Muthanna Journal of Engineering and Technology
Volume (5), Issue (1), Year (30 April 2017), Pages (16-21)
DOI:10.52113/3/eng/mjet/2017-05-01/16-21
Research Article By:
Alaa Ahmed Shakir
Corresponding author E-mail: alaa.shakir@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
Internal curing has become a modern technology holds promises for making a durable mortar and decreasing early-age cracking. Since mortar service life is a crucial factor of providing sustainable structures, internal curing can provide a distinct contribution to increase the sustainability of our nation’s building. This study shows results of an experimental investigation of using crushed brick waste (CBW) in cement mortar mixtures prepared by substituting sand by some percentages (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%) of (CBW). Three curing regimes were adopted in this study: water curing by immersing specimens in water for 28 days, partially water curing by immersing specimens in water for 3 days and left them in laboratory for 24 days and air curing in laboratory for 28 days without immersing samples in water to recognize an ideal methodology for determining whether a given (CBW) can be used for internal curing in cement mortar. Fresh density, hardened density, compressive strength, water absorption, and modulus of rupture were tested. Results indicated that fresh and hardened density, compressive strength and modulus of rupture were decreased with the addition of (CBW). However, they were higher for mortars cured in air conditions than those cured in water and partially water curing. Water absorption was increased with the increase of (CBW). It was demonstrated that air cured mortar give good results for mechanical properties as compared with water cured mortar, hence (CBW) can be used for internal curing in cement mortar especially in finishing works.
Keywords: Crushed brick waste, internal curing, water curing, partial waste curing, air curing, mortar properties.