Effect of internal curing on behavior of high performance concrete: An overview

This study reviews research experiences on developing an internal curing approach for high-performance concrete (HPC). Common materials have been used to produce the internal curing required to reduce self-desiccation in cement paste and will subsequently reduce the risks of developing cracks in hardened concrete. Furthermore, this study focuses on the behavior of HPC, including density, strength (compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural), shrinkage (autogenous and drying), and microstructure of hydrated cement paste. Results indicate that internal curing is more effective at a later age on splitting tensile and flexural strength than on compressive strength. Internal curing has enabled the interfacial transition zone increasingly compact and dense, thereby enhancing strength.