DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPE MOULD FOR CURING IN-SITU CONCRETE ELEMENTS

Abstract

This research presents the development of prototype curing mould for curing in-situ concrete elements. It focuses on improving concrete curing on-site when using water in compliance to BS 1881-PART-111, in other to achieve the same flexural and compressive strength of concrete cured in the laboratory. Beam specimens of size 150mm × 150mm × 700mm were casted. Also, column specimens of size 100mm × 100mm × 300mm were casted. The flexural strength of the beams and the compressive strength of the columns cured by full immersion method using some developed water curing moulds after 7, 14, 21, and 28 were determined using the appropriate equipment and formulas in each case. Also, the flexural strength of the beams and the compressive strength of the columns cured by sprinkling water twice daily were determined. Flexural strength of 3.1N/mm2 obtained by immersing concrete fully in water poured in the curing moulds for 7 days, was seen to be greater than the 2.5N/mm2 obtained by the same concrete when it was sprinkled with water twice daily for 28days. Variations in results proved the need for development of better curing options on-site to enhance the achievement of optimal strength. Moulds designed for this experiment proved to be 70% efficient in minimising water loss during curing, and they are easy to assemble together. These curing moulds were designed as prototypes for producing better and more economical samples to be used on-site. Hence, they can be further enhanced in terms of design and materials for production to accommodate specific conditions on-site. Structural Engineers usually rely on specified compressive strength to be achieved from concrete cured under ideal conditions, to produce structural designs. Due to poor curing, such compressive strengths are rarely achieved on-site and this can reduce the overall performance of such structures.