Air curing self-compacting concrete

Abstract EN

The present experimental program extended over three main stages to explore the possibility of dispensing water curing by means of Latex addition to the self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixtures constituents.

Two latex dosages, based on the latex solid part, were employed in the first stage of work, namely 3 %, and 5 %.

The validity of this approach was evaluated through compressive strength results of cube specimens having different curing regimes.

Through the remaining stages, the minimum dosage was adopted as suitable for the purpose of this work from the technical and economical viewpoints.

Further enhancement of the Latex modified concrete (LMC) mixture by fibers addition to the mixtures was thoroughly investigated in the second stage of work in terms of the performance criteria of the generated SCC mixes.

It is generally agreed that the fibers have a pronounced contribution to the hardened concrete mechanical strengths, but its adverse effect on the fresh concrete workability is very often disadvantage.

It was found here that owing to the increased viscosities of the mixtures incorporating Latex, it is possible to utilize the fibers benefits in the hardened state without significantly impairing the sought performance criteria in the fresh state.

The durability aspects were the concern of the last stage of work.

Test results proved that the LMC has a superior quality over the other kinds of concrete regarding permeability to liquids.

Also, the ability of the LMC mixtures to resist sulfate attack in terms of surface scaling and strength retrogression is better than or the ordinary concrete mixture and it was comparable to it for the SCC without Latex.