Report On Internally Cured Concrete Using Prewetted Absorptive Lightweight Aggregate
Report On Internally Cured Concrete Using Prewetted Absorptive Lightweight Aggregate
Report On Internally Cured Concrete Using Prewetted Absorptive Lightweight Aggregate
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ACI Committee 308 roster Frank A. Kozeliski Daniel Webber ACI Committee 308 Consulting
Dale P. Bentz Ronald J. Kozikowski John B. Wojakowski Members roster
Dianne Carey Mauricio Lopez Ralph C. Bruno
Jennifer K. Crisman Darryl Manuel James N. Cornell II
Jonathan E. Dongell Steve F. McDonald Ben E. Edwards
Michael Faubel Michael E. Murray Jerome H. Ford
Dale Fisher John W. Roberts R. Doug Hooton
Sidney Freedman Philip A. Smith David E. Hoyt
Michael G. Hernandez Lawrence Homer Taber James A. Lee
Erik Holck Richard E. Van Horn W. Calvin McCall
Cecil L. Jones Jody R. Wall William S. Phelan
This report introduces the concepts of and describes the process CHAPTER 2—NOTATION AND DEFINITIONS, p. 2
benefit and applications for using prewetted lightweight aggre- 2.1—Notation, p. 2
gate to increase cement hydration in internally cured concrete. 2.2—Definitions, p. 2
It also describes mixture proportioning and absorptive material
selection and discusses the benefits relating to sustainability. The
CHAPTER 3—PROCESS, p. 2
materials, processes, quality control measures, and inspections
3.1––General, p. 2
described should be tested, monitored, or performed as applicable
only by individuals holding the appropriate ACI certifications or 3.2—Justification, p. 3
equivalent. 3.3—Water movement, p. 3
3.4—Autogenous shrinkage and self-desiccation, p. 3
Keywords: absorption; curing; desorption; durability; high-performance 3.5—Mechanism of internal curing, p. 3
concrete; hydration; internal curing; internally cured concrete; lightweight 3.6—Water movement during hydration observed using
aggregate; outside curing; permeability; saturated-surface-dry; shrinkage;
X-ray microtomography, p. 4
strength; supplementary cementitious materials; water movement.
1
2 INTERALLY CURED CONCRETE USING PREWETTED ABSORPTIVE LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATE (ACI (308-213)R-13)
CHAPTER 5—BATCHING PROCEDURES, p. 8 cements that produce much of their strength in only a few
5.1—Choice of absorptive material, p. 8 days. Concretes made with these cements, however, can be
5.2—Mixture proportioning using absorptive materials, p. 8 more prone to early-age cracking due to their increased heat
5.3—Prewetting lightweight aggregate, p. 10 of hydration and significantly increased autogenous strains
5.4—Concrete batching. mixing, transporting, placing, and stresses that can develop when self-desiccation occurs.
and finishing, p. 10
1.2—Scope
CHAPTER 6—SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE Internally cured concrete uses absorptive materials in
CONSTRUCTION USING INTERNALL CURED the mixture that supplement the standard curing practices
CONCRETE (ICC), p. 11 by supplying moisture to the interior of the concrete (ACI
308R-01). This process adds moisture without affecting
CHAPTER 7—REFERENCES, p. 11 the w/cm. The moisture is desorbed for internal moisture
augmentation at the time needed to further hydrate the
CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE cement. This water addition can be achieved using several
materials (Jensen and Lura 2006; Kovler and Jensen 2007),
1.1—Introduction including prewetted lightweight aggregate, super-absorbent
Portland-cement concrete, including mixtures with particles, wood fibers, and absorbent limestone aggregate.
supplementary cementitious materials, does not typically This report will focus primarily on the use of prewetted
develop its durability, strength, and mechanical characteris- lightweight aggregate.
