Evaluation of Portland Cement Concrete with Internal Curing Capabilities

Proper curing is a key to durable and sustainable concrete structures. When a concrete mixture is designed, delivered, poured, and consolidated, curing is the last and the most critical part for a quality final product. Insufficient curing of concrete will cause cracking in the concrete and in turn leads to a non-durable and nonsustainable concrete structure. The centrifuge test method for determining aggregate free moisture is superior to the paper towel test method in terms of expediency and repeatability of results. The laboratory results showed that the fresh concrete properties are unaffected by the use of lightweight fine aggregate for internal curing purposes. The compressive strength and modulus of elasticity results were determined to be the same or slightly higher when using lightweight fine aggregate for internal curing purposes. Flexural strength of concrete containing large amounts of lightweight fine aggregate was shown to be reduced slightly compared to the control. The surface resistivity values of the internally cured concrete (ICC) were shown to increase indicating better hydration of the concrete mixture. Field trial placements showed that the ICC performs well. The West Congress project showed reduced cracking at one year over the control sections and the Ada project showed significantly less cracking over the control about nine months after placement of the ICC sections. The section placed without curing compound has yet to crack for the 150 pcy ICC mixture placement, and this is the worst case scenario. The reduced cracking will lead to longer service life and a more durable structure. In both cases, the contractor noted easier finishability characteristics and that, “ICC is just like normal concrete.” Based upon the laboratory and field results, a standard lightweight fine aggregate replacement rate between 225 and 275 pcy is suggested for implementation.

• Record URL:
  http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2016/FR_569.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  https://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2016/ts_569.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/31292
• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana Transportation Research Center

  Baton Rouge, LA  United States 

  Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

  1201 Capitol Access Road, P.O. Box 94245
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70804-9245

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Rupnow, Tyson
  • Collier, Zachary
  • Raghavendra, Amar
  • Icenogle, Patrick
• Publication Date: 2016-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 56p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compressive strength; Concrete curing; Cracking; Durability; Evaluation; Field tests; Fine aggregates; Flexural strength; Laboratory studies; Portland cement concrete
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01613840
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA.16/569
• Contract Numbers: LTRC Project Number: 12-4C; SIO Number: 30000680
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 21 2016 4:35PM