RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

8.1 Test Results On Fresh Concrete

a) Slump
Workability of the concrete mixes, both conventional and concrete with PEG400
has been measured using the Slump Cone Test. As the % of PEG400 is increased the
slump is found to increase. But, the rate of increase of slump for M40 concrete is less
than that of M30 plain concrete.

Variation of Slump
180
160
140
120
100
Slump (mm)

M30

80

M40

60
40
20
0

0.5

1.5

% of PEG

Graph 1: The variation of Slump for M30 and M40 Concrete grade.
b) Compaction factor:
The Results of compaction factor is shown were graphically represented. As the
% of PEG400 is increased the Compaction factor is found to increase. But, the rate of
increase of compaction factor for M40 concrete is less than that of M30 plain
concrete.

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Variation of compaction factor

0.96
0.94
0.92
0.9
0.88

M30

Compaction factor 0.86

M40

0.84
0.82
0.8
0.78
plain

0.5

1.5

% of PEG

Graph 2: The variation of Compaction factor for M30 and M40 grade.

8.2 Test Results On Hardened Concrete

Concrete cubes were prepared for M30 grades of Cement Concrete and Self
Cured Concrete using mix design procedures as mentioned in the previous chapters. A
total of 30 cubes were casted for both grades of concrete and were tested for 7 days and
28 days compressive strength and results were compared. After 7 and 28 days of strength
gain, Compressive strengths of both Conventional concrete and Self cured concrete cubes
after 7, and 28 days were tested and compared for the gain in strength.
8.2.1 Comparison Of Compressive Strength Gain
Tests on cube compressive strength of Cement Concrete and Self Cured Concrete
have yielded the following results. Conventional concrete cubes were cured by placing in
a water curing tank and Self Cured concrete cubes were kept in room to air dry until the
test date.

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For 7 and 28 days the compressive strength for M30 grade concrete of 1.5% gives good
results compared to other % variation. Concrete made from curing compounds doesnt
fall short of the minimum strength requirement i.e. 30 MPa. The strength achieved from
curing compounds is much above 30MPa. And from the results it is found the optimum
dosage for M30 as 1.5%. Comparing to conventional concrete and Self cured concrete
(1.5%PEG400) small variation in strength but it can acceptable
Variation of compressive strength(7days)
29
28
27
26

Compressive strength (Mpa) 25

M30

24
23
22
21

0.5

1.5

% of PEG400

Graph 3: The variation of compressive strength for 7 days for M30.

Variation of compressive strength(28days)

40
38
36

Compressive Strength (Mpa) 34

M30

32
30
28

0.5

% of PEG400

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1.5

Graph 4: The variation of compressive strength for 28 days for M30.

As per the Graph 2 and 3 the following are the observations on compressive strength of
concrete
i.

The compressive strength of 1.5% of S.C.A is more when compare to other

dosages upto 28 days.

ii.

The compressive strength for 1.5% is better when compared to 1% and 0.5% of
S.C.A at 28days.

iii.

The specimen with 1.5% dosage shown better performance when compared to
specimen with 1% and 2% of SCA and also conventional concrete at 28days.

iv.

1.5% of S.C.A has shown better strength i.e. up to 7days.

v.

1.5% S.C.A shown better strength at 28 days

vi.

The compressive strength is more for 1%, 1.5% and 2% of S.C.A and also for
7days and 28days.

From the Above Result the Optimum dosage for M30 grade Concrete found to be
PEG400 of 1.5%.

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8.2.2 The test results of M40 grade concrete:

Variation of compressive strength(7days)
40
35
30
25

Compressive Strength (Mpa) 20

M40

15
10
5
0

0.5

1.5

% of PEG400

Graph 5: The variation of compressive strength for 7 days for M40.

Variation of compressive strength(28days)

52
50
48
Compressive Strength (Mpa)

46

M40

44
42
40

0.5

1.5

% of PEG400

Graph 6: The variation of compressive strength for 28 days for M40.

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As per the Graph 4 and 5 the following are the observations on compressive
strength of concrete for indoor and wet curing.
i.

The compressive strength of 1.5% of S.C.A is more when compare to other

dosages up to 7 days.

ii.

The compressive strength for 0.5% is better when compared to 1.0%, 1.5% and
2.0% of S.C.A at 28days.

iii.

The specimen with 0.5% dosage shown better performance when compared to
specimen with 1% and 2% of SCA and also conventional concrete at 28days.

iv.

The compressive strength of 2% of S.C.A is equal to 1.5% and of SCA at 28 days.

v.

1.5% of S.C.A has shown better strength i.e. up to 7days but not as good as 2%.

vi.

0.5% S.C.A shown better strength at 28 days & 1.5% has shown better
performance at 7 days.

vii.

The compressive strength is more for 1% and 2% of S.C.A compare to

conventional concrete.

viii.

1.5% S.C.A has shown less compressive strength when compared to other
dosages.

From the Above Result the Optimum dosage for M40 grade Concrete found to be
PEG400 of 0.5%.

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RESULTS
The test results are obtained by keeping the mix proportions constant without any
inclusion of plasticizers and super-plasticizers. Only curing compounds are additionally
added in the mix as a substitute of curing water.
The Strength of concrete achieved by conventional curing is at par as compared
to internal and external curing methods. The results obtained from conventional
curing method (ponding) are under ideal conditions when the specimens are kept
completely submerged in water for 7 days and 28 days. Such long and ideal
curing conditions may not be possible under actual site conditions. Thus these
results do not give a true picture of conditions existing at construction sites.
Concrete mixes prepared using curing compounds are at par with specified target
strength values calculated during design mix for both M30 and M40 grade of
concrete. Also it can be seen that more than the minimum strength as per the
codal provisions has been achieved by the specimens cured through curing
compounds. The strength achieved by the PEG-400 and is comparable for both
types of mix i.e. M30 and M40. The results obtained after the use of curing
compounds show a better picture of the actual site conditions in comparison to
those obtained from conventional curing techniques. Only the environmental
conditions existing at site and laboratory may vary. Rest all parameters are more
or less the same.
The Compressive Strength achieved by cubes cured through curing compound
(both PEG-400 and Conventional concrete) gives a satisfactory result for M30
and for M40 grade of concrete.
The extra cost of procuring water from deep underground or far off sources

especially in developing areas can be saved by the use of curing compounds. Also
conditions supervision by labour to ensure good moisture and temperature
conditions for maintaining satisfactory curing conditions is avoided. Thus any
fault or delay in curing would not affect the structural strength in the long run.

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