tics without adequate curing. This report on internally cured
concrete (ICC) does not presume to change the require- CHAPTER 2—NOTATION AND DEFINITIONS
ment for water retention at the curing-affected zone on the
concrete surface. The curing methods listed in ACI 308R-01 2.1—Notation
should be consulted for appropriate methods to prevent or Cf = cement factor (content) for concrete mixture, lb/yd3
mitigate moisture loss from the concrete surface. (kg/m3)
Test trial batches should be used during initial mixture CS = chemical shrinkage of cement (mass of water/mass
proportioning to determine and verify those concrete prop- of cement)
erties required for each project. MLWA = mass of (dry) lightweight aggregate needed per unit
Internally cured concrete uses prewetted absorptive mate- volume of concrete, lb/yd3 (kg/m3)
rials that contain moisture. The absorbed moisture is released S = degree of saturation of aggregate (0 to 1, measured
as the internal humidity of the concrete drops below 100 absorption percentage divided by the absorption
percent to enhance and maximize the hydration of cement. percentage at which desorption was measured)
High-performance concrete typically has a low w/cm that wic/c = the ratio of the water supplied by internal curing to
may not supply enough water to hydrate all of the cement. the cement in the concrete mixture on a mass basis
Due to the reduction in permeability of high-performance amax = maximum expected degree of hydration of cement
concrete, even in the first 2 to 3 days, exterior water curing (0 to 1); for ordinary portland cement, the maximum
is limited in its ability to supply in-depth hydration to the expected degree of hydration of cement can be
cement as the products of hydration fill in and disconnect assumed to be 1 for w/cm ≥ 0.36 and the value of
the capillary pore network (Powers et al. 1959). In this case, (w/cm) divided by 0.36 for w/cm < 0.36
the beneficial effect of external water curing is limited to the fLWA = desorption of lightweight aggregate from a
concrete surface. As a result, external water cannot penetrate prewetted condition down to 93 percent relative
the interior of the concrete to maintain a saturated capillary humidity (mass water/mass dry lightweight aggre-
pore system thereby avoiding self-desiccation. One solution gate) in accordance with ASTM C1498-04
is to replace a portion of the normalweight aggregate with
absorbent materials to desorb water to the hydrating cement. 2.2—Definitions
The principal improvements of supplying internal water are ACI provides a comprehensive list of definitions through
the maintenance of a saturated cement paste, which leads to an online resource, “ACI Concrete Terminology,” http://
greater hydration of the cement and more complete pozzo- terminology.concrete.org. The definition provided here
lanic reactions. complements that source.
Characteristics of high-performance concrete that may be prewetted––wetting of the aggregate so that it contains
improved by increased hydration from internally absorbed the prescribed water content available for cement hydration.
moisture include resistance to early-age cracking; higher
strength; decreased permeability; decreased warping; dimen- CHAPTER 3—PROCESS
sional stability; resistance to freezing-and-thawing damage,
deicing chemicals, and chemical attacks; and creep. 3.1––General
In the past 50 years, portland cement has become finer with Concrete with a water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm)
higher contents of tricalcium silicate and alkalis (Bentz et al. below 0.42 does not contain enough batch water to fully
2008). These changes have led to generally faster hydrating hydrate all of the cement (Neville 1996). In concrete with a
w/cm of 0.42 or less, the depercolation of the capillary pores Table 3.1—Distance of water travel from surfaces
by the products of hydration (Powers et al. 1959) severely of internal reservoirs (Bentz et al. 2007)
limits the amount of external water that can reach unhy- Estimated travel distance for
drated cement particles. External surface curing has limited Hydration age, days water, in. (mm)
effectiveness after a few days beyond the cure affected Less than 1 0.8 (20)
zone, which is the outer 0.2 to 0.3 in. (4 to 8 mm) at the 1 to 3 0.2 (5)
surface (Table 3.1). For this reason, it can be beneficial to 3 to 7 0.04 (1)
have internal water sources distributed through the concrete More than 28 0.01 (0.25)
to supply additional moisture for more complete hydration.
reported by Zhutovsky et al. (2004) based on a combined
3.2—Justification experimental and analytical evaluation.
