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A review on self-curing agents

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Abstract

The concept of self-curing for improving the resistance of concrete to shrinkage cracks and strength in concrete is used from last many years. But a systematic review of material used as self-curing agents was lacking. This study presents a review on various self-curing agents used over ages for application in concrete. A comparison of mechanisms of external curing with internal curing, supported by sketches and microscopic images has been made. This paper reviews different self-curing agents considering properties such as particle size, water absorption, water desorption, and relative density. Thereby classifying different self-curing agents on the basis of nature into three categories, viz physical, chemical, and biological. This study also presents the characteristics of self-curing agents and their effects on concrete as determined by the nature of the agents. On the basis of review, it was found that use of internal curing agents led to reduction in autogenous shrinkage and improvement in mechanical and durability behavior of concrete in addition to relevant environmental and economic benefits.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study if any are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

IC:

Internal curing

LWA:

Lightweight aggregates

PFLWA:

Pre-wetted fine lightweight aggregates

ICC:

Internally cured concrete

FA:

Fine aggregate

RH:

Relative humidity

C:

Cement

CA:

Coarse aggregates

W:

Water

Ad.:

Admixtures

HPC:

High-performance concrete

GGBFS:

Ground-granulated blast-furnace slag

LECA:

Light expanded clay aggregate

UHPC:

Ultrahigh-performance concrete

SEM:

Scanning electron microscope

LWD:

Air-dried lightweight aggregates

SAP:

Super absorbent polymer

LWW:

Lightweight wet aggregates

XRD:

X-ray diffraction

TGA:

Thermogravimetric analyzer

MIP:

Mercury intrusion porosimetry

XCT:

X-ray-computed micro-tomography

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  1. Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Central University of Haryana, 123031, Mahendergarh, India

    Sudhir Panwar & Abhishek Jindal

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  1. Sudhir Panwar
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Each of the authors confirms that this manuscript has not been previously published and is not currently considered by any other journal. Additionally, the authors have approved the contents of this paper and have agreed to the Journal of Innovative Infrastructure Solutions submission policies. Each named author has substantially contributed to conducting the underlying review and drafting this manuscript. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, the named authors have no conflict of interest, financial, or otherwise.

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Panwar, S., Jindal, A. A review on self-curing agents. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 8, 282 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-023-01237-z

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