Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025
06:27
Sandy Soil Improvement through Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation MICP by Immersion
Published on: September 12, 2019
9.5K
Microstructure and Water Retention Kinetics in Autogenous Cured Self-Compacting Concrete Blends Using Super Absorbent
Lija Rajamony Laila1, Aarthi Karmegam2, Siva Avudaiappan3,4
1Department of Civil Engineering, KCG College of Technology, Chennai 600097, India.
Polymers
|September 28, 2023
Summary
Super absorbent polymer (SAP) and granite powder (GP) enhance water retention in sustainable concrete. Early water release with SAP and GP improves hydration and water kinetics for better autogenous curing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Sustainable Construction
Background:
- Autogenous curing is vital for concrete performance, relying on internal water movement.
- Sustainable concrete production requires alternatives to traditional cement, like granite powder (GP) and fly ash (FA).
- Super absorbent polymers (SAP) can potentially improve water retention in concrete mixtures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of super absorbent polymer (SAP) on microstructural characteristics and water retention kinetics.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of granite powder (GP) and fly ash (FA) as cement substitutes in sustainable concrete.
- To analyze the water mitigation kinetics in autogenous cured self-compacting concrete (GP-ACSSC) mixtures incorporating SAP.
Main Methods:
- Experimental analysis of water sorptivity, water retention, and hydration.
- Testing of autogenous cured self-compacting concrete (GP-ACSSC) mixtures with varying SAP and GP concentrations.
- Assessment of early-age hydration and water distribution within the cement paste.
Main Results:
- Early release of curing water facilitated homogenous and immediate water distribution, enhancing water retention kinetics.
- SAP addition (up to 0.6%) and GP substitution (up to 15%) positively influenced water kinetics parameters.
- The combined use of SAP and GP demonstrated favorable microstructural characteristics and improved water retention.
Conclusions:
- SAP and GP are effective in improving the water retention and hydration kinetics of sustainable concrete.
- Optimized concentrations of SAP and GP can lead to enhanced autogenous curing and reduced carbon footprint.
- This research provides insights into developing more durable and eco-friendly concrete materials.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Superplasticizers
98
Superplasticizers are advanced admixtures that enhance the workability of concrete by lowering the water content without compromising the strength of the material. These substances are highly effective water reducers, improving concrete flow, making it easier to work with, and enabling concrete to reach inaccessible areas or densely reinforced sections without mechanical vibration. The key components in superplasticizers are either sulfonated melamine or naphthalene formaldehyde condensates,...
98
01:20Curing of Concrete
114
The hydration of cement takes place within the water-filled capillary pores. However, environmental elements can disrupt this process by evaporating water from the concrete surfaces. Sealed concrete with a water-cement ratio below 0.5 experiences self-desiccation, leading to water loss. The water loss in concrete is mitigated by curing. This technique involves keeping the concrete saturated to maintain the necessary temperature and moisture conditions, to optimally fill the spaces in the cement...
114
01:20Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate
313
Aggregates contain pores of varying sizes; while some are completely enclosed within the particles, others open onto the surface, allowing water to penetrate. The porosity of aggregates is a major factor contributing to the overall porosity of concrete, given that aggregates constitute about three-quarters of concrete's volume.
When all pores in an aggregate are filled with water, the aggregate is considered saturated and surface-dry. If left in dry air, water will evaporate until the...
When all pores in an aggregate are filled with water, the aggregate is considered saturated and surface-dry. If left in dry air, water will evaporate until the...
313
01:18Porosity in Cement Paste
167
The porosity of concrete is a measure of the void spaces within its structure. These spaces impact its strength and durability significantly. When water and cement interact, a chemical reaction called hydration creates a semi-solid paste. This paste includes combined water, making up approximately 23% of the cement's dry mass, and gel water, which fills minuscule voids known as gel pores, accounting for about 28% of the cement gel volume.
The balance of water to cement in the mix is...
The balance of water to cement in the mix is...
167
01:25Permeability of Concrete
164
Permeability in the context of concrete refers to how easily liquids or gases can pass through the material. This quality is crucial for assessing the water-tightness and durability of concrete structures and their resistance to chemical attacks. Concrete permeability can be determined through comparative laboratory tests. These tests typically involve sealing a concrete specimen from the sides, applying water pressure to the top surface with pressure, and measuring the amount of water passing...
164
01:24Hydration of Cement
271
Hydration of cement is a chemical reaction between cement particles and water. This process occurs primarily through two mechanisms: through-solution and topochemical. In the through-solution process, anhydrous compounds dissolve into their constituents, hydrates form in the solution, and then precipitate from the supersaturated solution. The topochemical process involves solid-state reactions at the cement particle surface. The through-solution process dominates the topochemical process at the...
271