International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 8, Issue 10, October 2017, pp. 1131–1140, Article ID: IJCIET_08_10_116
Available online at http://http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=10
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

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STUDY ON ABSORBENCY OF
SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER IN WATER AND
CEMENT PORE FLUID AND ITS
INCORPORATION IN CEMENT MORTAR
K. Suganya
PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering,
Amrita University, Coimbatore, India

V. Poornima
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
Amrita University, Coimbatore, India

ABSTRACT
Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) were studied here as an internal curing agent in
mitigating drying shrinkage of high strength concrete or mortar. Cement pastes and
mortars with water to cement ratio 0.26 were studied by incorporating with and without
SAP. The absorption potential of SAP was determined by tea bag test in both pore fluid
and water. Using this absorption capacity the amount of SAP added to the concrete was
calculated. Keeping SAP and extra water amount stable, the Superplasticizer dosage
was adjusted to obtain the essential workability. In order to improve the mechanical
properties silica fume was added by various percentages of cement (0%, 10%, 15%, 20
%). Moreover internal curing could effectively reduce the drying shrinkage. When
compared to conventional curing concrete drying shrinkage was found to be less in
internal curing mortars.
Key words: Superabsorbent Polymer, Water Absorption, Silica Fume, Workability,
Compressive Strength, Drying Shrinkage.
Cite this Article: K. Suganya and V. Poornima, Study On Absorbency of
Superabsorbent Polymer In Water and Cement Pore Fluid and Its Incorporation In
Cement Mortar, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(10),
2017, pp. 1131–1140.
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 K. Suganya and V. Poornima

1. INTRODUCTION
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) defines Internal Curing(IC) as “A process by which the
hydration of cement continues because of the availability of internal water that is not part of
mixing water”. Curing is valuable for concrete structures. In association with curing comparison
between plain concrete to IC concrete, we can see plain concrete is completely dependent on
surface curing which only penetrates concrete surface by few mm whereas the concrete with IC
curing agent provides water internally which is distributed throughout the concrete matrix. IC
water is hidden with the IC agent and begins to release water immediately at the time of set.
This investigation involves Super Absorbent Polymer as internal curing agent which absorbs
water 500 times greater than its own weight. An extensive experimental program was performed
using SAP amount added by % of weight of cement. But it cannot be put in practice for SAP
having different absorption capacities. It is very difficult to get SAP with same absorption
capacity in construction industries. So addition of SAP amount may be calculated using the
absorption capacity which is obtained from tea bag test. If the absorption capacity of SAP is
100gmof water/gmof SAP, then the amount of SAP to be added is given by dividing the amount of
internal curing water by absorption capacity. So that it absorbs only the internal curing water.
The SAP to be added in water may be either before adding to the concrete or while mixing the
concrete. Or in other words SAP can be added in two forms. One in gel conditions another in
dry condition. Before start of the mixing concrete SAP and IC water are mixed together to
become gel so that curing water cannot escape from polymer. This is one type mixing. The
other type SAP and IC water can be added separately while mixing concrete. Absorption of
free water by SAP while mixing may affect the rheology and mechanical properties of concrete.
So further research on addition of amount SAP without affecting the rheology and durability
properties of internally cured HPC with additional micro filler is required.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Ole Mejlhede Jensen, et.al [12] examined the different techniques for incorporating of internal
curing water in concrete. One of the techniques is substances with physically absorbed water
(SAP) has the capacity to absorb the significant amount of water. It can be available in different
absorption capacity. It was proved that IC using SAP was capable of eliminating autogenous
shrinkage. But these IC agents leave pores which weaken the mechanical properties [4,5].
Mostly IC agents can be more effective with low w/c ratio which reduces the self-desiccations
and autogenous shrinkage [1, 8, 11]. However most of the works focus on cement pastes and
mortars [1, 8, 9, 11] only limited researches have been done on concrete. And it was
experimentally proved that IC by SAP has no negative effects on compressive strengths. Craeye
B, et.al [5] studied low w/b ratio HPC has negative effects on mechanical properties due to the
addition of curing water and SAP. Some studies focused on optimization of SAP where
shrinkage reduction is highly possible and strength reduction less. Christof Schroefl, Viktor
Mechtcherine, Peter Vectontobel, Jan Hovind, Eberhard Lehmann [6] conducted tests with
different SAP that shows different absorption behaviour in concrete. Due to this free water may
loss in concrete which affects the rheological behaviour and the characteristics. In order to
maintain the same rheological behaviour and characteristics of concrete preliminary
investigations are done in SAP [6, 9, 12]. Tea bag test was conducted in SAP to find the
absorption capacity of water and cement pore solution [1, 11]. Using this absorption capacity
SAP amount is added to concrete. The advantage of IC high performance concrete was reduced
autogenous shrinkage and cracking, reduced permeability and increased durability. But the
strength reduction was 10 to 30% of conventional concrete [4, 5]. To improve the strength
property additional cementitious material or micro fillers can be used [2, 3, 14, 15].

