The influence of the initial moisture content of lightweight aggregate on internal curing
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Abstract
This paper explores the potential for manufacturing internally cured concretes with lightweight aggregate (LWA) that has different initial moisture contents prior to mixing: oven-dry, 24 h pre-wetted, and vacuum saturated. Results show that when LWA is used in an oven-dry condition it can absorb water from the paste prior to set which will be returned to the system as internal curing water. When mixture proportion adjustments are properly made to account for the water absorbed by the aggregate before setting, the mixture can provide internal curing benefits. These beneficial aspects include increased hydration which leads to higher compressive strength, reduced water absorption, and reduced electrical conductivity (permeability). Further, these benefits include reduced autogenous shrinkage and a lower propensity for early-age cracking. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Description
Keywords
Internal curing, Lightweight aggregate, Water absorption, Aggregate desorption, Calorimetry, Initial moisture content