Autogenous Curing of Cold-Bonded Fly-Ash-Aggregate Concrete

Autogenous curing behavior of cold-bonded fly-ash-aggregate concrete for a range of cement and aggregate contents is studied by subjecting concrete to three different curing regimes, viz, mist curing, sealed condition and air curing. The moisture movement from the aggregate to concrete at various ages is estimated and correlated to the paste-aggregate proximity. The degree of hydration is evaluated through nonevaporable water content. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) has been employed to identify hydration products with age of concrete. The results suggest that the degree of hydration and strength of cold-bonded aggregate concrete are almost insensitive to curing conditions. The autogenous curing of cold-bonded aggregate concrete could be effectively utilized with no variation in compressive strength or porosity as compared with mist curing, if it is properly covered to minimize the evaporation loss.