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 Study On Absorbency of Superabsorbent Polymer In Water and Cement Pore Fluid and Its
Incorporation In Cement Mortar

3. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
3.1. Materials
Ordinary Portland cement with specific weight of 3.12 and silica fume widely available in
powder form with silica of 95%, river sand as fine aggregate and gravel as coarse aggregate of
nominal size of 10mm were used. Super absorbent polymer is spherical in shape with the
particle size of 300 microns. Tea bag test method was used to find the absorption capacity of
SAP by immersing the SAP in water and cement solution which was shown in fig1. In water it
has maximum absorption capacity of 100g of water /g of SAP and in cement solution 30g of water /g of
SAP. When it reaches the maximum absorption capacity after a while desorption of water or
cement solution from SAP takes place, which indicate that it will release water for concrete
during hydration process. Superplasticizer used CERAPLAST 400 which is of sulphonated
melamine formaldehyde condensate type. Mortar mixes used for experiments are:
C- Conventionally cured specimen
C1- Internally cured specimen without Silica fume
SF1- Internally cured specimen with 10% replacement of cement with Silica fume
SF2- Internally cured specimen with 15% replacement of cement with Silica fume
SF3- Internally cured specimen with 20% replacement of cement with Silica fume

3.2. Method of mixing of SAP and tests on SAP

As it was mentioned earlier SAP particles significantly expand as a result of their water
absorption. Using teabag test the behavior of SAP was tested in water and cement solution.
When SAP was exposed to water it swells for a particular time then desorption of water from
SAP takes place. In cement solution it absorbs less and desorption is very quick. The Absorption
Capacity (AC) of SAP in water and cement solution was tabulated. By using the absorption
capacity value the amount of SAP added to the concrete was calculated. The amount of
absorption capacity will be in gm of water/gm of SAP.

Figure 1 Dry SAP and SAP presoaked with internal curing water

Figure 2 Tea bag test done in water and cement solution

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 K. Suganya and V. Poornima

SAP will be available in different absorption capacities in market. So while adding SAP to
the concrete in percentage of weight of cement it may absorb free water from concrete or leaves
the curing water in concrete. This leads to slump reduction or bleeding which reduces the
mechanical properties of concrete. In order to avoid these problems preliminary test like tea
bag test was done in SAP to find the absorption capacity. 1gmof SAP was taken in tea bag and
immersed in cement solution and water. Then teabag was weighed at certain intervals of time.
Table 1 & 2 shows the absorption capacities of SAP for several intervals of time.

Table 1 Absorption capacity of SAP in cement solution

Time in min 5 10 15 30 60 90 120 180
Absorption 30.78
25.957 22.7 17.185 14.2 12.71 11.68 11.62
capacity in gm

Absorption capacity in gm
Absorption capacity in

40
30
20
gm

10 absorption capacity in gm
0
5 10 15 30 60 90 120 180
Time in min

Figure 3 Absorption capacity of SAP in cement solution

Table 2 Absorption capacity of SAP in water

Time in min 0.5 1 2 3 5 10 15 30 60 120 180 210 240
Water
absorption
31.38 56.902 73.61 80.953 85.89 90.851 93.076 95.471 97.448 99.383 98.415 96.43 96.281
capacity in
gm

Absorption capacity in water

Absorption capacity in gm

120
100
80
60
40
Absorption capacity in gm
20
0
0.5

10
15
30
60
120
180
210
240
1
2
3
5

Time in min

Figure 4 Absorption Capacity of SAP in water

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 Study On Absorbency of Superabsorbent Polymer In Water and Cement Pore Fluid and Its
Incorporation In Cement Mortar

3.3. Mortar mixture proportions

The mixture proportion for mortar is as same as the cement and fine aggregate content for M75
in concrete mix proportion which is used in further research. The ratio of 1:1.03 with the w/c
ratio of 0.26 is used to check the strength property.