Because cement hydration is affected by both temperature
and the presence of moisture, it is beneficial to provide the 3.4—Autogenous shrinkage and self-desiccation
conditions for its optimization. Traditionally, external curing Lower-w/cm concrete suffers from autogenous shrinkage at
has been effectively used for conventional concrete to defer early ages, though it generally has reduced drying shrinkage
drying of the concrete surface to prevent the loss of internal at a later age. Autogenous shrinkage is mainly caused by the
water and promote the continued hydration of the cementi- chemical shrinkage accompanying the cement hydration and
tious binder. With growing emphasis on durability and the the self-desiccation that may occur after setting. As cement
advent of high-performance concrete to achieve it, an effort hydrates, the hydration products occupy less volume than
has been made to minimize the transport of deleterious the reacting materials, producing a net chemical shrinkage
species such as chloride ions and sulfates from the environ- that increases proportionally with degree of hydration.
ment into the concrete (Hoff 2003). This is accomplished by After setting, this chemical shrinkage will result in self-
modification of concrete mixture proportions, including a desiccation in low-w/cm concrete, as vapor-filled pores will
lower w/cm, chemical admixtures, and adding supplementary be formed within the microstructure unless curing water is
cementitious materials to the concrete. Lowering the w/cm available to maintain their saturation. Thus, self-desiccation
and supplementary cementitious materials, however, presents may be overcome by satisfying the chemical shrinkage
new challenges to conventional curing; a low w/cm results demand of the cement with additional moisture supplied by
in less water availability for hydration, leading to increased PLA. Because capillary stresses are inversely proportional to
autogenous shrinkage. Whereas supplementary cementitious the diameter of the pores being emptied (Bentz et al. 2007),
materials generally require moist curing for periods longer individual pores in the PLA should be much larger than the
than a typical 7-day moist cure, such as 14 days for bridge typical sizes of the capillary pores, by micrometers, in the
decks. Even with higher w/cm and the use of supplementary hydrating cement paste. They should also be well connected.
cementitious materials, internally cured concrete (ICC), due If there is insufficient batch water available at any time, and
to increased hydration, is advantageous for its tendency to if external curing water cannot reach the unhydrated parti-
reduce drying shrinkage and resulting cracking tendencies. cles of cement, the needed moisture source to keep the rela-
The use of prewetting lightweight coarse aggregate (PLCA) tive humidity high could come from absorbed moisture in the
as a substitute for a portion of the natural coarse aggregate of aggregate. The optimum source is from a well-dispersed system
the same size, or the use of prewetted lightweight fine aggre- of strong, small PLA replacing a percentage of the normal-
gate (PLFA) as a substitute for some of the natural sand in a weight aggregates. This system is beneficial to the hydration
concrete mixture can benefit the hydration process in high- of field concrete, much like a well-dispersed system of struc-
performance concrete by supplying moisture needed for tured entrained air bubbles is beneficial to protecting concrete
reducing autogenous shrinkage and additional hydration. in freezing-and-thawing conditions (Bentz and Snyder 1999).
Fig. 3.6a—Three-dimensional image of original X-ray Fig. 3.6b—Two-dimensional image (0.181 x 0.181 in. [4.6
microtomography data set subtracted from that obtained after x 4.6 mm]) of a portion of the original mortar microstruc-
1 day of hydration for a high-performance mortar with PLA ture with the locations of the evacuated water (in light gray)
(Bentz et al. 2006a). Gray-colored volumes indicate regions superimposed (Bentz et al. 2006a).
where the lightweight fine aggregate particles have lost water
to the surrounding hydrating cement paste. Three-dimen- two-dimensional microstructures, respectively, where the
sional volume is 0.181 x 0.181 x 0.185 in. (4.6 x 4.6 x 4.7 mm). PLA particles have lost water to the surrounding cement
paste (Bentz et al. 2006a). The procedure shows that much
the cement paste microstructure remain saturated. As new of the absorbed moisture is removed during the first 24 hours
hydration products form, the capillary pores will be further of hydration at 86°F (30°C). Observations of water move-
reduced in size, further increasing the capillary suction and ment are in quantitative agreement with more conventional
drawing more moisture from the PLA (Weber and Reinhardt measures of performance, including degree of hydration and
2003). Water movement to the hydrating paste will stop only chemical shrinkage (Bentz et al. 2006b).
when all the cement is hydrated or when the relative humidity
within the pores of the lightweight aggregate is equivalent to CHAPTER 4—INTERNALLY CURED CONCRETE
that in the hydrating cement paste, eliminating the humidity (ICC): EFFECTS, BENEFITS, AND APPLICATIONS
and capillary pressure gradient (Weber and Reinhardt 2003).
