EFFECT OF STEAM CURING BY SOLAR ENERGY ON THE MECHANICAL STRENGTH AND DURABILITY OF CONCRETES

Abstract

The influence of atmospheric steam curing by solar energy on the mechanical strength for precast concrete elements was investigated. An experimental program was carried out to study in parallel the effect of water/cement ratio (0.4, 0.5 and 0.6), the influence of cement type and the influence of curing methods (four methods of curing were used: water curing, air curing, steam curing at 29°C and steam curing at 45°C) on the compressive and flexural strength of samples concrete. Six similar formulations of workability are made from ordinary Portland cement (CEM I 42.5) and a compound cement (CEM II/B 42.5), three of each type are studied. The results obtained flow highlight the beneficial effect of a steam curing procedure to achieve high compressive and flexural strength, especially in the earlier ages of curing. However, after 28 days of steam curing, a strength reduction was observed in all samples

Keywords

• concrete,mechanical strength,steam curing,solar energy,precast elements

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