A Study On The Strength Characteristics Of Concrete On Replacing Water By Self Curing Compounds

Abstract

Conservation of the natural resources and the prevention of environment is the essence of any modern development. Construction materials are increasingly investigated by the ecological characteristics. Concrete, the most versatile material for construction is playing a significant role in growth of infrastructural and industrial segments. Concrete will remain the major construction material being used worldwide despite being claimed that it is not an environment friendly material due to its depleting resources, consumptive nature and severe environmental impact after its use.Concrete is the basic engineering material (manufactured with the use of water and cured with water) used in most of the civil engineering structures. Its popularity as the basic building material in the construction is due to its economy of use, good durability and ease with which it can be produced at site. The ability to mould it into required shape and size, due to its plasticity in the green stage and its subsequent hardening to achieve strength, is particularly beneficial. Concrete like other engineering materials also needs to be designed for properties like strength, durability, workability and cohesion.With the advent of high-rise buildings and pre-stressed concrete, use of higher grades of concrete is becoming very common. Even the revised IS 456-2000 advocates the use of higher grade of concrete for more critical conditions of exposure, for durability considerations. With the rise of new generation admixtures, it is possible to get the higher grades of concrete with high workability levels economically. Mix design of concrete is becoming more relevant in the above-mentioned scenario.