Abstract:
Concrete is the most widely used construction material due to its good compressive strength and
durability. The imagination of a world without concrete is impossible as the concrete is a soul of
infrastructures. Conventional concrete which is the mixture of cement, fine aggregate, coarse
aggregate and water, needs curing to achieve strength. So it is required to cure for a minimum
period of 28 days for good hydration and to achieve target strength. Lack of proper curing can
badly affect the strength properties and durability of concrete. The strength and durability of
concrete depends on the curing process of concrete. The ACI-308 Code states that “self-curing
(external self-curing and internal self curing) refers to the hydration process of cement with
water.” The extent to which this reaction is completed influences the strength and durability of
the concrete. Curing is the maintenance of a satisfactory moisture content and temperature in
concrete for a period of time immediately following placing and finishing so that the desired
properties may develop.Self-curing concrete is one type of modern concrete which cure itself by
retaining its moisture content in it. The need for adequate curing of concrete cannot be
overemphasized as it has a strong influence on the properties of hardened concrete. This study is
investigating whether the use of self-curing concrete is economical for concrete compared to
normal curing concrete in remote areas or other regions where there is scarcity of water without
compromising the strength properties of concrete while using different binding materials (OPC
and PPC). In the present study, comparison of compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural
strength of concrete and concrete water absorption for normal and external self curing concrete
have been made; concure WB concrete curing compound has been used for external self curing
concrete. Experimental results indicated that conventional curing concrete for both binding
materials (OPC and PPC mixes) has better mechanical properties and percentage concrete water
absorption as compared to external self curing concrete.