In summary, saturated pores in the lightweight aggregate 4.1—Early-age shrinkage reduction
supply additional water to increase hydration of the cement The use of prewetted absorbent materials has been inves-
and to maintain a high internal relative humidity within the tigated since the early 1990s as a means to reduce early-age
concrete to minimize self-desiccation strains and stresses. shrinkage and self-induced stresses in high-performance
concrete by introducing a component into the concrete
3.6—Water movement during hydration observed that aids in the hydration process (Bentz 2007; Bentz et al.
using X-ray microtomography 2005). These absorbent materials provide an internal source
For early-age improvements of the characteristics of high- of available moisture to replace that consumed by chemical
performance concrete, water availability for the hydration shrinkage during hydration. As cement hydrates, water is
of the cement is especially critical. Without it, significant drawn from the relatively large pores in the prewetted light-
autogenous shrinkage and possible cracking can occur. weight aggregate (PLA) into the much smaller ones in the
Strength is also impacted, because without hydration, cement paste. This process could minimize the develop-
strength gain does not occur. Water movement during the ment of autogenous shrinkage and help to avoid early-age
hydration process of a high-performance mortar has been cracking. Figure 4.1 shows the autogenous deformation of
directly observed using three-dimensional X-ray microto- mortars at a 0.35 w/cm, and 8 percent fine silica fume (FSF)
mography with a voxel dimension of approximately 0.79 mil with a curing temperature of 86°F (30°C) under sealed condi-
(20 mm) (Bentz et al. 2006a). With this technique, emptying tions (Geiker et al. 2004). The reference mortar is designated
of the individual pores within the lightweight aggregate can FSF. For mortars LWA20 and LWA08 with internal curing,
be readily observed. In Fig. 3.6a and 3.6b, the gray regions either 20 or 8 percent of the sand by mass was replaced by
show volumes and areas from the three-dimensional and PLA smaller than 0.16 in. (4 mm). A 0.4 percent addition by
Table 4.3––Measured mortar cube compressive strengths for the various mixtures (Bentz 2007)
Mixture strength 3-day, MPa (psi [s]) 8-day, MPa (psi [s]) 28-day, MPa (psi [s]) 56-day, MPa (psi [s])
SF — control 68.1 (9880 [2.0]*) 80.4 (11,665 [3.0]) † 98.0 (14,230 [2.7])
SF — IC (8) 67.9 (9845 [4.6]) 87.9 (12,745 [4.6]) † 105.6 (15,310 [6.9])
SF — IC (10) 66.7 (9670 [1.4]) 85.0 (12,325 [2.9]) 93.3 (13,530 [4.7]) †
Slag — control 60.9 (8830 [0.9]) 71.5 (10,375 [2.0]) 81.8 (11,865 [3.2]) 84.3 (12,225 [5.7])
Slag — IC 59.2 (8580 [4.2]) 71.7 (10,400 [2.3]) 88.8 (12,875 [3.9]) 94.6 (13,730 [1.0])
FA — control 58.0 (8405 [0.5]) 70.5 (10,225 [3.3]) 85.3 (12,365 [3.4]) 95.3 (13,825 [4.0])
FA — IC 57.4 (8325 [2.3]) 67.5 (9795 [3.5]) 92.9 (13,470 [3.8]) 101.1 (14,665 [2.9])
*
Numbers in brackets indicate measured standard deviation for compressive strengths of three replicate cubes at each age for each mixture.
†
Not considered in the experimental program.
Note: SF = silica fume; FA = fly ash; and IC = internal curing.
