Curing Effects, Strength and Physical Properties of High Strength Silica Fume Concretes

Abstract

The physical properties of high strength silica fume concretes and their sensitivity to curing procedures were evaluated and compared with reference Portland cement concretes, having either the same concrete content as the silica fume concrete or the same water to cementitious materials ratio. The marked increase in the strength of the silica fume concrete over the two reference concretes, which was observed even at one day, was not accompanied by liberation of excessive heat. The shrinkage of the silica fume concretes was much lower due to the smaller weight loss on drying. The effects of poor curing procedures on the strength, and the skin properties, were found to be equally detrimental in the reference and in the silica fume concretes.