EFFECT OF CURING METHODS ON STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE INCORPORATED WITH METAKAOLIN AS SUPPLEMENTARY CEMENTING MATERIAL

Tadivaka Venkateswara Rao, Meduri V Seshagiri Rao, Pasumarthi Jagannadha Rao

Abstract: The manufacturing of Self Compacting Concrete needs both chemical and mineral admixtures. The method of curing plays a vital role on strength and setting characteristics of SCC. Hence, this paper presents the results of an investigation dealing with the effects of curing methods on the compressive strength of SCC incorporating Metakaolin as supplementary cementing material. The SCC was prepared using 53grade OPC with and without Metakaolin as SCM. The Grades of concretes made were Standard concretes of M50 and High strength concretes of M80 grades. The compressive strength of the concrete was determined at 7 and 28days. The Curing methods adopted were the conventional method of water pond as reference and the Wax based Liquid membrane curing compound for research. The superplasticiser based on a polycarboxylic ether polymer with long lateral chains, is used to reduce water cement ratio and to improve the flow ability and filling ability of SCC. The ratio of water to binder is maintained at 0.4. It is observed that a significant loss in strength for High strength concretes of M80, around 25%, at 28 days of Wax based liquid membrane curing to that of Water curing. There is no significant change in compressive strength for the standard concretes of M50 grade using only 53grade OPC at 7 days of membrane curing to that of Water curing, but there is a loss in strength of around 8% at 28 days of membrane curing to that of Water curing. The incorporation of Metakaolin in high strength concretes reduced the percentage loss in strength because of reduced porosity.

Keywords: SCC; Metakaolin; Membrane curing; compressive strength

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2015.0425032