4.2—Crack reduction
Although cracking results from many causes, it essen-
tially depends on two factors: differential volume changes
and restraint to movement. The use of high-performance
concrete has brought cracking into focus mainly because of
its associated autogenous shrinkage. The risk of early-age Fig. 4.1—Autogenous shrinkage for mortars containing
cracking, often presented by high-performance concrete, different prewetted absorbent materials, all cured at 86°F
may be reduced by the use of prewetted lightweight aggre- (30°C) (Geiker et al. 2004).
gate (PLA). Although any amount of internally stored
water might be helpful in reducing autogenous shrinkage,
water content at 7 percent of cement by mass is required
to minimize self-desiccation in low-w/cm mixtures through
the use of PLA (Bentz et al. 2005). The risk factor of
cracking, expressed as stress/strength ratio, was developed
from restrained shrinkage experiments conducted on large
8 x 8 x 40 in. (200 x 200 x 1000 mm) high-performance
concrete prisms under semi-adiabatic conditions (Cusson
and Hoogeveen 2006). Figure 4.2 shows that up to 6 percent
replacement of normalweight fine aggregate with light-
weight fine aggregate (providing wic/c = 0.02) is borderline
for eliminating cracking; 12 percent replacement (or wic/c =
0.04) has a reduced cracking risk; 19 percent replacement Fig. 4.2—Effects of lightweight fine aggregate amount on
(or wic/c = 0.06) reduces the risk of cracking to 50 percent. risk of cracking (Cusson and Hoogeveen 2006).
4.9—Creep
Based on 4.1 through 4.8, the following statements can
be made about the effect of partial or total replacement of
normalweight aggregate by prewetted absorptive materials
on creep (Lopez 2005). Using PLA can:
a) Increase the compressive strength of concrete; lower
creep can be expected;
b) Increase the internal relative humidity of concrete. Several
of the proposed creep mechanisms state that creep is caused
by water migration within the concrete and from concrete to
the environment. If higher internal relative humidity is main-
tained, a reduction in creep can be expected. Depending on the
Fig. 4.7—Modulus of elasticity versus volume of LWA substi- creep mechanisms, the reduction will be in the drying creep
tution (Hoff 2003). portion or in both the drying and the basic creep portions;
c) Decrease the permeability of cement paste. A reduced
Replacing small amounts of the natural sand with lightweight permeability reduces water loss from the concrete to the
fine aggregate can increase the modulus of elasticity of the environment, which reduces drying creep;
concrete while still greater amounts of replacement reduces d) Increase the degree of hydration. An increase in
it below that of normalweight concrete (Fig. 4.7) (Hoff hydration reduces the amount of unhydrated cement in the
2003). Mixtures with a w/cm > 0.42 can benefit from the use concrete. Unhydrated cement contributes to the aggregate
of PLFA. A substitution of lightweight fine aggregate in the restraining effect on creep and shrinkage (Neville et al.
amount of 100 lb/yd3 (59 kg/m3), in a mixture at a w/cm of 1983). An increase in creep may be expected due to the rela-
0.43, has been shown to increase the modulus of elasticity tive reduction in this restraining phase.
