = PL/BD2
Length = 1200m mm, Breadth = 100 mm, Depth =150 mm, d = 120 mma = 333.33 mm.
Provided 4 nos of 12 mm dia bar for main reinforcement and 8 mm dia for vertical stirrups
spacing of 140 mm c/c
Beam subjected to two point loading
y = wa/24EI( 3L2 -4a2)
EI = flexural rigidity
L = length of the member
W = load
y = deflection (value obtained from graph)
4.3.1. Conventional Beam
RC beam M30 grade concrete have a size of 1200 mm length, 100 mm breadth and 150 mm
depth. Two point loading support is shown in fig 7 and result comparison shown in the table
5.
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Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Self Curing Concrete with Silica Fume
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Figure 7 Two Point Load testing for Conventional beam
4.3.2. Self Curing RC Beam using 10% Silica fume and 0.2% PEG 6000
Self curing RC beam M30 grade concrete using polyethylene glycol 6000 0.2% and silica
fume 10% have a size of 1200 mm length, 100 mm breadth and 150 mm depth. Two point
loading support is shown in the figure 8 and result comparison is shown in the table 5.
Figure 8 Two point load beam testing for SC beam using PEG 6000.
4.3.3. Self Curing RC Beam using 10% Silica fume and 0.3% of sodium polyacrylate
Self curing RC beam M30 grade concrete using sodium polyacrylate 0.3% and silica fume
10% have a size of 1200 mm length, 100 mm breadth and 150 mm depth. Two point loading
support is shown in the figure 9and result comparison is shown in the table 5.
Figure 9 Two point load beam testing for Self Curing beam using sodium polyacrylate.
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(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 10 (a) load deflection curve for conventional beam (b) load deflection curve for self curing
beam 10%SF and sodium polyacrylate (c) load deflection curve for self curing beam 10%SF and PEG
6000
Table 5 Result Comparison for Conventional and SC beam
Initial
Beam Specimen Crack load
(Tonne)
Conventional
4.5
Beam
10% SF and PEG
5
6000
10% SF and
sodium
3.5
polyacrylate
Ultimate
load
(Tonne)
Maximum
deflection
(mm)
Ultimate
moment
(kNm)
Flexural
strength
N/mm2
Flexural
rigidity
Nmm2
8.48
5.34
28.26
44.36
4.96 x 1011
9.14
5.76
30.46
47.80
6.9 x 1011
7.21
6.01
23.57
38.45
3.79 x 1011
5. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the above investigation following results have been drawn

By using self curing agent PEG 6000, water usage for curing can be reduced which decreases
the evaporation loss and contribute hydration process.

It diminishes the crack formation and act as a water reservoir for concrete by adding 10% of
silica fume which increases pozzolanic reaction.
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Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Self Curing Concrete with Silica Fume
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
The finishing surface for conventional and self curing beam is almost same; there is smooth
surface without any autogenous cracking.

Ultimate load carrying capacity of self curing beam using (PEG 6000 0.2% and 10 % SF)
increase 7.78% compare to conventional beam but also increases 8.61% compressive strength
and increases 4.62% split tensile strength compare to conventional concrete.

Internal curing agent SAP and PEG 6000 has 50 to 110 times water retention capacity from its
own weight, its dosage escalate the degree of hydration process.

Water scarcity crisis can be overcome in future by introducing and implementing the PEG
6000 with concrete and diminishes the additional cost for water in scarcity area by using self
curing agent.
REFERENCES
[1]
[1] American Concrete Institute 2008 ACI 308R-01: “Guide to curing concrete. American
Concrete Institute”, Farmington Hills”, MI, USA.
[2]
[2] Pericles savva, Michael F. Pertrou,“Highly absorptive normal weight aggregate for
internal curing of concrete”, Construction and building materials 179, 2018, 80-88.
[3]
[3] A.S EI-Dieb, “Self curing concrete: water retention, hydration and moisture
transport”,Construction and building materials 21, 2007, 1282-1287.
[4]
[4] M.M. Kamal, M.A Saffan, A.A Bhansandy, A.M. Kahil, “Experimental investigation
on the behavior of normal strength and high strength self-curing self-compacting
concrete”, Journal of Building Engineering 16, 2017,79-93.
[5]
[5] Kaustav sarkar, Bishwajit bhattacharjee, “Application of sap and PEG as curing
agents for ordinary cement based systems: impact on the early age properties of paste and
mortar with water-to-cement ratio of 0.4 and above”, European journal of environmental
and civil engineering 2016.
[6]
[6] David O. Nduka, John O. Ameh Opeyemi johua and Rapheal Ojelabi, “Awareness
and benefits of self curing concrete in construction”, Builders and civil engineering
perceptions 2018.
[7]
[7] Magda I. Mousa, Mohamed G. Mahdy, Ahmed H, Abdel-Reheem, Akram Z. Yehia,
“Physical properties of self-curing concrete (SCC)”, Housing and Building National
Research Center 11, 2015, 167–175.
[8]
[8] Magda I. Mousa, Mohamed G. Mahdy, Ahmed H, Abdel-Reheem, Akram Z. Yehia,
“Self-curing concrete types; water retention and durability”, Alexandria Engineering
Journal 54, 2016,565–575.
[9]
[9]
IS 12269:1987 - Indian standard for
reaffirmed January 1999.
[10]
[10] IS 383:1970 - Specification from fine and coarse aggregate from natural source for
concrete.
[11]
[11] IS456:2000 - Bureau of Indian Standard Plain and Reinforced Concrete, code of
practice.
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specification for 53 grade OPC,
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