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Study On The Effect of Different Curing Methods in Compressive Strength of Concrete
Study On The Effect of Different Curing Methods in Compressive Strength of Concrete
MARCH 2015
BERNARDO S.OCAMPO, CE
Member, Advisory Committee
________________________________
Date Signed
___________________________
Date Signed
DHEVIE A. MADARCOS, CE
Chair, Advisory Committee
____________________________
Date Signed
Accepted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science
in Civil Engineering.
_________________________________
Date Signed
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
The author was born on February 14, 1992 at Sandoval, Narra, Palawan. He presently
resides at Barangay Sandoval, Narra, Palawan. He is the eldest child of Bobby M. Carlos and
Norma F. Carlos. He has two (2) brothers and two (2) sisters named Ariel, Jayson, Kristine Joy,
and Krezel kate. He finished his elementary education at Sandoval, Elementary School and his
secondary education at Sandoval National High School. As he dreams to pursue his studies and
become a professional, he enrolled his tertiary education at the western Philippines University
(WPU) Aborlan, Palawan with the degree of bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and is
about to graduate in April 2015. He wants to become a successful Civil Engineer someday.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author wishes to acknowledge every individual who had been part of this study. First
and foremost, the almighty God, who is the source of all strength, wisdom and knowledge;
To his adviser, Engr. Dhevie A. Madarcos, for seriously sharing her knowledge and ideas,
for the patience, advices and corrections that made this study possible;
To his project study instructor, Engr. Bernardo S. Ocampo, for the advice, suggestions
and encouragements that made this study successful;
To his statistician, Dr. Noel L. Gauran, for guiding and checking statistical data;
To his English Critic, Mr. Ryan Madarcos, for the effort and patience checking and editing his
manuscript;
Engr. Mirriam P. Banlawe for the advice, approval, concern and for the time she spent in
checking his manuscript;
To the technician of Universal Testing Machine (UTM), Mr. Angelo T. Toto for the effort
and time he spent during testing of samples;
To his friends and boardmates, John Christian Pamado, David Maniquis, Jose Ryan
Latosa, Richard Pendon, Arnold Villanueva, Jerald Villones, Feterson Tabujara, Defrey, Joriel
and Mac-Mac for sharing happy moments and laughter together;
The author wants to express his gratitude to his friends Jessica Labrador, Nequita Joyce
Escala, and Rose Ann Arimado, for inspiring and being his companions, for the support, love and
care, for the encouragements, reminders and motivations, and for those happy moments, thoughts
and trials shared together;
And also, his utmost gratitude and sincerity to his family, to his brothers and sisters,
Ariel, Jayson, Kristine Joy, and Krezel Kate for being his inspiration. to his father and mother,
Bobby M. Carlos and Norma F. Carlos, for unending support, love, care and advice that mould
the author to become more responsible;
To his aunt, Virginia Calunsag for being there in times of financial shortage, and for
giving advice and support;
To his Uncle, Fernando Calunsag and his cousin Nancy Briza Calunsag for their support;
and
To his classmates, for their advices and reminders.
The author never forgets you.
I.J.F.C
ABSTRACT
8
CARLOS, IAN JUN F., College of Engineering and Technology, Western Philippines
University, Aborlan Palawan, March 2015. STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT
CURING METHODS IN COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE
sprinkling method had a highest compressive strength of 15.79 N/mm 2 which was significantly
different from the other treatments but showed no significant difference from Treatment 2
(plastic sheeting method).
Therefore, the results of the study proved that curing of concrete using water increases its
compressive strength. Based on the result, the researcher recommends the following; (a) using
Treatment 3 (water sprinkling method) in curing the concrete to increase the compressive
strength; and (b) further study about the other curing techniques and their proper application on
concrete be conducted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
10
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL SHEET
WPU MISSION AND VISSION
CEAT GOAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING OBJECTIVES
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
TABLEOF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF APPENDICES
CHAPTER
i
ii
iii
iv
vi
vii
ix
xi
xiii
xiv
xv
PAGE
I. INTRODUCTION
Conceptual Framework
Literatures
III. METHODOLOGY
10
11
11
Mixing of concrete
11
Preparation of samples
11
Curing
12
Analysis
12
13
11
15
Summary
15
Conclusion
16
Recommendation
16
BIBLIOGRAPHY
17
APPENDICES
18
LIST OF TABLES
12
TABLE
PAGE
14
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE
PAGE
11
13
14
15
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A. Letter of Request
Appendix B. Test Result Summary
14
Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
Curing can be described as keeping the concrete moist and warm enough so that the
hydration of cement can continue. More elaborately, it can be described as the process of
maintaining a satisfactory moisture content and a favorable temperature in concrete during the
period immediately following placement, so that hydration of cement may continue until the
desired properties are developed to a sufficient degree to meet the requirement of service.