by approximately 10 percent. Note that, in some cases, lower Therefore, statements a), b), and c) suggest a reduction
values of the modulus of elasticity might be preferred because on creep whereas statement d) suggests the opposite––an
they generate lower tensile stresses associated with restrained increase in creep. A reduction in creep, however, has been
shrinkage, thus reducing the risk of cracking. The designer observed overall. For example, recent research on the effects
should consider variations in the modulus of elasticity when of using PLA on creep of high-performance concrete (Lopez
addressing changes in tensile and compressive strength. et al. 2006, 2008) concluded that creep can be significantly
reduced by ICC with PLA. The study compared three high-
4.8—Permeability and resistance to deicing performance concretes with the same amount of cementi-
chemicals tious materials (Type II portland cement, 15 percent Class
Dense, crack-free, low-permeability cement paste offers C fly ash, and 10 percent silica fume) at the same w/cm of
substantial resistance to deicing chemicals. Use of PLA 0.23. The main difference among the mixtures was in the
may contribute to minimizing the transport of deleterious coarse aggregate, which was either granite for the control
substances from the environment into the concrete, with fewer mixture with no absorptive material; prewetted lightweight
cracks and lower cement paste permeability. Conventionally, expanded slate aggregate for the internally cured mixture
to produce concrete with enhanced durability, low-w/cm with absorptive material; or air-dried expanded slate light-
mixtures, supplementary cementitious materials, or both, have weight aggregate for the non-internally cured mixture with
been used with positive results. Prewetted absorptive materials absorptive material. The PLA was sprayed with water for
have also been shown to have a positive influence. For example, 48 hours and drained at 100 percent relative humidity for 24
a PLFA substitution of only 100 lb/yd3 (59 kg/m3), which by hours while the air-dried lightweight aggregate was condi-
volume is approximately 11 percent, can reduce the rapid tioned at a temperature of 73.5 ± 3.5°F (23 ± 1.9°C) with a
chloride permeability test (RCPT) coulomb number by more relative humidity of 50 ± 5 percent for 1 week. Figure 4.9
than 25 percent (Hoff 2003). shows the creep results obtained after 120 days under load
In another study, chloride permeability of different high- with external loading applied at 24 hours of age. The user is
performance concrete mixtures with and without PLA encouraged to investigate the concrete mixture performance
was investigated for more than 3 years (Thomas 2006). for creep when creep is a critical criterion for the project.
At 28 days, the main difference in chloride permeability When concrete was loaded at early ages, 120-day specific
among the mixtures was given by the w/cm; there were not creep of the granite, the prewetted aggregate, and the air-
significant differences between the lightweight and normal- dried aggregate concretes were 0.125, 0.108, and 0.238 me/
weight aggregate mixtures. After 1 and 3 years, however, psi (18.1, 16.7, and 34.5 me/MPa), respectively (Fig. 4.9).
the permeability of the lightweight aggregate mixtures was The specific creep of the mixture is the creep strain divided
approximately 45 and 30 percent, respectively, of those with by the applied stress. The mixture with PLA presented the
normalweight aggregate. The difference in performance was lowest specific creep.
Fig. 5.2a—Mixture proportioning with absorptive material; inch-pound units (Bentz 2009).
4) Strength and shape of the lightweight aggregate (Bentz b) An insufficient spatial distribution of the lightweight
et al. 2005). aggregates within the concrete microstructure (Bentz and
The optimum amount of lightweight aggregate used to Snyder 1999);
supply absorbed moisture is a function of the type used and c) Autogenous shrinkage due to the pozzolanic reaction
its amount, size, and degree of saturation; the w/cm that between pozzolanic materials and calcium hydroxide rather
exists at mixing; type and amount of binders used in the than self-desiccation (Bentz 2007);
concrete mixture; rate of desorption from the lightweight d) Effects of other strains in concrete, such as thermal
aggregate; and extent and amount of external moist curing strains and drying shrinkage (Delatte 2008).
afforded to the concrete element (Hoff 2003). Bentz et al. For estimating purposes, use 0.07 pounds of water per
(2005) provides an equation to estimate the amount of light- pound of cement (0.07 grams of water per gram of cement)
weight aggregate (applies to either coarse or fine aggregate) for the chemical shrinkage coefficient. The lightweight
needed for a given concrete mixture aggregate supplier can provide precise data relating to the
adsorption of the aggregate. For actual mixture propor-
C f × CS × α max tioning, to obtain the concrete characteristics desired, use the
M LWA = (5.2) data for obtaining a three-point curve. The data needed are
S × φ LWA
obtained from actual tests of the characteristic in question.
