Journal of Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization

Vol. 14, Issue. 1 : 2023

ISSN : 1906-9685

USAGE OF NATURAL AND RECYCLED COARSE AGGREGATES OF SELF CURING

CONCRETE

P Lavanya, Assistant Professor, Department Of Civil Engineering Sree Chaitanya College of

Engineering, Karimnagar
N Shiny Grace Student Department Of Civil Engineering Sree Chaitanya College of Engineering,
Karimnagar

ABSTRACT
The problem of decreased cement hydration due to incorrect curing and therefore inferior qualities of
concrete is resolved by providing a self-curing concrete that absorbs water from the atmosphere to
achieve greater cement hydration in concrete.
In the current study, dosages of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a molecular weight of 6000 (PEG
6000), a self-curing agent, are added to mixing water at intervals of 0.5 to 2% by weight of cement.
The following was the proposed experimental program. A total of 120 cubes, 120 cylinders, and 120
prisms were cast using four distinct mixes (Mix 30 and Mix 40), various aggregates (recycled coarse
aggregate and normal coarse aggregate), and varying dosages (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of the self-
curing agent [Link] comparing the self-curing of regular coarse aggregate and recycled
coarse aggregate were conducted. Water retentivity, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and
flexural strength for 7 and 28 days were compared between conventionally cured and self-cured
concrete in comparative studies. Self-cured concrete has qualities that are, at the very least, on par with
conventionally cured concrete, if not better. The strength comparison investigations were conducted
using varying dosages of distinct coarse aggregate. The findings suggest that self-curing concrete
exhibits higher strength in comparison to traditional curing concrete. Normal coarse aggregate concrete
reaches its maximum strength at a dose of 2% SCA, while recycled coarse aggregate concrete reaches
its maximum strength at 1% SCA before declining. At 28 days, it was discovered that the compressive
strength of concrete with regular coarse aggregate instead of recycled coarse aggregate was 7.5%
higher. Self-curing concrete has a 3% higher compressive strength than conventionally cured concrete,
which dries out in 28 days.
Similarly, at the same 28-day testing, it was discovered that the spilt tensile strength with regular coarse
aggregate was 7% higher than with recycled coarse aggregate. Once more, after 28 days of testing, it
was discovered that the split tensile strength was 3.1% greater than the concrete with traditional curing.
When comparing 28-day recycled coarse aggregate concrete to natural coarse aggregate concrete, the
former has a 5% higher flexural strength. When self-curing concrete is compared to conventional
curing concrete over a 28-day period, the flexural strength increases by 2%. When the percentage of
SCA grows, the maximum weight loss in the concrete happens at 0% of SCA.

Keywords:
PEG 6000, OPC, recycled coarse aggregate, self-curing agent, and curing.

