RE-CAST UTC Project Information

Project Title

Use of Internal Curing Materials to Improve Performance of Concrete Infrastructure

Universities

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Principal Investigator

Kamal H. Khayat
Missouri University of Science and Technology

PI Contact Information

khayatk@mst.edu;  573-341-6223

Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization)

Missouri Department of Transportation: $50,000
RE-CAST: $50,000

Total Project Cost

$100,000

Matching Agency ID or Contract Number

Missouri Department of Transportation: TR201701
RE-CAST: 0055456

RE-CAST Grant Award Number

DTRT13-G-UTC45

Start and End Dates

Start Date: July 1, 2016
End Date: June 30, 2019

Brief Description of Research Project

The project seeks to develop proper methodology to use internal curing materials to improve the performance and to prolong the service life of concrete. Typical mix design of high-performance concrete (HPC) approved by MoDOT will be used for the baseline mixture and will be modified with different types and contents of materials used for internal curing. This will be done to evaluate their optimum dosages and maximize their effectiveness on enhancing performance. Such materials will include lightweight sand (LWS) of different types and sources as well as the superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). The performance improvement from the internal curing materials mainly focuses on shrinkage and cracking potential. It is important to point out that such performance improvement should not sacrifice durability and cost competence of the concrete.

The project will establish new mix design and curing recommendations of concrete made with internal curing materials and validate their performance through laboratory investigation and field demonstration. It is expected that the results obtained in this work will provide a basis for:

  • New mix design methodology and guidelines for using internal curing materials for various types of transportation infrastructure and pavement applications; and
  • Validation of performance improvement when using internal curing and cost competence in the State of Missouri

Describe Implementation of Research Outcomes

 

Impacts/Benefits of Implementation

 

Web Links

Project website: https://recast.mst.edu/projects/useofinternalcuringmaterials/

Final Report: PDF