3.4. Workability of cement pastes with and without SAP

The main aim is to obtain practical measure of workability of cement pastes which contain SAP,
Superplasticizer and Silica fume by mini slump cone test. In this method, various percentages
of silica fumes (10%, 15%, 20% by weight of cement) and super plasticizer (0.1% to 1.5% by
weight of cement) incorporated in it were checked for workability and optimum
Superplasticizer dosage was selected for each mix with SAP. Figure 5 shows optimum
Superplasticizer dosage for C, C1, SF1, SF2, SF3 was 1.2%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4% by weight of
cement.

SP Dosage in % vs Spread SP Dosage in % vs spread

Diameter in mm Diameter in mm
Spread Diameter in mm

Spread diameter in mm
200 190
150 180
100 170
Spread Spread
50 diameter 160 diameter
0 in mm 150 in mm
0 1 2 0 1 2
SP dosage in % SP Dosage in %

(a) (b)

SP dosage in % vs Spread SP dosage in % vs spread

Diameter in mm Diameter in mm
Spread Diameter in mm
Spread diameter in mm

200 200
150 150
100 100
Spread Spread
50 diameter 50 diameter
0 in mm 0 in mm
0 1 2 0 1 2
SP dosage in % SP Dosage in %

(c) (d)

Figure 5 SP dosage vs Spread diameter for (a) C1 (b) SF1 (c) SF2 (d) SF3

3.5. Preparation of mortar specimen

A set of Portland cement mortar cubes of size 7cm x 7cm x 7cm for each mixture were cast to
study the compressive strength on 7th and 28th day. The prism of size 40mm x 40mm x 160mm
were cast for both the absorption capacities from water (SAP pre soaked with extra curing water
becomes gel and added to concrete while mixing) and cement solution(dry SAP directly added
to concrete while mixing) for each mixture to check the drying shrinkage. The control

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 K. Suganya and V. Poornima

specimens were cured in water tank for 28 days. The remaining cubes were subjected to air-
dried curing (in room temperature for 28 days).

3.6. Slump test of fresh mortar and compressive strength of hardened mortar
The fresh state property slump was checked immediately after mixing mortar. The mortar was
hand mixed in pan with the proportion as mentioned above. Fill the slump cone, lift it
immediately after pouring mortar and leave them to take 25 jolt. Then spread diameter of mortar
was measured in mm for all the mixes. The mix and spread diameter of mixes were shown. For
compressive strength test, mortar cubes of 7cm were cast and tested under compression testing
machine with load capacity of 2000kN. Mortar cubes internally cured were tested on 7th and
28th day.

3.7. Drying Shrinkage of mortar

ASTM C596 provides a method for volumetric expansion of mortar or concrete due to stress or
temperature change. The different cement mortars were tested for unrestrained expansion or
shrinkage. The test utilizes a mortar prism of size 160mm x 40mm x 40mm for testing. The
specimens were demoulded and initial moist curing is done for 7 days. After curing they are
stored at oven for 24 hours and then initial measurements were taken. Comparator readings
after air storage were taken at 7, 14,28,56,90 days.

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This study focussed on understanding the absorption capacity of superabsorbent polymer in
water and cement solution. The liquid uptake and release from SAP depends on the ionic
composition of the liquid. While using distilled water its absorption capacity is more whereas
in alkaline solution the absorption and desorption behaviour will be faster and less capacity
absorption.

