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1. INTRODUCTION
Curing is the process to protect the concrete from loss of moisture which is inevitable for
cement hydration. It is also act as a keyplayer to mitigate the cracks. Due to the extreme
weather condition, the water are evaporating with a short span of time. In general, the
total amount of water required for curing is equal to one third of total amount of water
required for whole construction. In some areas, the insufficient amount of water is
available to curing because of water scarcity. Its leads to the shrinkage problems in the
concrete. Due to the low permeability and porosity, the external curing is not a efficient
one. Because it increase the self desiccation property which leads to occurrence of cracks
due to auto geneous and drying shrinkage. To overcome this problem, internal curing is
one of the solution. According to ACI-308 code states that “ internal curing is the process
which is the internally available water for cement hydration which doesn’t part of mixing
water.Internal curing can be done using bio-derived waste materials.
The bagasse ash is the waste material from sugarcane after extraction on sugar.
According to the senses, 1 ton of sugarcane produce 280kg of bagasse ash. These
material is disposed by land dumping. It used in construction field at various usage like
fiber in order to the increase compressive strength. In this paper sugarcane bagasse ash
used as a internal curing agent which is partially replacement with natural aggregate.
Calatropis gigantea is the waste plant which requires less amount of water for its growth.
The extraction of milk from caltropis gigantea is used as a internal curing agent which
mixed with water before used to concrete.

2. CURING OF CONCRETE
Curing is the maintenance of a satisfactory moisture content and temperature in concrete
for a period of time immediately following placing and finishing so that the desired
properties may develop. The need for adequate curing of concrete cannot be
overemphasized. Curing has a strong influence on the properties of hardened concrete;
proper curing will increase durability, strength, watertightness, abrasion resistance,
volume stability, and resistance to freezing and thawing and deicers. Exposed slab
surfaces are especially sensitive to curing as strength development and freeze-thaw
resistance of the top surface of a slab can be reduced significantly when curing is
defective. When portland cement is mixed with water, a chemical reaction called
hydration takes place. The extent to which this reaction is completed influences the

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strength and durability of the concrete. Freshly mixed concrete normally contains more
water than is required for hydration of the cement; however, excessive loss of water by
evaporation can delay or prevent adequate hydration. The surface is particularly
susceptible to insufficient hydration because it dries first. If temperatures are favorable,
hydration is relatively rapid the first few days after concrete is placed; however, it is
important for water to be retained in the concrete during this period, that is, for
evaporation to be prevented or substantially reduced. With proper curing, concrete
becomes stronger, more impermeable, and more resistant to stress, abrasion, and freezing
and thawing. The improvement is rapid at early ages but continues more slowly thereafter
for an indefinite period.
The most effective method for curing concrete depends on the materials used,
method of construction, and the intended use of the hardened concrete. For most jobs,
curing generally involves applying curing compounds, or covering the freshly placed and
finished concrete with impermeable sheets or wet burlap. In some cases, such as in hot
and cold weather, special care using other precautions is needed. Concrete mixtures with
high cement contents and low water-cement ratios (less than 0.40) may require special
curing needs. As cement hydrates (chemically combining with water) the internal relative
humidity decreases causing the paste to self-desiccate (dry out) if no external water is
provided. The paste can self-desiccate to a level where hydration stops. This may
influence desired concrete properties, especially if the internal relative humidity drops
below 80% within the first seven days. In view of this, membrane-forming curing
compounds may not retain enough water in the concrete. Therefore, fogging and wet
curing become necessary to maximize hydration . Fogging during and after placing and
finishing also helps minimize plastic cracking in concretes with very low water-cement
ratios (especially around 0.30 or less). When moist curing is interrupted, the development
of strength continues for a short period and then stops after the concrete’s internal relative
humidity drops to about 80%. However, if moist curing is resumed, strength development
will be reactivated, but the original potential strength may not be achieved. Although it
can be done in a laboratory, it is difficult to resaturate concrete in the field. Thus, it is best
to moist-cure the concrete continuously from the time it is placed and finished until it has
gained sufficient strength, impermeability, and durability. Loss of water will also cause
the concrete to shrink, thus creating tensile stresses within the concrete. If these stresses
develop before the concrete has attained adequate tensile strength, surface cracking can
result. All exposed surfaces, including exposed edges and joints, must be protected

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against moisture evaporation. Hydration proceeds at a much slower rate when the
concrete temperature is low. Temperatures below 10°C (50°F) are unfavorable for the
development of early strength; below 4°C (40°F) the development of early strength is
greatly retarded; and at or below freezing temperatures, down to -10°C (14°F), little or no
strength develops.