I. INTRODUCTION
1.1) Curing
Balancing the rate and volume of transpiration from concrete through cement hydration is identified
as curing. It could be either after it has been set in situ (or when making concrete products), allowing
enough time for the cement to hydrate. If concrete is to reach its full durability and strength potential,
curing must be done for a suitable amount of time because cement hydration takes several days or
weeks instead of hours. Due to its effect on how soon cement hydrates, temperature regulation may
 770 JNAO Vol. 14, Issue. 1 : 2023
also be incorporated into the definition of curing. The required qualities of the concrete, the intended
application, and the environmental conditions, such as the air's temperature and relative humidity, may
all affect the curing period.
Conventional Curing Methods
Following are some general categories for concrete curing techniques:
i. Reduce the escape of moisture from the concrete by, for instance, by overlaying it with an outer
layer that is largely impermeable.
ii. Oven curing and Steam curing.
iii. Continue misting the concrete's exposed surface in order to avoid moisture loss.
iv. Ponding or water spraying the surface.
Challenges with the Traditional Curing
i. It is not possible to maintain the surface moisture for the vertical element as it is for flat
surfaces.
ii. In areas where there is a water shortage.
iii. In locations where physical curing is not feasible.
1.2. Self Curing
Curing entails maintaining the early stages of concrete at an appropriate moisture level so that it can
develop the required properties. Good healing, however, is not necessarily practical in many
circumstances. Many researchers looked into the viability of producing self-curing concrete (SCC).
Thus, the requirement to create self-curing chemicals attracted a number of researchers. The idea
behind self-curing compounds is to boost concrete's ability to retain water by reducing the amount of
water that evaporates from it as compared to regular concrete. It was discovered that water soluble
polymers might be employed in concrete as self-curing agents (SCA). Concrete's durability and
performance are enhanced by curing because it has a significant impact on how the material develops
its pore structure and microstructure. The idea behind self-curing compounds is to boost concrete's
ability to retain water by reducing the amount of water that evaporates from it as compared to regular
concrete. Since each cubic metre of concrete takes around 3 cubic metres of water for production, the
majority of which is used for curing, the use of self-curing admixtures is crucial.
1.3. Definition of self-curing
It has long been believed that concrete cures "from the exterior to the inside" by establishing
circumstances that prevent water from escaping beneath the surface. On the other hand, "internal
curing" enables curing "from the inside to outside" by using the inside reservoirs that were created,
such as saturated wood fibers, and lightweight fine aggregates. It's also common to refer to "internal
curing" as "self-curing."
1.4. Potential Materials for self curing
The following materials, such as LWA 19mm Coarse, Lightweight Aggregate, Super- absorbent
Polymers, LWS Sand, SRA, and Wood powder, can serve as internal water reservoirs.
1.5. Chemicals to Achieve Self–curing
If specific water-soluble additives are used during the mixing process to stop water evaporation from
and inside the set concrete, concrete might start to "cure" on its own. In a normal cement matrix, the
substances ought to be capable to improve the holding capacity of water and reduce solution
evaporation. Some substances, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvalent alcohol, xylitol, sorbitol,
poly-acrylic acid, glycerin phytosterols, stearyl alcohol, etc are hydrophilic in nature.
1.6 CLASSIFICATION OF AGGREGATES
The following categories are used in this report for organisational purposes.
1.6.1 Natural Aggregate
Construction aggregates include, for example, crushed river gravel, sand, crushed rock, and gravel
which are extracted from natural resources like gravel and sand.
1.6.2 Manufactured Aggregate
A few examples of produced aggregates are expanded shale, clays, slate, polystyrene aggregate (PSA),
fly ash aggregate, foamed blast furnace slag (FBS), manufactured sand, and by-products of
manufacturing processes.
1.6.3 Recycled Aggregate
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Reclaimed Aggregate (RA), Reclaimed Concrete and Masonry (RCM), Reclaimed Asphalt Aggregate
(RAA), Glass Cullet, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), Utilised Foundry Sand, and Scrap Tyres
are a few kinds of aggregates made from materials that had been utilised in construction.
1.6.4 Reused By-product
Aggregates made from industrial waste include, for example, Mine Tailings, Fly Ash (FA), Crusher
Fines, Furnace Bottom Ash (FBA), Organic Materials, Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA), Electric Arc
Furnace Slag (EAF), Coal Washer Reject (CWR), Steel Furnace Slag (BOS), and Granulated BF Slag
(GBS).
1.7 Sources of Recycled Aggregate
In the past, landfills have used Portland concrete aggregate from demolition projects. However,
Portland concrete aggregate can now be employed as a new kind of building material. According to
OPC concrete Recycling, crushed Portland concrete pavements and building materials are the principal
source of recycled aggregates.
1.9 The Use of Recycled Aggregate In Concrete
An alternate coarse aggregate that is often mixed with ordinary coarse aggregate for use in novel
concrete is crushed aggregate from either hardened residual concrete or demolition concrete. If not
adequately regulated and monitored, the use of 100% recycled coarse aggregate in concrete is likely
to have a detrimental impact on the majority of the characteries of concrete, including compressive
strength (CS), creep, elastic modulus (EM), etc especially for higher-strength concrete.

