BEHAVIOR OF INTERNALLY CURED SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE WITH FLY ASH UNDER AMBIENT CURING CONDITIONS

This research studies self compacting concrete mixes with 0, 30, 40 and 50% fly ash as replacement which are internally cured with super absorbent polymer and lightweight expanded clay aggregates against Self Compacting Concrete which are conventionally cured by submerging in water for a specific period. The optimum dose of the Internal curing agent was determined based on the chemical shrinkage of cement paste and it was presoaked in the mixing water and incorporated at the time of mixing. Fresh properties like slump cone, V funnel and L box tests were made and the effect of fly ash and internal curing agent was reported. Properties like compressive strength and durability factors such as rate of water absorption and resistance to chloride penetration were studied. Also the relationship between compressive strength and chloride penetration was established. It was found that the addition of fly ash seems to be beneficial for self curing concrete specimens up to 40% in terms of strength and durability. Concrete internally cured with super absorbent polymer showed better performance when compared with concrete cured with clay aggregates.