Can superabsorent polymers mitigate autogenous shrinkage of internally cured concrete without compromising the strength?

Marianne Tange Hasholt, Ole Mejlhede Jensen, Konstantin Kovler, Semion Zhutovsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The paper "Super absorbing polymers as an internal curing agent for mitigation of early-age cracking of high-performance concrete bridge decks" deals with different aspects of using superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in concrete to mitigate self-desiccation. The paper concludes that "Addition of SAP leads to a significant reduction of mechanical strength". The experimental results are in contradiction with several publications and question the appropriateness of using SAP as internal curing agent. However, the observed strength loss - and possibly also other observations - seems to be caused by overestimation of SAP water absorption. This results in an increase in water/cement ratio (w/c) for concrete with SAP. It is misleading to conclude on how SAP influences concrete properties, based on comparison of concrete mixes with SAP and reference concrete without SAP, if SAP mixes have higher w/c than the reference mix.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)226-230
Number of pages5
JournalConstruction and Building Materials
Volume31
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Autogenous shrinkage
  • Compressive strength
  • Concrete
  • Internal curing
  • Self-desiccation
  • Superabsorbent polymers

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Building and Construction
  • General Materials Science
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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