The Influence of Curing Method on the Mechanical Properties of Reactive Powder Concrete: A Comparative Study
Received: 6 March 2025 | Revised: 24 March 2025 | Accepted: 4 April 2025 | Online: 4 June 2025
Corresponding author: Furqan M. Hadi
Abstract
Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is known for its high compressive strength and exceptional durability due to the fine and steel fiber combination. The objective of the current research is to examine the influence of different curing types and their effects on the mechanical properties of concrete. Using Jet Cure Gp - red coating along with heat cycle curing, which includes 1-day warm+27-day normal (C.A1N), 2-day warm+26-day normal (C.A2N), and 3-day warm+25-day normal (C.A3N), the results revealed a compressive strength improvement of up to 27.36%, 29.82%, and 30.05% at 7, 28, and 90 days, respectively, compared to normal curing. A flexural strength increase by 26.1%, 26.8%, and 27.5% at 7, 28, and 90 days and a tensile strength improvement of 24.8%, 25.2%, and 26.6% at 7, 28, and 90 days, respectively, were also demonstrated. Based on these findings, it is observed that the best curing technique is the heat cycle method (A3N) with 3 days of heat curing and 25 days of normal curing, which significantly enhances the mechanical properties of RPC.
Keywords:
reactive powder concrete, coating curing, warm temperature cycle, normal curingDownloads
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