Performance of self-curing concrete at elevated temperatures

Abstract

Self-curing concrete (SCC) can cure without using any external curing methods. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the chemical agents which minimizes the loss of water and also attracts moisture from the atmosphere and helps in continuous curing of concrete. In this investigation, the effects of the coupled effect of elevated temperature levels of 200^oC, 400^oC and 600^oC and heating periods of 2 h and 4 h as well as air and water cooling action on the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of conventional-curing concrete and SCC are studied, respectively. Results show that self-curing concrete can be used at elevated temperatures considering its loss of strength. Air cooling is better for ordinary concrete but that may differ for SCC which may cool using water-cooling up to 400^oC. Increasing elevated temperature and heating time decreases the values of residual strengths.