Table 3 Slump test and Compressive Strength result for mortar

Average spread Average compressive strength on 28th day in
Mix notation N/mm2
Diameter in mm
100gm AC 30gm AC 100gm AC 30gm AC
C 303.33 300.00 48.97 48.97
C1 293.66 287.34 39.7 53.06
SF1 288.67 275.5 48 58.16
SF2 287.33 276.36 48 55.103
SF3 288.33 278.5 53.06 57.147
The workability and strength increment between SAP added presoaked with IC water
(100gm AC) and directly added dry SAP (30gm AC) with incorporation of silica fume were
studied. These results are compared between the absorption capacities. Table 3 shows that
workability of mortar for both the absorption capacity was almost same. But the added SAP
reduces the workability due to the absorption of water from the mix. The test results in table 2
show the average spread diameter and compressive strength of mortar for both the absorption
capacity. Figures6 and 7 brings out the fact that 30gm absorption capacity7th day compressive
strength increases 15% and 28th day compressive strength has no negative effects when
compared with 100gm absorption capacity.

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 Study On Absorbency of Superabsorbent Polymer In Water and Cement Pore Fluid and Its
Incorporation In Cement Mortar

Figure 6 Compressive strength of internally cured mortar on 7th day with different absorption
capacities (AC)

Compressive Strength vs Mortar mix

Compressive Strength in

70
60
50
N/mm2

40
30 28th Day (100gm AC)
20 28th Day(30gm AC)
10
0
C C1 SF1 SF2 SF3
Mortar Specimen

Figure 7 Compressive strength of internally cured mortar on 28th day with different absorption
capacities (AC)

Table 4 Dying Shrinkage results of Mortar

Specimen name Drying shrinkage in %
th th
7 day 14 day 28thday 56thday 90thday
C 0.044 0.063 0.069 0.072 0.073
C1 0.037 0.04 0.042 0.042 0.043
SF1 0.042 0.045 0.0462 0.0485 0.05
SF2 0.039 0.04 0.043 0.0454 0.046
SF3 0.04 0.042 0.044 0.045 0.045

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 K. Suganya and V. Poornima

Drying Shrinkage vs Mortar Specimen

0.07

Drying shrinkage in %
0.06
0.05 7days
0.04
14 day
0.03
28day
0.02
0.01 56 day
0 90 day
C C1 SF1 SF2 SF3
Mortar Specimen

Figure 8 Drying shrinkage % vs Specimen

Portland cement was partially replaced with silica fume to improve the durability of mortar.
In this experiment SAP and silica fume influence on the drying shrinkage behaviour were
studied. From figure 8 free drying shrinkage seems to be less for internally cured concrete when
compared to conventionally cured concrete. But influence of silica fume in internally cured
concrete has slight increase in drying shrinkage percentage.

5. CONCLUSION
One of the considerable conclusions is internally cured mortar specimens shows high
performance than conventionally cured concrete. The effect of internal curing on durability
properties and on the mechanical strength of concrete can be summarized as follows:
SAP was added to mortar as dry and pre-soaked with internal curing water. When dry SAP
added directly to mortar it absorbs cement pore solution or alkaline solution from mortar and
its absorption capacity was less due to ionic composition of liquid. SAP pre-soaked with
internal curing water swells and becomes gel. Their size and shape will be more than the dry
SAP. When pre-soaked gel or SAP added to mortar it may leaves large pores which weaken the
mortar strength when compared to dry SAP. From the tea bag test it was observed that water
desorption for hydration process is faster for dry SAP than the pre-soaked SAP. It releases water
in very slow rate and fails to achieve early strength. From the results of7th day and 28th day
compressive strength for pre-soaked SAP shows less strength because of large size pores which
weakens the concrete. Dry SAP added directly to the concrete uptake the alkaline solution and
releases them before the initial set of the concrete for hydration process. The deceleration of
water also takes place throughout the curing period which was observed from tea bag test with
cement pore solution. Thus effective internal curing takes place in dry SAP with silica fume.
The results have indicated the higher performance of mortar containing 10% silica fume in
internal curing. The incorporation of silica fume and SAP improves the shrinkage reduction in
internal curing concrete when compared to conventional curing. Further research can also be
done in concrete by adding dry SAP directly to the mix low w/c ratio or high strength concrete.

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 Study On Absorbency of Superabsorbent Polymer In Water and Cement Pore Fluid and Its
Incorporation In Cement Mortar

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