1.10 Need of Present Work

Curing entails maintaining the early stages of concrete at an appropriate moisture level so that it can
develop the required properties. Good healing, however, is not necessarily practical in many
circumstances. Many researchers looked into the viability of producing self-curing concrete. Thus, the
requirement to create self-curing chemicals attracted a number of researchers. In contrast to ordinary
concrete, the idea behind self-curing chemicals is to increase the concrete's ability to retain water by
reducing the amount of water that evaporates from it.
Self-curing concrete is an option to enhance cement hydration in concrete. It resolves the problem that
insufficient or improper curing decreases cement hydration, resulting in undesired concrete properties.
1.11 Mechanism of self-curing
The variation in chemical potentials among the liquid and vapour phases causes continual evaporation
of water from a surface that is exposed, which is the basis for the self-curing process. The provided
polymers work largely by creating hydrogen bonds with water molecules and reducing the chemical
potential of the molecules to slowly decrease the rate at which water escapes from the outermost layer.

[Link] REVIEW
Roland et al., (2002) [1]
The objective of the research was to produce self curing concrete by using hydrophilic chemicals like
polyethylene glycol and paraffin wax. Many experiments have done on ordinary concrete like
compressive strength at different days of curing and also at different proportions of PEG and wax. The
investigation was done using three internal curing compositions and is as follows:-
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A.S. EL- DIEB (2007) [2]

The aim of the study was to compare SCA to traditional concrete curing in order to determine the SCA
potential for water holding, degree of hydration, and moisture transfer. This study used polyethylene
glycol, a water-soluble polymeric glycol, as the SCA. By weight of cement, the SCA dosage was
0.02%. For all SCC mixtures, the dose was maintained at the same level.
The study's objective was to examine concrete that had variable cement content at various water to
cement ratios, including self–curing, air–curing concrete, and conventional to compare the results of
various tests. According to the weight loss over time, it was discovered that SCA infused concrete
mixes have higher ater retention than ordinary concrete mixes. Compared to ordinary concrete (OC),
SCC saw less self-desiccation under sealed settings. In comparison to traditional concrete, SCC
exhibited better hydration over time under drying conditions. SCC has a lower water transport than
standard air-cured concrete. For SCC, water water permeability, and sorptivity values dropped over
time.
Wen egt al., (2008) [3]
The study's goal was to determine how the use of high-performance SCA affected the strength
properties of self-compacted concrete in compared to OC. In this investigation, polyvalent alcohol and
polyacrylic acid (PAA) were used as the SCA. The nature of these two substances is highly
hydrophilic. SCA dosages ranged between 1% and 2% by weight of cement. Tests on CS and water
retention were conducted at relative humidity levels of 50%, 67.5%, and 85%. According to the weight
loss over time, it was discovered that SCA infused concrete mixes have higher after retention than OC
mixes. Compared to OC, SCC saw less self-desiccation under sealed settings. In comparison to
traditional concrete, SCC exhibited well hydration over time under drying conditions. Self-curing
concrete has a lower water transport than standard air-cured concrete. For SCC, water permeability
and water sorptivity values dropped over time, indicating a decreasing proportion of permeable pores
as a result of the cement's ongoing hydration. With this technology, the compressive strength (CS) of
self- compacting concrete was greatly increased, often surpassing that of conventional moist curing.
This proves that the SCC of this invention does not require a lengthy moist curing process, saving
money and ensuring greater quality and a higher CS.
Collepardi [5]
This study work's goal was to create a drying shrinkage-free concrete (SFC), even in non-wet curing
circumstances, by combining the usage of:
a) a polycarboxylate-based water-reducing additive that minimises cement and water
consumption while boosting aggregate content;
b) a unique polycarboxylate (PA/SRA) with a shrinkage-reducing admixture (SRA) made from
polyethylene glycol that can lower the surface tension of liquid water entering through the capillary
pores.;
At 30 minutes after mixing, 5 concrete mixtures with w/c of 0.50 and slump levels of 170- 200 mm
were [Link], there is a decrease in the volume of cement paste and a rise in the amount of
aggregate because of the typical decreased water content generated by the polycarboxylate
superplasticizer at a certain w/c. Both play a significant role in the decrease of drying shrinkage.
Secondly, the SRA set in the system of polyethylene glycol escapes as a result of the alkaline
environment of the aqueous solution brought on by the hydration of the cement. This further reduces
drying shrinkage, which is linked to a reduction in water's surface tension, and this lowers capillary
pressure.
Dhir et al., [4]
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This study presents the findings of several durability tests on self-curing concrete. Preliminary surface
absorption, potential variation (PV) chloride dispersion, depth of carbonation, half-cell corrosion
potential, and determination of freeze/thaw durability were the experiments that were conducted.
During the program, 3 mixes were used: one with simply OPC as a binder, 1 with a 40% GGBS cement
substitution, and 1 with PFA as a 30% cement substitute. There were 2 dosages applied: 0.005M and
0.l00M.

III. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME

The following was the proposed framework of the experimental program:
A 120 cubes, cylinders, and prisms were cast using 4 distinct mixes such as A1, A2, B1, and B2) and
various curing circumstances (indoor, traditional) with varying dosages of the self- curing ingredient
PEG-6000 (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%). To govern the properties of fresh concrete, the compaction factor
test was performed on all mixtures. CS tests were conducted at 7 and 28 days after curing, and to
examine the cubes' ability to retain water, they were weighed every 3 days starting from the casting
date. The digital scale that is utilised has a 5 gm accuracy. A graph of strength versus the % of the self-
curing agent and a graph of water retentivity versus the average weight loss throughout the number of
curing days are both shown.
The highest self-curing agent dose in this inquiry is limited to 2%, and the smallest dosage is
established in accordance with the literature accessible [2].

Fig:3.1.1FLOW CHART OF EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME FOR CONCRETE

FIGURE 3.1.2 METHODOLOGY

SPECIMEN NOMENCLATURE
MIX A- standard coarse aggregate(A1- M35,A2- M45 grades) MIX B- recycled coarse aggregate (B1-
M35,B2-M45 grades) OPC-Ordinary Portland cement
Higher Molecular Weight -PEG 6000
I- Inside curing
W-Wet/Conventional Curing
S C A-Self-Curing Agent
3.2) Materials Used
Cement
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The experiment employed 53-grade cement that complied with IS 12269-1987. Throughout the
program, it was taken from a single batch and stored correctly. Table 3.2.1 provides a list of cement's
physical characteristics.
Table 3.2.1 Physical properties of cement

Fine Aggregate
Employed was fine aggregate that complies with IS 383-1970's Falls in zone-II. The neighbouring
river course provided the fine aggregate that was used. Each sieve's sand retention was put into a
different bag, which was then stacked separately for use and conformed as zone-II sand. Tables 3.2.2
respectively, indicate the physical characteristics of fine aggregate.
Table 3.2.2Physical Properties of fine aggregate

Coarse Aggregate
The coarse aggregate of 12 to 20mm nominal size coarse material is used and satisfying the IS-383
guidlines. The quarry-purchased coarse aggregate was passed through each of the sieves up to
4.75mmAccording to tables 3.2.3, respectively, each fraction's physical characteristics.

Recycled coarse aggregate

The recycled coarse material utilised is 20 mm nominally sized and comes from a lab crushing plant.
In this experiment, 20mm well-graded aggregate in accordance with IS-383 is used. All the upto 4.75
mm were used to separate the recycled coarse material that was purchased from the lab. According to
Tables 3.2.4 each fraction' sphysical aracteristics displayed.
Table 3.2.4physical properties of recycled coarse aggregate

Water
Injurious pollutants like alkalis, oil, acids, and other substances shouldn't be present in the water used
to make concrete. Concrete was created and allowed to cure in the laboratory using regular drinkable
water. It was determined that the water quality met IS: 456 -2000 standards.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
The standard formula for PEG is H (OCH2CH2)nOH, where n is the average number of repeated
oxyethylene groups, commonly ranging from 4 to around 180. PEG is a condensation polymer of
ethylene oxide and water.. The PEG is followed by a numerical suffix that describes the average
molecular weights. PEG seems to have a common property called water soluble. Table 3.2.8 displays
the PEG6000's specs. Additionally, it is soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including
hydrocarbons that are aromatic (not aliphatic). Identical chemical and physical qualities are provided
by the large variety of chain lengths for the right application selections indirectly or directly.
In a number of pharmaceuticals and drugs is used as a solvent, distributing agent, cosmetic and
Supplied bases, carrier, and tablet excipient. It is odourless, lubricating, non-toxic, non- volatile, non-
irritating and neutral. The PEG chemical structure is displayed below.
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Table 3.2.8 Specifications of PEG 6000

