Experimental Investigation on Field and Laboratory Curing of Natural and Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Abstract

The present investigation aims to obtain strength characteristics of field and laboratory type concrete for M20, M30, M40, M50, and M60 grades. Extensive series of tests were carried out results in strength properties, such as cube compressive strength, modulus of rupture and Young’s modulus of elasticity which are known as destructive testes. And further from non-destructive tests, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) was examined. To maintain good quality in concrete, super plasticizer Sp-430 was used. In the present investigation these above five grades of concrete of the natural and recycled aggregates in two different curing environments were considered, namely lab-curing and field curing. Comparison in different strength properties which represent the quality control for concrete made using natural aggregate and concrete using recycled aggregate as well as curing in the lab (water tank curing) and curing in the field were considered. The investigation reported the loss in hardened concrete properties for field curing and using of recycled coarse aggregate concrete are in the limit of 1 to 10% for the grades of concrete M20 and M30 comparing with laboratory curing and use of natural aggregate, but the loss are up to 15% and above in high grades of concrete M40, M50 and M60 which is slightly inferior properties. Results are encouraging and quite interesting.