Concrete curing is one of the most important and final steps in concrete construction
though it is also one of the most neglected and misunderstood procedures. Curing is the
treatment of newly placed concrete during the hardening period so that it retain enough moisture
to immunize shrinkage and resist cracking (Lambert Corporation, 1999). The process serves two
major purposes: it prevents or replenishes the loss of moisture from the concrete, and it maintains
a favorable temperature for hydration to occur for a definite period.
Water Curing
Curing concrete with water prevents excessive loss of moisture when the concrete is
covered with a layer of water for a predetermined period of time. Curing concrete with water
controls the evaporation of moisture from the surface. Gradually, the concrete produces its
chemical reaction that will eventually harden the concrete. Water curing can be done through
different techniques; Immersion, ponding, fogging, and wet covering. The scope of this paper
will focus only on fogging or sprinkling. It is a curing method wherein a fine fog mist is
frequently applied on the surface of the concrete through a system of sprayers or nozzles. It is an
effective method of curing when the humidity is low or the ambient temperature is well above
the freezing point. This method requires ample of water and constant proper supervision.
Membrane Curing
16
Compressive Strength is the maximum stress a material can sustain under crush loading.
The compressive strength of a material that fails by a shattering fracture can be defined within
fairly narrow limits as an independent property. However, the compressive strength of materials
that do not shatter in compression must be defined as the amount of stress required to distort the
material an arbitrary amount. Compressive strength is calculated by dividing the maximum load
by the original cross-sectional area of a specimen in a compression test.
Significance of the Study
17
This research would provide information about the effect of different curing methods in
compressive strength of concrete.
Statement of the Problem
This research was conducted to study about the effectivity of different curing methods
applied on concrete.
Specifically, it sought answers to the following questions:
1. What are the effects of different curing methods in the compressive strength of
concrete?
2. What is the most effective curing method that will give the highest result for the
compressive strength of concrete?
18
2. To determine the most effective curing method that will give the highest result for
the compressive strength of concrete.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This research focused only on determining the effects of different curing methods in the
compressive strength of concrete. Curing methods were limited only to air drying method, plastic
sheeting method, and water sprinkling method.
Concrete. - is a composite material composed mainly of water, aggregate, and cement. Often,
additives and reinforcements are included in the mixture to achieve the desired physical
properties of the finished material. When these ingredients are mixed together, they form
a fluid mass that is easily molded into shape. Over time, the cement forms a hard matrix
which binds the ingredients together into a durable stone-like material with many uses.
Curing. - is the process in which concrete is protected from loss of moisture and kept within a
reasonable temperature range. The result of this process is increased strength and
decreased permeability. Curing is also a paramount in mitigating cracks in the concrete,
which severely impacts durability. Cracks allow open access for harmful materials to
bypass the low permeability concrete near the surface. Adequate curing can mitigate the
appearance of unplanned cracking.
Slump test. - is an empirical test that measures the workability and consistency of fresh concrete.
More specifically, it measures the consistency of the concrete in that specific batch.
Universal testing machine (UTM). -also known as a universal tester, materials testing
machine or materials test frame, is used to test the tensile stress and the compressive
strength of materials. It is named so because it can perform many standard tensile and
compression tests on materials, components, and structures.
20
Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Curing concrete can be defined as a chemical process that ensures the hydration of
cement in newly placed concrete. The curing process is part of the chemical reaction between
Portland cement and water to hydrate the product, creating a gel that can be laid down only in
21
water-filled space. It usually involves the control of moisture loss and the temperature affecting
the hydration process. Concrete must be placed, ideally between 50 degrees and 75
degrees Fahrenheit, or between 10 degrees and 22 degrees Centigrade. And this temperature
must be maintained during concrete curing. The curing process is vital to quality and has a strong
influence on concrete properties such as durability, strength, water tightness, resistance, volume,
and
freezing
and
thawing
resistance.
(http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blconcrete.htm)
Curing concrete is required to allow a transitional and constant evaporation of water from the
concrete mix. How soon should it start the concrete to be cured? It all depends on the
environmental conditions in which the concrete was placed and whether it was placed in between
forms, directly over ground, submerged in water, and others. The best practice is to cure the
concrete shortly after the chemical reaction has started allowing the concrete to be
hardened. Concrete should not be allowed to dry fast in any situation, and the curing conditions
are likely to be maintained during the first 24 hours or at least until the final setting time of
cement has passed.
