International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395 -0056 Volume: 02 Issue: 06 | Sep-2015 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2015, IRJET ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal Page 129 DzAN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF SELF CURING CONCRETE INCORPORATED WITH POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL AS SELF CURING AGENTdz Shikha Tyagi M.Tech (Structure Engineering & Construction) Student, Roorkee Institute of Technology, (UTTRAKHAND) ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract: Concrete is most widely used construction materials due to its strength, permanence and durability. Since the concrete is open to atmosphere, the water used in concrete evaporates and the water available in concrete will not be sufficient for effective hydration .If the hydration is to continue unbated, extra water must be added to replenish the loss of water on account of absorption and evaporation. Alternatively, some measures must be taken to prevent the loss of water from the surface of concrete.Therefore ,the curing can be considered as creation of a favourable environment during the early period for uninterrupted hydration. The present study involves the use of shrinkage reducing admixtures like POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG 400) as internal curing compound .This curing compound used in concrete which helps in self curing and helps in better hydration and hence good compressive strength. They trap the moisture within the structure and prevent it from evaporation which normally occurs due to the hydration process. In the present study, the affect of curing compound on workability (slump and compaction factor) and compressive strength is studied. In this study the percentage of PEG by weight of cement from 0% to 2% as the dosage of internal curing compound was fixed .The test results were studied both for M25 and M40 mixes . It is found through this experiment study that PEG 400 help in self curing by giving strength on par with that of the conventional curing method and also improved workability. Keywords : Self curing, replenish, hydration, conventional curing, retention. 1. INTRODUCTION Concrete is the basic engineering material used in most of the civil engineering structures. Its popularity as basic building material in construction is because of its economy of use, good durability and ease with which it can be manufactured at site. Concrete like other engineering materials needs to be designed for properties like strength, durability, workability. With advent of new generation admixtures, it is possible to achieve higher grades of concrete with high workability levels economically. Curing is the maintaining of a satisfactory moisture content and temperature in concrete during its early stages so that desired properties (of concrete) may develop. The concept of self-curing agents is to reduce the water evaporation from concrete, and hence increase the water retention capacity of the concrete compared to conventional concrete. It was found that water soluble polymers can be used as self-curing agents in concrete. 2. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY 2.1 Materials:- A. Cement OPC (53 grade) conforming to IS:12269-1987 B. Fine aggregate conforming to IS: 383-1970 Table 1.Final result on test of fine Aggregate S. No. Particulars Fine Aggregates 1. Source Crusher 2. Zone Zone III 3. Specific Gravity 2.6 4. Water Absorption 3%