3. METHODS OF CURING
3.1 Shading of concrete work

The object of shading concrete work is to prevent the evaporation of water from the
surface even before setting. This is adopted mainly in case of large concrete surfaces such
as road slabs. This is essential in dry weather to protect the concrete from heat, direct sun
rays and wind. It also protects the surface from rain. In cold weather shading helps in
preserving the heat of hydration of cement thereby preventing freezing of concrete under
mild frost conditions. Shading may be achieved by using canvas stretched on frames.
This method has a limited application only.

Figure 1 : Shading of concrete work

3.2 Covering of concrete surfaces with hessian or gunny bags

This is a widely used method of curing, particularly for structural concrete. Thus exposed
surface of concrete is prevented from drying out by covering it with hessian, canvas or
empty cement bags. The covering over vertical and sloping surfaces should be secured

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properly. These are periodically wetted. The interval of wetting will depend upon the rate
of evaporation of water. It should be ensured that the surface of concrete is not allowed to
dry even for a short time during the curing period. Special arrangements for keeping the
surface wet must be made at nights and on holidays.

Figure 2 : Covering of concrete surfaces with gunny bags

3.3 Sprinkling of water

Sprinkling of water continuously on the concrete surface provides an efficient curing. It is

mostly used for curing floor slabs. The concrete should be allowed to set sufficiently
before sprinkling is started. The spray can be obtained from a perforated plastic box. On
small jobs sprinkling of water may be done by hand. Vertical and sloping surfaces can be
kept continuously wet by sprinkling water on top surfaces and allowing it to run down
between the forms and the concrete. For this method of curing the water requirement is
higher.

3.4 Ponding method

This is the best method of curing. It is suitable for curing horizontal surfaces such as
floors, roof slabs, road and air field pavements. The horizontal top surfaces of beams can
also be ponded. After placing the concrete, its exposed surface is first covered with moist
hessian or canvas. After 24 hours, these covers are removed and small ponds of clay or
sand are built across and along the pavements. The area is thus divided into a number of
rectangles. The water is filled between the ponds. The filling of water in these ponds is

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done twice or thrice a day, depending upon the atmospheric conditions. Though this
method is very efficient, the water requirement is very heavy. Ponds easily break and
water flows out. After curing it is difficult to clean the clay. .

Figure 3 : Sprinkling of water Figure 4 : Ponding

3.5 Membrane curing

The method of curing described above come under the category of moist curing. Another
method of curing is to cover the wetted concrete surface by a layer of water proof
material, which is kept in contact with the concrete surface of seven days. This method of
curing is termed as membrane curing. A membrane will prevent the evaporation of water
from the concrete. The membrane can be either in solid or liquid form. They are also
known as sealing compounds. Bituminised water proof papers, wax emulsions, bitumen
emulsions and plastic films are the common types of membrane used. Whenever bitumen
is applied over the surface for curing, it should be done only after 24 hours curing with
gunny bags. The surface is allowed to dry out so that loose water is not visible and then
the liquid asphalt sprayed throughout. The moisture in the concrete is thus preserved. It is
quite enough for curing. This method of curing does not need constant supervision. It is
adopted with advantage at places where water is not available in sufficient quantity for
wet curing. This method of curing is not efficient as compared with wet curing because
rate of hydration is less. Moreover the strength of concrete cured by any membrane is less
than the concrete which is moist cured. When membrane is damaged the curing is badly
affected.

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Figure 5 : Membrane Curing Figure 6 : Steam curing

3.6 Steam curing

Steam curing and hot water curing is sometimes adopted. With these methods of curing,
the strength development of concrete is very rapid. These methods can best be used in pre
cast concrete work. In steam curing the temperature of steam should be restricted to a
maximum of 750C as in the absence of proper humidity (about 90%) the concrete may
dry too soon. In case of hot water curing, temperature may be raised to any limit, ay
1000C. At this temperature, the development of strength is about 70% of 28 days strength
after 4 to 5 hours. In both cases, the temperature should be fully controlled to avoid
non-uniformity. The concrete should be prevented from rapid drying and cooling which
would form cracks.

4. INTERNAL CURING OF CONCRETE

Internal Curing Concrete is the one which can cure itself by retaining its moisture. The
ACI-308 Code states that “internal curing refers to the process by which the hydration of
cement continues because of the availability of internal water that is not part of the
mixing water.” The concept of internal curing is to enhance the hydration process to
maintain the temperature uniformly. The evaporation of water in the concrete is
reduced by self curing agent there by increasing the water retention capacity of the
concrete as compared to the conventional concrete. Proper self curing (or) internal curing
increases the strength, durability and performance of concrete. Self curing concrete can
be done in one of the difficult terrains where human access is not possible and the
structures are inaccessible, presence of high chemical content such as chlorides, fluorides

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and other salts. Self curing enables the concrete to reduce the shrinkage and rupture. Any
laxity in curing can lead to the less performance and durability of the concrete structure.
If proper curing is done we can meet the requirements of the performance and the
durability.

