THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT CURING CONDITIONS ON HVFAC RHEOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

This research was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of different curing conditions on rheological and mechanical properties of high volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC) in comparison with the ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPC). Four types of concrete were made: two HVFAC and two OPC designed to have the same consistency and 28-day compressive strength for samples cured in water. Also, three different curing regimes were chosen: standard water curing (W), standard laboratory air curing (L) and curing in standard laboratory conditions using curing compound based on the polyolefin emulsion (C). The main objectives were to evaluate the influence of these curing regimes on the compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, modulus of elasticity development over time, water permeability of concrete and concrete shrinkage. The use of curing compound improved previously mentioned properties in some extent compared with the samples cured in standard air conditions.