Water Curing
Curing concrete with water prevents excessive loss of moisture when the concrete is
covered with a layer of water for a predetermined period of time. Curing concrete with water
allows for the control of the evaporation of moisture from the surface as the concrete gradually
22
produces its chemical reaction that will eventually harden the concrete. Water curing can be done
using the following techniques:
Immersion- Immersion curing is usually done in concrete testing for curing concrete test
specimens.
Ponding- Ponding is used to cure flat surfaces on jobs or controlled areas where water
could be easily ponded.
Fogging- Fogging is used in circumstances where the temperatures are above freezing
and there is low humidity.
Wet Covering- Curing concrete with wet covering is done after concrete has hardened
sufficient enough where the covering will not damage concretes surface.
Membrane Curing
Membrane curing is a process of controlling the curing of concrete by sealing in the
moisture that would be evaporate. The process is accomplished either by spraying a sealer on the
surface or by covering the surface with a sheet film.
Curing concrete with membrane or plastic sheeting is the most practical and efficient
way to cure concrete in today's construction industry. Sometimes water is unavailable to cure
concrete or if done using an incorrect procedure can alter the surface finishing of your
concrete product. Sometime adding water to concrete that has not finished its hardening process
could adversely affect the hydration process, thus altering the concretes properties. A minimum
thickness is required to ensure adequate strength in the sheet; ASTM C 171 Sheet Materials for
Curing Concrete specifies 0.01 mm.(http//construction.about.com/od/glossary/g/astm-americansociety-for-testing-and-materials.htm) Concrete should be covered with a membrane, either
23
plastic or chemical compound that will likely seal off the pores and retard the evaporation of
water from concrete.
Dry-Air Curing
Dry-air curing is a curing method wherein the concrete cubes are left in open air to be
cured at room temperature. Researchers have been working on the natural air drying of concrete
since long.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual model of the study is shown in the form of paradigm in figure 1. It
utilizes the input, the throughput, and the output approach.
24
The INPUT of the study consisted of information and facts from related literature,
materials, tools and equipment use for casting of concrete.
The THROUGHPUT covers the different process involved in determination of the effect
of different curing methods in the compressive strength of concrete.
The OUTPUT covers the application of different curing methods to finished concrete.
The Research Conceptual Model
INPUT
THROUGHPUT
-information and
-determination of
curing methods
OUTPUT
-Finished concrete
-curing process
-materials
-tools and
equipment
FEED BACK
Figure 1. The conceptual paradigm of the study
Chapter III
METHODOLOGY
Time and Place of the study
25
This research study was conducted at Barangay Sandoval, Narra, Palawan. Samples were
tested at the College of Engineering and Technology, Western Philippines University, San Juan,
Aborlan, Palawan.
Paradigm of Activities
Mixing of concrete
Preparation of samples
Curing
Analysis
Figure 2. The Research Paradigm`
Materials, Tools and Equipment Used in the Study
Materials:
0.254 bags of Ordinary Portland Cement (40 kg)
0.1413 cubic meter of sand (fine aggregates)
26
Sprinkling Method
Plastic sheeting Method
27
Curing
Curing started after removing the concrete samples from the moulds. The concrete
samples were cured for 28 days. They were then subjected to air drying method where the
concrete samples were left in an open air to be cured at a room temperature; plastic sheeting
28
method, a curing method which covers the concretes surface with a polyethylene sheet which
prevents the evaporation; and water sprinkling curing method where water prevents excessive
loss of moisture.
Analysis
Analysis of data covers overall performance and results of the test. It was analyzed using
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine the effects of different curing methods in the
compressive strength of concrete.
Chapter IV
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
29
The samples in every treatment were cured for 28 days. After curing, the samples were
subjected to Compression Test to measure their compressive strength. It was tested at the College
of Engineering and Technology, Western Philippines University, Aborlan, Palawan using
Universal Testing Machine (UTM).
Compressive Strength
Compressive strength of concrete is the most common performance measure used by
engineers in designing every structures to determine the concretes strength. This study was able
to determine the effects of different curing methods in the compressive strength of concrete at the
maximum curing period.
Table 1.0 presents the compressive strength attained by the cylindrical concrete samples.
The results revealed that the highest compressive strength of 15.79 N/mm2 was obtained by
treatment 3 (Water sprinkling method) followed by treatment 2 (Plastic sheeting method) with a
mean of 12.87 N/mm2 and lastly the treatment 1 (Air drying curing method) with a mean of
12.10 N/mm2.
Statistical Analysis revealed that treatment 1 (Air drying curing method) and treatment 2
(Plastic sheeting method) were significantly different from treatment 3 (Water sprinkling
method) but not significantly different from each other. This implies that curing of concrete with
water treatment produces higher compressive strength on concrete.