When the concrete mixture contains more than one cementitious materials, the
amount of water required for curing is more. If it is not readily available, it will cause
cracks in the concrete. The Bio-LWA has a coarse structure. So it absorbed water
previously which is released during cement hydration to prevent the concrete from
moisture. It reduce the labour cost for curing. In high rise building and conjucted place,
ordinary curing is inefficient. Moreover the bagasse ash and milk from CG is the waste
materials. It doesn’t create economical problems.

5. MATERIALS
5.1 Bio-LWA
Bio-LWA made from sugarcane bagasse fly ash obtained from sugar factory after
extraction of sugar. First to burn the sugarcane bagasse using incineration process to
make the fly ash. Then these fly ash mixed with binder (sodium bentonite) to produce
homogenous mixture. Using rotatory drum, these mixture converted into pellets. The
water was sparing depends upon slide angle during pellataization process. These pellets
are heated at 1100˚c for 24 hours. Then it is cooled at ambient temperature for 24 hours.
These were sieved at the size of 500mm to 1mm. these pellets are soaked at water at
vacuum temperature for 24 hours before using in mortars. It contains 91% sio2,
2.1%Al2O3, 1.5%Fe2O3, 1.1CaO, 1.5K2O 0.9P2O5& 0.4TiO2 by the weight .

Figure7 : Bagasse ash into LWA

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5.2 Calatropis Gigantia

Calatropis gigantia is plant which grows without any special care of water. It grows at
both fields and terrians. It pH is found to be 5.5 which is similar to pH of poly ethylene
glycol (chemical internal curing agent).The milk was extracted from this plant by
mannualy.

Figure 8 : Calotropis gigantia

5.3 High Performance Mortar
The mortar mix contains one or more cementitious materials such as fly ash, silica fume,
slag and etc., it is called high performance mortar. It has high strength and high durability
when compared to conventional mortar. In this paper, fly ash was replaced by a cement at
30% . These mortar contains cement, flyas, natural aggregate (river sand), Bio-LWA,
milk extracted from CG and super plasticizers ( if necessary). OPC 53 grade cement were
used in the project . The specific gravity was obtained as 3.18. The class f flyash was
used which specific gravity was 1.65. The flyash was obtained from Tuticorin thermal
plant. The river k\sand which specific gravity was 2.61 was used. These sand from zone 2.
Its fineness modulus was 3.12. High range water reducing CONFLAST Fe- 430 SNF
(Sulphonated Naphthalein Formaltyhyde) were used when it was necessary. There were
three types of specimen were produced in this project. First type contains conventional
mortar without any internal curing agents. The second types contains Bio-LWA as a
internal curing agent. The last type contains Bio-LWA and milk from CG as a internal
curing agent. The water-cement ratio was taken as 0.3, 0.4 & 0.5 for conventional mortar,

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Then optimized value obtained as 0.4 according to the compressive strength. So

water-cement ratio taken as 0.4 for internal curing. The mortar mould was cube at a size
of 7.06cm at each side. The mix ratio was taken 1:3. Voids in the sand assumed as a 60%.
So the required amount of materials as 1.6%. Table 1 shows the materials required for 1
mortar of this project.Table 2 shows the proportions used in the each specimen. The
Bio-LWA in saturated form and the milk from CG soluble in water before used in mortar.

Table 1 Materials Quantity

Cement 0.142 kg

Flyash 0.061 kg

Fine aggregate 0.811kg

Table 2 Specimen details

Specimen Cementious Fine Calatropis w/c ratio Quantity
specification material aggregate gigantia
(%)
Cement Flyash Sand Sba
(%) (%) (%) (%)

CB 70 30 100 - - 0.35,0.4,0.45 3
CSB 1 70 30 80 20 - 0.3 3
CSB2 70 30 75 25 - 0.3 3
CSB 3 70 30 70 30 - 0.3 3
CSCB 70 30 75 20 0.3 0.3 1
CCB 70 30 75 - 0.3 0.3 1

6. TEST & RESULT

6.1 Water Absorption

The Bio- LWA were dried at 100˚c about 24 hours. It were weighed and notated as w1.
Thenit were soaked at water about 24 hours. It were weighed as w2 after filtration of
water. As per ASTM C1761, the minimum water absorption of LWA as 5% of mass. The
LWA was freed from surface water after 24 hours. Table 3 shows the water absorption of
light weight aggregate.