For instance, if shrinkage reduction is desired and the equa-
Equation (5.2) provides only a starting estimate of the light- tion indicates that 200 lb (91 kg) is the mass needed, three
weight aggregate required to supply absorbed moisture, as it does tests using 150, 200, and 250 lb (68, 91, and 113 kg) of light-
not account for a variety of effects that may result in the occur- weight aggregate replacement would provide a three-point
rence of autogenous shrinkage in a concrete formulated with curve. A diagram, which is provided for use in performing
prewetted absorptive materials including, but not limited to: the same calculation as Eq. (5.2), is shown in Fig. 5.2a (in.-lb
a) Loss of some absorbed moisture from the aggregates units) and Fig. 5.2b (SI units) (Bentz 2009).
during mixing, transportation, and placement that effectively
increase the starting w/cm of the concrete;
5.3—Prewetting lightweight aggregate the w/cm of the mixture. Later, this water absorbed into the
Prewetting the lightweight aggregate is a critical proce- aggregate will be available for internal curing purposes.
dure for optimizing the character of the finished concrete. After equilibrium is achieved, the absorbed moisture will
Having the aggregate in its desired prewetted condition begin to desorb to hydrate the cement. Even with this situ-
when batched is an essential process dependent on the type ation, strengths may still be above those of the control at 3
of lightweight aggregate used. Those with a sealed surface days. From a field perspective, the key to successful imple-
require a longer soaking time that is best done in a pit filled mentation of this technology is to assure proper moisture
with water. Those that have an open texture or crushed conditioning of the lightweight aggregate as without this,
surface absorb water faster and are usually prewetted by additional problems with variable unit weight, slump loss,
sprinkling with water in a stockpile. The time required for pumpability, and finishability will likely occur (Villareal
the sprinkling is controlled by the application rate of the 2008).
water, absorption of the lightweight aggregate, and ambient
conditions. 5.4—Concrete batching. mixing, transporting,
Note that if the lightweight aggregate is not prewetted, placing, and finishing
early-age hydration and strength improvements are delayed The batching, mixing, transportation, placing, and
to a later time and, in some cases, reduced. Autogenous finishing of ICC is not significantly different from any other
shrinkage and creep might be also increased if lightweight common concrete practice. In batching, the lightweight
aggregate is below the saturated surface-dry condition. If in aggregate and mixing water should be placed in the mixer
doubt, run several ASTM C128-12 tests to be sure that the first for further assurance that the lightweight aggregate is
moisture content is never below saturated surface-dry. For properly prewetted. When the lightweight aggregate meets
instance, at 62 percent of potential saturated surface-dry, it the criteria cited in this report, the concrete mixture exhibits
takes time for the lightweight aggregate’s water content to batching mixing, transporting, placing and finishing char-
adjust in the fresh mixture, as some of the mixing water is acteristics that are similar to an equivalent conventional
first absorbed into the partially saturated aggregate, reducing mixture without internal curing.
Ries and T. Holm, eds., American Concrete Institute, Farm- by Mixing Water,” Concrete Materials and Placement Tech-
ington Hills, MI, pp. 143-154. niques, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, Feb.
Hoff, G. C., 2003, “Internal Curing of Concrete Using Roberts, J. W., 2004, “The 2004 Practice and Potential
Lightweight Aggregate,” Theodore Bremner Symposium on of Internal Curing of Concrete Using Lightweight Sand,”
High Performance Lightweight Concrete, Sixth CANMET/ Advances in Concrete Through Science and Engineering,
ACI International Conference on Durability, Thessaloniki, RILEM Publications S.A.R.L., Bagneux, France, Mar.
Greece, June, pp. 185 to 203. Thomas, M. D. A., 2006, “Chloride Diffusion in High-
Jensen, O. M., and Lura, P., 2006, “Techniques and Mate- Performance Lightweight Aggregate Concrete,” Proceedings
rials for Internal Water Curing of Concrete,” Materials and of the 7th CANMET/ACI International Conference on Dura-
Structures, V. 39, No. 9, Nov., pp. 817-825. bility of Concrete, SP-234, V. M. Malhotra, ed., American
Kovler, K., and Jensen, O. M., eds., 2007, “Internal Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, pp. 797-812 pp.
Curing of Concrete,” State of the Art Report of RILEM Tech- United Nations World Commission on Environment and
nical Committee 196-ICC, RILEM Publications S.A.R.L., Development, 1987, Our Common Future, Oxford Univer-
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