This implies that water curing produces higher compressive strength compare to other
curing methods.
Among the three curing methods used in the study water curing, for as long as sprinkling
method is used, is the most effective method to cure the concrete.
30
Replication
1
2
3
12.92 12.35 11.05
14.59 12.12 11.92
16.90 15.26 15.21
Total
Mean
12.10a
12.87a
15.79b
36.32
38.63
47.37
122.31
13.59
Grand Mean
Cv= 14.27%
ANOVA
Sources of
variation
Treatment
Error
Total
* = Significant
Cv = 8.39%
Degrees of
freedom
(DF)
2
6
8
Sum of
squares
(SS)
Mean of
squares
(MS)
Computed
F - value
22.92
7.82
30.74
11.46
1.30
8.81*
F Tabulated
5%
1%
5.14%
10.92%
Chapter V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
This research study entitled Study on the Effect of Different Curing Methods in the
Compressive Strength of Concrete was conducted at Sandoval, Narra, Palawan from December
31
2014 to February 2015. Testing of samples were done at the College of Engineering and
Technology, Western Philippines University, Aborlan Palawan using Universal Testing Machine
(UTM).
This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of different curing methods
applied on concrete. The specific objectives were; to determine the effects of different curing
methods in the compressive strength of concrete, and to determine the curing method, that will
give the highest compressive strength on concrete.
There were three (3) treatment used, the treatment 1 (air drying method) treatment 2
(plastic sheeting method), and treatment 3 (water sprinkling method) with three (3) replications.
The proportion of cement, sand, and gravel was 1:2:4. The results revealed that the highest
compressive strength of 15.79 N/mm2 was obtained by treatment 3 (water sprinkling method)
followed by treatment 2 (plastic sheeting method) with a mean of 12.87 N/mm 2, and treatment 1
(air drying method) with a mean of 12.10 N/mm2.
Statistical analysis revealed that treatment 3 which is water sprinkling method was
significantly different from other treatments but not significantly different from treatment 2
which is plastic sheeting method Therefore, concrete should be cured with water to prevent
excessive loss of moisture and to increase its maximum compressive strength.
Conclusion
Based on the result of the study, the author concludes that water curing is the best method
to cure the concrete. Proper treatment on a newly placed concrete should also be practiced.
Recommendation
32
Based from the results of the study, the researcher came up with the following
Recommendations:
1. The use of treatment 3 (water sprinkling method) in curing the concrete to
increase the compressive strength.
2. Further Study about the other curing techniques and their proper application on
concrete be conducted.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
THESIS
Abadines, Monica P., 2014. A study on the effect of palm bunch ash as admixture on the
compressive and flexural strength of concrete
PDF FILES
33
Kholia et al., Effect on concrete by different curing method and efficiency of curing compounds
-a review.
WEBSITES
Lambert Corporation (1999): Concrete Curing, www.lambertusa.com, 11-30-2014; 9:41 PM.
www.engineeringcivil.com/assessment-of-the-properties-of-self-cured-concrete, 12-112014; 8:17 AM
http://www.google.com.ph/search?
sclient=psyab&site=&source=hp&q=diferent+curing+methods+on+concrete&btnK=Goo
gle+Search# , 12-11-2014; 5:46 PM
http://www.google.com.ph/search?
sclient=psyab&site=&source=hp&q=study+on+the+different+curing+methods+applied+
on+concrete&btnK=Google+Search, 12-16-2014; 1:55 PM
34
APPENDICES
Replication 2: P = 97.020 N
35
Solution; fc = P/A
= 97,020 N/7853.98 mm2
fc = 12.35 N/mm2
Replication 3: P = 86,790 N
Solution; fc = P/A
= 86,790 N/7853.98mm2
fc = 11.05 N/mm2
Replication 2: P = 11,985 N
Solution; fc = P/A
= 11, 985 N/7853.90 mm2
fc = 15.26 N/mm2
Replication 3: P = 124,210 N
Solution; fc = P/A
= 124,210 N/7853.98
fc = 15.21 N/mm2
Replication 2: P = 95,180 N
Solution; fc = P/A
=95,180 N/mm2
fc = 12.12 N/mm2
Replication 3: P = 93,600 N
Solution; fc = P/A
= 93,600 N/7853 mm2
fc =11.91 N/mm2
37
PICTORIALS
38
39
40
41
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