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Table 3 Water absorption of LWA

Description weight
Weight before saturated 50gms
(w1)
Weight after saturated 56gms
(w2)
% of absorption 12%

6.2 SEM Analysis

Fig 9 shows the SEM analysis of light weight aggregate. It shows the it has a coarse
structure and at the size of 100μm. These white color shades in figure shows the coarse
surface.

Figure9 : SEM analysis

6.3 XRF Analysis of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash

XRF results shows it has potassium content at maximum level. According to “Effect of
Potassium Chloride (KCl) on Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) Concrete” while
potassium content increase the compressive and tensile strength increased. According to
“ANALYSIS OF PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE USING POTASSIUM POWDER AS
ADMIXTURE” Usage of potassium powder in concrete reduces the temperature emitted
due to exothermal reaction. Thus gives better results hence we can use this potassium

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powder where the temperature and the emitting temperatures place a crucial role in
construction and maintenance.

Figure10 :XRF analysis

6.4 Compressive Strength

These specimen were tested with universal compressing testing machine at constant rate
of loading after 28 days curing. Specimen CSB1, CSB2, CSB3, CSCB & CCB test results
are validated with specimen CB to check wheather this replacement satisfy our needs or
not. In this paper, four types of specimen were prepared. They were conventional and
replacement of LWA with 20%, 25%, 30% namely as A, B1,B2 & B3 respectively.The
use of sugarcane bagasse ash aggregate and extraction of milk from calatropis gigantia as
a self curing agent couldn’t affect the mechanical property. The higher amount of
replacement of LWA decrease the compressive strength. The separate usage of milk from

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CG doesn’t affect the mechanical property much.

Figure 11 Compressive strength

6.5 Drying Shrinkage Test

This test method describes the procedure for determining the drying shrinkage or change
in length of concrete specimen due to changes in moisture content. A length measuring
apparatus incorporating a dial gauge capable of measuring the length accurately to 0.005
mm is shown in figure 13. The mould size 0f 200 mm x 40 mm x 40 mm is shown in
figure 4.4. Length comparator measures the initial drying shrinkage of concrete. Drying
oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 27±10. Table 4 shows the reading taken
from the length comparator for 30 days. and the table 5 shows the calculation of % of
drying shrinkage.

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Figure 12 Specimen Size Figure13 Length comparator

Table 4 Shrinkage readings

SAMPLE Least count : 0.01mm Length of the specimen in 210 mm( including ball)
temperature = ˍ+ 27˚ C at 72 hours.

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9

CG 17.84 17.85 17.88 17.89 17.90 17.92 17.92 17.95 17.97

SBA 15.22 15.23 15.25 15.25 15.26 15.30 15.33 15.35 15.97

C-1 18.39 18.41 18.41 18.44 18.47 18.45 18.49 18.50 18.50

S+C 16.08 16.08 16.08 16.08 16.08 16.10 16.12 16.16 16.21

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Table 5 Drying shrinkage result

INITIAL FINAL LENGTH OF % OF

READING READING MEMBER
SHRINKAGE
(mm) (mm) (mm)

C-1 209.816 209.815 210 0.000479

S+C 209.839 209.838 210 0.000476

SBA 209.848 209.846 210 0.000553

CG 209.822 209.820 210 0.000952

7. CONCLUSION
This paper is the study of bio derived materials as internal curing agent. The SEM
analysis and water absorption test shows, the LWA has coarse structure and high water
absorption behaviour. So it gives more efficiency while it act as a IC agent. Moreover it
doesn’t affect the mechanical property of the mortar. But the figure 4.3 shows the
increase in LWA, decrease in weight. So it comes light weight concrete. So the
compressive strength is lesser than control specimen. There is not much significant
difference of % of shrinkage between the control and replacement specimen. Moreover
these values are within the permissible value. Instead of chemical self curing agent, the
natural materials are used as a internal curing agent.

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8. REFERENCE

1.A. Selvi, INVESTIGATION ON INFLUENCE OF BIO MATERIALS IN INTERNAL

CURING MORTAR, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
(2020).
2. Zaheer Ahmed, Akshatha B A, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Bhavikatti, Harshith H J , An
Experimental Study on Internal Curing of Concrete Using Light Expanded Clay
Aggregate, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) (2019)
3. Dale P. Bentz, Internal curing of High - Performance Blended Mortars, ACI Materials
Journals (2007)
4. R. Malathy et al, “Experimental Study on Strength and Durability Properties of
Bio-Self- Cured Fly Ash Based Concrete under Aggressive Environments”, International
Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering Vol:11, No:3, 2017.
5. H.K. Kim et al, “Internal-curing efficiency of cold-bonded coal bottom ash aggregate
for
high-strength mortar” Construction and Building Materials 126, 1–8, 2016.

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