An innovative technique for internal curing of concrete with brick aggregate, nanoparticles of Al₂O₃ and rubber latex

Internal curing of high strength concrete by pre-saturated lightweight aggregate has been proved as an effective curing method in reducing the self-desiccation and autogenous shrinkage of concrete. In previous research, internal curing has been done by continuously supplying water to the fresh cementitious mixture using reservoirs via prewetted lightweight aggregates. These lightweight aggregates compensate for the loss of moisture due to self-desiccation or evaporation of water from the concrete surface. But this additional supply of water from lightweight aggregates is not sufficient for high humid areas or tropical reasons, where the evaporation of water is more. In that condition, a continuous water supply is required to fresh concrete by external means. In this study, a new technique has been applied on developing an internal curing approach for high strength concrete immediately to after casting and new materials (natural rubber latex and brick aggregate) have been introduced to accelerate the internal curing process at an early age and sealed the voids of concrete at a later age. In this research, the loss of water during evaporation has been compensated by supplying of water through cotton threads externally. This externally supplied water is absorbed by brick aggregates and stored inside them. That means in previous research limited water was supplied through lightweight aggregate which was not sufficient for construction at high humid areas. But in the present research, the water demand has been fulfilled for internal curing through external supplying; when concrete demands at whatever amount.