IV. RESULTS & DISCUSSION

4.1. STUDIES ON CONCRETE
4.1.1. COMPACTION FACTOR TEST
To determine workability and calculate the compaction factor, the compaction factor test is carried
out. Table 4.1 presents the test findings. Figure 4.1 displays a plot of the compaction factor versus
various PEG 6000 dosages. The observations from the Compaction Factor Test are listed below. It is
evident from the specimens with PEG 6000 of Mix A that the 0.5% dosage of the SCA has a lower
compaction factor than the 1% and 2% dosages. The compaction factor for specimens containing PEG
6000 of Mix B is higher as contrasted with the previous concentrations (1% and 2%). It is also evident
that Mix B has a higher compaction factor than Mix A by 1% and 2%. Another observation is that Mix
A's compaction factor increases as the percentage of PEG 6000 increases. But in Mix B, it goes from
0.5% to 1% before being reduced.
4.2 Water Retentivity Test
4.2.1. Mix A1 Water Retentivity Test
Weighing the samples with a digital scale with an accuracy of 5 gms for a period of 28 days at regular
intervals allowed us to study concrete containing high molecular weight PEG that had been subjected
to indoor curing. Table 4.2 has a record of the outcomes. Table 4.3 displays the analysis of the findings
of the weight loss of each specimen. In fig.4.2, the weight decrease is displayed. The observations
below pertain to concrete's water retentivity. It is evident that the 0% dosage of the SCA causes greater
weight loss than the 0.5%, 1%, and 2% dosages. Additionally, it has been noted that the 2% dosage of
the SCA results in less weight loss than the 0%,.5%, and 1% dosages.
Table 3.3.1 Materials Required for Mix A1

Table 3.3.2 Materials Required for Mix A2

Table 3.3.3 Materials Required for Mix B1

TABLE 4.1 Compaction Factor for different percentages of PEG 6000

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Table 4.2Water Retentivity Test for Mix A1 for different percentages of PEG 6000

Tables 4.3Average Weight Loss for Mix A1 for different percentage of PEG 6000

Table 4.3.1Avg Weight Loss for Mix A1(cubes) for different percentage of PEG 6000

Table 4.3.2Avg Weight Loss for Mix A1(cylinders) for different percentage of PEG 6000

Fig 4.1 Compaction factor for different percentages of PEG 6000

Fig:[Link] Weight Loss for Mix A2 (CUBES) For the Different Dosages of PEG 6000
 777 JNAO Vol. 14, Issue. 1 : 2023
Fig:4.2.2 Avg Weight Loss for Mix A2 (CYLINDERS) For the Different Dosages of PEG 6000

Fig 4.3.3AVG Weight loss for Mix A1 (prisms) for the different dosages of PEG6000

Fig: 4.4.1 Avg Weight Loss for MixB2 (CUBES) For the Different Dosages of PEG 6000

4.10.5 Variation of 7 days flexural strength with different dosages of PEG6000

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4.10.1 Variation of 28 days flexural strength with different dosages of PEG6000

V. CONCLUSIONS
• After analyzing the experimental program's outcomes, the following findings on SCA polyethylene
glycol (PEG6000) and a comparison of different aggregates were made.
• 7.1. Findings
• As a result of using PEG6000
• • The workability of low w/c ratio concrete is significantly impacted by the use of higher molecular
weight polyethylene glycol (PEG6000), and the water retention of low w/c ratio concrete is
significantly impacted by the use of PEG6000.
• b) Findings from analyses comparing various coarse aggregate
• The efficacy of SCC is influenced by the w/c ratio and SCA % doses. Concrete mixes infused with
SCA retain more water than OC mixtures. A greater CS is not necessary if there is less weight loss.
• c) Concrete is now more workable than it was with OC since normal coarse aggregate (PEG 6000)
was used instead of OC.
• For concrete with a low water-to-cement ratio, the use of greater molecular weight polyethylene
glycol (PEG6000) significantly affects water retention.

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